How hard is it to find a home for a companion pony?

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bertin12

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As title really. I need to put my pony out on long term/ permanent loan as a companion in a few months time but am unsure if it's worth advertising now & just putting the feelers out but making it clear I don't need to find a new home immediately.
The only reason I need to put him on loan is because I'm planning on getting a new horse and can't have two where I am, so I don't want to get to the position where I find a new horse but can't find a home for current pony.
 
Depends on the market. If there is someone with a horse looking a pony to keep it company then you're sweet, but if it is a market full of people looking a lead rein not a chance.

Whats your ponys data? ridden/old/abused etc?
 
equi said:
Whats your ponys data? ridden/old/abused etc?
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It's a long story, but we think he was abused as a baby, then spent most of his life sat in a field, had multiple people 'try' to back him but never worked, he ended up as a nervous wreck terrified of anyone. Couldn't catch him etc. I've had him for 5 years originally the plan was to restart him but I've come to the decision he'd be best off as a companion instead. The backing/ riding side of things is another complicated story in itself!

He's a lovely sweet boy now though and as long as you're quiet with him and take the time to let him get to know you he is a saint to handle. Plus he's a native so lives off thin air and is cheap to keep!
 
The problem with ponies as companions is they often need different management to horses. When I was looking for a companion I was concerned about a pony getting laminitis so wanted something I could exercise.
As it happens the one I got was not backed (owner said she was) and as a difficult 9yr old it took a very long time to back her and she's still not suitable for kids. Even if your pony will lunge you may find it easier to find a home than if he can't do anything to keep weight off. Living off fresh air isn't always a bonus if you need them to go out with something that needs grass.
 
He can be lunged/ free schooled & loves it when you put a jump up for him :)
The reason he isn't ridden isn't because of an injury, just his past & both me & my instructor have decided he's not suited to being a ridden pony.

Perfect on the ground though :)
 
EKW said:
People wont want to take on a companion pony that can be a hassle. The general idea of a companion is to be easy going, low maintenance amd uncomplicated.
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That's what I thought, and in my eyes that's what he is. He's never been lame (I've known him most of his life even before I got him) and will happily live out 24/7 or come in, he's just a laid back pony who is happy to have a quiet life but can be lunged etc to help with weight management
 
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I would prob advertise now and if the perfect home came up I'm sure you would be happy to home pony now? You don't want to end up desperate and maybe putting him to someone unsuitable out of desperation (unintentionally of course). Ponies are tricky though as companions, I loan a Welsh A as a companion and in winter it's ideal but it's actually hard work in summer as my TB needs grass and I need to watch the Welshie as she gets obese and trying to restrict her grazing is a nightmare as she just goes through fencing whether it's electric tape, permanent wire fencing she can actually climb through (I struggle to climb through, so god know how she does it).

Probably not the best time of year coming in to winter so getting the word out now is probably your best bet.
 
Realistically I can't afford to keep two, if I found somewhere that does grass livery then maybe but that's very rare where I am!

I think I'll just advertise him now. I've never done this before, so where's best to advertise without getting loads of time waters or people being nosey? Everyone seems to advertise on Facebook these days. Anyone had luck with horse4homes?
 
Personally you will be v lucky to get him a home and from my experience they come back from loan homes all the time or mine always seemed to. So if he came back what would u do then? Personally I would keep him or pts
 
thatsmygirl said:
Personally you will be v lucky to get him a home and from my experience they come back from loan homes all the time or mine always seemed to. So if he came back what would u do then? Personally I would keep him or pts
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Sorry but there is no way I'd put my perfectly happy & healthy horse to sleep. If I really couldn't find somewhere for him I'd just have to rethink my options and work out a plan b
 
In a country over run with unrideable horses there are very few suitable homes looking for a companion.

Advertise by all means, but be very aware that ultimately this horse is still your responsibility. Vet homes carefully and check up regularly. Have a plan for what to do if the horse gets sent back or if you need to retrieve quickly.
 
ihatework said:
Advertise by all means, but be very aware that ultimately this horse is still your responsibility. Vet homes carefully and check up regularly. Have a plan for what to do if the horse gets sent back or if you need to retrieve quickly.
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Thank you for the advice. I've never loaned a horse out before but there will definitely be contracts & I'll make sure to check the home first & visit too. I'm guessing references could be good idea too?
 
If your pony can be left in field or stable on his own for periods of time (while other horses are out riding) then that's a bonus. Plenty of people who have their own land but maybe only 1 or 2 horses would be looking for a a companion. Word of mouth is best but put ads on local riding club websites and local gumtree (that's where I got my loan pony 3years ago...she's still here;-) ) then you should be able to wean out time wasters. Xx
 
izzy. said:
Thank you for the advice. I've never loaned a horse out before but there will definitely be contracts & I'll make sure to check the home first & visit too. I'm guessing references could be good idea too?
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References, from their regular vet would be my suggestion. Plus a copy of a document to prove their address.
Also insure your horse against vets fees and keep the policy in your name. Definitely have a contract (template available from BHS), but do be aware that if the brown stuff hits the fan it won't count for much. You must have a contingency plan in place for if you need to go and retrieve an ill horse.
 
He can be left on his own happily, may call a bit but if there's food he won't notice he's alone.

It's a bit scary entering the world or loaning a horse out! So much to sort out and organise to try and get everything to go smoothly
 
The problem with loaning a pony out is, you may find the perfect home, you get a nice new horse, your loaned out pony get sent back? What happens then.

I have thought about it a lot when my horse gets too old to be ridden, I really want to go on and get a new horse to compete on etc but I don't have the time to give 2 horses the attention I believe mine deserve, but what do I do with my current one? I will either keep him and do myself out of riding a horse or pay for him to go to a retirement home (obviously a checked out one) am sure there are many of us in that position
 
If you do intend loaning him make sure that you Freezemark him so that he can always be identified in the future. Unfortunately however good the intentions a number of loan horses disappear each year.
 
Ok now I'm worrying that he will either go on loan then come back quickly or disappear!
I may just have to find a way to afford retirement livery Instead
 
This was me exactly 4 years ago. My 8 year old pony fractured her knee, I didn't want to PTS. So I kept her on grass livery for winter and then decided I wanted another ridden horse. Got my ridden horse realised I couldn't afford both, my mare has been out on numerous loan homes and always comes back eventually. I am now getting her back this weekend where she will go back on grass livery and I've decided to start working her again and hope that I can find a longer term full loan and a hacking/companion pony. If I cannot find her a home she will unfortunately be PTS.

I know its not very optimistic but I doubt very much you will find a long term home for your pony. We are over run with horses in this country and I imagine most people that want companions will buy something cheap like youngstock and then break them when they are old enough sell on and then continue the cycle.
 
I've advertised him and have had a couple people enquire but like everyone says it's unlikely it will be forever which makes it tricky. Any retirement livery I've found is £200 a month or more and a friend of a friend actually does retirement livery which id be happy for him to go to if I could actually afford it!
 
izzy. said:
Realistically I can't afford to keep two, if I found somewhere that does grass livery then maybe but that's very rare where I am!

I think I'll just advertise him now. I've never done this before, so where's best to advertise without getting loads of time waters or people being nosey? Everyone seems to advertise on Facebook these days. Anyone had luck with horse4homes?
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It depends if you are willing to travel a bit further afield for what you want i.e grass livery. I posted an ad stating why I needed and wanted grass livery on a local facebook page, and that if I could find the right place that was more than so many miles away, I would need support as I could only visit so many days per week. I had various offers close to home, but 2 offers around 20 miles away (in different directions though!), really reasonably priced, and with daily checks, ad lib hay and support included.

In terms of advertising, I would try horsemart, equine adverts, local farm and tack shops, facebook and also word of mouth through friends. Never tried horses4homes but I am sure there are people that have had luck there. I would say you need to really vet homes before agreeing anything, look at where your horse would be kept, don't be scared to get references, speak to others on the yard that they want to keep your horse at, and do regular checks. I visited my horse about 3/4 times in the first 2 months, and since then have visited every few weeks.

I found a lovely short term loan home for my horse, and feel extremely lucky that they were such a perfect fit, however there are plenty more out there who would probably suit too! It may take longer, and be harder to find something more permanent for your boy, but there is no harm in putting an ad out there and seeing who appears. If you do all you can to ensure it is the right home and that they are honest people, then don't panic too much!

What I would say though, is if you cannot find a suitable loan home/horse ends up coming back, that you have worked out a Plan B, including your finances and what you may choose to do if you either situation happens. I know it sounds negative thinking of it that way, but I have learnt when it comes to horses, knowing your options and keeping things open to change is the best way you can be- especially when loaning!

Good luck in your search!
 
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misskk88 said:
It depends if you are willing to travel a bit further afield for what you want i.e grass livery. I posted an ad stating why I needed and wanted grass livery on a local facebook page, and that if I could find the right place that was more than so many miles away, I would need support as I could only visit so many days per week. I had various offers close to home, but 2 offers around 20 miles away (in different directions though!), really reasonably priced, and with daily checks, ad lib hay and support included

Good luck in your search!
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Thank you, ive added to his add about the option of grass livery with help, if it's close enough to me I can go up on the 2 days I get off work.
 
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