Loaning Your Beloved Horse Out.....

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mandk

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<font color="blue">I am looking for a loan home for my horse. I was going to send her to a college, but I have written that idea off due to a couple of things.

So, I am back to square one with my beloved horse needing a loan home.

Does anyone have any advice on how to go about finding a genuine loan home? I have spoken to the BHS and have a copy of their loan contract template.

I am just scared when there are so many horror stories out there. I just want her to go to a fantastic home - competition, show or leisure - but local to us and be loved and cared for.

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I would go by word of mouth - put it about your friends/family/yard mates etc, that she's available and hopefully someone who will come up who comes reccomended from someone - i'm in a similar situation with my sadly outgrown, semi-lame mare - i'd love to find her a companion/light hack home but would not advertise her as such for fear of who i'd end up with, but if someone comes via someone else i'd be happier.

Good luck
 
Do you ever take her to shows? When I was loaning my pony out, most of the interest came from people who saw her competing. It's good because it means a prospective loaner can try the horse without any fuss, and you can see how they handle it. Places like riding clubs are good too, because you can generally find out a lot about someone from other members of the club. I put a clause in the contract for my mare saying if I wasn't happy at any tme I could take her back, even though the contract was for 12 months. It meant I knew if it came down to it I could get her back before any harm came to her. Try putting notices in your local feed merchants / countrywide stores, any make sure a loaner knows that, while you aren't going to interfere, you are still going to be involved with your horse, and that at the end of the day, it is YOUR horse. I was devastated when my pony went on loan the first time, even though she was only 5 minutes away and I went to school with the girl who was having her, and I cried buckets when she left. She's back home now and a happily retired part time lead rein show pony, but the few years she spent away from me hasn't done her any harm. There are good loan homes out there, it just takes time to find the right one for your mare.
 
I used to compete her dressage and in hand showing - but since having my first baby she has just been hacking and schooling at home. I am now pregnant again, so will not be taking her out anywhere.
Also, we are not at livery - and only have our own horses. So know a limited number of horsey people in our area!

It is so tricky..... almost trial and error, but you can not afford the errors! !
 
We advertised our much loved 13.2 mare for loan,following check ligament injury.We interviewed prospective owners quite rigorously! Eventually we chose a family who had tiny home paddocks,needed to feed hay all year,and a six year old girl who could barely let go of the saddle.Basically,it was perfect.As pony got stronger,so the child was progressing at same slow rate.In 18 months,child was at PC,on teams,loving every minute.They had pony four years,then she went lame in a different leg.Because she had done such a good job,child needed a pony to continue with,but they didn't have the land to keep her.They were distraught to send her home.However we kept in touch and two months later they had bought new pony,more land and asked for her back,even though she is now effectively retired.They only got the land to have our pony back! Definitely the right choice. We did use the BHS agreement,but now realistically we don't bother,because we know they only have her welfare at heart. Good luck - just wanted to give you a really positive story.
 
Sounds like you are in a bit of a situation! What about asking your farrier to put the word around, same goes for vet. Our farrier knows most of the horses in the area, and normally knows when people are loking for horses. Is your horse suitable for RC, or even PC? If so you could try finding websites for local clubs and advertising her on there.

Out of interest, why don't you want to go with working livery? Sorry to be nosy
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, don't answer if you don't want to, but my gelding is on working livery so was just wondering!
 
No thats fine. She was going to go on loan to a college - I had 2 possibles.

I have spoken to quite a few people and as usual you get good and bad feedback.

But I was so shocked to find that with one college we would be paying for worming, vacc and all vet bills, insurance and farrier, plus livery during all college holidays.
The other was slightly better, we would pay for wormer, vacc and all vet bills &amp; insurance. But also we would have to replace anything that gets damaged/worn out whilst she is in their care - rugs, saddle, bridle the lot!

This would work out more expensive than having her at home. Plus we would be paying all this for others to get the use etc of her.
 
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