Long term loan of a project horse

[SEL]

One of the liveries at our place is advertising her warmblood out for long term loan. He's 8 and they've really done nothing with him - although he has been lightly backed (literally sat on!).

I understand why they don't want to sell (owned him since he was 6 months old) and I genuinely think they would only have him back if the loan home proved unsuitable rather than hoping someone is going to train their horse for free.

The horse is fabulous, but feral and if he was for sale I could imagine him shooting straight off to a dressage home with someone willing to take a bit of a risk - but do people take on these sort of projects on a loan basis?

 

[milliepops]

Hmmmm. I did... and eventually offered to buy as I was getting emotionally too invested in my project. owner declined so I returned him. I just couldn't cope with the thought that I'd go through all that effort and then she'd want him back.

 

[chaps89]

I'd consider it. (Not a big warmblood though, but a pony type)
I have no capital for another one and I'm aware I'm on borrowed time with Madams legs.
So I won't be able to be fussy bout what I have next. I enjoy bringing them on (admittedly I probably wouldn't go looking for 'feral' as my starting point! Though that can sometimes be easier than undoing someone else's bad habbits). Sure it would be nice to put that work into something I own, but beggars can't be choosers.

 

[milliepops]

I'd consider it. (Not a big warmblood though, but a pony type)
I have no capital for another one and I'm aware I'm on borrowed time with Madams legs.
So I won't be able to be fussy bout what I have next. I enjoy bringing them on (admittedly I probably wouldn't go looking for 'feral' as my starting point! Though that can sometimes be easier than undoing someone else's bad habbits). Sure it would be nice to put that work into something I own, but beggars can't be choosers.

this is my situation too but I find that free horses do turn up if you're not that fussy so I'd always take a freebie project over someone else's :/
though I guess for some people, not being tied into a situation is a benefit. if you don't get anywhere you can always send it back. though that might not be a great result for the owner, it's a bit of a risk loaning out something to be trained on.
hope they find the perfect loaner, OP.

 

[Gloi]

I'd consider it. (Not a big warmblood though, but a pony type)
I have no capital for another one and I'm aware I'm on borrowed time with Madams legs.
So I won't be able to be fussy bout what I have next. I enjoy bringing them on (admittedly I probably wouldn't go looking for 'feral' as my starting point! Though that can sometimes be easier than undoing someone else's bad habbits). Sure it would be nice to put that work into something I own, but beggars can't be choosers.

Same here, though I never minded feral. Though I'm getting past it now it was always my favourite part of having ponies.

 

[PapaverFollis]

I could imagine someone going for that especially if the risk of having it sold from under you is low. But with loaning there's always that risk so being mentally prepared for it and being happy to just enjoy the experience regardless is probably important. I'd probably not do it because I get over-attached too easily but for someone a bit more driven and goal-focussed it would be good experience.

 

[Goldenstar]

I know some one who did this an unbroken 7yo brood mare . They did shed loads of work and the mare a warmblood started going well and was competitive the first time they knew it was for sale was when someone they knew rang them to say it was being advertised .

 

[SEL]

I'd consider it. (Not a big warmblood though, but a pony type)
I have no capital for another one and I'm aware I'm on borrowed time with Madams legs.
So I won't be able to be fussy bout what I have next. I enjoy bringing them on (admittedly I probably wouldn't go looking for 'feral' as my starting point! Though that can sometimes be easier than undoing someone else's bad habbits). Sure it would be nice to put that work into something I own, but beggars can't be choosers.

I think you're near me - it's Ox / Buck borders if 16.3h isn't too big! It is a seriously nice horse just needs training and routine.

 

[FestiveFuzz]

I would. We’re moving soon and hope to eventually have the horses at home and will be looking for another to join the herd when we do.

 

[chaps89]

I think you're near me - it's Ox / Buck borders if 16.3h isn't too big! It is a seriously nice horse just needs training and routine.

Not far away but that's waaay too big for me ? I have 2 at the moment, as a friend of mine used to say - someone has to die first before I get anymore. (Admittedly she had 5 I think when she said that but I'm taking her logic)

 

[abbijay]

I am currently doing this! I took on a 7yo shire horse that had been backed 3 months previously and lightly ridden away.
It helped that I already knew the owner and this is the second loan I've had from her. I wanted a horse to compete after retiring my old boy but couldn't afford to purchase anything of much quality. What I got was a beautiful and capable blank canvas that has allowed me to assess my own ability to train and continue competing without the initial lay out.

 

[shamrock2021]

I now plenty of people who did take a project Horse on loan and it worked out very well. I personally get to attached With loan that’s why I had to get my own horse.