Re: First time loaning dummy's guide...is this possible?

[legs48]

Hi there!

Daughter has been working on a yard and riding. Unfortunately the school closed due to overheads. Since then it's been hard to find somewhere that ticks all the boxes, and she's used to riding 2/3 times a week.

Sooo someone mentioned loaning would work. I don't ride however, so wanted to know if you can loan a pony/horse thats kept and looked after at a stable, but you use their instructor or own?

Does this exist and if so how do you find them?! I didn't want to ask if not possible. She'll need to learn more yard work

 

[Skib]

My understanding is that, if you loan a horse as described in the BHS example contract, the care and exercise the horse must receive, and who the instructor is to be, whether it is on full livery or part livery or DIY. will all be stipulated in the contract. Everything is up for discussion.
One place to start looking and also to tell people what you would like is the Facebook Riding page for your County, But since you are looking for a child loan, be careful about vetting the owner and also with what you post online about your daughter.
I have (in old age) shared horses both of which were kept on full livery. And, similar to a child riding, the elderly need some help and supervision, but the main difference is that an adult has their own insurance, and can take full responsibility for a horse, which a child cannot.
Even when I shared and had lessons on a yard where children also rode and shared, I have not known a child who rode unsupervised or who hacked unaccompanied by an adult unless the horse was their own and it was with permision of the parent.
In your place I would look carefully at the difference between loaning and sharing a horse, since sharing does not involve taking full responsibility.
I would also pay attention to safety of the children. At a riding school children are carefully supervised. Sharing is different and I have seen unaccompanied child sharers and their friends petting ponies and handling them more casually dressed (no hard hats, no hard boots nor gloves) than I allowed my grandchildren to do.

 

[Timelyattraction]

You need to look at part loans/ shares. They are kept at their existing yard and you have set days (normally 2-3 days) per week that you will go down and ride the horse and do yard duties (if on DIY). You will pay a small financial contribution for your days. Most people would be open to you having lessons on the pony.

Best place to look for these is facebook on your local horsey group. Also preloved have a few advertised. Put up a wanted ad stating what you are looking for and i imagine you will get a few responses if your daughter is a capable rider