Loan dilemma

[Lauren1993]

Hi all !
What would you do … opinions ?!
Sorry if it’s abit long.
We have a Shetland mare my daughter rides, she will never be sold.
We currently also have an 11.1 Welsh A mare who is now 6 on full loan. She is not backed, we have worked with her for the year we’ve had her but she is quite sassy & full of herself we were hoping she would progress to be my daughters first ridden pony but she still needs a lot of time & education to get there.
Also my daughter is pretty happy & still has lots to learn on her Shetland who will still last her a good few years.
We have our own private yard - with this comes no one to ride with.
I previously had back issues so I stopped riding to Have my children, back issues are now being resolved & managing well.
I would love to get back riding again!

The 2nd pony really needs to be sent away & be backed properly … which is time & money for a pony that is not mine & may still not be suitable for my daughter afterwards.
My thoughts - if I was to send the 2nd loan pony back to her home (she’s always welcome back there anytime needed) & get myself a happy hacking loan horse to be able to ride with my daughter ….
With this comes needing more land than I currently have & creating a larger stable for a horse.
I have an option of an additional 1.5 acres for an additional £10 a week (currently have 1 acre for my 2 ponies which is MORE than enough grass for them)
And can easily enlarge my DIY built stables to make a bigger one for said horse.

What would you do ?
Financially I don’t see a huge difference, time wise I already have 2 so that’s no difference.

What would you do ?!

 

[maya2008]

I would do what you are planning - swap small pony for a horse for you. Much more fun for your daughter to be able to go out further and faster! Check they can be left alone/will travel with pony and wait when going to pony club, shows etc.

 

[Lauren1993]

Thank you. I think I feel guilty sending the loan pony back & it not have worked out but I do think me & my daughter would have a lot more fun & potential to ride more etc.
alway been a dream to be able to ride alongside my daughter & maybe able to get the forever dreamed about beach ride together !

I just know it is really hard to find a good loan horse !
Wish me luck

 

[Fjord]

Ooh, second pony for you, definitely!

 

[Bobthecob15]

How exciting! I’m just debating similar myself! My daughter is 10, she has her own pony which all my time/money/focus goes on we keep at livery so have only been able to afford one…but my husband has offered to get me one for me and I’m so torn! My daughter is independent doing everything for her pony and riding but she does have an occasional confidence wobble..and she likes me on the ground in case! I never need to do anything really it’s just her confidence.

I’d love my own too for hacking with her and a little bit of dressage but I’ve no aspirations for anything more…just not sure

 

[maya2008]

If you would fit on a larger pony, they do come up for loan because some of them just don’t want to have a child on board.

 

[Lauren1993]

How exciting! I’m just debating similar myself! My daughter is 10, she has her own pony which all my time/money/focus goes on we keep at livery so have only been able to afford one…but my husband has offered to get me one for me and I’m so torn! My daughter is independent doing everything for her pony and riding but she does have an occasional confidence wobble..and she likes me on the ground in case! I never need to do anything really it’s just her confidence.

I’d love my own too for hacking with her and a little bit of dressage but I’ve no aspirations for anything more…just not sure

Ahh it sounds like the perfect time for you !!
Have something for you know your daughter is more Independent.

I feel exactly the same, just a nice ride around the village & a ride to enjoy. Nothing too ott !
If hubby says yes go for it !!
I haven’t told mine the plans yet but swapping 1 for another is no change really

 

[Lauren1993]

If you would fit on a larger pony, they do come up for loan because some of them just don’t want to have a child on board.

I don’t think I could get away with an under 15hh unfortunately. & ideally something chunky !
I’m 5ft8 & 14 stone (currently slimming down to help my back problems - 1.5 stone down !)

 

[Bobthecob15]

Ahh it sounds like the perfect time for you !!
Have something for you know your daughter is more Independent.

I feel exactly the same, just a nice ride around the village & a ride to enjoy. Nothing too ott !
If hubby says yes go for it !!
I haven’t told mine the plans yet but swapping 1 for another is no change really

Depends if I can get a discount at the livery yard for 2 or not

Well absolutely, makes no difference!!!

I’d loan or buy, but the sort we want probably don’t come up very often!

 

[Fjord]

I don’t think I could get away with an under 15hh unfortunately. & ideally something chunky !
I’m 5ft8 & 14 stone (currently slimming down to help my back problems - 1.5 stone down !)

A Highland would work, they take the leg up really well.

 

[Wishfilly]

Surely the beauty of a loan is that you can send back? I definitely wouldn't be paying for a pony which wasn't mine to be professionally backed!

 

[Lauren1993]

Surely the beauty of a loan is that you can send back? I definitely wouldn't be paying for a pony which wasn't mine to be professionally backed!

Very true ! Guess I just feel abit guilty, maybe because I’m doing to to get one for myself … but been as I do all the hard work I surely deserve one
Financially only a small change, time no change, but happiness big change

That is what’s holding me back getting it done, spending hundreds on getting her backed (as she’s only a fine 11.1 it’s very hard to find a tiny rider to do it too) and either her not being right or her owner wanting her back !

 

[Lauren1993]

A Highland would work, they take the leg up really well.

True, but I bet they are like hens teeth to find for full loan to move yards !

I would love to post to see what’s out there but I’m yet to make a final decision & don’t want 2nd ponies owner to see before I’ve let her know what’s going on (if anything ! )

 

[Equi]

It’s a simple decision really. You just need to get on with it now

As for the land, if you can get extra for £10 that is a steal.

A nice cob will do the trick and you may find you don’t even need more land if it’s a chubber.

 

[Lauren1993]

It’s a simple decision really. You just need to get on with it now

As for the land, if you can get extra for £10 that is a steal.

A nice cob will do the trick and you may find you don’t even need more land if it’s a chubber.

I think so too ! Just need a good push
the search is on & grow the balls to tell the other half the plan

 

[Wishfilly]

Very true ! Guess I just feel abit guilty, maybe because I’m doing to to get one for myself … but been as I do all the hard work I surely deserve one
Financially only a small change, time no change, but happiness big change

That is what’s holding me back getting it done, spending hundreds on getting her backed (as she’s only a fine 11.1 it’s very hard to find a tiny rider to do it too) and either her not being right or her owner wanting her back !

I just wouldn't put that much money into improving someone else's pony- but I've been burned in the past. It sounds like she's not right on many levels, and why not get one for yourself?

I would do it and look for a full loan for you and not feel guilty- the only issue might be if the shetland needs a companion whilst you look for a loan for you?

 

[Lauren1993]

I just wouldn't put that much money into improving someone else's pony- but I've been burned in the past. It sounds like she's not right on many levels, and why not get one for yourself?

I would do it and look for a full loan for you and not feel guilty- the only issue might be if the shetland needs a companion whilst you look for a loan for you?

Yes this is where an issue may arise - timing.
I don’t think 2nd ponies owner will be in a huge rush to have her back if I explain my situation.
I’d just have to align it all right that newbie comes as pony goes I think.

 

[Wishfilly]

Yes this is where an issue may arise - timing.
I don’t think 2nd ponies owner will be in a huge rush to have her back if I explain my situation.
I’d just have to align it all right that newbie comes as pony goes I think.

Hopefully you can make it work- if not then it might be worth e.g. contacting a local rescue or looking for a short term companion loan? I know a rescue near here who will loan younger ponies out to companion homes on a sort of foster basis (i.e. both sides understands it will not be long term), so something like that might be an option?