Not sure whether to loan or buy

[Miss_Millie]

I'm in the very fortunate position of finally being able to buy or loan my first horse. I am a novice with lots to learn but have some supportive friends on the local yard who are very wiling to help me every step of the way.

The problem is I can't decide if I should loan or buy. I can afford to buy - have a very healthy budget to purchase a horse and a large amount set aside for tack/equipment and as an emergency fund. The only thing holding me back from buying is I'm not sure if I have the experience to gauge which horse would be right for me when trying out. I would take experienced friends along to view but I'm concerned about buying an unsuitable horse. I just want an 'average' horse which I can go hacking on and continue my education as a rider with a lesson once a week - nothing fancy but safe and steady. I have read lots about the horse buying process so know about vetting and such.

The other option is to full loan, and there are a few horses out there at the moment that might be suitable, but the thought of caring for someone else's horse full time makes me kind of anxious. I am a very meticulous, thorough sort of person and I know that I would look after any horse exceptionally well, but it still sets me on edge knowing if the horse got kicked in the field, even though that would not be my fault, I would have to tell the owner about it and I would feel tremendously guilty. Whereas if it is my horse, I will still feel bad but I only have to answer to myself, if that makes sense.

Commitment wise I don't see the difference, so I'm kind of leaning towards buying to take off the pressure of pleasing the owner of a loaned horse. Any thoughts/advice much appreciated

 

[Uliy]

I bought my horse as I was tired of having someone to answer to! If something goes wrong with my mare, it’s on me and it’s me who suffers! So I can totally identify with that feeling ?

I’ve never had a full loan but the uncertainty would worry me, as the owner can take the horse back at any time. But, on the other hand, you’re quite right to think that you might progress beyond the horse you’d buy now.

How exciting for you to be in this position & good luck!

 

[Equi]

In your situation i would just start going to see horses be it loan or own. Just get out there and see who you click with..my heart horse of a lifetime (so far..) was a share..then loan..then i couldn't let him go and bought. I had already owned/loaned many before him he just came along so my situation is a little different to you but same point i suppose. Find who you like, and if its a good deal see what happens. If you go down the loan route, get a solid contract and agree with the owner what/when they need to be informed of things. If buying, ask if there is any sort of trial available or 7day moneyback at all ( i had this with my most recent purchase and it was great having that to fall back on as i was v anxious about him being different at my yard vs home..all worked out okay thankfully)

 

[splashgirl45]

i would suggest you ask the person you will be having lessons with to assess you and give you some pointers on what to look for and maybe come with you when you have found what you think is "the one"..some of us on here like window shopping so if you give us an idea of what size horse you think you want, budet and roughly where in the country you are, we could start looking for you....

 

[Miss_Millie]

I bought my horse as I was tired of having someone to answer to! If something goes wrong with my mare, it’s on me and it’s me who suffers! So I can totally identify with that feeling ?

I’ve never had a full loan but the uncertainty would worry me, as the owner can take the horse back at any time. But, on the other hand, you’re quite right to think that you might progress beyond the horse you’d buy now.

How exciting for you to be in this position & good luck!

Thank you, that's really helpful advice. I'm more worried about 'over-horsing' myself than buying a horse that I would outgrow. I think I would probably know straight away if a horse was too skittish for me, but you do hear stories of people drugging horses to make them calm for trialing. It is a lot of money to spend if you get it wrong I guess.

 

[Miss_Millie]

In your situation i would just start going to see horses be it loan or own. Just get out there and see who you click with..my heart horse of a lifetime (so far..) was a share..then loan..then i couldn't let him go and bought. I had already owned/loaned many before him he just came along so my situation is a little different to you but same point i suppose. Find who you like, and if its a good deal see what happens. If you go down the loan route, get a solid contract and agree with the owner what/when they need to be informed of things. If buying, ask if there is any sort of trial available or 7day moneyback at all ( i had this with my most recent purchase and it was great having that to fall back on as i was v anxious about him being different at my yard vs home..all worked out okay thankfully)

Thank you so much, this is really great advice. Was the trial sort of like a loan with view to buy type thing?

 

[Miss_Millie]

i would suggest you ask the person you will be having lessons with to assess you and give you some pointers on what to look for and maybe come with you when you have found what you think is "the one"..some of us on here like window shopping so if you give us an idea of what size horse you think you want, budet and roughly where in the country you are, we could start looking for you....

Thank you for the advice, I don't have an instructor as such at the mo but my friend who is helping me is a very experienced horse owner. If anyone wants to keep an eye out for me I am looking within Wales, £5000 budget roughly, size at least 14hh+. And most importantly a calm/sensible horse suitable for someone who still has a lot to learn, no ex racers/ TBs/ warmbloods. I am looking multiple times daily so have probably seen most of what is available already!

 

[Equi]

Thank you so much, this is really great advice. Was the trial sort of like a loan with view to buy type thing?

No it was a money back agreement subject to vetting/if we got on. It probably isn't something that will be offered often but the owner wanted the best home for the horse and i wanted a horse who was up for my tasks. i had tried the horse, agreed to buy subject to vetting but due to my preferred vet not being available (and the fact we were not that far away) we agreed between us that i would pay for him, have him come to my yard, get vetted and if he failed or was not suitable in a significant way he would go back provided he was in exactly the same state as he came to me and i would be refunded. We had this in writing plus verbally agreed so we were both covered but its not necessarily a normal agreement. It just worked for us. Talk to the owner of a horse..ask what they are willing to do and if they are willing to back anything up with a written agreement etc.

 

[Equi]

Thank you for the advice, I don't have an instructor as such at the mo but my friend who is helping me is a very experienced horse owner. If anyone wants to keep an eye out for me I am looking within Wales, £5000 budget roughly, size at least 14hh+. And most importantly a calm/sensible horse suitable for someone who still has a lot to learn, no ex racers/ TBs/ warmbloods. I am looking multiple times daily so have probably seen most of what is available already!

Again if i was you, i would possibly branch out and try to get an instructor or at least someone impartial who knows how you ride/what your confidence is like. Friends are great. But i have seen friends buy a horse for THEM rather than the friend they are looking for. You want a horse you can ride and get on with, not one your friend wants. My friend who i love and has seen me ride many times kept tagging me in 5yo horses...no thanks lol

 

[Miss_Millie]

Again if i was you, i would possibly branch out and try to get an instructor or at least someone impartial who knows how you ride/what your confidence is like. Friends are great. But i have seen friends buy a horse for THEM rather than the friend they are looking for. You want a horse you can ride and get on with, not one your friend wants. My friend who i love and has seen me ride many times kept tagging me in 5yo horses...no thanks lol

This particular friend knows that I need a beginner friendly horse, but I will see if I can get some advice from my old instructor too

 

[Equi]

Thats good, you sound like you have the right support around you for this. Im excited for you Some people looking do post/privately message adverts here as we generally can read through the "sellers" lines lol also many here are quite good at looking at a horses conformation/photos/videos and spotting things you may not see.

You probably also will want to join a few "dodgy dealer" type facebook pages. Many really awful dealers are still out there selling under many names and will tell you anything you want to hear. When you are inquiring about a horse don't tell them what you are looking for specifically let them tell you all the details before you decide if you want to ask more/see them. Decent sellers will want to tell you everything they can, dodgy ones looking a quick buck will want you to come and see for yourself.

 

[Peglo]

Best of luck with your horse search. I’m very excited for you.
I think you should buy. You have a good support network. If you don’t get on and you can always sell on.

 

[Miss_Millie]

Thats good, you sound like you have the right support around you for this. Im excited for you Some people looking do post/privately message adverts here as we generally can read through the "sellers" lines lol also many here are quite good at looking at a horses conformation/photos/videos and spotting things you may not see.

You probably also will want to join a few "dodgy dealer" type facebook pages. Many really awful dealers are still out there selling under many names and will tell you anything you want to hear. When you are inquiring about a horse don't tell them what you are looking for specifically let them tell you all the details before you decide if you want to ask more/see them. Decent sellers will want to tell you everything they can, dodgy ones looking a quick buck will want you to come and see for yourself.

That is really good to know, it would be my worst nightmare buying from a dodgy dealer!

 

[Miss_Millie]

Best of luck with your horse search. I’m very excited for you.
I think you should buy. You have a good support network. If you don’t get on and you can always sell on.

Thank you, I think I'm definitely leaning towards buying. I'm excited too!

 

[Lois Lame]

But don't be in a hurry to buy just because you have some loot.

 

[splashgirl45]

have you seen this one?

https://www.freeads.co.uk/uk/buy-se...we-have-had-in-a-long-while/view#.YYRUHWDP1PY

 

[Equi]

have you seen this one?

https://www.freeads.co.uk/uk/buy-se...we-have-had-in-a-long-while/view#.YYRUHWDP1PY

I saw that one and was going to send it to her but i didn't because i felt the lack of schooling might be more project than she is ready for. Also the anti-catching would be a pain in the arse on livery.

 

[Miss_Millie]

But don't be in a hurry to buy just because you have some loot.

I'm not, but it is either that or full loan, and other than the initial outlay there is no difference in the monthly costs, so if I'm going to fully commit I think I'd rather that the horse belonged to me. That's what I'm leaning towards at the mo anyway, but I would still consider a loan if it was a really good match.

 

[Miss_Millie]

have you seen this one?

https://www.freeads.co.uk/uk/buy-se...we-have-had-in-a-long-while/view#.YYRUHWDP1PY

Yes I saw her, a really sweet pony and definitely the kind of thing I'm looking for, but I was a bit put off by her being difficult to catch.

 

[exracehorse]

TBH .. with the increase of value in horses, I haven’t seen that many
Horses for loan.

 

[Miss_Millie]

TBH .. with the increase of value in horses, I haven’t seen that many
Horses for loan.

Yep this is true, I've been searching for several months now and have only seen a couple of loans worth enquiring about, but lots of horses for sale that looked like they might be suitable.

 

[Lois Lame]

I'm not, but it is either that or full loan, and other than the initial outlay there is no difference in the monthly costs, so if I'm going to fully commit I think I'd rather that the horse belonged to me. That's what I'm leaning towards at the mo anyway, but I would still consider a loan if it was a really good match.

And the loan could lead to a buy of that horse, so I wouldn't rule out a loan just because it's a loan.

 

[splashgirl45]

that wouldnt worry me as you just need to leave a field safe headcollar on and take a bucket of feed with you...if she was perfect in every other way she would be worth it. the type i think you want isnt that common and you may have to look for quite a while as they get snapped up very quickly

 

[Equi]

And the load could lead to a buy of that horse, so I wouldn't rule out a loan just because it's a loan.

Good point to be said. As i said mine was a share, then loan then buy. But its def something to bring up with the owner. I probably wouldnt want to take on a loan because someones gone to uni who will then want it back in summer. Its all about what conversation you have with the owner.

 

[Equi]

that wouldnt worry me as you just need to leave a field safe headcollar on and take a bucket of feed with you...if she was perfect in every other way she would be worth it. the type i think you want isnt that common and you may have to look for quite a while as they get snapped up very quickly

It was the "not schooled as such but knows the basics" that put me off way more than the catching. To me that is she will w/t/c if made to but she won't bring on a more novice rider and advance their riding skills.

 

[Miss_Millie]

that wouldnt worry me as you just need to leave a field safe headcollar on and take a bucket of feed with you...if she was perfect in every other way she would be worth it. the type i think you want isnt that common and you may have to look for quite a while as they get snapped up very quickly

That's a good point, I'm sure these things can be worked on too

 

[Miss_Millie]

It was the "not schooled as such but knows the basics" that put me off way more than the catching. To me that is she will w/t/c if made to but she won't bring on a more novice rider and advance their riding skills.

Yes I was wondering about the wording of that, does it mean that the horse might not be as responsive to aids? Not exactly sure what it means.

 

[Equi]

Yes I was wondering about the wording of that, does it mean that the horse might not be as responsive to aids? Not exactly sure what it means.

She could be too responsive yet totally safe but not consistent and you would end up teaching her rather than furthering your own skills. Or she could be totally backwards and really need pushed on. Hard to know without asking the seller.

Edit to add, sometimes with the right instructor/support and help you CAN teach and learn at the same time but if there are other options its better to look there first.

 

[Lois Lame]

She looks like a goey little thing to me, but I have the heart of a scared chicken.

 

[Gloi]

have you seen this one?

https://www.freeads.co.uk/uk/buy-se...we-have-had-in-a-long-while/view#.YYRUHWDP1PY

This looks a sweet pony but the advert comes across to me as-
Pony ,been living on farm not doing much. Could do with more regular handling. Has been at a dealers for a short while to assess and do a bit of schooling to sell.