Im looking into loaning - have you ever done this?

[hobnob]

Im looking into loaning a horse with a friend. This would be our first time having (potentially) full responsibility of a horse, though we have had experience at riding schools and I've had experience looking after and hacking out with my friend on her horses. I am also currently helping out a young eventer. I've just turned 17 so will be driving soon, and we both will be working and sharing the expense.

I was just wondering how you found the experience and what you would recommend. Have you had any bad experiences? What do we need to look out for? And how much responsibility does the owner have?

 

[Snowysadude]

If you are looking to full loan then the owner has no responsibility at all, you would have to pay all costs (so for most owners that means insurance, shoes, tack repairs etc if you damage it as well as all the usual stabling, bedding, haylage and feed plus comp entries or unexpected vet bill so you always need some money put aside etc), most responsible owners will have a good contract drawn up stating what you can/cannot do and it will clearly outline what is expected of someone loaning the horse, where you can keep the horse and what you can do with it etc.

Just a word of warning having seen other young people sharing horses with friends, you may be best of friends at the moment with this person who you want to share the costs and time with the horse 50/50 but its amazing how easily once you are sharing things start falling apart, what if you want to go to the same training show? Or you both want the same days, both think the horse needs different things, what if you or your friend decide one or the other wants to give up but not the other will you be able to afford the horse alone or send them back? I find just sharing when I owned a horse has put a strain on relationships (when they just contribute finanically and I own the horse, friend has set days they ride) let alone having to share responsibilities and not having one person who makes the final decison!

But anyway thats just my advice, beware having a horse of your own is harder than it seems, especially when your sharing it with a good friend!

 

[Ashgrove]

This ^^

 

[maxapple]

Loaning is a great way of learning - but I'd probably part loan to start with so that you still have someone there to help when you need it. You also might find it quite difficult to find someone willing to full loan their horse out to two teenagers (Not meaning to sound rude here - but as an owner I'd be a bit concerned and would want someone a bit older / more experienced)

It might be a better idea to try and find two horses that you and your friend can part loan - perhaps at the same yard. That way you will get to ride etc together. Sharing could also be quite difficult if you disagree on things - you really need one person who has overall responsibility.

 

[Equus Leather]

Agree with posters above. I would ensure there was a contract between yourself and the horses owner, as well as a contract between yourself and your friend. Not sure loaning between friends will work....might be hunky dory now but give it a couple of months and you'll be bickering over money. What happens if your friend is riding the horse and something happens, needs lots of vet treatment, who will pay? Not the owner.....will you pay horrendous vet bills for something your friend might have done???

Think it's a risky one.

However, loaning on your own is excellent, but not sure anyone would loan to a 17yr old? I could be wrong though.

 

[MrsHutt]

Agree with all of the above. I think it might be a recipe for disaster, sharing a loan with a friend (I also think you might find it difficult to find someone prepared to loan a horse under these circumstances).

I would say it would be better to find someone who would share their horse and be there to offer support and advice, and ultimate responsibility - maybe even two shares at the same yard as someone suggested, so you can ride together?

There are places that offer a lot of support to new owners and have a much more 'formal' arrangement for part loaning (maybe called 'renting' or 'leasing'?). That way you get a 'get out' if it is not working for you. Where abouts are you? I know of two places in the SE (at least when I was looking about a year ago, there were! )

 

[hobnob]

You have pretty much voiced my own concerns about sharing with a friend! There is an awful lot to think about - currently I feel I would be quite leanient towards how much work she did and how many rides she had because I am the more experienced one. However Im sure when the time came, arguements might crop up! Also the money would probably end up being an issue for arguements.

Sharing a horse or two could be a sensible possibility, as well as perhaps working for rides? Im located in Worcestershire, Wyre Forest area

I do like to think Im a responsible and sensible 17 year old! I know most people my age are immature, mess about and are lazy but please give me a chance! To be honest people my age tend to annoy me, I prefer older company and proper conversation..

 

[RolyPolyPony]

I agree with the other replies. I'm 21 and i got my boy on loan in october but before i found him i found that some people were not happy about loaning their horse out to me due to my age. I have ridden for just over 15 years and shared for the last 2years. None of my family are into horses so it was completely up to me to look after it, and pay for anything the horse needed. Make sure you add up everything and allow for unexpected bills as I've found little things come up here and there that he needs. You've got to be prepared for the unexpected. I've given up all my luxuries to pay for my horse each month.

i echo what a reply said about sharing/part loaning a horse.

 

[hobnob]

I agree with the other replies. I'm 21 and i got my boy on loan in october but before i found him i found that some people were not happy about loaning their horse out to me due to my age. I have ridden for just over 15 years and shared for the last 2years. None of my family are into horses so it was completely up to me to look after it, and pay for anything the horse needed. Make sure you add up everything and allow for unexpected bills as I've found little things come up here and there that he needs. You've got to be prepared for the unexpected. I've given up all my luxuries to pay for my horse each month.

i echo what a reply said about sharing/part loaning a horse.

None of my family are into horses either, though they have supported me. It does make it harder because I'm pretty much on my own - they would probably help me out financially in an emergency but they would be clueless about day to day care! I've been riding for almost 10 years now and have experience of horse care for about 5/6 years. Im helping out an woman with her eventers at the moment but I feel in the way and have to wait to be invited - and she's so busy I barely ever am My friend and I could do with finding someone who will have us on a regular basis with not so much commitment as buying or full-loaning a horse! Working for rides or something It's whether they'd trust us to ride out though because of our age