lilyoftheincas
Well-Known Member
I'm thinking about loaning a horse and was wondering what everyone thinks about the advantages and disadvantages of it? Is it cheaper, or more expensive than owning a horse in the long run?
Loaning a horse- advantages and disadvantages?
- Thread starter lilyoftheincas
- Start date
Tilda
Well-Known Member
I have just taken on a loan horse after 5 years of having my own horses and the only disadvantage I can see so far is that sometimes I worry a bit that they might suddenly take him away because he is almost my perfect horse (can be tricky to catch)! I do have a contract in place and do have the option to buy him either at the end of my contract (1 year) or if they decide to buy another horse before that (daughter having a break and has outgrown horse in ability).
The advantages for me are I lost my confidence really badly with my old horse and was terrified of making another mistake but knowing I could send him back if it really didn't work out (I'm not the sort to just give up though) really took the pressure off.
Expense wise I guess there are a couple of things that work out more expensive such as I want to change Max's bit (have full permission) but I will obviously have to pay for it and can't sell on the other to fund it as it's not mine. The other thing is my insurance company wanted to see the loan agreement and his owner had mentioned in there that he coughs a couple of times when starting fast work and now anything related to coughing his excluded from the insurance and if I had bought this horse it would never have been bought up because he has been checked by a vet and never needed any treatment.
Still don't regret taking on a loan he is fabulous
The advantages for me are I lost my confidence really badly with my old horse and was terrified of making another mistake but knowing I could send him back if it really didn't work out (I'm not the sort to just give up though) really took the pressure off.
Expense wise I guess there are a couple of things that work out more expensive such as I want to change Max's bit (have full permission) but I will obviously have to pay for it and can't sell on the other to fund it as it's not mine. The other thing is my insurance company wanted to see the loan agreement and his owner had mentioned in there that he coughs a couple of times when starting fast work and now anything related to coughing his excluded from the insurance and if I had bought this horse it would never have been bought up because he has been checked by a vet and never needed any treatment.
Still don't regret taking on a loan he is fabulous
lilyoftheincas
Well-Known Member
Thank you- this may sound a bit silly but if the horse injures himself while being loaned by you is that down to you or the owner to pay for that?
minigal
Well-Known Member
Advantages:
No upfront purchase price.
If horse doesn't suit/goes lame/your circumstances change you can "give it back."
Hopefully help and guidance from owner.
Disadvantages:
You might have horse taken off you if owner wants it back.
Owner might be a nutjob (!!) - it does happen!
You may have to keep horse differently to how you would like depending on what owner wants.
Cost wise should work out similar to keep unless you have a specific arrangement with the owner - eg they pay insurance...
There's risks with both, you just need to decide which ones you can live with!!
No upfront purchase price.
If horse doesn't suit/goes lame/your circumstances change you can "give it back."
Hopefully help and guidance from owner.
Disadvantages:
You might have horse taken off you if owner wants it back.
Owner might be a nutjob (!!) - it does happen!
You may have to keep horse differently to how you would like depending on what owner wants.
Cost wise should work out similar to keep unless you have a specific arrangement with the owner - eg they pay insurance...
There's risks with both, you just need to decide which ones you can live with!!
Custard Cream
Well-Known Member
I've had I on loan now for 4 and a half years and its been the best thing ever. The main advantage is no intial purchase cost. There is no way I could have afforded to buy a horse at the time outright. The main disadvantage is the horse can be taken away when the owner wants it back 
lilyoftheincas
Well-Known Member
Thank you everyone for the advice- if you pay for your loan (I know that for some you can just do stable duties and the owner is happy with that), would you say that it is cheaper paying, I don't know, weekly or monthly, than actually owning your own horse? 
Tilda
Well-Known Member
I basically treat Max like my own horse so if he is injured it's down to me (or my insurance) to pay for it.
Minigal has come up with some really big advantages I just take for granted lol! You can obviously end the loan at anytime if the horse no longer meets your requirements.
Minigal has come up with some really big advantages I just take for granted lol! You can obviously end the loan at anytime if the horse no longer meets your requirements.
starryeyed
Well-Known Member
Would you be full loaning or part loaning?
Advantages are that you don't have to pay to purchase the horse which is the most expensive bit! - but obviously with that comes the disadvantage that it will never be "yours", no matter how much you love it and how much you pay towards it for shows / extra tack / vets etc etc - it can always be taken away from you. Also, if you put a lot of effort in with schooling etc, or bring it on a lot - it's value will increase and the owners can choose to take it back purely for themselves, or sell it on to make a profit when it's you who has done all the work. Another possible disadvantage is that the owner can give the final say on what you do and dont do - for example, you might want to do cross country but they might prefer you to stick to flatwork - but you'd obviously discuss this before taking the loan on, as at the end of the day the horse belongs to them and not you so they decide what it does and doesn't do.
Another advantage is that if it's not suitable for you, or you outgrow it (either size or ability), or it's not happy in its new environment (full loaning) - it can go back to its original home - so you can't get stuck with a horse that's "not right" for you. It's also good if you find yourself in a situation where you can no longer fund a horse, or no longer have the time it deserves, as you always have somewhere you know will take it back - you won't find yourself worrying over where it's going to go to.
When I loaned a horse I treated it as if it was my own, so I paid for all (and lots of!) vets bills, all the tack, all the rugs, shoeing, chiro, etc but it depends on the agreement between you and the owner really - but I think its the norm for you to pay for everything including upkeep BUT the initial price of the horse (for full loaning anyway)
Hope that made sense!
Advantages are that you don't have to pay to purchase the horse which is the most expensive bit! - but obviously with that comes the disadvantage that it will never be "yours", no matter how much you love it and how much you pay towards it for shows / extra tack / vets etc etc - it can always be taken away from you. Also, if you put a lot of effort in with schooling etc, or bring it on a lot - it's value will increase and the owners can choose to take it back purely for themselves, or sell it on to make a profit when it's you who has done all the work. Another possible disadvantage is that the owner can give the final say on what you do and dont do - for example, you might want to do cross country but they might prefer you to stick to flatwork - but you'd obviously discuss this before taking the loan on, as at the end of the day the horse belongs to them and not you so they decide what it does and doesn't do.
Another advantage is that if it's not suitable for you, or you outgrow it (either size or ability), or it's not happy in its new environment (full loaning) - it can go back to its original home - so you can't get stuck with a horse that's "not right" for you. It's also good if you find yourself in a situation where you can no longer fund a horse, or no longer have the time it deserves, as you always have somewhere you know will take it back - you won't find yourself worrying over where it's going to go to.
When I loaned a horse I treated it as if it was my own, so I paid for all (and lots of!) vets bills, all the tack, all the rugs, shoeing, chiro, etc but it depends on the agreement between you and the owner really - but I think its the norm for you to pay for everything including upkeep BUT the initial price of the horse (for full loaning anyway)
Hope that made sense!
Last edited:
lilyoftheincas
Well-Known Member
Thanks starryeyed, didn't know that if you full loan you have to pay for everything apart from the horse itself! What about part loan? Say if you come and see it twice a week, would that still apply then?
milliepops
Wears headscarf aggressively
There are loans and loans, if you see what I mean!
I had one on loan who was a lovely horse but I couldn't cope with the threat of the (slightly bonkers) owner demanding him back. I offered to buy him but she didn't want to sell so I reluctantly returned him when I realised I was putting in so much time, effort and LOVE which could all be ripped away
My current horse is on loan from a charity - that's a different story all together. We've been together for 8 years and providing I continue to meet their standards, she's mine for keeps.
Cost wise, both of them have been identical to owning your horse, except the purchase price, obviously. I am responsible for all bills.
I had one on loan who was a lovely horse but I couldn't cope with the threat of the (slightly bonkers) owner demanding him back. I offered to buy him but she didn't want to sell so I reluctantly returned him when I realised I was putting in so much time, effort and LOVE which could all be ripped away
My current horse is on loan from a charity - that's a different story all together. We've been together for 8 years and providing I continue to meet their standards, she's mine for keeps.
Cost wise, both of them have been identical to owning your horse, except the purchase price, obviously. I am responsible for all bills.
Custard Cream
Well-Known Member
I imagine each loan is different and down to what the owner requires. I have I on full loan therefore I pay for absolutely everything except the owner has kept up the insurance payments, though I will pay any excess if making a claim.
If you're only having the horse on a part loan basis then you just sort it out with the owner as to who pays for what. I imagine you'd pay a percentage of feed/livery/bedding/shoes/vaccinations/worming etc.
If you're only having the horse on a part loan basis then you just sort it out with the owner as to who pays for what. I imagine you'd pay a percentage of feed/livery/bedding/shoes/vaccinations/worming etc.
milliepops
Wears headscarf aggressively
Do you mean sharing a horse, rather than actually loaning it full time?
lilyoftheincas
Well-Known Member
Yeah, I guess part loaning could also be called sharing.