Questions About Loaning (Sorry if this gets long!)

TS_

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Ok, so I could really do with some advice as I'm really not sure where to even start or if there would even be anyone out there who would be interested in loaning a horse like mine. So if anyone could offer me any advice on where to put an advert up, what to include in the advert, etc. And also if you think anyone would be interested in what I have to offer.

So a little background first.. I've had my mare for a little over 2 years now and I'll hopefully be off to uni this September. I really don't want to sell her as, first I couldn't bare to part with her and second she's not an easy horse. We do pony club activities and she's pretty much an allrounder. She's not an easy ride and when I first got her she was very difficult however she's gotton a lot better now. Having said that she does still buck/bronc and can get a little silly at times. Also her passport is dodgy and says she's 9 when in fact we believe her to be only around 7, it also says she's 15hh however in reality she's probably a little smaller than this.

My problem is that because she's not an easy horse I'm really not sure what type of person she would suit. Ideally I'd like her to continue on in the pony club where I know whoever has her would be given help with her, however would be open for her to do something else. However I'm not sure how many mums would trust her with their children
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purely because she can put some pretty big bucks in (also how would I write that into the ad?) and I think she could perhaps do with a slightly bigger teenager with long legs who could get after her a bit. I'm about 5ft6/5ft7 and I'm completely used to her now and her bucks don't even unbalance me however I know she could be frightening in the beginning. Her main interest lies in jumping and she has bags of scope which is a good strength to try and weigh out some of her less desirable qualities. Also she kicks
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Ok so I'm sure I could go on but I think by now you'll probably have got the idea on why I'm slightly concerned about loaning her out as I really don't want her to go somewhere where people wouldn't understand her.

So bearing in mind that she wouldn't be everyones cup of tea I had the idea that maybe I could share her with any potential loaners over the summer so that I know they can handle her and are going to be confident and ok on her. However I wasn't sure if people would be interested in doing this, thoughts? In a perfect world I'd also like to be able to sit on her when back from uni too but obviously not everyone would be ok with that. I'd also preferably like her to stay at her current yard so that people can keep an eye on her and make sure she's ok for me, do people tend to go for this kind of arrangement?

I'm sure I've forgotton to ask things or mention things but any help at all on how to go about getting the ball rolling would be much appreciated. My DC of the PC is already keeping an ear out for me and I plan to put an ad in the next PC schedule.

Thanks.
 
You describe her as if she's the worst mare in the world! Try and find someone who knows what they're doing and is confident. You can advertise in local tack jobs or ask people on your yard.

I would mention in the advert that she needs a confident person and would save the bucking/kicking until you speak to them on the phone. You could also state what she has done in the past (PC activitiess) but don't mention it too much otherwise you may exclude some people!
 
I think you need to establish what kind of loan arrangement you really want before you try and find someone. A share with someone over the Summer as you suggest is a good idea, at least then you would be reasonably happy that they could cope with her and her quirks. Sounds like an adult would be your best option rather than a child as you say as they would have more experience and patience to deal with her for example when she kicks. Why does she kick incidentally? My mare was difficult when I got her and very nappy but we have worked through this, some people wouldnt have had the patience but I am that sort of person. We have a mutual respect for eachother and she knows how far to push. With regards to the riding when back from Uni, you may find it difficult if the new "owner" doesnt do things as you did and it could cause friction. That would in turn upset you which is why I say you need to decide what sort of loan arrangement you want - full loan/part loan?

From my daughters experience your life will totally change when you go to Uni and though she still likes to ride, shes got a lot of new friends, works now and doesnt have the same time as before.

You will feel very protective of your horse but if you find the right person, which you could do over the Summer as you are planning well ahead, then it could work out well for you. If you do keep her at the same yard be careful that the new "owner" doesnt feel that everones watching them like hawks, difficult I know but they would be more relaxed about your horse and when dealing with her.

Good luck - its not an easy one!
 
She's not the worst mare in the world obviously but I do feel I need to be honest with people that when she's bad she's an absolute pain but at the same time when she's goos she is amazing. At camp last summer every single person that saw her said they wanted her because she was so good. She's the sort of horse that the more she does the better she is and as it's winter and she's not done much maybe that's why I described her so negatively.

As for the type of loan agreement I want I will want someone to have her on full loan for a minumum of the 3 years I will be at uni, however obviously as I don't know my circumstances in 3 years time it's hard to say whether I will want the loan agreement end then, or continue, or move to some sort of share basis if the loanie really likes her.
As for why she kicks I'm not really sure, I think it's a mare-ish thing. She generally ownly does it if someone either rushes past her without giving her enough room or gets right up her back end. I'm honestly not sure of the cause of it but I find it best to pop a red ribbon in for just incase. I've never known her kick at a show/competition but she has threatened. The two times she's kicked where on hacks/fun rides.
The yard she's at now has fab facilities (flood lit menege, lots of show jumps including a gate and fillers, a cross country course, reasonable hacking and we're all members of trot so go out every weekend) everyone is lovely so I don't think a new "owner" would have that problem.
Thank you for the luck and advice, I just want what's best for her as she's such a fab little mare even though she's a bit quircky.
 
Hope you find someone suitable, I dont think the kicking is an issue, its what most horses would do in those situations. Personally I wouldnt look too far ahead after your 3 years, and if you have it written into your Loan agreement that 28 days notice to quit is given from either party then you are clear about where you both stand, and maybe at that time if the Loanee is still on the scene, they may want to buy her. You would then be happy that all is well with horse and rider.

Hope it works out for you both x
 
i had a mare a LOT worse than yours in every way, not only did i write it into the loan contract about her temprement, i also added in no way could i be held responsible for accidents etc, and that the loaner understood the mare was difficult in every way.

A bit like your idea, i had the loaner do a months trial on my yard and had them do everything, even things like give the horse a bath, hack alone, we took her to a comp..
 
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