Loaning...does anyone....

Vizslak

Vizslak

Well-Known Member
Joined
8 December 2008
Messages
6,898
Visit site
loan their horse out or loan a horse and keep it on the original yard? I need to loan my lad out but am so worried I'm never going to find someone that actually gels with him and equally as worried that any partnership is likely to be hindered if he moves yards (at least straight away...ie, I'm not sure he could cope with new owner AND new yard all in one go :o) Share your loaning experiences with me please. Also are there any loaners who look for horses that are a bit more of a challenge....or do loaners generally want something a bit easier? I hate this, I cant bring myself to even right an advert for him :(
 
I personally like having loan horses that are a bit of a challenge, keeps things interesting :) My previous loan horses have been a grumpy mare who napped for England (we got on like a house on fire), and a very green youngster who hadn't seen much of life (so rewarding when we got things right though). They are out there...I am an experienced, confident rider but just can not afford the initial outlay of a horse, and loaning an easy horse would not have been my cup of tea.

However when I was searching for a horse to loan, I would bypass adverts that wanted the horse to stay at the owners yard. Obviously I understand, and if I were to loan out my horse I would want the same thing too. But I found that horses were generally just too far away for me to travel to everyday, yards were too expensive etc. I had a nice yard and perfect grazing right on my doorstep, and with some lovely friends and horses to hack with so it would have seemed silly to loan from another yard. In the end I got my loan horses through people I knew, that were not worried about me keeping the horse miles away from them. They knew I would look after the horses to the highest standards....I am sure if they were to have loaned to a stranger they would have not wanted the horse to leave their yard however.

Have you tried to loan through word of mouth?
 
Thanks thats useful to know. I have tried loaning through word of mouth but just dont know anyone looking for loans and the ones that do just want happy hacker types....why cant you be looking now, your in my area :p :D :rolleyes: I'm not majorly opposed to him moving yards...maybe after a month of him getting to know loaner first if that makes sense? Would that be something people would consider? Providing they were in daily travelling distance I suppose!
 
We've always loaned, and in that we've loaned some tricky ponies/ horses.

I'd put ads up on horsequest and in tack shops. Say what you want him to be doing- we were desperate to loan a solid 15.2hh riding club horse at one point, and then more recently we were searching for a talented potential eventer/ old timer who knew the ropes. Stipulate in your contract that you want to be able to visit him (with notice unless you have real concerns) and when people do come and see him, make it very clear (in a nice way) that he is not the easiest to look after at times?
 
I loaned a horse about 5 years ago who was a very green 5 year old ex-racer. He hadn't been out of racing very long and hadn't done much with the owner (primarily because she was a spoilt brat of a teenager that could only ride 'push button' horses) and got infuriated with him.

I had to start literally from scratch - he barely knew how to turn the corners in the arena. I bonded with him right from the begining and he had so much trust in me. It was such a rewarding experience.

I also kept him at his original yard.

So, to answer your question, there would be people willing to loan him. I think what most people would be worried about is taking him out on loan, bringing him on and then the owners 'suddenly' wanting them back now all the hard work is done. Are you looking to loan him out long term/permanently? If so, putting this in the add would be reassuring to potential loaners.

As for keeping him at the same yard, it is possible, but it's really just your luck in who is interested in him and where they happen to live. You could initially advertise him for loan but to be kept at his original yard and if you can't find anyone that way, remove the yard restriction and see if you get any interest.
 
Vizslak said:
Thanks thats useful to know. I have tried loaning through word of mouth but just dont know anyone looking for loans and the ones that do just want happy hacker types....why cant you be looking now, your in my area :p :D :rolleyes: I'm not majorly opposed to him moving yards...maybe after a month of him getting to know loaner first if that makes sense? Would that be something people would consider? Providing they were in daily travelling distance I suppose!
Click to expand...

Where abouts are you, I could keep an ear out? I would love to loan a horse right now, but at the moment I can't even afford a loan horse! Have to make do with riding other people's horses now and again but it's not the same is it :)

I think that would be a good idea to offer a kind of trial loan at your yard first and that is something I would have been interested in too. Better to see if the loaner and horse get on well first, than sending horse off to loaners yard and end up getting the horse back in a couple of weeks when they don't get on etc. Gives you a chance to see how the loaner can ride/care for the horse. I would also suggest getting some references from potential loaners :)

ETS: just read I See Clover's post, are you looking for a long term loan as said? If your horse can be a challenge then some people may not like the idea of putting in all the hard work then giving the horse back after a few months? I only had short term loans, so it was rather gutting when I put in all the hard work then the owners got back a fab horse!
 
Last edited:
thanks, perhaps local ads in tack shops etc are the way to go to begin with, good plan, at least then they are likely to be local to me! Hes a fabulous horse with loads of talent...unfortunately with loads of talent tends to come the quirks :rolleyes: I love him to pieces though, no horse comes close in my eyes :o so I guess someone out there would think the same (hopefully, maybe!) :p
 
Yes have been there done that before Umbongo, never again, its just to upsetting for all involved :( Nothing wrong with the loaners either, the girl was a very capable rider and got on with him fabulously here, he just couldnt cope when he moved.
I'm on the mendips.
 
I would personally want a loan that I can move to my yard, I don't mind a bit of a challenge as long as we had a bond! if that makes sense?
You have a higher chance of finding someone for him if you are willing to let him move but you can have more control over the loaner at home!
I believe I have an awesome network of help around me, to give my next loan horse everything he or she needs.
Unfortunately I will be in the market for a loan horse soon. :(
good luck with what ever you decide, I am sure you will do your best for him :D
 
Vizslak said:
I'm on the mendips.
Click to expand...

Ah ok, don't think you are too far away from me, I am in Castle Cary area :)

In that case yes your best bet is to advertise in local papers and tack shops, at least only local people would see them. Can you advertise in Fosseway or Blackmore Vale magazines at all (not sure if you get them in the mendips?) I usually look for horses in there, and did once find my first challenging loan horse in there :). If you advertise on the internet you will no doubt get people email you that live hundreds of miles away, even though you state must be local :P
 
Last edited:
Vizzy

have you thought of asking your farrier,vet or local riding club. As you are on the Mendips not far from me do you know of Johnny Wyatt of Stowey, he is a feed merchant and you cant see his wall for the number of horse ads.

Dont forget Tradeit.
 
i love loaning challenging horses, my last 4 loans have been- a 4 YO pony, little madam! chestnut mare (chestnut in signature) - ex-racer, straight off the track, could barely canter when we started (bay in signature) - a ridiculously naughty mare! who liked to rear and bolt - and my current loan.. where to start! amazing jump but bolts at the jumps! and occasionally crashes through them! but i have loved them all! the only reason i have ridden so many is because they were sold (apart from beau, she was too small) and these were (and are) all at the same yard! and i have actually ridden a few others there and stopped because they were too simple! so i would say there is definitely someone out there for you! :) good luck!
 
Dobiegirl said:
Vizzy

have you thought of asking your farrier,vet or local riding club. As you are on the Mendips not far from me do you know of Johnny Wyatt of Stowey, he is a feed merchant and you cant see his wall for the number of horse ads.

Dont forget Tradeit.
Click to expand...

Yes Wyatts is 2 secs down the road from my house, I will put an ad in there. :D

In response to whoever it was asked about the longterm thing, yes they could have him for pretty much as long as they want, I dont want to sell him from under them or take him back after they have put work into him (hes not a problem for me, I love him and have already put alot of work in to get him where he is now, but dont doubt he may go back a bit with new owner, I just cant afford him :( )
 
If I was to loan, generally I'd want something I couldn't afford to buy.

I See Clover said:
I loaned a horse about 5 years ago who was a very green 5 year old ex-racer. He hadn't been out of racing very long and hadn't done much with the owner (primarily because she was a spoilt brat of a teenager that could only ride 'push button' horses) and got infuriated with him.

I had to start literally from scratch - he barely knew how to turn the corners in the arena. I bonded with him right from the begining and he had so much trust in me. It was such a rewarding experience.

I also kept him at his original yard.
Click to expand...

If I was to take on the above it would be bought or gifted. The sort of horse described above generally comes for free or for a token sum. I would be very wary of having put in months of work only for the horse to be sold out from underneath me! :(

Saying all the above, I am half heartedly looking for a resonable weight carrying happy hacker/companion on loan. It would be a permanent loan, but I just cant take the risk of buying that sort of horse and having my circumstances change and having the stress of rehoming. It probably would never happen, but we already have a couple of old crocks that have a home for life, and they would always be my priority.

Having not found anything suitable, I've pretty much changed my mind and will look for a free/cheapy project to bring on. Its more time consuming and wont be at all suitable for happy hacking with novice friends, which was initially what I wanted, but I would be happy knowing I'm giving something a fresh start, and 6 months down the line I can sell the afore mentioned horse into a good home and rehab another one :)

I would NEVER consider a horse to be kept at the owners yard,even if I didn't have my own field etc. I cant imagine being able to resist the tempation to interfere in that situation, so I'm probably tarring people with my own brush :D
 
Dexter said:
Having not found anything suitable, I've pretty much changed my mind and will look for a free/cheapy project to bring on. Its more time consuming and wont be at all suitable for happy hacking with novice friends, which was initially what I wanted, but I would be happy knowing I'm giving something a fresh start, and 6 months down the line I can sell the afore mentioned horse into a good home and rehab another one :)

I would NEVER consider a horse to be kept at the owners yard,even if I didn't have my own field etc. I cant imagine being able to resist the tempation to interfere in that situation, so I'm probably tarring people with my own brush :D
Click to expand...

this is exactly what im planning on doing! i have been loaning horses for the past couple of years but i want to get a young(ish) horse to bring on and sell after 6 months :)

i have been loaning horses at their yard and it has never been a problem, all the owners have been brilliant (well most of the time..)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top