Project Horse for loan

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rebecca_j87

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Due to personal circumstances I may have to consider putting one of my horses out on loan.
Now, normally this is a straight forward procedure, however, for me its slightly more complicated.
Please read on as I need your opinions!

He is an 11 year old 14.2hh stocky New Forest.
He is not an easy horse. He has to be in group turn out at ALL times. A horse in the field next to him is not enough. He will jump the fence. Even if its 10ft high!
He dosnt hack alone. He is very strong and can become rude when schooling as he gets bored very easily.
He is impatient, Fidgety and knows his own strength.
He is far from the perfect horse and requires a lot of time/patience/effort to bring the best out in him. With the right rider he could go far, but in the last few years I have given up with him.

Despite all this he is my baby. He is the most loving horse and has such character! I could never sell him.

He needs to either go to a loan home as a field ornament- or to someone looking for a project. And I mean PROJECT.
He is currently going to waste- I have a friend hacking him out once a week for me- but its just not enough. I would love for someone to take him on and uncover his forte :)

I need to know if any body would actually be interested in a horse like this.
All the loan 'looking for' adds seem to want the 'been there done it all' perfect plod- He is a plod but far from anything else!

Please can I have honest opinions

Thanks!
 
Unfortunately I really think you'll struggle to find someone. People would much rather buy a project, than loan one which they might 'fix' and then have taken back. You might be lucky but I think it'll be really difficult. Sorry but I do wish you luck.
 
Plenty of livery yards offer group turnout and discourage anything being left out alone so you might be alright with that.

If he hacks could he not go to a happy hacking home rather than to anyone looking for a project as such? Perhaps a parent looking to accompany their child out?
 
If he is 'one' of your horses could you not put another one out on loan?

I wouldnt see him as a project as some of those problems seem pretty ingrained i'd see him more of a very quirky horse. If you are looking to loan him as a project you are basically asking someone to improve your horse whilst paying to keep it and in a loaner's shoes I would question as to why you hadnt suceeded in doing that work yourself given that you have owned him some years

Unless he has a particular talent i think you'll struggle but you are very honest about him so im sure that honesty will be half the battle to finding the right loan home :)
 
Elvis said:
People would much rather buy a project, than loan one which they might 'fix' and then have taken back.
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I agree, I have taken on projects similar to him, and they have turned out to be once in a life time sorts of horses. However I bought mine and they will stay with me until the end of their days!
He sounds like a lovely pony, but I don't think I could put so much love, time, care and attention into a pony who may be taken back as soon as he's 'fixed' and me being me wouldn't risk taking on a pony like that, even if the owner had said they wouldn't take them back, I'd be constantly worried they would do so whenever they so desired, if that makes sense?
I personally don't think anyone can take on a project pony who has a few little issues and not develop a fantastic bond? I don't think I'd like the worry of them going back tho there owner.
You might be able to find someone who doesn't care as much, but then that might not be the sort of home want? I know a few people are looking for projects to fix then sell on? Maybe if its the experience they're looking for they might take on a loan like that, but if there looking to make a bit of money I don't expect they would?
Sorry I couldn't of been better help! I'm sure your honestly will help you find him a lovely home though, best of luck!! Xx
 
He doesn't sound that bad. Especially not when you bare in mind that people looking for loans tend to be less fussy.

I would not advertise him as a project as that implies you want him "put right" which will ring alarm bells with a loaner. Advertise him as slightly quirky or in need of a confident rider and aim to find someone who can work within his capabilities. Plenty of people looking to loan are happy hacking in a group only and the schooling issues aren't really big issues.

Be honest and state his capabilities and limitations. He may appeal to a teenager or adult who doesn't have the capital to buy now.
 
I agree with above, if you're looking for someone to fix him/ bring him on then you'll be lucky! If that is what you want perhaps consider part (or even full) funding the loan - so the loaner is only putting in their time.
The big risk for a loaner is that they spend 8 months sorting him out then you take him back in the spring and sell him!! Even if they have a contract that says you won't do this - these type of contracts aren't worth the paper they are written on!

If he will hack OK in company - why not loan him as a happy hacker, just be honest that he won't hack on his own and won't be left in the field on his own. You might find someone that just wants to hack with friends.

Other alternatives are 2 sharers at your yard - you will still need to part fund him as sharers in no way fund half the costs but someone with 3 days a week is easier to find that a good full loan home.

Or retirement livery - c.£30 a week and he can just chill out until your personal circumstances are better. He will never worry about his potential/ ability/ talent, if he has food and water and the odd trim he'll be happy as larry.
 
Polos Mum said:
Or retirement livery - c.£30 a week and he can just chill out until your personal circumstances are better. He will never worry about his potential/ ability/ talent, if he has food and water and the odd trim he'll be happy as larry.
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OP sorry to hijack thread briefly! Hi Polo's mum, I am just really interested to know where these £30 a week retirement liveries are please?! I have been looking around recently and found nothing that comes close to that in price!! Thanks :)
 
In all honesty, If I were looking for a loan horse I wouldn't go for something like this, because I'd be concerned that I'd put in a lot of time, money and work and once the horse is going really nicely the owner would then come along and want the horse back and they would benefit from my hard work!
 
OP why don't you try the "Project Horses" website?

They ask that you are honest when describing the horse and there's plenty of room for you to do that. People go onto that website who are specifically wanting to take on a project.......... yes there will always be numpties who think they could handle a problem horse so you'd probably have to weed them out but it might offer you another avenue?

Good luck anyway.
 
There may be someone out there but really someone putting in hard work to improve a horse wasn't to reap the benifits.
Not do all the work then the owner come along and take horse back.

Really the best option would be to sell, or as you said loan as s companion.

If he's a good hack maybe loan or working livery at a trekking centre etc.

Or maybe a part loan or share.
So you share the costs and work so other person doesn't feel like they are being used.
 
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