Loan horse

[dodgers89]

I have been loaning two wonderful 21 year old horses since the start of the year and I adore them. Last week I got a call to say that one had died suddenly which left me and his owner broken hearted, to say nothing of poor Leo (the other horse) We need to find a companion for Leo and I have found a 20 year old horse, similar height, for full loan to move yards. He sounds like he will be a great riding partner and the perfect friend for Leo but obviously I'm nervous as it seems very different from just going up to ride and help out (the horses are kept at the owners yard) I would be fully responsible for this horse. I'm just wondering if anyone has any tips or advice? How much would I be looking to spend in the first instance? Sorry if that sounds a bit garbled!

 

[FestiveFuzz]

Firstly so sorry to hear of your loss but it sounds like he had a good life.

I'm a little confused, has the owner asked you to find a companion?

In answer to your question with full loan you're generally expected to cover all costs including any vet bills etc. With a 20yo insurers will generally only cover for injuries so you will need to set aside some savings to cover any illnesses that may crop up.

 

[dodgers89]

No but long term she needs either to find a companion for him or for him to go to another home and it seemed like a good time for me to find a horse and stable it with Leo. Would you advise against getting an older horse?

 

[FestiveFuzz]

No not at all, the best horse I ever had was a veteran. You just need to be aware that some older horses need special management and as mentioned before insurance doesn't tend to cover as much. On the flip side, with the right older horse you can learn so much.

Just ask lots of questions before viewing and be sure to get a contract written up if you do decide to have the horse on loan.

 

[MiJodsR2BlinkinTite]

Um, bear in mind that a veteran (the one you have already) may resent another field companion....... he/she may be grieving for their pair-bond and throwing another horse in the field with them might be the very worst thing you can do. This happened with my old boy; I mistakenly, in my ignorance, assumed that A.N. Other horse would be OK when he lost his pair-bond, and put a livery with two young Arab horses in with in. Result: think elderly refined gent with two young football hoodlums! Not the best thing I ever did. Its just the same with dogs too when you have two, and lose one, again, great care needed!!

What I'm saying is that you'll need to choose very very careful for your other old boy; at his time of life he'll be looking for a like-minded companion, and like a lot of oldies (people as well as horses!!) he'll probably be a bit of a grump and very hard to please!!!

Hope you find something suitable; not an easy position for you to be in.

 

[dodgers89]

He currently has a field companion in the shape of a small fat pony and from the second we put them both in the field, he perked up a bit and was keen to run around with her. Unfortunately the pony is only temporary until we can find something ridable. I'm thinking a horse the same breed and age as the one we lost might be better? The horse I'm looking at is also a similar height to Leo, no idea if that makes a difference but he loved having the flies swished off him in the summer and I think a pony would struggle to reach his chest! Thanks for the advice, I'm still fairly new in the horse world!