Part loan contribution - 3 days pw

[KatieDM]

Hi guys. Just jumping on to ask opinions on how this sounds. Thanks! —

Part loan x 3 days (shared with one other person who does the same on the alternate days).

Costs:
£120 pcm (every 4 weeks, so let’s say £30 per week)
£40 every 8-9 weeks towards farrier/shoes
£8 towards worming (not sure of exact programme for this/how often)
£20 towards teeth for the year
£8 my own BHS insurance…

I think that’s it! Need to double check. It was a quick initial phone call chat. Calling back tomorrow after I’ve had a think/to arrange to visit.

Usual jobs expected on ‘my’ days — riding (obviously), mucking out, grooming, hay nets, feed, poo picking and so on. Think it’s summer turnout.

Only need to go once a day, as owner has them on her own small yard. She sorts them in the mornings. All feed, hay, bedding, vet stuff, tack, rugs etc etc covered by owner.

If it’s relevant, I’m in West Yorkshire. Been a while since my last loan. Thanks in advance

 

[ihatework]

Seems fine, only thing I’d be a little concerned on is the frequency of the farrier (that’s quite a long interval), so check horses feet - you could end up time off riding with lost shoes/lameness

 

[KatieDM]

Seems fine, only thing I’d be a little concerned on is the frequency of the farrier (that’s quite a long interval), so check horses feet - you could end up time off riding with lost shoes/lameness

I did think this and wondered if it was more the payment schedule / split between the other loaner / sharer, rather than the frequency. But will ask this question! Thanks.

 

[Lb1105]

I’m a sharer who helps with a happy hacking cob three times a week. I have been sharing him for 3 years now and his owner has never charged me. To her I’m a help three days a week when she’s working, I also cover if she goes on the holiday. I have bought him new rugs, fly spray, a few bags of feed in the winter and paid towards his saddle fitting which I happily pay. I partly understand a cost for sharing, for example you have a well schooled horse at a yard with great facilities and the sharer just tacks up and rides, but some of these figures £150-£200 a month just seem extortionate. And paying towards wears and tear on tack doesn’t seem right either. I know I am very lucky and have a great deal but I also think his owner realises what a great help I am and that her boy gets to enjoy more hacks and fun then she can give him.

 

[KatieDM]

A half hour riding lesson is £25-40 here in Leeds, just in comparison. Part-loan/sharing means you get a lot more for your money, plus the experience of handling, yard jobs etc. They don’t even let you tack up in my riding school unless you’ve applied to be a volunteer — with references! — and had an induction. Of course, proper tuition and lessons are still important/have their place.

 

[NotInTheKnow]

Hi guys, just joining this chat as I am also a potential part loanee.

My question is who is responsible for vet bills for unexpected injury or illness where neither party is to blame?

I must admit I'm a little paranoid about entering this agreement. The owner seems lovely, however I know I still have to treat this relationship as a legal transaction.

My concern is what if the owner decides to go over the top with diagnostic tests and treatments and I'm left hostage to the owner's whims to go all out with the vet bills since it is shared. As a loanee can I add a clause to our agreement that I can veto this or have an equal say since the costs will be split?

 

[ycbm]

I wouldn't accept paying any vet bills if I was loaning part of the week. The risk is huge if you don't have control over what investigations and treatments are done.

What does the contract say?
.

 

[SaddlePsych'D]

For a part loan/share I would not expect to have responsibility for the horse's veterinary care cost or say in their veterinary care. Except obviously to alert the owner/yard staff in case of concerns I might notice.

Eta - I have not come across it being asked for by any of the owners I have either shared with or gone to view or trial share. It would strike me as unusual if this is being asked.

 

[NotInTheKnow]

I wouldn't accept paying any vet bills if I was loaning part of the week. The risk is huge if you don't have control over what investigations and treatments are done.

What does the contract say?
.

We just agreed to go ahead in principle with part loan after I trialled the horse for the second time today pending agreement on the terms with a written contract. We both have zero experience doing this. We informally agreed that the upkeep should be split equally, and I'm waiting to receive an itemised costing involving the horse's routine maintenance.

 

[NotInTheKnow]

For a part loan/share I would not expect to have responsibility for the horse's veterinary care cost or say in their veterinary care. Except obviously to alert the owner/yard staff in case of concerns I might notice.

Eta - I have not come across it being asked for by any of the owners I have either shared with or gone to view or trial share. It would strike me as unusual if this is being asked.

Hi there, I wasn't asked by the owner (yet). But as we both have zero experience, I can forgive her if she simply assumes we go 50/50 all the way including vet bills. So I just want to be able to counter this and say this is not normal practice and quite sensibly should not be the the loanee's responsibility, otherwise I might as well just have my own horse for the same outgoings.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

I wouldn't pay half of everything as a part loaner or sharer I think that's excessive, if you co owned the horse that's different.

I think I would find out exactly what your expected to pay for.

Is the horse insured?

 

[criso]

I wouldn't split halfway either as you are not equal partners with equal input in the decision making. It's not just vets bills, what about livery, feed, tack, or routine treatments.

You say neither you nor the owner have experience in these sort of arrangements.

A more usual approach is a fixed monthly or daily contribution based on number of days. This can be more or less depending on facilities, horse and what you contribute in terms of jobs but between £10 and £20 per day is usual. I've seen a contribution towards shoes added as an extra but not much else.

Owner would be responsible for vets bills and if the horse was lame for a long time, most sharers wouldn't pay but some might still help out.

It's not an equal relationship in terms of responsibilities and decision making and the contribution isn't equal.

 

[ester]

Much of the advantage of sharing is that you are paying a fixed fee per month, without any surprise vets bills.

 

[NotInTheKnow]

I wouldn't split halfway either as you are not equal partners with equal input in the decision making. It's not just vets bills, what about livery, feed, tack, or routine treatments.

You say neither you nor the owner have experience in these sort of arrangements.

A more usual approach is a fixed monthly or daily contribution based on number of days. This can be more or less depending on facilities, horse and what you contribute in terms of jobs but between £10 and £20 per day is usual. I've seen a contribution towards shoes added as an extra but not much else.

Owner would be responsible for vets bills and if the horse was lame for a long time, most sharers wouldn't pay but some might still help out.

It's not an equal relationship in terms of responsibilities and decision making and the contribution isn't equal.

Thanks for pointing this out. I will definitely counter this when she gets back with written terms and costings. At this point, I am prepared to walk away. The horse is lovely but not exactly what I'm after for my own as I'm also actively looking to buy so this is simply a stopgap while I'm looking. I never really sought out to loan, it was only by chance that I was introduced to the owner who was keen and that's the only reason I'm even considering this.