Loaning a pony to a riding school

Gingerwitch

Gingerwitch

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I am trying to work out the best thing to do with the little fattie Welshie 12.1 ish we took on this feb - he needs working-he is a little sweetie on the ground and loves being fussed and will stand for hours to be groomed. He is fab on the lead rein, and lunge but you need a good little jockey to make him work in the school - but when he works WOW - I have been paying for him to be schooled and he is coming along well - but he was brought to be a companion - and he is just not the right one out with my other two - any combination of the other two he is fine, but all 3 - well no!

So i have tried a private loan at own yard - which did not work out - and hearing all the horror storeis about private loans i was wondering from a riding school point of view

any one got any good or bad to say
 
From how you've described the pony I would say that it could be a very good idea. Do you know of any good riding schools in your area? Maybe ask if you can observe a few lessons and have a closely watched trial period with the pony.
 
Definitely choose a GOOD riding school and observe lessons and how they treat horses before you make your decision. I've watched many cracking horses and ponies be completely ruined, both physically and mentally by riding schools (my own included). I found that once these places get a good horse in place of their own plods that clients are bored of they run them into the ground.
 
I second this ^ do be careful to keep an eye on him, I believe it could work very well if you find the right place though :)
 
I loan my pony out to a rs :) he has been there for 18 months (although he was on diy livery there for 4 years before that). It's worked out brilliantly for me - he went on loan when I was 6 months pregnant and about to move house to further away.

I have a proper contract in place - I adapted the bhs loan agreement. I still pay for shoeing (because I want him shod) and insurance. I can visit him whenever and ride him once a week atleast.
 
I think it could work as long as you keep a very close eye and aren't afraid to step on peoples toes if the ponies well being deteriorates. I strongly recommend doing spot checks and unannounced visits. Having worked at a few riding schools, you'd be amazed at the lengths they'll go to in order to make it look sufficient for an inspection!
 
I started a similar thread awhile ago and decided against it as the pony is a very promising 4yo and could easily be spoilt. This decision even though a girl I trust lives a stone's throw from the school and highly recommends it.

There are riders out there but I think it sometimes needs some persistence to find them. I am interviewing two next week and, if they don't work out, I will keep advertising. Better less work and all good experiences than lots of work and one bad experience in my opinion.
 
Dry Rot said:
I started a similar thread awhile ago and decided against it as the pony is a very promising 4yo and could easily be spoilt. This decision even though a girl I trust lives a stone's throw from the school and highly recommends it.

There are riders out there but I think it sometimes needs some persistence to find them. I am interviewing two next week and, if they don't work out, I will keep advertising. Better less work and all good experiences than lots of work and one bad experience in my opinion.
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And the thing is, it doesn't take much to ruin them. Not just ridden work wise, but also ground and stable manners. It's too easy for someone to Molly coddle a horse and then the owner has to try and undo it all and get their horse back :(
 
Going against the grain here, and would have to say no way. i wouldn't even consider it as an option - at some stage the pony will get booted in the ribs, or jabbed in the mouth. hopefully not more than once.
 
If you bought him as a companion and it has not worked out how come you are not going to just sell him? Do you have a use for him in the future?
 
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