loaning vs selling?

[mandwhy]

I have been looking at horses to buy and thought I would look in the loan section. All of the horses are to be kept on current yard, which wouldn't suit me as if I am paying for all of it's upkeep then I would like to choose where it lives (among other reasons why I am wanting to buy).

Of course I understand why an owner would want to do this, but from a loaner's point of view I really don't see much benefit other than avoiding the purchase price - to be honest most of the horses in the loan section would not be sold for a high value, so why do people bother?

I also notice that when anyone mentions the possibility of loaning their horse they are met with responses like 'don't do it! trust no one!' - obviously I know things go wrong on loan, horses go missing, come back ruined etc, but if that happens to a horse you've sold anyway (if you ever find out) then is it really much consolation that you got some money for it?

I don't know much about the legal benefits of loaning, so I'm just wondering what your opinions are?

 

[Batgirl]

I would say that the benefit is that if you have a horse that you wouldn't get a lot of money for that you might want to ride again or want to keep in it's retirement you could loan it.

For example I loan my boy as he has a history of lameness issues (I think he only has one leg that can be insured!) and is a bit high maintenance as he is thin skinned, loses weight easily and is barefoot. The owners don't want him battered into the ground but he is so much healthier in work, both owners are competition riders and wouldn't have the time to keep him in work. They will keep him in retirement when he can't be ridden any more. He is about to take me on my first BE at the grand old age of 20.

They get the benefit of getting him back to coddle in his old age and someone to pick up his vets and livery bills in the mean time

 

[Batgirl]

I would say that the benefit is that if you have a horse that you wouldn't get a lot of money for that you might want to ride again or want to keep in it's retirement you could loan it.

For example I loan my boy as he has a history of lameness issues (I think he only has one leg that can be insured!) and is a bit high maintenance as he is thin skinned, loses weight easily and is barefoot. The owners don't want him battered into the ground but he is so much healthier in work, both owners are competition riders and wouldn't have the time to keep him in work. They will keep him in retirement when he can't be ridden any more. He is about to take me on my first BE at the grand old age of 20.

They get the benefit of getting him back to coddle in his old age and someone to pick up his vets and livery bills in the mean time

Plus I get the benefit of being able to give him back if he does go long term lame etc

 

[Gracie21]

Pro's of loaning from the loaners point of view:
-No lump sum required.
-As horrible as it sounds..You can give it back if you can no longer keep it.
-More appealing to parents as children often take confidence knocks/lose interest.
-Owner (normally) offers support and will always have horse's best interests at heart so will help if they can.

From owner's point of view:
-May add value to horse (competitions, PC etc)
-Still have power to take back if they deem necessary.
-Still owner's horse, but under care of someone else, good for people who have got into a situation and need some financial relief but don't want to sell (or can't).
-Can monitor horse and secure it's future.

I myself have mostly loaned horses before they were sold to give me a year to detach myself
I have loaned out 5, and loaned 4 myself, so I know it well! It works.

 

[Littlelegs]

EDickens has summed it up nicely. The only thing I'd add is that loaning from the yard you're on would mean its even easier to keep control. When daughter outgrows her pony we won't be selling as she is also a much loved pet. I would consider loaning locally to someone recommended on a yard I knew would keep an eye out but otherwise would have to be on my yard.

 

[marion95]

I loan my horse because I am so fond of her and she has given me so many years of fun that I couldn't bear to think of her getting in to the wrong hands down the line. The only way I can be 100% sure this doesn't happen is to keep owning her. This may make me sound like a bit of a control freak!

I've been very lucky with her loan home. They have had her two years and she's never looked better/seemed happier. They absolutely love her and are very respectful of keeping in touch with me and not making major decisions about her without asking me. I actually advertised her to stay at current yard/locally but they called anyway and asked if I'd let her move and after I'd met them and checked out their yard, I was happy to let her move - although I did keep a very close eye on her at first.

The benefit to them is that they have a beautiful, well behaved horse who's 'done it all' that they would probably not have been able to afford to buy. In theory they can give her back whenever too - but they have just agreed to keep her for another two years while I'm abroad, so no sign of that.

Also, I may want her back one day and I've ridden/seen very few horses that compare to her (in my eyes) so would like to keep the option of having her back, not buying another with all the pitfalls that can go with that!

 

[mandwhy]

Hmm, I see your point about being able to return the horse if it long term lame Batgirl, I guess if the owner wants to still own the horse then they have to be prepared for that.

As it will be my first 'whole' horse I am buying I do think a loan might be a good idea but none of the ones I have seen advertised would be suitable. I am not looking for perfect, but I don't really want any existing medical conditions, I know anything can happen but I'd rather buy a horse that is as healthy as possible as I worry enough about hidden issues! Eurgh I will worry either way!