New owner responsibilities

[Angela C]

Hello, I'm seriously considering buying a 5-year-old dressage horse who is currently competing at elementary (BD). I would like to know the pitfalls and procedures, please? I will be keeping the current rider but should I have a contract? Also apart from the livery, vets and insurance what else would I be responsible for financially? Any advice gratefully received.

 

[sportsmansB]

shoes
entry fees and transport to shows, training
Will you pay for lessons for rider on your horse
registrations (BD / FEI etc)
Check if you need to provide rugs / tack / etc

 

[Tiddlypom]

If you subsequently sell on, sometimes the rider might expect a % of the selling price (as a reflection of the work they've put in), though that is very much down to individual negotiation.

 

[ycbm]

The pitfalls are huge and could take a book to write.

We need some clues where to start, are you a complete horse-owning novice? How experienced is the rider? Where will the horse be kept, with the rider or somewhere else? It worries me greatly on your behalf that you have needed to join a forum to ask about this, especially whether you need a contract. The answer on that is a most emphatic yes.
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[Angela C]

Thank You. I am a horse owner and rider (amateur). The rider in question is very talented and has trained and is training with well-known professional riders. Whilst I keep my own horses at home I would keep the horse on a professional livery yard where the rider works. My premise is that I am older and want to 'enjoy' helping someone up the ladder with my horse. It is a good point about the forum. Could you advise me (apart from a solicitor) where I could find out more. Thanks.

 

[ycbm]

Actually I think you do need a specialist high level equestrian solicitor and a really tight contract. I know it's not the same, but do you remember Alex Ferguson being given a racehorse only for the giver later to claim in a big court case that he had not given the reproductive rights (the semen!)?

If I was you I would try to contact other owners of BD/BE/BS horses and ask their experiences.

There are some on this forum and you might have a lot more input if you create a thread in the Competition and Training thread.

How exciting for you, I hope you'll stay on the forum and allow us to share the journey.
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[Angela C]

Thank You so much. I certainly will follow your advice. Yes, I will keep posting regarding my progress. Thanks again.

 

[Equi]

Absolutely have a contract and have a very strict "every eventuality" paper trail. Are you going to pay this rider just as a rider or will they also get % of winnings. The full professional livery contract will need to be tight too..they have to do what you as the owner feel is right so are you able to keep a check on that? If you do buy the horse and keep the rider, you have to make it clear that this is a job, you have not just bought this rider a good horse..they have to perform too. Its basically taking on an employee.

 

[Orangehorse]

There is probably some advice on the BD website.

Ask around where you can to hear about the pitfalls. Someone down the road had a horse with A Well Known dressage person and I can't remember what happened but the owner of the horse felt ripped off, very unhappy and badly treated.

There is often a big row if and when it comes to selling, because the rider would want their hard work recognised as a % of the price. The owner on the other hand bought the horse, took the risk and paid all the running costs.
Know exactly what you would be paying for - livery, schooling, affiliation fees, entry fees, transport to competitions, the list is endless. Having said that, there are a great many riders who are riding for owners, so they must all have a satisfactory arrangements.

However, I do agree that it is a very nice idea and could be a great deal of fun and satisfaction to be able to own a nice horse and go and see it taking part in competitions and progressing.