Is Full Loan A Real Option?

[legyield]

I'm in the last stages of my university degree and can't help myself thinking about getting a new addition once I've finished in a couple of months (all depending on whether I can manage to find myself a job of some sort). I currently have a rising 2yo filly who, for obvious reasons, I won't be able to ride for a while.

Now I'm wondering whether full loan is the route to go down. I barely ever see horses advertised for full loan, and I'm aware a lot of owners don't like the idea of their horse leaving their yard with all the horror stories around. I part loaned horses for years before getting my girl, but only ever had one on full loan which ended awfully (loaned my friend's TB after having ridden him, paid for transport for him to be moved, got him to the new yard and he went absolutely beserk within a few days which didn't change so went back to the owner).

One of my main reasons for wanting one on full loan rather than save up straight away is so I have something to ride and compete over the summer as I graduate at the end of May. However I see so many adverts stating "no loans", which is fair enough and totally up to the owner, but I find it quite disheartening.

Is it realistic to find a 15.3hh-16.2hh sport horse type for full loan without some sort of catch? Or am I asking for too much, should concentrate on doing bits with my youngster and save like mad? I would eventually like to own another rather than just loan so LWVTB or installments would be ideal but I'm aware, again, a lot of owners don't want the hassle.

Is there any success stories on the part of those who have put their horse out on full loan or have a horse on full loan?
Sorry for the long winded post, I'm just curious!

 

[Spring Feather]

I have a couple of horses out on full loan. They are loaned by friends of mine and are kept very local to me so I see them and ride out with them a few times a week. I will never sell these horses but as I had no real use for them, when my friends asked if they could buy the horses I suggested full loan to which they both jumped at the opportunity. It is a win-win situation all round. I think you should be able to find a horse for loan, maybe advertise rather than wait for a loan advert to come up? Check out your local tack shops and feed merchants as they usually have lots of adverts like this.

 

[Mad_Cow347]

We've had our boy on full loan for 4 years now, although his owner has very little contact with us so it's a good job we are nice people who look after him!

It works perfectly for us, his owner has nowhere to keep him and we don't really have the money to buy him.

There isn't much else to say but hopefully that helps to see there are success stories out there!

 

[Ladydragon]

We've had a 14.1 pony on full loan for the last year... She's only a youngster but as safe as houses for the children... Definitely NOT what you're looking for...

But I love her to bits and dread the day we'll have to terminate the loan... I've been looking for a horse I can ride in a rather ploddy hacking sort of way that'll also come for my son at PC and for hacking out unsupervised... He's outgrowing the pony fast...

Best thing we did was meet her owners and take her on loan...

PS...My daughter has had a pony on loan for my grand daughter... Since last summer... She's 18yrs old and in great shape compared to when she arrived... No fault of her lovely owner but she had a toddler and baby with zero chance to ride... Her owner's hoping to sneak up for a ride soon and she'll probably be with my daughter for a while yet...

I have seen some 'competition horse' type loans available... And loans can work out really well...

 

[overtherainbow]

one of mine is out on loan for a year and its brilliant- keep gettin photos and competition updates and he looks fab! though it is to a family we have known for years and everyone around them recognises him as mine!