Loaning Questions!

[Shantara]

Hi guys!

It's been a long time!

I have a few questions regarding loaning. Unfortunately I have fallen out of love with riding. However, I couldn't bare to part with Serenity. I would not find one as good as her again! So, I'm hoping to loan her, either full or part (preferably full). Of course if I couldn't find anyone suitable I'd stick with her and just deal with it, but she could be having fun with someone else!

I haven't loaned a horse since I was a child and I haven't loaned one of mine out before. What sort of contract do you use? If you do part loan what kind of contribution do you ask for and if full loan, do they take over all costs etc?

Please be kind and thanks!

 

[milliepops]

I recently took one on loan. The horses owner prepared a contract based on a template the BHS put together.

I pay everything as I have with previous loans, including insurance, had to give owner proof of this. I believe she took a reference from my trainer.

 

[Shantara]

Ooh brilliant, thank you! That's really helpful, I'll have a look for the BHS contract now Thanks!

 

[Michen]

One of mine is on full loan. They pay full costs INC insurance bar anything pre existing

 

[Tiddlypom]

As above, but I recommend that you have the insurance in your name and pay for it, with full disclosure of the loan to the insurance company, and the loaner reimburses you for the premium.

That way you know that the horse really is insured and what for, and you are not falsely being informed by the loaner that your horse is insured when she isn't.

 

[Trouper]

I used the BHS agreement as a template but added in things peculiar to our circumstances which I wanted to ensure were covered. For example, I included the details of a "proxy" owner (who was nearer to the loaner) and the number of times I wanted them to visit to check on my horse. Really, just add in anything which makes you feel happier about how you want the horse to be looked after and what cancellation period you want if you have to call in the loan.

 

[milliepops]

As above, but I recommend that you have the insurance in your name and pay for it, with full disclosure of the loan to the insurance company, and the loaner reimburses you for the premium.

That way you know that the horse really is insured and what for, and you are not falsely being informed by the loaner that your horse is insured when she isn't.

i thought my owner would want to do this but turns out i took out a more comprehensive policy than she had so we agreed to go on trust

 

[pistolpete]

Out of interest what happens with the passport?

 

[The Xmas Furry]

Out of interest what happens with the passport?

If loaned away, then it should go with the horse.
Prudence on behalf of the owner would be worth noting with passport issuing agency that horse is on loan to xyz person at abc address and horse is kept at blah address, under a contract.
Also worth copying every page in passport and keeping on file.

 

[TheresaW]

I have recently put Ollie out on loan. I used the BHS template. His loaner pays for everything apart from his insurance which I have kept on.

 

[Wishfilly]

As others have said, with insurance it can cause issues if it is not in your name and the owner wants to send the horse back. In general, I think the best way is for you to keep insurance in your name and the loaner pays you for the premium (assuming you insure!).

Passport should be with the horse- I agree about photocopying key pages and letting the passport issuing agency know that the horse is on loan.

For part loan, I think contributions depend on the horse, the level of chores needed, and what you'd allow the part loaner to do. If they can have pretty much free rein and the horse is nice to ride, I'd suggest at least £15 a day would be fair, maybe a little less if it is true DIY and they are having to do absolutely everything.

 

[JBM]

I’ve done loans and shares always with a contact.
I asked for half of everything bar vet bills with the share and didn’t ask for anything for the loan just that she covered all costs of the horse while she had her. Also make sure they have their own insurance and to check up on the horse regularly.
I did a house check first too

 

[MiJodsR2BlinkinTite]

I've been both a loaner AND a loanee.

Hate to say it, but even IF your loan contract is drawn up, signed & dated by a Legal, in actual fact it has precious little legal clout and any contraventions of it cannot in law be enforced nor can any penalties be applied if either party breaks it.

That said, it DOES form a basis for a working agreement between the two parties; but sadly that is all it can ever be.

Key words are Trust, Transparency, Honesty, Communication and Commitment. If any of these things are missing in the loan agreement then it will end up as a car-crash.

You need to listen to your gut instinct: if someone appears all squeaky-clean and smelling sweet as roses, beware! They may not be all they seem to be. It helps if you have someone somehow involved who you know somewhere along the line - but even people you think you know may not always prove reliable.

Ideally if loaning out a horse you need to be in a situation where you can pop you head over the fence every week to check the horse is still actually at the yard and is OK (or a friend to do so).

Also vital to have references from vet, current YO, and ideally another equine professional such as the farrier. "Friends" might well not be telling the truth.........