Part Loaning Advice

[arc93]

I'm contemplating part loan/sharing a horse and wanted some advice on important things to do and consider.

I have bought a horse before but I'm not sure if you need to be as thorough when you are just loaning a horse. I know it's a good idea to try the horse a few times and get a professional to check the horse out too (can anyone advise on this as I don't know any equestrian people in the Cheshire area unfortunately). Do you need to get a vet to check the horse over for a part loan?

I would also definitely want to have a probation month before fully committing to ensure it was the right thing for me and when I did commit I think it's a good idea to have a written contract specifying all expectations and arrangements.

Is there anything else which is important for the process of part loaning?

 

[9tails]

Part loan? No, you don't need to have it vetted nor for a professional to check it. Part loaning is the same as sharing, you have the use of the horse for a few days a week and you give a financial contribution to the owner. Should I ever share my horse, I would not be amused to find a vet checking her over for a sharer.

 

[baran]

Should I ever share my horse, I would not be amused to find a vet checking her over for a sharer.

Totally agree with this. Someone selling a horse has a completely different mindset to someone looking for a sharer. I wanted someone that would fit in with what I needed for me and the horse and I wanted to keep control. Otherwise I would have been selling the horse! Expect the owner, not you, to be specifying expectations and arrangements.

 

[JulesRules]

As above a part loan is just riding and caring for someone else's horse a few days a week.

The share needs to work for all parties involved - you, the owner but above all the horse.

When I look for a sharer, before they even get to come and meet us I will have questioned them about their experience and ability and if I think they sound suitable I will ask them to come and meet us.

The first visit to meet us will consist of me introducting my horse and chatting a bit and then I will tack up and ride and if I'm comfortable I will ask them to if they want to ride. If that all goes okay I will invite them to come back and meet us again before anyone makes any decisons, and will generally meet them at the yard and let them do a bit more each time ie groom, tack up and show them how things work. If all is well after about 4 or 5 visits I will offer them the share.

I have a share agreemenmt which sets out what they pay, what they don't pay, what they can do and what they can't do (ie they must wear high vis on the road, they must warm horse up properly, they must not clip or pull mane or tail, must us my correctly fitting tack, must still pay if horse goes lame) which days are theirs, how to contact me if they can't do their days etc.

It may all sound like a palavar but I have learnt that getting it right and spending time at the start makes for much more successful and long term shares.