Pros and cons of having a horse on full loan.

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popsicle

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Lolly may have to be retired in the spring and I will need another horse to ride. We will still have Poppy, but need 2 horses. We mainly hack and do pleasure rides. What do you think...Buy or loan?
I need something between 15.2h and 17.2h, who is good to hack alone or in company, and who is sound and sane. I was looking more towards loaning as I am now 50 yrs old and don't want to have to retire another horse in 10 years time. I am sure that anyone who came to vet us and our premises would jump at the chance of loaning their horse to us, but what are the pitfalls? Where would I find a loan horse like this? Do they exist, or do people only want to loan out problem horses?
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i've just recently had a pony on loan n he was an absolutly like a bucking bronko! not sayin all horses and ponies on loan are all like this some have a genuine reason for putting horses out on loan but be very carefull when considering a horse x
 
I have had several horses and ponies on load and only one of them was genuine the rest all had something wrong with them!! they are out there just need to be careful loan aggreement all the way, if you can then it may be worth just buying them, sharing though you can get some good horses, but buying can be the same, it is just generally a mine field!! good luck with it though
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pros of loaning is no buying cost and if there us a problem you can return horse

how ever as Lozz said some people loan out horses they cannot sell for behaviour/health reasons so do be careful

Ive had loan ponies and loved it (not charities loan hated that horses) this is year to do it with financial strain more people are forced to loan out there horses .

Another down side is those people who loan out there horses to be schooled up then take them back!

if u do loan make sure the contract is to both sides like able not just the owner!

i hope u find a suitable ned
 
We have two out on loan a reg welsh c who is stunning but no use to us as she is outgrown and a shetland on loan for the same reason, both lovely ponys so they are out there!
Make sure you get a contract.
 
Thanks everone. The size we are looking for is not going to have been outgrown by anyone. I suppose if they weren't as advertised then at least they can go back. (less likely if I bought). Like I said the main reason to loan is my age and the fact that I really cannot commit to keeping any more horses for life. (They could outlive me lol). Any other suggestions please?
 
I recently got a really lovely mare on loan as had to retire my man due to navicular. I have had her five weeks and so far she is absolutely fantastic - exactly what her owner said - did my first XC today and she didnt put a foot wrong so they are out there.....

I advertised on horsequest and had lots of calls - many were trying to pass on a dud I think including one with navicular! But I was very honest in my ad and spent a long time talking to the people. This mare came from Hants so I had to travel nearly 3 hrs to see her but definitely worth it. Owner had tried to sell but had rejected several buyers as she didnt want the mare whizzed around and worked hard as she had previously evented and she wanted her to have a quieter life (I am a happy hacker with the odd bit of dressage / xc / riding club stuff). The owner was stuggling financially to pay livery as had lost job but she didnt necessarily need to capital to buy another horse (as she also had a couple of projects on the go)
 
Makesure you get a contract - BHS have a very good one.

I currently have my boy on loan with a view to buy. We came to a price agreement at the end of the loan period should I wish to buy him - something I'd advise anyone to do.

The bad thing about having a horse on loan is the feeling that he actually isn't all yours - which I hate, but I went down this route becaue I was saving and got a bit impatient
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and got a horse on loan but I can luckily still save enough a month to be able to afford him at the end of the loan agreement should I decide to!

I've had a great time with my horse on loan, although he wasn't as great as they made out - he did have behavioual issues and back issues which I am slowly sorting (back issues at a cost mind), but he is turning into a fantastic horse and hopefully if we get his jumping sorted - he'll be perfect. The owner doesn't have a say in anything, I only contact her if I need too which is great.

However my friend had a horse on loan with a view to buy and the owners contantly interfered - had to stay in a snaffle, cavesson and no martingale - he's a very strong welsh sec D. However they did help with the costs of vet bill which mine doesn't.

It's just getting the happy medium between owner, horse and loanee... I've had a fantastic experience so far - and even though the horse I have isn't as perfect as they said he is, given time, and one to one time, he's slowly getting better - all horses need time on loan or not!

wow i've rambled
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but I've only had good experiences so far. Just makesure you have a trial period before loaning him completely - as from the above posts some people have had some problems.

Goodluck!
 
I loaned out a very genuine horse because I couldn't bear to part with him, but I really struggled to find him a decent home because everyone assumed he had some hidden problem?! Unfortunately the loan home didn't work out and I brought my (very malnourished!) horse back home just six months later, swearing I would never loan a horse out again...
 
Worked for me, got Len through some friends as he had to retire from eventing had him for a year on full loan before buying, I insured him during the loan period or peace of mind and consulted his owners when we moved yards plus sent regular update emails of his progress still do in fact. I also had a good experience loaning my veteran who I subsequently gave to the loaner, he is at a great yard doing what he loves speeding round the countryside and rc activities, I think loaning can work if both parties are honest and realisitc. Sounds like you are offering a great home good luck.
 
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