Horse going out on loan - any tips/advice?

[NikNak1]

Hi all,
My horse is about to go out on loan as I'm pregnant. Initially for a year but with potential to extend if it suits us both. Family seem lovely and are stabled with experienced trainers so I am confident she'll be well looked after. We are using the bhs loan agreement as a guide (which has been v helpful) but was wondering whether there was anything that people would also include in hindsight or any unexpected problems that could've been avoided if considered in advance?
We have agreed to split insurance costs and keep it in my name as this seemed fair to everyone.
Am just after some reassurance that we have all bases covered really!!
Many thanks for any advice

 

[Wishfilly]

A few things you might not have thought about:

-The horse's passport is supposed to go with the horse. I know of a few cases where loaners have then changed the ownership in horse's passports to their ownership, which can cause problems/confusion further down the line. It might be worth checking with whoever your horse is passported with to see what they advise.

-Are you sending any tack/rugs etc with the horse? If so, I would inventory this fully, including the condition of the tack and ask the loaners to sign and agree to replace anything that gets lost/broken like for like.

Finally, make sure they are happy for you to turn up to check the horse at any time without notice, and know that they can't move the horse without your agreement.

 

[Damnation]

I would also take pictures of the horse from every angle.. feet, bum, front, each side, legs etc and the condition of anything valuable going with the horse like tack, boots, rugs etc.

Call me a cynic...

 

[NikNak1]

Thanks for these! Yes tack etc are going so definitely a good idea to take pics of them before they go & woll specify on agreement what has gone and value. Better to be safe than sorry!
Yes she would be going with her passport as they will be competing her so will need it for that so yes good idea to check with agency so they can't change ownership. I'm sure they would have no intention of doing so but never can be too sure!

 

[OWLIE185]

However plausible the loaners appear to be take great care as many horses disappear while being on loan never to bee seen again. There are some very clever and convincing people out there.
Ask to see the loaners passport, driving licence and a current rates bill or a utility bill and photocopy them and keep them in a safe place.
Ensure that your horse is both freezemarked on it's shoulder and also micro-chipped with a ISO European standard 9 digit micro-chip.
Check the premises on which the horse will be kept prior to loaning the horse and also regularly after you have loaned the horse.
Have the horses vetted before it goes on loan so that both parties know the condition it is in.
Get a specialist equine solicitor to thoroughly check the loan agreement before getting at least two copies signed and dated by both parties.

 

[NikNak1]

Thank you for that. I think I am a bit guilty of being too trusting. At least they are known by a friend of a friend who's an instructor so they are not completely unknown but you can never be too careful