Novice part loan help

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Hello, I've been reading these threads for months now and am now finally brave enough to post. I am in my mid twenties, have just got back into riding this year and have been doing so for the last 7 months having weekly lessons, hacking out and trekking. Totally bitten by the riding bug :) and would say that I am a confident novice. I have Looked for a part loan and been honest in the fact that I have minimal experience with a horse, work full time, but I am willing to learn, reliable and appreciate the commitment that part loaning a horse entails. I have spoke with my riding instructor about part loaning and she agrees that its a good idea and she knows a horse that is suitable already being loaned but they work full time so may want another sharer, so I am waiting for her to get back to me.

The question I have at the moment is a lady who has seen my ad has contacted me about a horse she has. He is rising 4, 15h cob who schools regularly and hacks out alone and in company. He is on a yard close to me and will be moving to one soon where there is an indoor and outdoor school with off road hacking. He is on part livery, I would be able to call easily after work and can ride as often as I like. In addition I would take regular lessons on him. The part what concerns me is his age and experience combined with my lack of experience of ownership. At the same time he sounds lovely and I keep thinking that I have nothing to lose by going to see him. Any advice would be much appreciated!! :D
 
There's no harm in looking, in theory ;), but I think you'd be better off with something that's been round the block a bit. Even the loveliest 4 yr old is still a baby and unpredictable and needs experienced handling. You're having a lovely time really enjoying getting back into riding, I'd just continue that way if I were you. It would be such a shame to lose any confidence when you're having such a good time.

Don't run before you can walk as they say and I say this having made the mistake of buying a 4 yr old a couple of years back ;).

Good luck and have fun!
 
It's great you've been bitten by the bug ;) I'd probably avoid a 4 year old too, i have a 3 year old (not backed yet) who is lovely, very kind, but I'd still be wary of letting somebody (anybody) part loan him as he's just a baby and also I'd hate to think of anybody losing their confidence if he spooked or whatever. Look for something a little bit older that has been there and done it a bit more to build your confidence and experience :) Where abouts are you, as somebody may be able to help? Good luck
 
RuthM said:
I'd watch the age. Rising 4 is an odd term to use this time of year, unless the horse is every bit a 3yr old!

It'd just make me very wary.
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^^^^^ This. Rising 4 suggests it is only a 3yo :o Go and see it by all means but I would suggest you take your instructor or another suitably experienced person with you. A 3/4yo is unlikely to be suitable for a novice, you would be better with an older more experienced horse :)
 
Thanks for the quick responses! :) Yeah, will thank the lady but leave him for someone with more experience and wait for my instructor to get back to me. Just had a search around and found an older advert that states he is 3 and would prefer a experienced rider?! I'm in no rush and happy to continue to school and hack for now, until something suitable comes along (realise I may be waiting a while) Ive spoken to a couple of tack shops, but they dont know of anyone, advertised on preloved, spoken with my instructor (who is going to ask for me) and not being from a horsey family and just moving back to the area I'm not sure where else to look. Really I would just like to build my experience with regard to general horse care. I know people prefer to take on those with experience and that is understandable. I have been honest in my ad as I want what is best for both me and whatever horse I loan.:) I am based in West Yorkshire rothwell area.
 
Could you volunteer at either your rs or the rda to gain some experience? Often people who need sharers need someone experienced enough to be left unsupervised. There can be the odd one when there will be someone around to help, but the more experience you have the more choice of shares you have. Not looking for a sharer, but in theory I have one who is fine to be ridden or hacked by a novice. But as she's kept on a quiet farm, I wouldn't want someone in your position up doing her alone 'just in case' & I'm sure others will feel the same.
 
I'd be wary OP of taking on a loan horse TBH; the problem with a lot of horses put up for loan is because the owner's can't manage them themselves and so that's why they're available.

Its very very rare that anyone offers up anything for loan that's genuine; there'll usually be an "issue" unfortunately and the last thing you need at the moment is to overhorse yourself or be stuck with something that just isn't right for you.

I'd be inclined to avoid "going to look" at horses which are advertised on loan; I'd be inclined rather to ask your instructor(s) perhaps to look something out for you which will suit you as they are the best judges of your current riding ability. And if you take something on loan, its not just the riding, its the general management of the horse - and if you've only been used to riding school horses you could be in for an awful shock!!

Perhaps your yard where you're riding at the moment could give you more use of your favourite horse in return for some stable work/help??? That would be a good way to give yourself time to get confident and used to dealing with different types of horses in a safe and supervised environment.
 
I think those reasons are part of why she's looking for a part loan, there are plenty of them about at the moment up here as people buy one, their circumstances change and they part loan for extra cash- they're usually fairly sane and the owner and loaner hash out days between them. OP, it's a good way to start, and you're not as tied in to it as you would be with a loan.

There's usually a few on the local horsey Facebook pages- or stick some ads up in the tack shops/big livery yards/competition centres in your area detailing experience, must haves and no-no's, be as truthful as you can and wait for the phone to ring :D

Beware the owner that wants a part loaner as a cashcow- there are some out there.

BTW- my three YO is backe and ridden away and I wouldn't dream of part loaning him to a stranger... I'm extremely careful who gets on him... And he's the quietest nag on our yard! :D
 
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