Loaning advice please

[Silvermiyazawa]

I have searched the forum and scared myself a little reading horror stories!

Tomorrow I am going to try a horse with a view to loaning 3 days/week. What should I expect/look out for?

I am going to search for some sort of contract template so I have an example to take with me. I will expect to see the horse ridden before I get on, see the facilities on the yard. There will be a financial contribution involved so I need to find out about the insurance situation and where I would stand with non routine vet bills. Obviously I have to like the horse and feels that we will click. What else?

I have owned a horse before but never loaned one. Most of me feels I am less at risk of an unscrupulous owner trying to pass on their problems as the owner will still be involved with the horse but I suppose it's as well to be careful (without trying to be too suspicious!).

 

[unicorndreams]

Hi, having just agreed a share of my own horse these are the things I wanted to cover:
Check what the arrangements are for agreeing who rides which day - is it set days or variable to accommodate shift patterns/personal life. If variable does this need to be agreed at the start of each week? Do you only need to assist with care on the days you ride or more/less? What needs doing on these days - stable, hay, water, feed etc? Would you be expected to go up twice a day or only to ride? Any restrictions on riding duration? Make sure you have contact details for vets, farrier and an additional 'family'/friend trusted contact in case you cannot get hold of the owner in the event of something happening. If you can't make it up on a designated day, what time should you notify the owner of this so that alternative arrangements can be made for care (be careful in how you ask this - its not to imply that you might be a bit flakey about when you turn up but a flat tyre, migraine or such could prevent you from getting there so its best to know what is acceptable).
Any quirks the horse has? The usual sort of questions about handling, traffic, hacking alone/in company. Can the horse be left in the stable/field on its own, what about its field buddy - will that one stay out alone if you are riding or will you need to bring it in? (not a prob if in a larger herd!) Any horses it can't be turned out with?
Trial period to make sure the arrangement suits? Payment method and date
Also ask about the horse's usual routine for both summer and winter - does the owner want her horse attended to at certain times ie turn out no later than 10am, bring in no later than 6pm or such? Its good to have the care/feed routine written down so there's no confusion - its also an awful lot to remember so having it written down is a handy 'crib sheet'!
It sounds like you are approaching this in a sensible manner and that should be reassuring to the loaner - the lady that I offered my share to showed that she knew her stuff by telling me her riding and care experience, being open about what her own expectations and knowledge were, and asking lots of sensible questions. She understood that it might take a few rides for my horse to get to know her and for that reason I offered the trial.
Good luck and I hope you find a suitable loan arrangement

 

[Silvermiyazawa]

Thanks, we have already suggested a trial period would be good and I sent her a rather rambling email about my own experience.

Good points about the horse's routine etc. My own horse would not be left in a field alone! This is stuff you "absorb" when it is your own and it becomes second nature but the responsibility feels heavier with someone else's horse.

 

[Star_Chaser]

I wouldn't do a loan/share where the riding/days are open to weekly discussion it leads to taking the p** by owners who ride when they feel like it usually when the sun comes out and they fancy a ride when you've done all the hard work better to have a formal agreement with some leeway for shows or events on both sides. You do need to be flexible but its easy to be paying the cost and getting none of the benefit.

Saddle and other equipment (rugs, mucking out gear etc), do you need to buy your own or use theirs and if you use theirs make sure you make a note of condition and who pays repairs or loss if lost or stolen. I brought my own to solve any issues, it does help if there is more than one person loaning.

 

[unicorndreams]

Yes I can see why fixed days are best - and I would have preferred that in my case but my sharer works shifts so I am flexible around her. It does mean that she gets to ride when she wants and I have to fit my rides in around her - not ideal when its my horse, hence we agree at the start of each week which days each of us has.