Loaning out a companion horse

[Bustalot]

Question in the title... Any good/bad experiences?
Is it something you would do?
Is it something that people are currently looking for?

Thanks

 

[Bedlam]

I may well be looking for a companion loan in the next few weeks. I would be looking for a horse that wouldn't cost me any vets fees above and beyond the usual, but who would live out with my horse who may need retiring until he becomes too uncomfortable in the field to carry on - at this point I would want to be returning the companion (don't want to have to find a companion for a companion!!).

No stable, but plenty of grass/hay in winter ad lib. I would be prepared to worm and trim feet, but not looking for anything costly or difficult to manage like laminitis etc.

Top class home with references available, but just don't want to be taking on another costly problem......I already have one! I also think that my boy's comfortable time may be limited, and don't want to take on anything permanently that I would then have to manage longterm if that makes sense?

Hope that helps?

 

[Rueysmum]

Look in the Stolen/Missing section on here - you will find out all about the drawbacks and pitfalls of loaning out horses as companions. Sometimes it can be a one-way ticket to an abattoir. Not good.

 

[AmyMay]

Vet the person 110% before sending the horse out on loan.

Must admit I was going to do this last year, but got cold feet as I'd just heard too many horror stories.

 

[Herts05]

I would personally advise against it. Given the rock bottom prices and difficulty in selling a horse that has a career ahead of it, what chance do companion horses have?

How would you feel if you lost touch with your horse and later found out that it was being abused?

As difficult a decision as it is, we owe it to our horses to do what's right for them and sometimes that does mean PTS. Sorry but this is what I'm going through at the moment.