Is no one loaning ponies anymore?

sidesaddlegirl

sidesaddlegirl

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11 November 2007
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Location
Wigston, Leicestershire
www.sidesaddlegirl.co.uk
I've recieved a grand total of two responses to my ads looking for a suitable loan pony for my friend's daughter for her to progress with her riding. Both responders have disapeared after initial contact.

Is it because I am looking for a pony for a 12 year old girl and there are LOADS of horseless 12/13 year old girl pony wanted ads up on the various websites?

I know alot of these ads are from kids who have only been riding a year or so at a RS and don't really have an idea of how much work is involved so I know alot of loaners tend to ignore these ads but this pony will be kept at my stable under my supervision, etc. I state this in my responses when the loaners email me but I guess they don't believe me?

I look throught the ads on the various sites but alot of the ones that look to be suitable, say "no children" or to be kept at the present yard.

When I put up my own loan ad last year before I got Hattie, I had tons of responses and still get people emailing now occasionally with 16hh- 17hh horses (LOL, they must have saved my ads!). I guess the difference is that I'm a grown adult so people reckon that I'll be more serious than a kid but this loan pony would also be a companion to Hattie when Beauty goes. Beauty is 35 and I'm starting to see changes in her so I'm seriously thinking that this may be her last winter.

LOL, I think I'm rambling here but these are all thought that have been going through my head over the past week and I know my friend's daughter is getting discouraged too with the lack of responses too and I feel bad for her.
 

I think its difficult on both sides...

I am looking to loan my Welsh D out, I am practically bouncing off the walls with excitement this morning because I have just spoken to the first person that I really want to loan my horse to!!

I've had endless calls from all sorts of people, most of whom I have been able to weed out over the phone, but even those that sounded OK have been less than ideal when they have come to see him!!
 
Why not word the loan ad from an adult so that it looks serious.

Along the lines of I am looking for a suitable pony for loan as a companion to my horse and as a competition pony for my 12 year old daughter/neice/goddaughter experienced horsey home, with two other equines etc etc mention current companion is elderly and maybe say what type of work she plans to do with the pony. I think serious loaners would be more likely to send their pony to a family planning to do pony club or BSPS or BSJA or whatever than someone just looking for a hack, unless it is elderly and looking for a quiet life.

I'd mention what you are looking for to the local pony club DC and Secretary as they may know of families with a pony that is without a jockey. I often see adverts for ponies for loan because oldest child has outgrown and youngest isn't big enough. Put adverts up on notice boards at centres where competitions take place and so on too.

I think your best chance of getting a loan pony is either a retired or nearly retired one or a competition pony that is outgrown or without a jockey, bear in mind the age limits for pony classes mean that families that compete seriously have to change ponies fairly regularly.
 
This is my ad, I think it sounds serious enough?

14- 14.3hh safe confidence giver pony (10 years +) wanted on long term/ permanent loan for a keen and competent novice 12 year old girl for hacking, local riding club gymkhanas and dressage shows, maybe even try a bit of jumping and a bit of side saddle! 5* experienced supervised home awaits with my own TBx mare and a very eldery pony mare as companions, at our small yard in Blaby with access to a menage and riding club, bridlepaths on the doorstep and an excellent farrier at our disposal.

Do you think I should re-word it or add more info?
 
I wonder whether the bit about 'gymkhanas'is putting them off? Gymkhanas might make them think the girl is going to be racing around yanking the pony in the mouth. I'd be inclined to just put 'local riding club competitions' instead.

The side saddle bit might make some people a bit wary as well, if they don't know much about it, so consider leaving that out unless it is an essential requirement.

I'd also add a bit about facilities such as turnout, stabling etc so that owners know their pony isn't likely to be standing in a knee high patch of mud all winter surrounded by barbed wire and old machinery!
 

That ad definitely wouldn't have scared me off!!!

I can't understand why you haven't had a good reponse, from what I can see good loan homes are few and far between!!
 
Hmm, it probably is difficult as you're looking for something alot of people want I guess.

I assue you're tried this one as in your area?

http://www.horsemart.co.uk/advert/for_loan_14_1hh_arab_x_geldin_leicestershire/68471

I know it says no novices etc but it sounds like a nice pony and, although you say your child is a 'novice' it sounds like she's competent and you certainly are so I don't see why a younger pony wouldn't be suitable? Worth a call/visit I reckon. Sometimes a younger pony and good child rider can work well.

Another option - have you tried charities? This little chap looks nice

http://www.bluecross.org.uk/web/site/Ado...ation=&pg=9

Or

http://www.bluecross.org.uk/web/site/Ado...tion=&pg=11

I would certainly keep your eye on charity websites/PC websites
 
I also wonder whether the fact that the child is not your own daughter might have put off the two responders who 'disappeared' after initial contact. I know I had an enquiry about our pony from someone in exactly the same situation as you, and I know I was concerned about who the pony would actually be loaned to (the horsey friend or the non-horsey parent). I did overcome my reservations enough to let them come and view (although rider was totally unsuitable
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) but I can understand why others may be a little worried by the set up.
 
Would you really want a 14hh permanently for a 12 year old??? She'll probably outgrow it.

Would you consider a pony that was only on loan for a year or two? If so make this clear, if you really want to offer the pony a home for life then say so too. I'd be flexible so as to not cut out a lot of potential loaners.
 
Furst, try all the local pony clubs, Fernie, Woodyp etc.

14.2hh's are in high demand so it may just be that no-one has one.
Is she small enough to ride anything smaller? perhaps widen your search that way? 12-13.2hh's can carry teenagers with ease, and she'd perhaps have alot more fun.
I'd miss out the exact location (area) as it could be mistaken for a few yards round that area which might put people off
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Another alternative is to try riding schools in the area and ask if any are for sale. At least with buying you're not going to end up with a heartbroken teenager when the loaner wants their pony back come the easter hols (It does happen).
 
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I also wonder whether the fact that the child is not your own daughter might have put off the two responders who 'disappeared' after initial contact. I know I had an enquiry about our pony from someone in exactly the same situation as you, and I know I was concerned about who the pony would actually be loaned to (the horsey friend or the non-horsey parent). I did overcome my reservations enough to let them come and view (although rider was totally unsuitable
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) but I can understand why others may be a little worried by the set up.

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I think that is a very valid point. If there is any sort of relaationship to the girl then put it in. If not perhaps say "for loan to competent adult seeking company for 16hh TB, competent 12 year old jockey available to ride and do PC/RC activities and dressage under close supervision."
 
Safe, sensible all rounders are worth their weight in gold and I certainly wouldn't put a 10 year old out on long term loan when I could sell it for a couple of grand.

There are so many nightmare stories about loaners, most people might wonder why you're not looking to commit to buying.

Please take the line about the farrier out of your ad - it sounds a bit novicey - a good farrier, vet, dentist, instructor at your disposal should be a given and you can mention all of that when speaking properly to a potential loaner
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I also agree with the point above - it screams "actual loaner is not experienced enough to write the ad" - however Katt's wording works well
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Hmm, all good points- I think I shall have to rewrite the ad and see what happens. You guys have all made valid points so i think I'm going to have to have a sit down with J and see what exactly she wants and if she wouldn't mind a short term loan, etc.

We had settled on something in the 14 hh range as J probably won't be as tall as me as her dad is about my height (I'm 5'9") and her mum is alot shorter. I've ridden horses in the 14hh range so we figured it would be a good height for her to carry through her teen years, etc. We would not be adverse to something a little smaller or bigger though.

J would love to buy her own pony but her parents don't want to outlay that kind of money since they are like my parents were, they think she's going to "outgrow her interest" although they don't mind paying for that upkeep.

I have looked at the Blue Cross website, Horseworld and the RSPCA but with BC and Horseworld, they seem to only want to loan out within a certain mile radius of the centers I'm not mistaken?
 
I don't know about the radius for loaning out - I thought maybe Oxfordshire (Burford) wouldn't be out of the question but then I don't know where you are in Leics. Guess they're always worth a call to enquire.

We had a Blue Cross horse many moons ago - dunno where he was from originally but there aren't any centres up my way as far as I can see!
 
Redwings arent far away
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. The only other suggestion is to again, go for something smaller for a year until her parents are sure she won't lose interest?
 
I don't think Redwings loan, they have a home for life policy for their horses.

I'd look for something for a year to begin with, you would probably be able to get something very capable and very been there done that then.

Maybe after a year you will have a better idea of what she wants/needs long term and size.

Generally the only people who want to loan out long term are people whose horses aren't fit for much. So I'd take that emphasis out of the advert. The beauty of loaning is that you aren't permanently comitted like buying, make the most of it.

Don't bank on her not growing too much. My Dad is 5'10", my mum is 5foot if she stands up really straight...... I'm 5'8" and really struggle on anything smaller than 15hh. People generally grow taller than their parents. Hubby is 6'2" and neither of his parents are more than 5'7"!!!
 
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Don't bank on her not growing too much. My Dad is 5'10", my mum is 5foot if she stands up really straight...... I'm 5'8" and really struggle on anything smaller than 15hh. People generally grow taller than their parents. Hubby is 6'2" and neither of his parents are more than 5'7"!!!

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LOL, not in my family they don't!
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My mum is 5'9" and my dad is 6'2" and my sis is only 5'6" and I'm not quite 5'9" (LOL, 5' 8 3/4" as measured by the doc but I round up as it's easier to say!).

I've ridden 14 handers in the past so that's why I thought that size range would be ok for J as I doubt she'll be 5'9" (at 12, I was taller than her- I took size 6 shoes at her age she only takes size 4).

Yup, think we are going to rethink this whole plan
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I think there are several reasons.

Firstly the sort of pony you are looking for is actually quite hard to find even if you wanted to buy one and had a reasonable budget.

Secondly if I had a pony like that and wanted to loan it out I would be concerned about it being spoilt by a novice rider. I would only be considering experienced people.

Thirdly that height range is also suitable for small adults so you are competing with adults who might also like to loan out that sort of pony.

I would change your advert say you are looking for a safe pony club all rounder and can offer an experienced and loving home on a small yard with adult supervision and all year turnout (if you have that).

A lot of people do not like to move ponies to yards they do not know.

The Blue cross do re-home out of the region as a friend of mine has two horses from them and she lives in Cambridge.

You also might get more responses if you said you were going to loan the pony and let the girl ride as the risk of loaning a pony to parents who are inexperienced might also put some people off.
 
Have you tried advertising on horsequest? I got about a dozen replies within a week when i posted a wanted ad for a loan pony on there :)
 
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