Potential part loan

[ArklePig]

Hi! It's me again.

I've posted alot here recently about my current riding school loan, and was considering buying my first horse.

However, riding school loan has to go back to work next week and I've decided against buying my own for now as I'm not 100 percent sure I'm ready for that commitment. So, I'd resigned myself to having a bit of a horsey shaped hole in my life for a bit with the intention of looking for a part share.

I saw the most perfect guy advertised yesterday, and couldn't help myself plus with physio clearing me to ride properly after an awkward fall I almost believed in fate. I am smitten with the look and sound of him and I'm meeting him on Friday. I really want to go into this with my eyes wide open and make sure it's a good arrangement for all concerned if his owner decides I'm a good fit. So I guess I'm asking for the perspectives of both sharers and owners-what should I ask that I might not think about, what do you wish you'd asked?

As always thanks for any and all help.

 

[JackFrost]

I made an error of taking things at face value and not asking in detail what the horse had actually done, so I got something much greener that I expected, without basic foundations. The seller was perfectly genuine but only after I bought did I realise that the horse had really done naff all before it came to me.

Edited to add - I have learned to listen more to what the horse is saying, not the seller/loaner. Horse above- its body language was all about greenness, but I was paying too much attention to what the people were saying, not listening to the horse.

 

[ArklePig]

Thanks Juno. He's a teenager and when I googled the yard he lives at I've seen that he has done some of their dressage competitions, his owner has disclosed he can be a bit spooky but not dangerous so probing a bit more on that is on my to do list.

 

[SaddlePsych'D]

I'd check out what kind of yard/livery arrangement it is, what the facilities are, and what the hacking is like. Sharing is tricky I think because you want a good balance of fit between yourself and the horse and their owner, but the yard environment can make a big difference too. I was really lucky to find a share on a DIY yard where there was pretty much always someone there at the same time as me which was particularly valuable at the beginning (anyway I think I wouldn't like being on a yard by myself for extended periods). It's also been a really welcoming yard which really enhanced the sharing experience - people were supportive when I had questions, and I made sure to make myself useful (sweeping yard, tidying muck heap etc).

If you want to hack will there be people you can go out with (if you want this)? If you want to go in the school, does it get busy at the times you'd want to be there? If you want lessons is it possible to have these? With owning obviously you can change yards if these sorts of things don't fit you but with a share the horse will most likely stay where it is.

Be really clear and honest about your ability, and what you would like to be able to do with the horse. Ask what the owner does with them currently - how often do they ride, do they school/hack/compete?

Get clarity on expectations for days and whether these are fixed or flexible, and what jobs you will be expected to do/not do. Check out why the owner is looking for a sharer and what they hope to get from the share.

 

[JackFrost]

Yes, probe, dig, get to the bottom of any issues. Stuff like, how many dressage comps - 2 or 20? And I'd want to know all about the spooking, what kind of spook, and why he is spooking, is he just sensitive or is he mucking about and trying it on, or does it perhaps indicate a physical issue.
If you can, see him at least twice, so you see how he is on different days.
If a teenager, I'd ask for all of his known background and what he's done in his career.

 

[Wishfilly]

Thanks Juno. He's a teenager and when I googled the yard he lives at I've seen that he has done some of their dressage competitions, his owner has disclosed he can be a bit spooky but not dangerous so probing a bit more on that is on my to do list.

"Bit spooky but not dangerous" is very vague, and could mean anything. Definitely find out exactly what they mean!

Try not to go on Friday hoping it will work out- you need to be able to walk away if the set up is not suitable. Don't ride without seeing the owner do it first.

Be honest about how much support you will need/expect from the owner to start with and what you are hoping to achieve. Also find out why they are looking to share, and if they have had sharers in the past etc.

Good luck!

 

[SaddlePsych'D]

Ooh yes I forgot the watch them being ridden bit first! I've done two viewings for shares and didn't do this for either, against my better judgement. For the first one I'd watched another potential sharer ride them first purely as they were still riding when I arrived, not sure I would have gotten on otherwise. For the second it was on the lead rein for a hack, which was fine and the owner walked out with me for many of my first hacks until I was ready to ride out with others then eventually by myself. That said, I do wish I'd asked to see her ride him first as this potentially would have flagged a couple of things up which I think later added up in part to it not working out.

 

[throwawayaccount]

when I partloaned my last horse out, I let the girl spend some time on her own with him just grooming him, unpressured etc, allowed her to tack up herself.

then I hopped on to ride and then she did. she was very happy! I always give part-loaners a weeks trial so they can get used to the horse and give as much help as possible in that first week, explaining routine, showing where things are etc, giving mini 'lessons' or just advice about any quirks etc!

 

[ArklePig]

Thanks so much everyone, this has been really helpful. I have been offered a week's trial so if I feel good about it all when I meet him I will ask if the owner will be around during this time-I think I'd really benefit from that, and the horse too. And noted to absolutely ensure owner rides him before I do. I'm hopeful but have to keep reminding myself it might not work out for a number of reasons so I'm preparing for disappointment just in case ?

 

[Trouper]

All of the above - plus will you be the only "sharer" or will there be others too?

 

[ArklePig]

Oh yes good point regarding another sharer!

I've made a very comprehensive list, feel free to add anything else if anyone thinks of anything. But if not I'll update ye after I meet him. Fingers crossed.

 

[smolmaus]

Can I ask where you saw him advertised ArklePig? I'm a bit stuck as to where to look for local loans!

Got my fingers crossed for you here too!

 

[EchoInterrupted]

Other things to think about are whether you mesh with the owner, whether they seem friendly and open to you asking questions if you need to. When I went to go view my current part-loan, the owner had already cleared a shelf in the tack room for my (well - whoever ended up being his future loaner) things. My loan before that I always felt like I was a bit out of place/kept my things in my car because there was no space for them, etc so that really stuck out to me. She really wanted a loaner and wanted the right one.

Some additional things to consider:

• Always watch the owner/whoever is showing you the horse ride first (important from a safety perspective).
• If you think there's any chance you might want to compete, go to fun rides, etc., ask about if that's something that might be a possibility, ask if he travels well, if there's transport available (for a fee obviously) etc.
• Ask if there are set opening hours for the yard, or if you're allowed to come early mornings (6am onwards) or leave later in the evening (eg 10pm) if you need to.
• Check if there's someone who gives lessons on site and what their rate is. Also worth asking if outside instructors are allowed to come onsite, whether the owner would be OK with that, and if the yard charges a fee for them to come on site, because it will suck if you've found the perfect loan horse but hate the only instructor you're allowed lessons with.
• What yard chores are you expected to do?
• Are there others also sharing? (This can be annoying if you're the "second rank" sharer and just get the days the primary sharer doesn't want - totally understandable if it's the owner, but a bit annoying if it's another sharer)
• Can you do the type of activities you want to do with the horse?

Things you can ask once you know you like the horse and want to commit, but are arranging the contract:

• What happens on days where you are supposed to ride/do yard chores but are sick or out of town? Do you have to pay for someone to cover your yard chores or will the owner do it?
• What happens if the horse goes lame - are you still responsible for paying for the part-loan and if so, for how long?

Good luck and keep us updated!!

 

[swfy03]

There are some really helpful posts on here! The only thing I'd add is if you'd be wanting to hack, ask the owner if they can arrange for someone to take you out during the trial week. That way you can check that you're comfortable on the horse out hacking before you commit - especially if they've been described as 'spooky'.

Good luck!

 

[Chianti]

Ask if there will be a contract. I have sharers for my pony and realized very early on that it was best to have some things in writing. It makes it very clear what the sharer can and can't do and what she is responsible for in terms of costs. If there isn't one then I would make sure you discuss things with the owner and then email her to confirm them. Things can get a bit tricky if the horse is injured while you're riding it or something happens to the tack. I've shared a few over the years and if it works well then it's a great way to have a close relationship with a horse without the full cost or responsibility.

 

[ArklePig]

Thanks Chianti, your comment actually gives me a new question

I too would much prefer a contract, I have some legal experience and drafted simple contracts in the past- if the owner doesn't mention one would it be weird if I offered to draft one based on what we've verbally agreed while obviously making ammendments as she sees fit/that I agree with? I just really like to know where I stand with things and have arrangements in black and white.

 

[swfy03]

Thanks Chianti, your comment actually gives me a new question

I too would much prefer a contract, I have some legal experience and drafted simple contracts in the past- if the owner doesn't mention one would it be weird if I offered to draft one based on what we've verbally agreed while obviously making ammendments as she sees fit/that I agree with? I just really like to know where I stand with things and have arrangements in black and white.

I personally don't think that's weird at all - sounds very sensible especially if you have experience drafting contracts!

 

[ArklePig]

Thanks. I'm a paralegal-hoping to start a training contract before too long (another reason to hold off buying my own horse) and I have a tendency to go super legal nerd on unsuspecting people and just wanted to check that wasn't Too Much.

 

[EchoInterrupted]

The BHS also has a template contract available online if you want a rough outline. I think it's totally normal to request/suggest a contract

 

[Chianti]

Thanks Chianti, your comment actually gives me a new question

I too would much prefer a contract, I have some legal experience and drafted simple contracts in the past- if the owner doesn't mention one would it be weird if I offered to draft one based on what we've verbally agreed while obviously making ammendments as she sees fit/that I agree with? I just really like to know where I stand with things and have arrangements in black and white.

I used the BHS one as a basis for mine. I'm a bit fussy about how things are done so I have another page with routines etc on it and this is added into the contract so sharers are clear about these things. If the owner doesn't mention it you could throw it into the conversation as something that would be a positive for her. If she doesn't want one I would email her with a 'just to be clear' list of things you'd like confirmed. Sharing is great when everything is going well but it helps to have things in writing if there are any queries. I hope it goes well for you and you never know where it will lead to. I started paying £5 to ride a horse on a Sunday and eventually took her on as mine.

 

[Dippy&Pops]

I would second the point that if you want to hack, take it on a hack and if you're planning on going alone and in a group do both! Also check if the owner happens to do anything such as pop in to the school for 5 minutes before hacking or if they go straight away as this is something I would have never thought about before I had moved to my current livery yard and seen the other liveries do this.

Another thing to check is if the horse is used to being handled by different people as if it is used to only one person it may be a bit stand offish and hard to catch for a 'new' person. I know I would describe my horse as easy to catch as he walks up to me but although he greets people in the field, if they try and put a headcollar on he will try and run off!!

 

[ArklePig]

I met him! He's an absolute dote. I loved everything about him and get good vibes and the owner is a lovely lady who clearly loves him to bits, she's reasonable, friendly and lovely. Today was her showing me where every thing is and how to make up his feeds and how she likes his bed made etc and all that kind of stuff. We're going to do a week's trial and see how we get on, and I've a lesson booked with her usual instructor who knows the horse well but fingers crossed. ?

 

[Wishfilly]

I met him! He's an absolute dote. I loved everything about him and get good vibes and the owner is a lovely lady who clearly loves him to bits, she's reasonable, friendly and lovely. Today was her showing me where every thing is and how to make up his feeds and how she likes his bed made etc and all that kind of stuff. We're going to do a week's trial and see how we get on, and I've a lesson booked with her usual instructor who knows the horse well but fingers crossed. ?

That all sounds really positive! Have you seen him ridden, or will you before the lesson?

 

[ArklePig]

Not yet, owner is going to pop on before the lesson so if he looks like a lunatic ill be saying no thanks. I didn't ride today as we spent that long doing all the stable stuff etc. She said he can be tricky with his feet so handed me a hoof pick when I arrived ? he was okay about it after a bit of coaxing for one foot. Made up his feeds, his haynet, helped the owner muck out his stable (think this is where I let myself down as she was so fast but made it clear I was willing to work at it to her spec). I led him out to his turn out pen and caught him from it and he was a perfect gentleman, he has really lovely manners. Put his rug on etc and got him ready for bed. I really like the owner which is the bit I was most worried about. I'm very excited but not getting carried away yet as I know that he might not suit, or I might not suit the owner. The yard is fab too, off road hacking, fabulous indoor and outdoor arena. Owner is going to be around for the weeks trial too so that I have that bit of support. ?

I'm mostly just happy because I was so ready to move on from riding schools, and if I hadn't had my riding school loan over lockdown I never would have had the confidence to enquire so either way, big step for me and my horsey journey.

 

[SaddlePsych'D]

Yay! Very exciting stuff, hope it all goes well for the lesson

 

[ArklePig]

Thanks SaddlePsychd. I was sorry to read on another thread you had to end your share I really enjoyed reading about the experiences and value your input on this!

 

[SaddlePsych'D]

Thanks SaddlePsychd. I was sorry to read on another thread you had to end your share I really enjoyed reading about the experiences and value your input on this!

Yes a shame it didn't work out but the right choice I think. Back to RS for me for now. I was so lucky to be made so welcome on the yard ex share horse is at that they're happy for me to still go up despite the share ending - so still getting extra horsey time and learning lots (last week I learned to wash a tail, set up jumps, and get a horse to do stretches )

 

[mossycup]

Aww great news and I hope the lesson goes well

 

[Wishfilly]

All sounds really positive and I hope the lesson goes well! Glad that the owner seems nice too, that is important.

Just do bear in mind that if you don't click with the horse when riding, there will be other shares out there. Also be wary of some excuse coming up before the lesson as to why the owner can't ride.

I probably sound very suspicious but I have been burnt a few times!

 

[Trouper]

You sound as if you are off to a very good start. Great news.