LOANING

[KJJ]

Hi Guys,

I have my boy advertised for Loan

What is the best way to go about it? I mean with regards to having people to see him?

Do I let everyone that enquires come and see him? I have had ssoooo much interest in him, which I'm finding quite overwhelming! One lady who travelled 45mins in the snow to just 'see him and meet me' is very keen come back and ride, she's very nice and seems ideal, I like her, but should I let others come incase I like them too?

I realise she may come and ride and not get on with him/want him or I may feel her not the one for my boy.. should I wait til she's been before inviting others to come and try him - which is kinda the path I'm going up at the moment purely due to the 2ft of snow we have stopping the sandschool from being useable!!

Whats the 'done' thing?

Thanks, very sad time for me.. am devestated its come to this

xxx

 

[chestnut cob]

When I put R out on loan 3 years ago, I was getting between 5 and 10 calls a day at one point. I spoke to everyone who got through, didn't call people who text me or who emailed me in text speak, and must admit I didn't call anyone back who left a v/mail that I didn't like the sound of.

He is your horse and you can be as picky as you like about who you let sit on him. I only had maybe 4 people come to see mine. Spend time talking to everyone who calls, have a list of questions that you want to ask. I had a list of must haves (ie the sort of people I wanted, the sorts of activities they wanted a horse for, the sort of yard they were on), and must not haves, so I would go through all of this with them on the phone. If I really got on with them, if they seemed to have the same views and values as me then I would let them come to see him.

I had one lot of people come who I knew straight away weren't right (he was a 14.2hh who was used to an 8.5st lady rider, my ad said no one over 10.5st and the lady promised me she was small. When she arrived she was easily 14st and far far too big for him so I had to say no, tactfully, without letting her get on board). Another girl who came with her mum was a nice enough rider but I could tell once she got on that all she wanted to do was rag him around and jump, which I didn't want for him, so I told them I didn't think he would be suitable for him. In the end he actually went to the first lot who had come to see him. I liked them but had promised the others too so said I would see them all and then made a decision.

Be picky, he is your horse and you don't have to let him go to anyone you aren't 100% happy with. Go with your instinct too - my first loan home was a disaster (before the people I mention above) because I ignored my gut instinct. Second was brilliant, they loaned him for 2 years nearly and bought him in the end

 

[brighteyes]

Do not under any circumstances let him out of your 'sight'. Find out from their vet what sort of person they are as an owner if possible. Contract him up to the hilt and inspect EVERYTHING like a detective. Have them come and try him several times, with you there. You should even get to know them and their circumstances as well as you can before agreeing to let them have him.

That said, we have had a few on loan just handed over, to us, no questions asked other than a thumbs up from a mutual acquaintance

I wouldn't do it like that. No way.

It can work out well and I haven't had any bad experiences (I am the pickiest person IN THE WORLD).

Good luck.

 

[Coffee_Bean]

You can be very picky as you will have a lot of interest. I had one woman arranged to come who didn't bother to show. Another who came and was nice but she got on walked her round once and got off, and it made me think she was quite novice. Next one she has just gone to, she rode her first in the school, then on a hack with me following on foot. She hacked her out twice more with me accompanying on another horse. (horse just for hacking) I also watched her groom, tack up, rug up etc, and met her friend, the horses she would be with and the whole set up etc. Ask lots and lots of questions. Go with your gut instinct, when you do find the right person, make sure you do a contract. I have used the BHS and ammended it.
Good luck

 

[Happytohack]

Are you letting him go out on loan away from your current yard? If so, please make sure you always have somewhere for him to come back to at very short notice. I put my mare out on loan, drew up the BHS contract with certain stipulations. All seemed to be going well when they suddenly emailed and said they wanted her gone immediately. They had broken every stipulation and I will never ever loan a horse out again. I am sure it can work - but please be very, very careful and check up on your horse as much as possible. I am just thankful that I have my lovely mare back - they obviously didn't deserve her or any other horse.

 

[MungoMadness]

Ah I believe I was one who emailed you too! I recognise the photo in your signature.

Ditto the others really, be as picky as you need to be, and don't go with someone unless you are 100% confident with their riding capabilities with your horse, but also that they are reliable and trustworthy. I would also say for the persone to come an view a few times, get used to your horse and also start to relax around you (I know that I'm often a little tense when I go and see horses as I get worried about what their owners are thinking of me!). Then you can see how they really are.

 

[KJJ]

QR - Thanks everyone for replying - there is no way I'm letting him out of my sight without making sure he is going to a fully vetted/contracted home!!

Thank you Mungomadness for emailling about him too, apologies I don't know who you are from your username, as I say I have had an overwhelming response - I have been honest with everyone, advising that I have a lady interested and that I will let them know if she isn't right also the weather isn't helping the situation and once she's ridden I can invite others to come see him too, so I can make a decision for the best/most suitable home for him.

Tough times

K xx