Questions to ask possible loaner

[jumpingjack]

Going to see a ladys yard today who mihgt be having Splash, have a few questions already but in case i have forgotten anything important what would you ask the loaner?

 

[piebaldsparkle]

Are they local to you and going to be using your current farrier/vet?? If not I would want to know which farrier/vet they will be using. My friends horse came back from being on loan for 6 months, with terrible feet, Cytex shoes and lame in three legs (due to the state of his feet and shoeing).

 

[chestnut cob]

I can't remember what I asked my loaners now. Lots of stuff about what they wanted to do with the horse to make sure it was the same sort of stuff he could do. Questions about management (he can be quite bolshy so I needed to make sure they could deal with him), turnout (is it all year round? If there fields are closed in winter what TO arrangements are there?).

Make sure you have a water tight contract with her before she gets the horse - mine specifies things like the horse must be shod every 6 weeks by a normal farrier, that he is absolutely not to go barefoot, must have saddler at set times to check saddle, all that sort of thing.

 

[shelly018]

Agree with above, make sure you make them aware of everything you require. In the contract I've got for my loan horse, it even states that he needs restricted or muzzle grazing as he has a weight problem (no, he's just a piggy cob!) and he will chew leather if left in easy reach! That has been a valuable piece of information - nearly lost a headcollar and bridle that belonged to someone else!!

 

[chestnut cob]

And make sure the loaners are people you can talk to - I went to see my pony last week and have had to take my loaners to one side and ask them to work him more and feed him less as he's really put some weight on. Thankfully they're reasonable people and have taken it all on board.

My horse has had breathing problems so there's a big section in my contract about how they have to manage him/the problem. Also make sure you list every single item of tack, rugs etc you're sending if you hope to ever see any of it again!

 

[irishdraught]

See them ride and handle your horse, make sure they are suitable before taking it any further.

Watertight contract stating who is responsible for what and whether items of tack are going with it, and if anything gets damaged, it must be replaced with items of same value

A young mare of mine went on 12 month loan before the loaners asked to buy her. She had a sarcoid between her legs and a weepy eye, I made sure that they were fully aware and that they were responsible for ensuring both were clean etc, also stipulated that insurance must be in place and that no-one else could ride her (with exception of instructors) etc, etc, etc

BHS website has a good agreement template

 

[nicholls07]

when i had a horse on loan last summer i gave the owner a yard key , and told her she was welcome to turn up wenever she was passing, i had nothing to hide, and it gave the lady piece of mind