Putting a horse on loan

[Crackedhalo]

Hi, due to a relationship breakdown i am unable to keep my horses, They are kept at home presently but obviously i will no longer have the house. I am reluctant to part with them permantly so waas thinking about loaning them out. They are both gypsy cobs, 14hh, very lightly backed. Can anyone give me advice about how i would do this, what i need to arrange, how much i charge, if i charge??

 

[Tammytoo]

First of all, be very, very careful who you loan to - you need to be absolutely sure as to the capability of the loaner to bring on a young horse and insist on references to back this up from a professional who knows them well.

There is a specimen loan agreement on the BHS website, which you can run off and alter if you need to. Generally, you don't charge people to loan but they are expected to cover all costs as if the horse were their own, including insuring it for 3rd party and vets' fees at the least. Make sure you visit them frequently and ensure the YO where they are kept is aware they are on loan from you and give them your phone number.

Are you a member of any coloured horse or gypsey cob societies? It might be the best place to advertise your horses for loan.

What a sad decision for you - I hope it works out.

 

[Crackedhalo]

Thank you for your reply, I haven't decided what the best option for them or me is yet, i was thinking loaning but as you say you can't trust people these days, although i would be faced with the same dilema selling them on.

 

[TGM]

If you do decide to loan, then take precautions:

* Get written references from the loanee's vet, farrier etc.
* Ask to see a utility bill with the loanee's name and address on it, to confirm the loanee lives at the address they claim to.
* Inspect the yard/field that the horse will be kept at and make sure you deliver the horse to that yard, rather than the loanee collecting the horse themselves.
* Use a proper loan agreement, such as the BHS one available on their website.
* Strongly consider having the horses freeze-marked to aid identification if there are any problems with the loan.
* Take clear photos of the horse and any tack immediately prior to loan. This aids identification of the horse, clarifies horse's condition prior to loan, and helps clarify condition of loaned tack.
* Visit regularly and ensure you have full range of contact numbers and email addresses for loanee.

 

[Fantasy_World]

If you do decide to loan, then take precautions:

* Get written references from the loanee's vet, farrier etc.
* Ask to see a utility bill with the loanee's name and address on it, to confirm the loanee lives at the address they claim to.
* Inspect the yard/field that the horse will be kept at and make sure you deliver the horse to that yard, rather than the loanee collecting the horse themselves.
* Use a proper loan agreement, such as the BHS one available on their website.
* Strongly consider having the horses freeze-marked to aid identification if there are any problems with the loan.
* Take clear photos of the horse and any tack immediately prior to loan. This aids identification of the horse, clarifies horse's condition prior to loan, and helps clarify condition of loaned tack.
* Visit regularly and ensure you have full range of contact numbers and email addresses for loanee.

Wholeheartedly agree with all of this and very well said!
I say this through experience. I had to loan out my mare last winter due to unforeseen circumstances. I loaned her to a friend of someone I knew and trusted. I asked for ID and did a loan agreement. Also as she was an ex racer I advised Weatherbys that she was going out on loan and who to. They kept a record of this and said would notify me if there was any application of change of ownership. As the passport goes with the horse as they need this for the vet and for transportation issues. A note to OP though if you haven't already done so and you don't want your ponies to enter the food chain you must get the section in the passport signed off by you and a vet to stop this from happening should anything ever happen to your animals.
Equally important as TGM as pointed out. Get your ponies freezemarked preferably with Farmkey so you can get them on the register if they are stolen or go missing while on loan.
I echo the sentiments about visiting as I wish I had. In my case she went somewhere which was not especially close and I don't drive and it was also somewhere out in the sticks so trains etc would have been of no use. If I had seen her I would have got her back straight away because when I did arrange to collect her when the loan term had ended she was thin and louse ridden. She also has muscle wastage behind her withers which was not there when she went on loan. I did not loan her with saddle though because I didn't want it mucked around as it had recently been bought and I have seen how some people take total disregard for other people's stuff.
If your ponies go with tack then make sure you list all of them on the agreement and get witnessses to sign agreement with you and loanee present.
So far as value and veterinary care goes do remember that unless you insure them yourself and if the other party insures them, if they should they die for whatever reason then if loanee has them insured the money will go to them, or at least that is how Petplan works.
The loanee should have to present a copy of the agreement to the insurers anyway providing they tell them they are on loan and not their own.
OP do not take people's word on trust.
I did and my mare did suffer, thankfully I got her back in the nick of time but if she had remained there any longer I dread to think what would have happened
I also have a horse on permanent loan to me which is very well taken care of, so I have experience from both sides.
Be very cautious and do any homework you can. If you receive names of people then check them out as there are websites and Facebook pages who list the names or aliases of some people who are taking ( or who have taken) horses on loan under false pretences and sold on or otherwise.
Good luck x

 

[Crackedhalo]

Thanks for the replies, Certainly alot to consider. Thank you for the advice, i will certainly be looking into it further.

 

[Ladydragon]

Thank you for your reply, I haven't decided what the best option for them or me is yet, i was thinking loaning but as you say you can't trust people these days, although i would be faced with the same dilema selling them on.

We've had a pony on loan for a year... Initially for my children to learn on...

She stayed at 'home' for a few months then we moved her to our yard... A safe hack when my novice son wants to go out with the other kids, basic lessons for my daughter in the school and for me to tootle around on to try and get my confidence back... She's rising five but amazingly multi useable for her age...

We don't 'need' to keep her as my lad has lessons on our TB and my daughter lead reins out on her little fella... But she's staying because she is such a doll and fills the gaps where son isn't good enough to take TB out unsupervised and daughter's pony prefers to sleep in the school...

She's in really good condition and one very happy pony... Her owners see her regularly and are more than happy with the way she's cared for - and it makes life easier for them as they've got an intact colt on their own land...

We kinda fell into this loan but it's probably the best thing we did as a family... Loans can work really well if both sides 'click' and are honest people... We don't have a contract - but this is a small area where everyone knows everyone...