Needed! Happy stories about horses going on loan

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SparklySparky

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There is a very good chance that my beloved boy may have to go out on loan due to a change in my circumstances - I don't have enough time or money to really do best by him at the moment, and whilst I'm looking for a yard closer to my new home I can't find anything that I can afford. So finding a loan home for him - hopefully in the short term - may be the best solution.

However, this idea is really upsetting to me. I've had him for ten years, since he was four years old, and I've always thought he would have a forever home with me. The idea of someone else taking care of him and riding him is really hard, and I've heard of so many horror stories from people I know about horses disappearing from loan homes, or not being treated well.

So. I would really, really appreciate any happy stories about your horses going out to loan homes, for however long or for whatever reason. Stories where they were happy and healthy and well-cared for and having fun, and it was a good thing for you to do.

Thank you!
 
I loaned a pony out to a friend whilst she was looking for another pony for her daughter. I had just had baby so no time to ride. They ended up buying her! I couldn't just let my ponies go anywhere. I did do the BHS loan agreement to cover all situations/issues.

I have also been on the other side too. We loaned a pony for my son, again BHS loan agreement done. We had her about 16 months and took care of her at the end of her life too. I still keep in contact with the people we had her off too. Not all loaners/loanees are horrible people!

I think the best way is through word of mouth. I really would hesitate to have a complete stranger have mine. Good luck.
 
I've loaned and loaned out. I've been a pretty good loaner, loaning out has never worked out so well! My fault for not being more careful :( My boy is gong out on loan shortly. I'm paying for some professional schooling first as hes a baby. The loaner is going to be involved with the schooling as shes at uni and works on the yard. I will then keep a really close eye on them both! The times its gone wrong is due to me not visiting and keeping a close enough eye on things!

I'm also going to pay for and keep the insurance in my name, and probably pay for lessons for them both to keep them on track. If it goes wrong I will be in a postion to terminate the loan immediately. I shouldnt have to as I know the loaner, and hes not moving yards. But it does make me feel better knowing I've set them up to succeed and will be able to keep an eye on them, and if needs be step in :)
 
I loaned out my ridden companion horse just after Christmas and I can't believe how well it has turned out for everyone, especially the horse. Admittedly he went to a friend of a friend but even so it couldn't have worked out better. He has new rugs, a new saddle, bridle, he's been on holiday etc etc and his loaner loves him to bits. In my opinion she actually gives him a better home than I did!!
My advice would be to make sure you have a proper loan agreement and set out terms right from the start so that everyone knows where they stand.

I've also loaned a horse and I'm guessing it worked well for his owner because she sold him to me after 6 months!
 
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I had a horse I put on loan and it was great. The girl loved my horse and she evented her to a high level and it was great to trot round the shows after them and see her doing so well and both of them having such fun and I learned lots met lots of people, my horse gained a huge amount of experience and I loved it all.

However, after 2.5 years, in a dull wet January morning the phone call came saying that her boyfriend was complaining about how much time/money the horse was taking and could it come back NOW!

So, my experience is, never quite let sight of your horse, keep a little bit of an eye on it and Always keep an emergency plan/contingency fund in case of emergencies. In return for that, make sure the horse goes somewhere where you can at least get some fun out of it as well.

To be fair, I always told her that I would (eventually) forgive her for returning the horse outside our agreement, but I would Never forgive her if she didn't look after the horse, so I guess that she did keep to her side of the bargain.
 
we've loaned out two, first time in each case it didn't work out but not in a bad way - just mutual decision after a couple of months. With each one though the 2nd loaners have been amazing. First one bought the horse as soon as she had the insurance money from her other one (:() and she now lives in the lap of luxury, 2nd one was retired from eventing and now does hacking and bits of schooling with a loaner who adores him despite all his idiosyncrasies and issues. Couldn't have asked for a lovelier person for either of them.
 
I've been both, a loaner and a loanee:-

I've got a mare on loan from someone I used to go to school with!!! Its fantastic. Horror of horrors, we've got no loan agreement!!! - but because we know each other so well and because we're both local, and know a lot of mutual friends and contacts, I think TBH having the official-ness of a "loan agreement" would clog the whole thing up, if that doesn't sound too daft. She trusts me implicity with the most precious thing she has, and I in my turn appreciate that trust and love the mare to bits and treat her as my own, knowing that she is basically on virtually a permanent loan.

I loaned out my trad-lad to someone a few years ago. She kept him at a livery yard - and all seemed to be going well. He has sweet itch, and I'd taken the precaution of compiling a very detailed and clear loan agreement, stating that when turned out that he MUST wear his sweet itch rug at all times. Unfortunately he somehow got turned out without his rug on, it was a hot sultry weekend where the midges were active, and in two days he'd rubbed himself raw and bleeding. I was devastated, and angry. Realise that I should have taken him away then and there.

Then only five weeks into the loan, the loaner told me that she wanted to give up the livery (in spite of a month's notice in the agreement from either side), saying she "couldn't afford it any longer". It transpired that she hadn't paid a penny to the YO since my boy had arrived there, causing considerable embarrassment and not to say unpleasantness as the YO quite rightly felt aggrieved - but unfortunately looked to me to pay up and look sweet (I didn't). I then had to basically cobble together another loose-box in the barn to accommodate my horse so he could return home asap, something I hadn't planned for, or budgeted for. But it WAS good to have him back again in fact!!!

Agree with above poster: never lose total sight of the horse, keep some £££ put by in case, and keep taking an interest in the horse.

In addition I would add that owner & loaner need to have a good open relationship where loaner can go to owner with any problems, behavioural quirks etc (and there will be some, especially initially!!!), plus it does help to keep the whole thing fairly local so owner can go check up on the horse/drive by if needs be.

Owner also needs to be OK about someone else doing better with their horse than they have without getting jealous about it and asking for it back after someone else has worked hard with it; this seems to be the bane of a lot of loaner/owner relationships on here!!
 
Another one with a happy loan story.

Wasn't putting enough time into my boy last summer, as was having to work 2 jobs to keep him, was trying to sell but no one suitable came up for him so decided to loan him out. The girl who has him is just like me in what she wants to do and similar age etc. She adores him and he has such a good life with her doing hunting, hacking and shes going to do lsome local level showing with him this summer, all the things I wanted him to do but couldn't for lack of time and trasnport.

I've just extended the contract for another 18 months. It suits us both as I will eventually have him back but not until I've moved out etc. I too use the BHS loan agreement.
 
Hiya I had to write and tell you there are decent loaners out there my loan horse had to retire due to a injury no fault of mine but I have still continued the loan as I love him so much and even tho I can't ride him I still get all the other pleasures of owning a horse hope you find a lovely loan home for him xx
 
Thank you for the stories so far, everyone!

If I find a loan home for him I will definitely be using the best loan agreement I can find. People may think I'm over cautious (especially for a very easy-to-do horse with no existing problems like the sweet itch example) but I will absolutely make sure to go over things with a fine tooth comb. Better safe than sorry! I am hoping to find someone we know - I'm asking through the local Pony Club and Riding Club so he'll be regularly seen both by myself and by people we know. He would only ever be allowed to go to a home that would allow me to keep a regular check on him and visit him.

To the people who have loaned horses: it's always good to hear the other side of the story too! I've never loaned, but I'm very glad there are people who have loan horses who enjoy a good relationship with horse and owner :) Thanks!
 
There are good ones out there. I loaned an extremely special a Welsh cob to a lady who had a young daughter, who was not old enough to ride him yet, but would be one day. mom rode him in the beginning, years later she pleaded to buy him from me, he was happy as larry so I agreed

i also loaned a horse once, this also worked very well, owner away at uni, I loaned horse until she was ready to have it back
 
When I was putting together a loan agreement for mine, the BHS website has some pro forma ones which you can then tailor to your situation. Found this very handy.

Or if you PM me, I dare say I can dig up the one that I used for mine.

You will need to put a "euthanasia clause" in :( Awful subject, but you will need to put something in writing that if something awful happens to your horse, that you be called immediately, BUT that if you can't be contacted and/or get there in time and the horse is suffering, the loaner has the authority on the advice of a vet to PTS. Awful, but needs to be included.
 
My very first pony was loaned out after a few years of being little more than a field ornament. He had come to my cousin through Pony Club, taught her, me, and my brother to ride, but being 11.2hh and pretty ancient we had all grown far too big for him. He was fairly happy stuffing his face day in day out, but we knew he'd be happier being fussed and adored by little kids, as he had endless patience and would happily have been brushed all day and night (handy trait in a grey!). He went on loan to a family with three little boys, who thought the world of him. After he'd been there for a while, and we knew he was loved and cared for, my mum gave him to them for free to live out the rest of his days being an object of absolute adoration. He passed away there in his 30s, having had a far more rewarding last few years than we could have offered him as a companion pony.


...I think I have something in my eye...
 
I loaned two horses to a friend when I was abroad the first an old mare had to be PTS after five months when her arthritis suddenly got worse .
I then loaned her a 8yo TB they had great fun hunting and doing RC things and when I came home I sold her the horse as she loved him so much he lived into his twenties with her .
The horse I replaced him with was my horse of a lifetime so it all worked out for the best .
 
I've done both. Loaned my boy out many years ago, all went well and he came back to me when I asked. I continued to pay for insurance and shoes. We've recently taken on a loan horse for my husband, all is going very well. We have the BHS loan agreement in place, and we were offered the horse by a customer that we've known for about seven years, I think everyone is happy!
 
Happy loan story here too.
Loaned 'perfect' horse, gifted to me many years later when she was 21. Now 23 arthritic in hocks and retired.She is coming home to retire and I have just bought a pony to be her companion!
Owner visited her twice in the whole of our loan period (five years I think before she was gifted to me). We used to text and I sent her Christmas cards and photos.
Used the bhs agreement but did not renew after first year - just agreed we would stick to the same terms.
 
Here too. Loaned out my old lad for 5 years or so in his early 20s. We had a few false starts finding him the right home, but when we did, he had an incredible time with a lovely lady and he came back home to me when it was time to retire. I also loaned ponies as a kid and, more recently, loaned a friend's mare for 3 years while mine was out of work. Orange has gone home now, as she's no longer up to what I wanted to do with her, though still fit for what her owner likes doing and I still get to see her regularly. There are good homes out there!
 
I've not loaned out but my friend is loaning a horse. Her horse of 20 years died last year and she said she would never ever again have a horse; but here she is loaning one and she adores him. She looks after him as if it were her horse. She chats away to him, takes him out in hand, lunges, rides does all the things as if it were her own. The only difference is every week she sends a picture and a story about what the lad and she has been up too.

I'm sorry you're in the position you're in and you're cleaning looking out for the interests of your horse first and foremost which is hugely admirable but rest assured there are folk out there who would take very good care of him. You will know when you've found that person.
 
I am a loaner and a loanee. Our pony who is out on loan was outgrown but we wouldn't sell her so she is being spoilt rotten and teaching small children to ride.
Our loaners came by recommendation and they are fab.
We loan two ponies and I like to think we are good loanees. Ponies want for nothing and are well cared for. Owners v happy.
 
I had one on loan, with an agreement..lovely owner and we kept in regular contact. She only saw him twice in 4 years..but I loved him so much I dreaded getting the call that she wanted him back as she had loved him too, and it showed. I was with him at the end, paid all bills and made all the arrangements and felt lucky to have had such a lovely horse in my life! I wouldn't hesitate to do it again as I think lots of loved horses are loaned rather than sold.
 
My gelding has been out on loan to the same lady for 10 years. He became unsuitable for what I wanted to do and perfect for her so he went there and is very happy and pampered. I hope he will be happy with her for another 10 years.
 
We have 3 schoolmasters and a younger small pony out on loan- all to thoroughly vetted and checked homes and they're all very happy, getting the work they love and still performing, and likely to live out their days where they are.
 
Thank you, everyone!

How did everyone go about finding loan homes? Was it mostly word-of-mouth, through Pony Clubs/Riding Clubs? My horse is a sweetheart but he can be a tricky ride when it comes to jumping, and it's been a tough time getting him to the point where I can actually say he's well-schooled. Finding an experienced rider to have him will hopefully not be difficult...
 
I am in the same situation as you... Having owned my mare along time, I just do not want to sell her, however finances and times mean I have to consider loaning or sharing, to at least get my life in order! If at anytime her loan homes do not work out, at least I know she will end up back with me, safe and happy.

There ARE some genuine people out there. I have had lots of enquiries about my horse, all different levels of experience, wanting to either hack, compete or just school. However, I am extremely careful about what people say they are, and essentially will have several people try her before deciding on who is best suited. My decision will be based on who I feel gels best with my horse, and whom she seems happiest with.

When loaning, and others on here have advised me, I will be ensuring that I get references about potential loan home, draw up a contract, take copies of driving license/passport etc (you can never be too safe), will visit and vet home/stables she will be at, and will ensure to visit several times, particularly during the first few weeks. I will also make it a condition that the loaner gives regular updates on her progress etc, and it will also be in the contract that I have the right to visit her.

On another note, is there any way that you could find a sharer for your horse, so that they have so many days a week, and maybe contribute a small amount of money for this? I have found a young lady wishing to share (she has been to try her and loved her, and has now booked a lesson on her to see how she gets on, before we make any firm decisions). You would be suprised how many people can't commit full time/money, but would like something and could do this on a share basis.

I advertised on a few websites, including horse mart, let my horsey friends know (so they could let their horsey friends know!), and also posted on facebook. I have had been inundated with enquiries, so just make sure you take the time to consider what type of home you would want for your horse, I.E level of work/type of work, location etc, before making decisions as to who sees him, as that may help work out who is best for him.

Good luck :)
 
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misskk88:

Thank you, it's good to know that I'm not the only one in this situation! "At least until I get my life in order" is exactly how I'm trying to think about this.

Having a sharer would be absolutely *ideal*, as it would mean he could stay at his current yard where he is very happy and settled and whilst I wouldn't be around every day (having had to move away for work- hence looking for a yard I can afford) friends and family are stabled on the same yard and they know my boy as well as I do. Having him move away to a loan home would be something I would choose if I had no other options and if I knew the rider / home would be the right fit for him.

Your experience sounds very positive so far. I've started the process of approaching horsey people I know and I'll put up some adverts this weekend. Hopefully I'll also have some interest from suitable people!

Good luck with your mare, I hope you find the right person for her :)
 
Not a happy story, one lad on the yard loaned his very quiet ottb 2 weeks ago, horse has hunted, evented done lots of things, i told him a few horror stories but he was happy this was going to be okay, after 1 week he had a phone call his horse was rearing and they didnt want it anymore, when he went to collect it, it didnt want to be caught, you couldnt touch its head, it had welt marks from a whip across its thighs on both sides some the hair had been removed, hehas the horse back, has taken pics and called the vet, he isnt going to let it go, he is going to make them pay for vets bills even it its just to check the horse over.
 
I've had 2 horses on loan, looked after both as if they were my own. Only had the first, a mare, for 12 months, but had the second for years. He went back to his owners about 18 months ago for semi retirement, to nanny baby polo ponies out hacking around their farm. I also loaned out my Welsh cob to a lovely family who bought him 2 years later and still have him, about 5 years later. They adore him and I get the odd update every now and then.

I did have one not-so-good experience with the first family who had the Welshy. Pony was quite sharp but the boy had got on really well with the pony when he tried him (hacked, schooled, jumped, took him around yard's XC course, galloping across fields). They wanted him to hunt but pony just didn't settle when they took him back to their yard, so he was back to me within a couple of weeks. After another couple, he went to the next family who, as I say, subsequently bought him.
 
I have a horse on loan as a friend for my gelding. She is not ridden, she is treated exactly the same as mine, has all jabs, special shoes, etc, her owners visit once or twice a year and they are obviously happy.
 
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