Theoretically, would you consider loaning/sharing a horse like this? (Long)

Snowysadude

Snowysadude

Well-Known Member
Joined
12 October 2009
Messages
2,124
Location
Hertfordshire
Visit site
Basically I’m a bit stuck with what to do, I love my boy to pieces and there is a very long story as to what happened but basically I am getting a full refund for my boy and getting to keep him at the same time (you can imagine just how long the story is haha!).

Now he is not really suitable for what I want to do and I am having a bit of a dilemma as to what to do! He has an impinging spine and steroids have worked to treat it at the moment but they may wear off anywhere between 3 months and a 2 years of having them. This has meant he can only do dressage and hacking! Old owner informed me he had his last lot of steroids Dec 08 and they didn’t wear off until about Nov 09 (by which time I owned him and he did change a lot). They may have however lasted a lot longer if I hadn’t been jumping him so much etc (as I didn’t know about the condition) as the vet did say jumping they will wear off a lot quicker and could cause more damage so was lucky there is no change in the x-rays from the ones I have to the ones old old owner has! Oh yes and hes 17hh (turn off for some, I personally love them bigger!).

Now positives:
Hes a stunning Belgium Warmblood horse, never done BD but done plenty of unaffiliated competitions and always in the rosettes and that was before the steroids! Qualified trailblazers prelim as well first time I took him out! He’s only competed up to novice due to me being a nervous wreck at the best of times! He’s good out though and really did boost my confidence competing when I got him. He has the flashiest paces and I will put a video on YouTube probably tonight of him moving loose and under saddle – there is one on there already but that was before steroids so his walk looks a bit short and generally not looking that comfortable – he really is a different horse at the moment! Have rawr clips of him (for all you YouTube users) if you wanted to see them. He’s a complete schoolmaster, really good in the school and has taught me loads, does all the lateral movements, flying changes, can shorten and lengthen his stride (but a bit rusty at the moment as for a long time hasn’t worked properly due to having physio for a long time on his back – we only just took him to the vets 3 weeks ago and it was diagnosed which is the same time the old old owners got in contact and filled me in on his history! But I will get him back to working nicely before even considering loaning him out or sharing him). Since the steroids he has hacked a few times and been ridden lightly in the school, been great. Hes 100% bombproof in the heaviest of traffic, machinery etc. Hes great to hack out alone and will put some vids of him hacking out on my video once it is made! Hes just about perfect to shoe, box, clip, load, bath, fuss and is very affectionate etc. He has no vices.


Negatives:
We don’t know how often he will need steroids, and when he has them he needs 10 days of pessoaing, a week of gentle hacking and schooling and then bought back into full work. This can be a pain if you want to compete and they are needed more regularly as you can’t plan ahead too much!
In company hacking he’s fine on a slow (walk/trot) hack and great on the roads, but if going on a fast one through lots of fields he has to be in front unless canter is kept steady. If I’m honest I have only galloped him a few times but was following someone and it felt rather out of control until the other horse stopped. When I went in front he was stoppable though. He has never bucked/reared or got me off or anything out hacking – and I’m not the best rider! On his own hes fine to do whatever you want! In the school before the steroids he was “cold backed” which made him arch his back and sometimes jog off/kick out and occasionally do a buck when you got on. But touch wood he’s not done that at all since the steroids and he didn’t at all when I first got him (when the steroids from previous owners would have still been active), in fact he has been a bit of a dobbin. He hasnt even bucked in the field or on the lunge since the steroids which he used to do all the time! I also am lunging before I get on at the moment because of when he had a cold back and I am have lost my confidence getting on him – but my friend got straight on him the other day for me and he was a star!

So here is the thing, do you think anyone would even consider a full loan (can move to their yard or stay up here (leics) on DIY/part or full!) of a dressage/hacking only horse with kissing spine? Or should I just look at keeping two horses at the same time and try to get a sharer/couple of sharers for the big grey beast – with the positive that I can at least keep a very close eye on what they are doing with him?

Or should I scrap it all, give up and retire him, to light hack when I want to? Too much to think about!!
 
I would try and find someone to share him from your yard so you know for sure that he is looked after and not jumped. No experience but if i were looking for a horse i dont jump so would go for one that doesnt as well.
 
Thank you, I have just never really met anyone I suppose that just wants to do pure dressage (met happy hackers and hes good to hack just wouldnt put him in that bracket simply because most happy hackers still like to pop the odd log in the woods etc).

Bless him, hes so lovely and I have been thinking today I would want to keep him on the same yard as any new horse I buy or him to be kept nearby. Well thats ideally anyway as he does know me and shouts to me, and it means I can keep an eye on him! :)
 
I only do dressage and hack as my back goes every time I try to jump and I can't walk for weeks!! So I definately think there would be someone out there for him. Is he ok on sponsored/fun rides etc? It seems a shame to retire him when he still has alot to offer. I hope you get it sorted as he sounds lovely and if I didn't have my chap I would have been interested. I too like em big!!
 
Charlie007 said:
Is he ok on sponsored/fun rides etc? It seems a shame to retire him when he still has alot to offer.
Click to expand...

I can honestly say I have never tried! He was bought as a competition horse and has been used as one his whole life so i daresay hes never tried one either. It would be such a shame to retire him because he is sound and only 9 with no other health problems! He also loves humans.

But that is a really good idea re sponsored and fun rides, because if he is im sure more people that are interested in hacking would be interested *wanders off to look for sponsored rides this month or next month to test him out* :D
 
Hi there. I am looking for a horse on loan with good manners, well schooled and something a novice can get on from time to time. I tried dressage a long time ago and it is something I would love to get back into. I have a horse which is kept on a private yard in Northumberland. The home itself has large stables/grazing, horse walker, school and a full time employed stable hand. If you decide to put your horse out on loan let me know. Kay 07825271338
 
I think he'd appeal to someone if you offered him on loan with a view to buy for a nominal amount (£500), that way you could view him in a new home before they took full responsibility and if you suspected for a min they'd jump him or sell him on you could take him beck before they actually brought him..

A horse like him despite his many positives is a horse that requires medical treatment and his condition restricts what you can do with him. There are lots of fit healthy horses availiable for loan without health problems.

You may be lucky and meet someone who falls in love with him - but IMO I think its unkilely.. Hope you find him a good home anyway, sound like he deserves it! :)
 
bj_cardiff said:
A horse like him despite his many positives is a horse that requires medical treatment and his condition restricts what you can do with him. There are lots of fit healthy horses availiable for loan without health problems.
Click to expand...

Totally agree which is why I posted this in the first place! That why I said I would pay for steroid injections and was wondering if you all thought a full loan was fesable or if you think trying just to get part loaners (where they have less pressure to stay on and it wont be as much of a huge thing if they gave up compared to a full loan home). :)

Anyway I am just copying the freeschooling videos i have of him off my phone and camera and will pop them on youtube in a sec for you all to see what i mean when i say he has flashy warmblood paces :)
 
No probs! Not everyone wants an endurance beast. If you do want to have a chat just give us a bell. I do agree with a post a bit further up...loaning with a view to buy is always a good idea, that way you get someone that is generally interested in the horse instead of falling in love with the idea of having one. Always vet the home and have a look at any other horses that they have in their care.
 
I know someone who may be interested - gentle hacks and dressage. Her lovely lovely horse has got severe arthritic changes in his coffin joint and may poss only be a light hack (or it maybe a case of PTS, next 4 weeks will tell). She adores dressage, is a quiet, still rider and has regular lessons with dressage trainer. She is currently pondering what to do about another horse.

But for my friend, because of his health issues it would have to be loan only as she has her lad to manage as well.

PM me if you'd like me to pass your details on
 
Sorry I would never sell! The horses welfare comes first, I ended up with him (thank goodness I did for him!) due to someone giving him away and it was a dealer who picked him up! Not EVER risking that happening. Gleeful Imp will PM you but my phone has died (getting new one delivered tomorrow, thank goodnes for phone insurance!) so cant speak until this weekend as also have a funeral to go to and he isnt going back to the vets for the conformation they have worked (I can see they have :D!) until Thursday anyway :).

Anyway a video of him freeschooling (didnt mean for him to go on for so long, he didnt want to stop!) from 2 days ago!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=USx6JAwR1f8

:D :D My babyy - am going to make a flat one soon - this video took 3 hours to work and then upload!
 
I really believe there is someone out there for every horse and it may just take time to find the right person. I have met many people in the past who are just wishing to hack and do small dressage tests, not everyone aspires to go around badminton.

You have been really honest regarding his health issues and as long as the person taking him on understands his needs i'm sure they will grow to love him as much as you.

What you really need is someone who wants a quality horse but has little / no money and are happy to compromise by attending to his needs.

If you can it would be a great idea to keep him close by so that you are on hand to ensure all is well.

Good luck.
 
I think there will definately be people who want to take you up on him. I would probably offer him as a share since they are more likely to come to you than full loan, and you then have a range of options (personally I'd see if I could get one sharer who could contribute something for as much riding as they wanted).

Good luck x
 
I think you will have no problems loaning this horse, especially as you are willing for him to move and you will cover the steroid costs.
No horse is perfect, and although KS takes some management, it is not the end of the world.
Another useful thing is that it sounds as though the horse really is able to tell you, by means of his behaviour, when he is starting to hurt again.

Personally I would pitch him as a dressage horse and look for someone who can ride to a capable standard, by working this horse correctly you will help him even further - the more correct muscle he can build up, the more the spine will benefit.

I presume he isn't a candidate for the KS operation?
 
There are definately people who want a gentler time of it with their horses. Parkranger on here had a horse who can only hack/lightly school really and she found him a wonderful loan home, and I believe the loaner has now bought him!

If loaning I would suggest that YOU are responsible for his existing condition, ie the vets bills etc, and that you keep him fairly close by so you can keep an eye on what they are doing with him. Sharing would allow you much more say in what happens. I currently share a big pink beastie, and we only hack and school (With the very rare jump/fun ride Im the wimp not him!!!) and the situation works perfectly. You could also pretty much give a sharer free rein, whislt keeping a close eye. What I would say is dont try and charge too much if you do get a sharer!!---- good luck
 
I dont think you will have any trouble finding someone who would want to either full loan or share him.

For one he is beautiful!! And there are plenty of people who want a quiter pace of life and would be more than happy to not jump and just hack and do dressage.
Would also suggest that if he did go out on loan (as others have said) that you pay for his existing condition but any other bills are paid for by the loaner, that way you know he is being treated properly.

Good luck i hope you find him a lovely home
 
Hi - i have a mare with navicular who is fine to be ridden gently. I jump occassionally but specified when loaning her everything she could and couldnt do - ie no jumping, galloping about etc etc - the first loaner was fine or so i thought but was caught whipping her into a frenzy to get her to gallop flat out at the local woods - nice tendon injury the next day and thankfully i found out and she no longer loans her.
A few months later i advertised for another sharer for 2 days - told her the horror story of the last loaner and told her she wasnt to be jumped etc etc - all was going fine she spent a month doing her with me and then the 3rd day she had her on her own i popped to the yard ununnanounced and she was cantering round over the cross country jumps in our derby field - i was so shocked.
Be prepared that people that want to share may not treat your horse the way you want them to - i learned that twice the hard way.
 
I would consider an arrangement like that if I was looking for one, I used to jump and XC and be out to comps when I was younger but now am not a fan of jumping and don't mind if I go out to compete I just like to school and hack :) I wouldn't be upset if I entered a dressage test and sadly the horse could not be entered, I would be just as happy to not :) Am sure there are plenty of other people about who feel the same :D
He is a beauty BTW :D
I would part loan, my boy is on full loan but it started as a part and it was not supposed to go full but did :)
 
Hey thank you for all of the replies! Sorry I didnt answer earlier. He has been a bit of a miracle horse, the steroids have worked really well and even the vet was shocked, hes back in full work and jumping, he hasnt gone lame and was foot perfect at a local show yesterday, bringing me and my friend (the nutter that rode him to see what he would do jumping!) home a few rosettes :). The vet thinks due to the recovery he will only need steroids once a year if ever just to keep on top of it, he said so long as hes ridden straight and not jumped over about 3ft3 he should be fine and will probably not need more treatment. Due to this I think I will keep him and just find a sharer/couple of sharers for little or no financial contribution over summer and a bit for bedding and hay in winter (I will pay for stabling, vaccs, shoes, teeth, insurance, vets etc).
Will have to be very competant riders who would be welcome to jump/school/hack him though - or full loan if the perfect home came up!!

Thank you again for all your advice! :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top