Loan dilemma - advice please

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autumnap

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I have a dilemma.

I have a lovely horse - 15.2hh, TB x ID gelding, 5 years old and a sweetheart who I love to bits (who wouldn't?!)

My problem is this. My circumstances have recently changed and I simply don't have the time to spend riding and giving my horse the attention he needs and enjoys. I don't want to just leave him in the field doing nothing and at this point in time I don't know whether I'll actually have to sell him in the summer or not.

So ... shall I try to find him a good loan home, with a possible option to buy in a few months' time and if I go down this route where am I best to advertise? I'm concerned I might just attract people who haven't the money to buy a horse of their own and just want one for nothing and who might not be able to afford to look after him properly.

Now, many years ago, I actually found a horse to loan through an agency which matched owners to loaners and this seemed to be a very good idea. I can't remember what they were called though and wondered if such a company still exists and if so what they're called.

Over to you peeps!

A.
 
autumnap said:
I'm concerned I might just attract people who haven't the money to buy a horse of their own and just want one for nothing and who might not be able to afford to look after him properly.

A.
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This is not always the case. I have a horse on loan and don't have any problems paying for what he needs (and what he doesn't need!). However, I don't have 3 or 4 or 5 thousand £'s in the bank to be able to buy a horse. I'm sure there are many lovely people out there who would be able to keep your horse in the manner to which he is accustomed, but perhaps don't have the ready cash to buy such a horse.

Horsequest and Horsemart both have loan pages, or you could try the PC website or your local RC website. If you particularly want him to stay on your yard then you are best just advertising very locally in your tack and feed shops. If you don't mind him moving then advertise him online. You are perfectly within your rights to vet any potential home and get references for the person before you let him go. I would also suggest that if you let him go on loan with a view to buy and the people will want him vetted then this MUST be done before he leaves you. I know of several people whose horses have gone away for a couple of months, then been vetted, failed for whatever reason and the horse returned. Funnily enough in all cases this has happened over the summer months!

Good luck with finding him a good home.
 
ah typical! all the lovely sounding horses are so far away, Im in Northants, if you would consider him going further afield PM me :)

As CBs says, where to advertise really does depend on where you want him to be kept - on your current yard or whether he can be moved.

If not the websites I have been using to look on are;

Equine Adverts
Horse Mart
Horsetoloan.com
the horse exchange

might be worth also putting out the word with local riding/PC club?
 
I have a loan horse and i have the money in the bank to buy a horse and i also have the money to look after him properly...however, i wont buy due to too many bad experiences so i want to loan a horse so i know its sound, healthy and friendly and then consider buying it. I think if youre picky enough with the loaner, you could find someone that could really love your horse. However, be warned that with a loan the horse CAN come back. Ive been unlucky that mines gone lame and been diagnosed with arthritis, i wanted a hunter :( so be prepared for this and make sure you have a good contract to cover both of you. Id do equine adverts, that seems to get good responses. As does preloved and horsequest.
 
Thanks Little_Rou....I'd def be interested in having a look at your lad if you were prepared to allow him to be moved.
I can offer reference's not a problem and a view of the yard that I have reserved...well not the whole yard but I have a stable ready lol.... :)
 
Just a quick one - try cheshirehorse.co.uk and merseyhorse.com my friend put her horse on cheshirehorse and had quite a few responses after only a few days plus its always good for peace of mind to have someone local so you can keep an eye out on the ponio.:D
 
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