Horse shares/loans

[jess592]

Hi, I have been thinking about loaning a horse for a few months and I was wondering what you would consider ready to start loaning?
It's a big jump going from riding once a week and helping out with the school horses to being the boss and taking care of a horse on my own. I don't have any 'horsey' family members so I'm worried incase anything goes wrong but I have been having riding lessons for a few years now and I think I'm ready, just want a second opinion I suppose.

 

[Muddy unicorn]

How about finding a share for a couple of days a week for a few months - that way the jump from riding school to full loan (which is effectively sole responsibility for the horse) won't be quite so big

 

[muddybay]

I shared before I owned and it's a good way to see if you have the time and the motivation to look after one full time! It's a big jump to make as you said so I would really recommend sharing.

 

[Bobbit]

Definitely share first. Its a really good way of finding out if you have the time and energy to commit. I found it compounded my feelings that I definitely wanted my own and I'm reasonably lucky to have a flexible job so could accommodate the extra time needed. Good luck!

 

[mossycup]

Definitely look for a share - it gives you that little bit more responsibility and freedom than school riding does, but without the bigger responsibility of a full loan. I have a lovely share boy 3 times a week and it's perfect for me at the moment as I have two kids, and I suspect lockdown/not being able to work/not having kids at school + a horse that was totally mine would have been very difficult to juggle.