Questions about loaning hunters

[Bernster]

Couple of questions, wondered if anyone could give some tips or info:

- do people loan out hunters for the season (or longer)? With the possibility of going onto grass livery at the end of the season.
- where are the best places/websites to look?

Seems like they don't come up often at all, and most ads for loan want horses to stay on their current yard, which is understandable but does limit things significantly, or they are happy hackers or companions.

But there may well be people who are overstocked, taking some time out, don't have time but don't want to sell etc.

I'm on the kimblewick email group (and previously tried a wanted ad on the website) so maybe contacting other hunts in the South East?

 

[A1fie]

Hi I'm not sure if this is much help but I don't know of anyone that does specific hunter loans. The people I know with hunters usually hire them as hirelings on a daily basis.

If you don't mind what you ride, you may get rides if you volunteer to take anything out. Some people have youngsters or horses that have never hunted and want them taken out to get the experience. Hunt websites would be a great way of finding horses like that.

Alternatively, look for a general loan and ask if you can take it hunting.

Sorry this is not much help. Good safe hunters are worth their weight in gold!

 

[L&M]

How about a 'wanted' ad that you could punt out to local hunts in your area?

 

[Bernster]

Hi I'm not sure if this is much help but I don't know of anyone that does specific hunter loans. The people I know with hunters usually hire them as hirelings on a daily basis.

If you don't mind what you ride, you may get rides if you volunteer to take anything out. Some people have youngsters or horses that have never hunted and want them taken out to get the experience. Hunt websites would be a great way of finding horses like that.

Alternatively, look for a general loan and ask if you can take it hunting.

Sorry this is not much help. Good safe hunters are worth their weight in gold!

I def agree that it's a bit like hens teeth! Hirelings would be an option although a bit hit and miss in terms of what you might get, whereas with a loan there is the chance to build a rapport, bring them on etc etc.

How about a 'wanted' ad that you could punt out to local hunts in your area?

I've seen some people put these up on the kimblewick, but not sure how succesful, and it didn't work for me in the past, but maybe it does have to come down to personal connections, local hunts and stuff, as not widely available or known about!

 

[spacefaer]

We had a hunter on loan for 5 seasons ( until his arthritis was too bad) his owner had no rider for him (he was the husband's horse but he had no time and he was too big/quirky for the daughter

He was not saleable and was quite an individual but suited us perfectly - he was advertised on Horse quest

If he had been more straightforward, I'm sure he would have been for sale instead.