Part loan

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Thebeaglehaslanded

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Someone please help me!
We have been offered a part loan but have never loaned before. The sensible side of me is worried about spiralling costs the other - well who cares yes please ?

I have lots of questions.
1) who pays the vet bills? The horse is 23.
2) what about dentist?
3) can I take her out hacking?
4) There’s a riding school but where do we practise?
5) what about new tack / rugs?
4) god forbid but what if the horse dies?

what else am I not factoring?

I am getting in a right state about this and am wondering if I should
 
These are all things to confirm with the owner, but ime

1+2) Owner pays for everything. You should just be paying a fee per day/week, some owners might request contribution towards the farrier as well but that's it. The only situation in which you may have to pay for vet bills would be if your negligence caused the horse's injury.

3) Owner should discuss this with you. It'll depend on how the horse is out hacking, what the hacking's like (e.g. if it's roadwork and you're inexperienced, the owner will probably prefer that you stay in the school), whether people are available to hack out with etc.

4) In the arena, surely? Though a RS might have restrictions on what times you can use the school.

5) You'll be using the owner's kit in a part loan, though some people end up buying saddle pads etc for their loan ponies.

6) Then there's nothing for you to loan.

Thebeaglehaslanded said:
wondering if I should wait or am not ready.
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Depends on the horse, what the loan requires, and what the owner's looking for. If:
a) the horse is suitable for a novice (which I think you are, judging by previous posts)
b) the owner's seen you ride and is happy with your standard
c) you're capable of performing the necessary yard duties to a good standard
d) you are able to perform the basic care of a horse and know if something's off (or have more experienced people around to advise)

... then you're ready.


ETA: above information assumes that you're in the UK. I know terminology about loans/shares can be different in the US.
 
By part loan do you mean you’ll be riding/taking care of the horse for a set number of days a week in return for either a payment or jobs? That’s what’s usually considered to be a share rather than a loan.

If that’s the case the owner would pay for all the costs of the horse - livery, vet bills, dentist etc. Depending on how often you’d be riding you might be asked to pay for a proportion of farrier costs. Sharers sometimes buy rugs etc which would belong to them if the share agreement came to an end. The horse should already have well-fitting tack and that would be something for the owner to sort.

As far as what you could do with the horse, then that would be something to discuss with the owner and get agreed beforehand.

If on the other hand you’d be taking on full responsibility for the day to day care of the horse and the owner wouldn’t be riding at all, then that would be a full loan. Typically you wouldn’t pay the owner anything but you would be taking on all the costs of keeping the horse for the period of time specified in the loan agreement. You can get a template for a loan contract from the BHS.

As to whether you’re ready, that’s something only you can answer! How much riding experience do you have? Would you be able to have lessons on the horse? Is the horse generally in good health or would there be things you wouldn’t be able to do?
 
Okay, I can breath now. Thank you very much for your replies. I am in the UK and it’s the horse that me and my daughter ride for lessons and hacks. I know the horse and it is very reliable. My daughter is actually a very good rider and already takes care of the horse on occasion. This would be a formal part loan of 3 days a week.
 
Firstly, don't panic! You have done the right thing in asking the questions now, rather than when you have already entered into an agreement.

You are definitely thinking along the right lines, that you need an agreement to cover the 'what ifs'.

If you would like to go ahead then I would ask all these questions, and ask to see the proposed agreement. I am not in the UK, but as I understand it the agreement will specify what you pay, who is responsible for what, and what you are allowed to do with the horse. What is allowed may be subject to owner's permission, which is reasonable, for example you are allowed to ride in the arena, and may be allowed to hack when appropriate.

If 'jobs' are required as part of the agreement it should be clear what they are.

Good luck, if they are nice people you should have lots of fun!
 
I'd get a proper contract written up. If you're a member I believe the BHS does a good one. BUT Don't be frightened to amend it to suit your situation.

Things like "We are the only people who will ride the loan horse on those 3 days" (if that's what you expect). That sort of thing.
 
You're right to ask questions, it's better than diving head first in and then thinking oh what have I done.

You mention there is a riding school, will this be a part loan from the riding school or does the horse belong to a livery? The reason I ask is because riding school loans are usually more clearly laid out. Definitely make sure there is some written agreement for you to refer to or if something changed and you wanted to end the loan.

I part loan so for what it's worth, I pay a set fee to the owner per week plus half his shoe bill. I also obviously pay for my lessons. Everything I do is as told by the owner, and she stayed with me for the first few times to ensure I had his routine and care down.

If you're happy with the terms of the agreement, and you're confident riding the horse and working with it on the ground then go for it. I love 'my' pony and it's the best thing I've ever done for myself.

Edited to add-I'm also a total novice but Finbar doesn't care, so if the horse is manageable for you don't let thoughts of not being horsey enough or not good enough get in your head.
 
I’m thinking to part load a horse and was wondering… if while I’m riding the horse gets injured, then would this be covered by my rider’s insurance or the owner’s insurance?
 
Nicole_Friesian said:
I’m thinking to part load a horse and was wondering… if while I’m riding the horse gets injured, then would this be covered by my rider’s insurance or the owner’s insurance?
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you need a proper signed load agreement in place before you start big you’re a member of the BHS I believe they have a template you can use. It’ll set out EXACTLY who us responsible for what.

I’d say the owner would jerk the horse’s insurance in place in case of injury BUT every loan is different. The key is to make sure it’s clear in the agreement
 
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