Loaning out a just backed 4yr old??

Leo Walker

Leo Walker

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Frankies loan home has fallen through which leaves me with a bit of a dilemma! I would never have considered a loan if it wasnt for the fact the girl worked at the yard, I knew her and I was going to pay for a few weeks pro schooling that she could do with an experienced trainer. I have some major doubts about loaning under any other circumstances!

I've put an ad up locally just in case, as I would like any potential loaner to come and work with him while hes being ridden away, but I'm not sure about this at all!

Hes a typical cob and incredibly laid back so would be tolerant of things not being done exactly to the book, but like any young horse he could easily be ruined! I've specified he must stay very local, but what else can I do to minimise the risk? Or should I just bite the bullet and sell him? I dont think another year stood in the field would benefit anyone, and I cant see anything being different at the end of another year, so something has to change!
 
FrankieCob said:
Frankies loan home has fallen through which leaves me with a bit of a dilemma! I would never have considered a loan if it wasnt for the fact the girl worked at the yard, I knew her and I was going to pay for a few weeks pro schooling that she could do with an experienced trainer. I have some major doubts about loaning under any other circumstances!

I've put an ad up locally just in case, as I would like any potential loaner to come and work with him while hes being ridden away, but I'm not sure about this at all!

Hes a typical cob and incredibly laid back so would be tolerant of things not being done exactly to the book, but like any young horse he could easily be ruined! I've specified he must stay very local, but what else can I do to minimise the risk? Or should I just bite the bullet and sell him? I dont think another year stood in the field would benefit anyone, and I cant see anything being different at the end of another year, so something has to change!
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Where abouts are you?
 
Heartbreaking as it is, if you don't see your circumstances changing any time soon then surely it would be better to sell him, he sounds very saleable.
 
Mmmm...... personally having put a horse out on loan in the past, I'd rather sell than loan TBH.

If you loan, you could end up with your lovely young horse that you've taken a lot of time and trouble with coming back with the manners of a pig and a mouth like steel.

Whereas if you sell, yes you totally lose him, but if someone actually owns the horse, then hopefully they will make an effort to make sure he comes good.
 
^^^^^^^This^^^^^^^^.
Unthinkable to risk losing all the ground work in, and risk it all going pear shaped. Not good for you, and possibly very bad for your lovely youngster.
 
I'm in the same position, iv got a 4 yrs dun highland x who is really laid back and iv backed him but iv got really bad on going back problems so iv turned him away and don't know if/when I will get to ride him again plus he's a big small for me. Iv had him since a foal and can't bear selling him so I would like a perm loan home but so scared it could go wrong so I feel your pain. It's hard to know what to do for the best but I won't sell my lad
 
thatsmygirl said:
I'm in the same position, iv got a 4 yrs dun highland x who is really laid back and iv backed him but iv got really bad on going back problems so iv turned him away and don't know if/when I will get to ride him again plus he's a big small for me. Iv had him since a foal and can't bear selling him so I would like a perm loan home but so scared it could go wrong so I feel your pain. It's hard to know what to do for the best but I won't sell my lad
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Thats me :( Fractured my spine 18 months ago, thought I would recover fine and I havent, and then I piled on 4 stone :( I'm now way too fat for him and just not even a half way decent rider any more. I've also found an amazing horse who is perfect for me, and his lovely owner is letting him loan him for a couple of months to make sure everything works out. It feels like I'd just be getting rid to buy a new one, which isnt strictly true as he could stay in the field as a pet forever, but thats not fair on a smart young horse who needs a job now

Every time I think about selling Frankie I end up hysterical and sobbing :( I adore him! I dont care if I never ride him, I just want to stay in touch with what hes doing and be able to see him every now and again. I'd love to see him out doing fun stuff! I'm absolutely gutted that his loan home fell through. Its due to finances and if it was up to me I'd pay for his livery and let her free loan him, but my OH would not be happy. Hes fed up of misery and crying over horses!
 
You say your youngster is laid back and calm, can you not just carry on together? Your weight can come off, if he is a chunky cob he may well be fine with you anyway, certainly at walk, you adore him and want to keep him.

This time last year my four year old came home from backing, he has been a sweetheart and I've ridden him on for the last year quite happily.

Go with your heart on this one I reckon!
 
Hard as it is, i think that you should sell him.

I have recently been in the same situation. I bought a beautiful, gentle, genuine 3 yr old piebald cob mare fore myself two years ago. She was perfect in every way & although so young, she had an old head on young shoulder's & seemed to understand that i was a delicate rider with a bad back & only up for very gentle village plods. Two years on & i'm able to ride less & less, i felt guilty that she was doing so little with me so had a sharer but then felt bad that i was basically keeping a horse for someone else to ride. I put her up for sale & it was awful the people that came to see her, i nearly gave up, until 2 weeks ago i found the MOST PERFECT home for her. A lovely Mother & daughter who were looking for their first pony to share. I must have driven them mad, quizzing them about everything & insisting on this, that & the other being done, but, they took it all on board & she was vetted & went off to her wonderful new home a few days ago. They can actually offer her soooooo much more than i can, she is their only pony & will be given huge amounts of attention, they have fantastic off road hacking & are close to the sea. The little girl will do Pony Club & the Mum will hack with her friends. I feel so happy for all of them & know that it was absolutely the right decision.

I hope it all works out for you too.
 
I KNOW I'm being irrational and stupid! :( I've sold a fair few horses and been thrilled to see them go on and have happy lives. Theres only been Frankie and my little spotty pony I outbid the meat man for that I feel like this about. I know I SHOULD sell him. Keeo telling me I should! My OH would love that as he can see where this is going ie 2 horses one of whom will be a light hack and the other who will be a giant hairy, adorable pet :D
 
Unless it was to a 99.9% guaranteed top experienced home with someone I knew very well, I wouldn't ever consider it I'm afraid.
Too many potential problems to be risking.

I could never sell either, so I would end up looking into full livery somewhere with mine.
 
Well, unless you are a RS or offer carriage rides or something the cob was always going to be a giant hairy adorable pet. Just a ridden pet.

So, if you are happy to keep him unridden then I don't see why you shouldn't.

Be worth getting him started well as 'insurance' in case he ever has to go to a new home later though.

Would you/your OH consider a 'share' arrangement with the potential loaner?
 
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