Loan horse - Owners visiting!

[SpottyTB]

Good evening

I'm asking on behalf of a friend who isn't on here..

People with horses on loan (answers welcome from loaners and loanees) how often do the owners visit their horse? Do they pre arrange or just turn up and do they ask to ride?
I have a friend who has a horse on loan, they've had her for over a year now and the owners have visited two or three times a month (sometimes more) and often ask to ride said horse... horse is on a livery yard not at loanees home and they've turned up uninvited (and not arranged) as least once!

Just wanting to work out if this is normal or not? Friend treats horse like an absolute goddess, she wants for nothing!
Thanks in advance
stb

 

[Sossigpoker]

If on full loan the owner shouldn't just turn up and certainly shouldn't be riding
unless this was specifically agreed upon.
Whrn full loaning you treat the horse as your own , otherwise it's sharing.

I have a pony on loan and owner is welcome to come by whenever by out of courtesy I ask that they let me know and they do. They've been once in 3 months.
I do send them updates though too.

 

[misst]

I guess it is their horse so their rules. If I was the loaner I would probably be a bit put out if they kept turning up uninvited. I might think they didn't trust me. At the same time if I loaned a precious horse out I might want to visit unannounced to check things were ok, and to ride to see if the horse had developed bad habits? I think they all need to lay down some ground rules but if it makes people uncomfortable but at the end of the day it is their horse. If your friend dotes on it that much and is worried about them taking it back maybe she needs to consider buying something of her own.

 

[Barton Bounty]

I agree with sossig…

Id let them know before arriving as it is courteous to do so. I never expected to ride him either but if she offered I would often say yes. She was 60 miles away from me.
He didnt stay long as I just got a funny feeling one day and made an unannounced and it didnt go well.

 

[94lunagem]

What terms does the loan agreement set out? If there is no agreement in place, I would encourage your friend to discuss one ASAP, it will benefit both parties.

But to answer, no, if on full loan it isn’t on to turn up unannounced and want to ride without at least a heads up first.

 

[SpottyTB]

I guess it is their horse so their rules. If I was the loaner I would probably be a bit put out if they kept turning up uninvited. I might think they didn't trust me. At the same time if I loaned a precious horse out I might want to visit unannounced to check things were ok, and to ride to see if the horse had developed bad habits? I think they all need to lay down some ground rules but if it makes people uncomfortable but at the end of the day it is their horse. If your friend dotes on it that much and is worried about them taking it back maybe she needs to consider buying something of her own.

Said horse came with plenty of bad habits (including a liking of rearing)… she’s since improved drastically and does it rarely! I believe the owner gave her up as she lost her confidence! A ve difficult situation and I agree, I’d have to buy myself as I wouldn’t be able to cope with the not knowing!

 

[Sossigpoker]

I agree with sossig…

Id let them know before arriving as it is courteous to do so. I never expected to ride him either but if she offered I would often say yes. She was 60 miles away from me.
He didnt stay long as I just got a funny feeling one day and made an unannounced and it didnt go well.

In my situation the owner lives round the corner from me and knows the yard where pony is at ,.plus I'm well known for being a tad OCD when it comes to standards of care so I guess she knows the pony is in safe hands.
I wouldn't mind if she turned up unannounced but it's more the courtesy to the yard owner that I'm able to let her know if I'm expecting visitors

 

[ihatework]

I have a lot of experience in loaning. Both as a loaner owner and loanee, these days I’m just the one loaning out.

All my contracts have the option for me to visit unannounced. I also make it clear I can visit as often as I like. I always visit once or twice in reasonably quick succession at the start of a loan. Thereafter maybe once every 3 months at the yard and then go watch at competitions.

I always make an appointment to see them. The only time I didn’t was when I had a bad gut feel at my first viewing so turned up a week later unannounced (and promptly removed horse!).

Unless it was agreed up front, and in that case I’d expect some financial burden, I wouldn’t expect to ride.

One horse I own is now coming up 10 years out on loan, I haven’t seen him in the flesh for probably 4-5 years. Sounds pretty negligent but I have a good relationship with loaner and trust them 100%

In fact I’m heading down to Devon/Somerset to see 2 of my younger horses out on loan on Wednesday. One of them has arranged a lesson specially so I can watch.

 

[Barton Bounty]

In my situation the owner lives round the corner from me and knows the yard where pony is at ,.plus I'm well known for being a tad OCD when it comes to standards of care so I guess she knows the pony is in safe hands.
I wouldn't mind if she turned up unannounced but it's more the courtesy to the yard owner that I'm able to let her know if I'm expecting visitors

Thats fab, its nice to be able to trust the person looking after them, years ago I couldnt get anyone close as he was a big boy and too big for most people

 

[SpottyTB]

What terms does the loan agreement set out? If there is no agreement in place, I would encourage your friend to discuss one ASAP, it will benefit both parties.

But to answer, no, if on full loan it isn’t on to turn up unannounced and want to ride without at least a heads up first.

Contracts a bit vague, says only my friend is to ride him (but obviously it’s their horse so they may not think to put themselves on the list)… and nothing in regards to visits!

 

[ycbm]

It sounds unreasonable but what can she do, she's their horse?

Would the yard owner be prepared to step in and say "only if I'm warned about it"?
.

 

[SpottyTB]

I have a lot of experience in loaning. Both as a loaner owner and loanee, these days I’m just the one loaning out.

All my contracts have the option for me to visit unannounced. I also make it clear I can visit as often as I like. I always visit once or twice in reasonably quick succession at the start of a loan. Thereafter maybe once every 3 months at the yard and then go watch at competitions.

I always make an appointment to see them. The only time I didn’t was when I had a bad gut feel at my first viewing so turned up a week later unannounced (and promptly removed horse!).

Unless it was agreed up front, and in that case I’d expect some financial burden, I wouldn’t expect to ride.

One horse I own is now coming up 10 years out on loan, I haven’t seen him in the flesh for probably 4-5 years. Sounds pretty negligent but I have a good relationship with loaner and trust them 100%

In fact I’m heading down to Devon/Somerset to see 2 of my younger horses out on loan on Wednesday. One of them has arranged a lesson specially so I can watch.

Thanks for your reply!
Friend doesn’t mind them visiting but it can be as much as 3 times a month - baring in mind she’s had the mare over a year now without any problems and the mare has really improved with her behaviour/quirks.

I should have put this in the initial post but she updates them weekly/fortnightly with photos and info of what they’ve been up to.
She takes her out to comps, fun rides and beach trips and the owner spontaneously turns up to nearly every outing to watch!

 

[paddi22]

I ask for photo updates, and you can kind of tell how things are going from them. if they are out competing and results are ok then im happy. if it looks like horses have lost weight or look off in any way, then I'll email and ask for an appointment to visit. your friends owners sound like they are totally over stepping the mark. but depends on contract agreed

 

[SpottyTB]

It sounds unreasonable but what can she do, she's their horse?

Would the yard owner be prepared to step in and say "only if I'm warned about it"?
.

Yes that’s pretty much my thoughts!

Think they have tried that tactic, then friend gets a message to say “it’s my birthday and I’d like to see Florence. I can only do this day, but at anytime so let me know when you’re going up and I’ll be there. Even if it’s just in the stable, don’t have to ride.” So friend hasn’t an option, but I suppose is at least notified.

I reckon she should just ask them if they’re concerned about Florence as she feels a bit checked up on and having had previous loan horses, this isn’t what she’s experienced…. But I’m a bit bull in a china shop!

 

[JBM]

I’ve had a few
Owners are always supposed to arrive with warning and pre arranged.
Riding is between yourselves but only with permission
For insurance reasons and for politeness
I would visit often even if they had my horse for awhile for welfare checks

 

[Fred66]

Get your friend to say that it’s is preferred by the yard owner that the liveries keep them informed of any visitors ahead of time. So whilst she is welcome to visit she does need to give some advance notice.
When we put a horse on loan we visited every couple of weeks for the first couple of months dropping to once a month and then once every 2-3 months when we were happy that he was settled and they were looking after him ok.

 

[Whoopit]

Said horse came with plenty of bad habits (including a liking of rearing)… she’s since improved drastically and does it rarely! I believe the owner gave her up as she lost her confidence! A ve difficult situation and I agree, I’d have to buy myself as I wouldn’t be able to cope with the not knowing!

It sounds to me as though they’re checking on it to see its progress and to then sell or take it back once your friend has schooled it on.

 

[Wishfilly]

I accept it's their horse etc, but I would be a bit put out by them expecting to ride every time- if they're unannounced and I had plans, it could be very awkward. But equally, if your friend loves the horse and can't afford to buy it... well, I've been there, and sometimes you'll put up with anything, especially if you're worried about the welfare of the horse if it goes back to them.

It does seem a bit like they either want to be able to ride as and when, without the hassle of looking after the horse OR they are now thinking about taking the horse back as it has improved a lot.

Can your friend make an offer to buy the horse? Or obviously the other option is to say they are only happy to continue the loan if the owners only come and ride X times a month and by prior arrangement BUT in this case you have to be prepared to lose the loan of the horse.

Are the owners in a position to take the horse back straight away, do you know?

 

[meleeka]

I had a horse on lwvtb. He failed the vet due to back pain. Long story but I ended up buying him for £1. I still allowed owner to visit (probably every few months) and ride, even if I wasn’t there, until she bought a male friend who wasn’t small and let him ride instead. Pony was 14.1hh! I wasn’t pleased.

I think monthly at the most is acceptable, with notice and certainly not expecting to ride.

 

[SpottyTB]

I accept it's their horse etc, but I would be a bit put out by them expecting to ride every time- if they're unannounced and I had plans, it could be very awkward. But equally, if your friend loves the horse and can't afford to buy it... well, I've been there, and sometimes you'll put up with anything, especially if you're worried about the welfare of the horse if it goes back to them.

It does seem a bit like they either want to be able to ride as and when, without the hassle of looking after the horse OR they are now thinking about taking the horse back as it has improved a lot.

Can your friend make an offer to buy the horse? Or obviously the other option is to say they are only happy to continue the loan if the owners only come and ride X times a month and by prior arrangement BUT in this case you have to be prepared to lose the loan of the horse.

Are the owners in a position to take the horse back straight away, do you know?

Not sure re offering to buy her.. owner definitely not in a position to take her back!

It’s crossed my mind they’re considering taking her back to sell, not sure it’s all really bizarre.

Thanks everyone for your responses, think it’s given my friend something to think about going forwards

 

[Surbie]

Good evening

I'm asking on behalf of a friend who isn't on here..

People with horses on loan (answers welcome from loaners and loanees) how often do the owners visit their horse? Do they pre arrange or just turn up and do they ask to ride?
I have a friend who has a horse on loan, they've had her for over a year now and the owners have visited two or three times a month (sometimes more) and often ask to ride said horse... horse is on a livery yard not at loanees home and they've turned up uninvited (and not arranged) as least once!

Just wanting to work out if this is normal or not? Friend treats horse like an absolute goddess, she wants for nothing!
Thanks in advance
stb

It's not normal, and while it is their horse, it's on loan, not stabled for them to keep having free rides.

I had mine initially as a loan - the owner knew it was my first horse and we started the loan at her yard so she could see how I was doing with him. When she let me move him she came to see the yard first, and visited once while I was there and 2-3 times a year thereafter. I sent updates regularly with photos and videos and we're FB friends so she can see what I am doing there too. At no point did she ask to ride him, and visits were always pre-arranged.

My current YO wouldn't tolerate people turning up with no notice*. It's their home and it's just not done.

*eta unless the owner was concerned about their horse's welfare. Random drifting in would get short shrift.

 

[nagblagger]

If they turn up unannounced, could the tack 'be at home for cleaning'?
It sounds to me she wants to horse ride, without the expense. Very suspicious

 

[twiggy2]

I think turning up unannounced would be essential for me if I was the owner, I wouldn't turn up often unless I had concerns.
I wouldn't expect to ride though I think that's unacceptable.

 

[Melody Grey]

I may be a sceptic, but the amount of visiting sounds a bit like the owners would like someone to care and pay for their horse day to day for them to rock up and ride when suits them….which around here, we call ‘full livery’!

 

[Kaylum]

Sounds like they have a good deal going on there. Your friend pays for everything and they turn up and ride when they want. Very difficult situation to be in.

 

[HorsesRule2009]

I may be a sceptic, but the amount of visiting sounds a bit like the owners would like someone to care and pay for their horse day to day for them to rock up and ride when suits them….which around here, we call ‘full livery’!

I'm sorry but I agree with this.
Owners are doing none of the care/expense and getting to ride as they please.
Thought this as soon as I read first post, and having read further down horse also had a few ridden vices/issues has cemented this thought.

I agree with others say YO not happy with unannounced visitors

 

[MuddyMonster]

It sounds like the owner is realising the loaner has improved the horse and now feels they can ride when they want as as someone else has done the hard work and they have support when they choose to ride!

I appreciate it's their horse but when out on full loan, I don't expect the rider to be riding regularly.

If I was your friend, I'd start a conversation about the frequency of visits and ask outright if there any concerns? And then conversationally offer the horse back to them as rider consistency is important, most full loans don't include riding when they like so isn't what you expected and YO has mentioned the number of visits and security issues and it's probably going to get difficult for you.

There are lots of loan horses about at the moment so if she's good enough to improve a horse with behavioural issues, she could take her pick.

That will hopefully make them think a bit!

 

[COldNag]

I have had several ponies on loan and have had our outgrown pony out on loan for years.

I think this is unreasonable. Visits, yes. That many, no. If they are happy with care then agreed visits booked ahead. Visits with riding, no.

 

[w1bbler]

I had one on loan, the agreement was she could visit unannounced, but I was on a yard / farm & her horse could be anywhere in the 80 acres ( farmer believed in Very regular field rotations ) She only turned up unannounced once.
To be fair, after the first couple of months the visits dropped off as she realised pony was being treated like a king.
As far as riding was concerned I offered a couple of times & she gratefully accepted, but it wasn't expected. I was loaning pony whilst she was at uni & couldn't afford him
He was always going home after her 3 yr course so we both knee where we stood about length of loan.

 

[Widgeon]

It sounds to me as though they’re checking on it to see its progress and to then sell or take it back once your friend has schooled it on.

Unfortunately I agree.....if I was your friend I would be quite worried about the whole situation and probably looking around for a new and more "normal" loan. As others have said, if your friend is competent enough to school a horse out of a rearing habit she ought to have plenty of options available.