Potential buyer asking to loan horse for a month?

sleepykitten

sleepykitten

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I have a potential buyer for my horse, but she has asked if she can loan him for a month. I'm finding this selling lark very tough as it is, do you think that's reasonable, or does it seem a long time to you guys?

I did advertise as no lwvtb/loans etc.

What do you guys think?
 
personally i would offer a weeks trial. It is difficult as if i was buying I would want to be sure it was as described but as a seller you don't know if they will look after the horse and don't want to unsettle them.

I would ask for the money, sign a contract saying they have a week that if he is not as described to return them in the condition sold??

I don't envy you, selling and buying is very hard.
 
That's a tough one :(

From a buyers point of view; when I brought Bailey i asked for a short loan period just to make sure we were suited. I was turned down, but as i'd already fallen in love with him I brought him anyway. I did feel like a few weeks getting to know him was a good idea before committing to buying.

From a sellers point of view; Is one month long enough for a horse to settle into a new routine with a new rider? What happens if the month is up, they say no thank you and you still haven't sold your horse so it's back to square one with a horse who's been moved about a few times in a short period..........

it's a really tough one but if she seems genuine then could she perhaps part loan him from where he is stabled now? While he's settled and in his usual routine that'll be a better indication of his true character?

Good luck xxx
 
Thanks guys, she is an hour and a half away so part-loaning him isn't really an option, he's a sensitive soul and what you say is what I fear the most, that he won't settle in a month and comes back to me all stressed and I still haven't sold him. I'm only selling in the first place due to a change in circumstances, I would happily keep him if I could :(:(
 
I bought a horse years ago with a months trial. The owners insisted I had and shown insurance cover to them. I bought her and found out not much later that she had been out of work for 12 months due to Navicular so I suppose they were desperate to sell, hence risking a trial. They were on the phone after 2 and 3 weeks asking if I was going to buy her.

I dont think I would allow a trial if Im totally honest. Id allow them to come and ride etc but its risky letting your horse go to a new yard, new horses, possible field injuries etc. God forbid something happenned, they could just pass him back and you are left to sort it all out and during that month, you could potentially have sold him to someone else.
Its a tough one.
 
I'd just say no, I don't understand why people ask for them, its just messing you about really. Horses will change in different circumstances, I don't know what people expect. I always say no because I don't want a stressed horse coming back to me. My friend is a dealer and has a 2 week returns policy and even in just 2 weeks some of the horses have come back and never been quite the same.
 
I wad lucky enough to have my old boy on a 3 months trial as both owner and I wanted to be sure we were right for each other.
After the first month I knew he was the one for me so I bought him then and there.
It was good not having the usual pressures of having to make a snap judgement .
It can work out but be very careful and vet people well.
Good luck!
 
sleepykitten said:
Thanks guys, she is an hour and a half away so part-loaning him isn't really an option, he's a sensitive soul and what you say is what I fear the most, that he won't settle in a month and comes back to me all stressed and I still haven't sold him. I'm only selling in the first place due to a change in circumstances, I would happily keep him if I could :(:(
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what would you rather? your sensitive soul stresses forever and you have made a bad sale he is stuck with an owner who does not understand him and can't get along with him and he is unhappy and a mess, or you try a month and hope she is gentle and he settles... she purchases happy, or he doesn't and you get him back and can look for a more suitable purchaser?


I know what i would do, but then well being of the horse is paramount to me!

If he is sensitive, you have to go for a month, If she is right, he will settle in that time. I would actually insist on any purchaser taking my horse on a trial for a month to ensure suitability..
 
It sounds like you dont feel comfortable with the situation, and I dont blame you.

As thats the case I would say you probably shouldnt send him on trial, but offer them as many rides etc you can at your yard.
 
I have never been fortunate enough to have a horse on a trial period. I have just had to get on with what I have brought. BUT having said that I would have liked one. It's too easy to opt out and horses do change due to different circumstances. You must think what is best for you and your horse.
 
Depends really if your heart rules your head.
If you truly want to find the right home for your horse a trial would be the right way to go.
If you are just thinking about the money then you must refuse the trial.
 
If you decide to do it, take a deposit that is non-refundable. If she argues with that, explain about how much it will cost to readvertise if she doesn't buy him, livery costs, feeding etc. Personally I think a month is too long - she could easily ruin him in that time if they don't get on and you could be left with a very upset and unsellable horse. Do you think she would compromise on two weeks? Still take a deposit, and make sure you draw up a contract. For example, what happens if the horse suddenly goes nuts? Stipulate that she MUST have insurance.
 
For me it would depend on the person and if i knew them/ knew of them. I'm very protective of my horses (at least 3 have homes for life, the last is a project) and have always been fortunate enough to either know the person im selling to or to for them to have come highly recommended.

If they paid a deposit, or you drew up a contract as if they were taking it for loan normally, surely its whats best for the horse and you have an excuse to check on it regularly!
 
Before putting him on trial get them to vet him at their expense so that all parties know the condition he was in at the time of loaning.
Also ensure you check out the place they intend keeping him.
Ask to see a copy of their passport, driving licence, rates bill and a utility bill and photocopy them to ensure they are who they say they are.
Mark any tack with your post code.
Ensure that he is covered by your insurance while on loan.
Get a legal agreement drawn up by a specialist equine solicitor.
 
Bought, dear God, not brought! :mad:

I would say no, it's too long and too far to check up on him. If she's very keen, she can visit/ride a few times.
 
All the ponies I had as a child came for a week/two week trial first. All were competition ponies and sensitive souls and still I would say a week is plenty long to have on trial. I have never actually given a trial with any I have sold though! All the horses I bought were unbroken so a trial would have been pointless. No way would I agree to a months trial though - too long!
 
Having just had an agreed sale on payment terms go tits up, I would say no. But, if you decide to go ahead, make sure the horse is 5 stage vetted, insured from the day it leaves you, you have a fully legal and binding contract, and a non returnable deposit.

Just remember, they may pull out with all these things in place, and you could end up with a returned horse with problems you didn't envisage.
 
No- she can come and try him as many timesa s she likes in his normal setting, take him to a show with you supervising but not take her on her own. They're worth too much money.
 
Personally would be very wary of doing this, years ago I sent a horse out on a pre purchase loan to someone I knew, horse was returned lame with tendon damage:(
 
Wouldn't sell any Ned without a trial ...but I do seem to have a collection of outgrown ponies because I havnt found the right homes for them...
I am fussy and skint lol
 
irish_only said:
Having just had an agreed sale on payment terms go tits up, I would say no. But, if you decide to go ahead, make sure the horse is 5 stage vetted, insured from the day it leaves you, you have a fully legal and binding contract, and a non returnable deposit.

Just remember, they may pull out with all these things in place, and you could end up with a returned horse with problems you didn't envisage.
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yes and if you do go for it, remember there is always a clause in insurance, you generally can't claim in the first month/2 weeks depending on the provider, this will have to be considered
 
If I sold one of my horses then it would be a month trial at my yard but if I were looking for a horse I'd like a month trial before buying.
I had Nadia on loan (NOT LWVTB) as I wasn't looking to buy. I had her for about 6 months before I actually bought her.
 
I Would NEVER loan my horse out to a buyer again. Very bad experiance. You have advertised No Loan so I would stick to it, and say to the "buyer" his ad says no loans.
 
overtherainbow said:
For me it would depend on the person and if i knew them/ knew of them. I'm very protective of my horses (at least 3 have homes for life, the last is a project) and have always been fortunate enough to either know the person im selling to or to for them to have come highly recommended.

If they paid a deposit, or you drew up a contract as if they were taking it for loan normally, surely its whats best for the horse and you have an excuse to check on it regularly!
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^^^^^^^^^I think there is a lot of common sense here, I think you want to be sure she is not passed from owner to owner, to be honest if you were not happy with them as riders at the time of trial, they won't get any better, I know that people lie to you when buying [like perfect stabling, regular instruction and so on], but you should explain that you are looking for a good home for this lady as she is a special case, so if you loan her it will be on a week to week basis, for a max of four weeks, and she must have instruction every week, and the deposit will be non returnable as you will have to arrange transport, retain stabling and pay her insurance.
You will need to inspect the new premises, and talk to staff, if it is not going to suit your mare you will know.
Essentially you are letting a stranger take your girl away from your control, if they were totally competent they would not need four weeks trial, it indicates a lack of experience and confidence.
 
Keep advertising the horse. if they still want a loan, make it as difficult as possible, in that they have to bear all costs up front, let them pay for a five stage vetting, but I do not think they will take this on, they will also have to pay you for the most expensive type of insurance, so all in all they are going to have to stump up £500 to £600 for a months trial, and I think they will walk away, You need to wait 14 days to allow insurance to kick in, plus maybe a week to get the vetting, in this time they can come and ride, out once a week.
I think the best thing is to ask them to bring their own instructor and have a full ridden assessment with a view to outright purchase.
 
Thank you all, really good advice as usual!! I think I will have to say no as \i'm petrified of him getting hurt or something and his current insurance doesn't seem to cover him for loaning anyway. Thanks a million :p
 
joginthepark said:
I Would NEVER loan my horse out to a buyer again. Very bad experiance. You have advertised No Loan so I would stick to it, and say to the "buyer" his ad says no loans.
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Ditto - a horse I sent out on a fortnight's trial years ago nearly became a 'disappeared' horse - took a lot of time and hassle to get him back!

I sell quite a few horses - being a breeder - and only had one which caused real difficulties in his new home (started to nap for England!) It was clear it wasn't going to work so I took him back and refunded in full (although it would probably have been reasonable to refund less - say - 5-10% - to allow for the costs of undoing the problems caused and then re-advertising!)
 
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I'm actually glad that I just found this post, It was me asking if the OP would consider a loan!

My reasons for asking about a loan were purely to ensure that the horse was right for me, I am not looking for a horse that may be right for a short period of time, I'm looking for a companion for life, to go with my other chappie who has just damaged his Collateral Ligements and who is off for a indefinite period of time, yes you can drop lucky and find the perfect soul mate in one or two visits but I want to be sure that my next horse is right for me and that I am right for him.

There is also a financial aspect but I did offer in my initial email to pay a deposit and then the balance after an agreed period, the financial side of it is I am holding on to my horse fund cash as my horse may require stem cell therapy that isnt covered by the insurers and In being responisible and fair to him I need to be careful where that money is at the moment!!

When we brought Indi we took him on a six week trial period, during that period we did everything together, went out hacking, shows, lessons etc and we really had found what can only be described as a perfect partnership, Indi is with us for life and given that I am fortunate enough to have the time and the finances for a second horse we are looking for a brother for my chap, I would of happily allowed the OP to obtain references from Indi's previous owner (To vouch that we are not irresponsible) and also vets instructors etc, I have nothing to hide.

It would have been impossible to trial the horse out fully at the owners yard even though I would of been willing to travel up as the horse is not that fit and also from emails from the OP they do not have an arena, I would want the horse to be a little fitter before putting him under any pressure and also given that the horse has a issue with a "Sticky Stifle" and is for sale at over £4k at the time (has now been reduced to £3750 - Which is still a lot of money for a horse with a known medical consition!!) I would want to get the horse reletively fit to ensure that the stifle issue does indeed reduce when he is fit.

If I were to purchase the horse outright he would have to be subject to a 5 stage vetting which from other posts that the OP has made on here - she was worried he would fail a 2 stage??

I too have had horror stories with loaning a horse with a view to buy but we made sure that we had a contract in place for the said filly (Too small for me) to protect her, if at any stage I felt that her promary needs are not being attended to then we could of seized her straight back.
 
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It's interesting to hear your side of the events and you do sound like a genuine and thoughtful buyer. However, I would never let a horse of mine go on loan/trial wvtb unless it was staying on my yard. Yes, this might lose a few genuine buyers (such as yourself) but I have seen loans/trials go horribly wrong (once was an injury and no-ones fault, once was the loaner's fault) and I just wouldn't risk it.
 
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