How do you get a decent loaner?

sam-b

sam-b

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One who who doesn't abuse the horse, or give her me back just as I am about to give birth etc! Also where do I advertise ? She is such a nice mare and would be a real asset for someone have she has schooled BE novice placed unaff eventing, £450 Bsja and bd points .. I adore this mate and am loath to sell her but am worried about loaning her to a stranger :(
 
I loaned my last horse for 3 years before I bought her. I most certainly did not abuse her. The owner never checked on her, never called me. She was just happy she didn't have to feed and look after her. It cuts both ways you know. If you are that worried you need to keep the horse at the same yard, so you can keep tight control.
 
I'm not suggesting people are out there to do it, just that it does happen. I am prepared for her to move yard as I may not find someone in my area to Loan her
 
If she had been a gelding i might have been interested, but hey ho!
My old pony has been out on loan for about 15yrs now and is now 35 and retired but i have been very lucky with the loan home.
I think it helps if you can do it by word of mouth
 
I have tried that but to nO avail so far :( I stuck an advert on the local Rc page in Facebook and the bs page but no real joy from these either... So am thinking maybe horsequest
 
You have to exercise care, investigate the person, talk to references, arrange to visit etc. But you also have to reciprocate and keep in mind, by asking people to pay, you are entering into a business relationship. Be honest about what you expect re standard of care, training etc but, by the same token, understand other people will not do things exactly as you would like and so long as the horse is not being harmed, you might have to accept differences in practice. Also, no one can predict the future and often people are looking to loan rather than buy precisely because they have limited funds or are not sure of other elements in their lives. You might very well get the horse back if they fall on hard times, get hurt, have to move etc! It's a risk you're willing to take by loaning. Encourage people to be honest with you - and be honest with them.

I've leased horses out before and had it work wonderfully. I will say though, I've never done it to a complete unknown, I've always known the coach or the yard owner or the farrier or some other professional.
 
When I put Pilfer on loan he went to Bill Levett to be a schoolmaster for the working pupils to compete.

I checked on him regularly at Bill's and also went to watch him at events.
I felt better that he was at a professional yard with a good reputation rather than a 'stranger' if that makes sense?

If your mare is a good schoolmistress something similar could be an option?

Pilfer was very, very safe but also an excellent schoolmaster as he made sure the girls rode him properly and they competed him at Intro/PN so well within his scope.
 
Good luck - no tips on how to find a decent loaner, I've tried twice and failed twice. My horse is the loveliest, most straightforward mare and yet the first time she was loaned out (to my instructor, kept at my current yard) she lasted about 3 weeks, and the second time, to a friend of my instructor, she lasted 6 days. There is no accounting for people or the bizarre decisions they make! My horse was returned (lame) to me about 6 weeks ago now, and still has a large scrape/burn on her hip. I'm sure there are lovely loaners out there but trust your instincts, mine nagged away at me both times but I was too trusting. I'd only loan to someone very well known to me or very well known to a trusted friend I think, in future.
 
Ive got an idea, what about an equestrian college? Not everyones cup of tea as not all horses suit it but some thrive on being in a big yard with routine and they arent ridden by numptys as everyone has to pass an assessment before they can ride the horses. You know she will be kept in work, in good condition ect.
Otherwise you have to listen to your instincts loaning.
I loaned my horse before I brought him and have loaned horses over long time periods in the past. I treat the horses as if its my very own (in my eyes it is while I have it). When I go and see and meet the owners and horse I take photos of my riding, references from instructors, past loan owners, people who know me. I am happy to sign a contract, if something goes wrong with the horse I work with the owner to resolve the problem and not just hand it back at the first sign of trouble. I would give regular updates and were happy for them to come and see the horse whenever they liked.
My loan owners have always been very very happy with me and they in turn let me get on with it and don't stick their nose in and they were happy to trust me. I loved my last loan horse so much I brought him.
There are lots of people like me out there but having been on the other side trying to find loanees, I know what you mean.
You will know when you meet the right person, you will click with the person, they will do everything to prove what a brilliant home they can provide.
Try advertising on HorseQuest I stuck an advert up for my old horse for loan and I was inundated and she didnt have the comp winnings yours have. The phone was ringing off the hook and I had so many to choose from. There were lots of teenagers and young riders desperate to find a good horse to compete, riders that had really good competition records and were starting out on their riding careers. As well as that I had housewives and keen amatures and all sorts. So I would recommend giving that a go as well :). Write a really good advert as if you were selling and use a great jumping picture. Decent loan horses are so rare you should have your pick of people.
 
It's a difficult one but I think word of mouth is the best way rather than advertising to the masses. I found my loan horse through the local riding club and it was all word of mouth. Friend of a friend etc etc. It's worked out brilliantly and I've had my mare for nearly 5 years now and wouldn't be without her.
 
Thanks for the ideas guys - I have spoken to a couple of colleges but they think she is too advanced and want horses more suitable for novices.

I have just put an ad on Horsequest so will see what that brings...
 
Horsequest apparently brings millions of phonecalls!

Had a lady come out tonight who is very keen and wants to come back out saturday and I have the weekend fully booked with viewings :|
 
I`m surprised the colleges said that. Mine went to Morton morrell after two loaners that loved him then gave me no notice of sending him back thrkuvb no fault of his own. He has competed up to int BE and was used for sfage4.
Unfortunately he has vkt injured
 
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