Tips for loaning out a horse

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Always-Riding

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As title...

I'm considering loaning out a horse while I'm at Uni and possible loan with view to buy.

Now I've heard all the horror stories, so can anyone have any tips - do's & don'ts etc..
 
Always have a back up plan. Even if a great loaner they are loaning not buying for a reason and therefore it is a racing certainty that the horse will come back to you at some point at their convenience not your convenience (normally IME in the middle of Winter when it is the most horrid for keeping a horse).

So, always keep a contingency fund to buy your way through a problem.
 
I could be cynical and say the best advice is .... don't.

There are good loaners out there - I know because I was one. We loaned my daughters first pony for 2 years - and then bought him when his old owners said they wanted to sell rather than keep on loaning him out. But I would never put any of ours out on loan now. I have sharers - but the horses stay with me where I can keep an eye on them.

There are simply too many horror stories. And I've known too many horses come back from loan injured or ill treated. I've not personally known one who didn't come back from loan at all - but you only have to look at all the "Stolen whilst on loan" posts to know that isn't uncommon either. There are good people to loan to - but far far more who are not.
 
Shay said:
I could be cynical and say the best advice is .... don't.

There are good loaners out there - I know because I was one. We loaned my daughters first pony for 2 years - and then bought him when his old owners said they wanted to sell rather than keep on loaning him out. But I would never put any of ours out on loan now. I have sharers - but the horses stay with me where I can keep an eye on them.

There are simply too many horror stories. And I've known too many horses come back from loan injured or ill treated. I've not personally known one who didn't come back from loan at all - but you only have to look at all the "Stolen whilst on loan" posts to know that isn't uncommon either. There are good people to loan to - but far far more who are not.
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This was me as well... Be prepared for the horse to be returned within the hour at their whim and check him/her every week... or don't loan - unless you get a good person (one of mine is on permanent loan to me - they other went to loan or to horstal and got broken & returned in a week or so) When you find the secret on how to tell the diff please let me know as I got it totally wrong :D.

I like the loan on your own yard now idea - your friends currently there can 'keep an eye on things' or share at your yard. Thats what I was planning when fruitcake backache is totally fit again :D. Seemes like sound advice to me. :D
 
Get a good loan agreement in place, the BHS one is fine, and add the sentence "It it expressly forbidden that the equine the subject of this loan should be sold while on loan". Horsewatch told me if you include that clause and thigs go wrong and the horse IS sold, the police will act as it become fraud. Without it it is a civil matter and the police won't get involved.
And do homechecks - at the outset and twice a year, if you can't do it yourself, delegate, I find forum members are happy to help if you ask.
If you do LWVTB, agree the maximum term and price at the outset, and put it in the agreement, so there can be no arguments later. And as others have said, know what you will be able to do if it is returned to you unexpectedly.
 
Oh no... Im worrying now.

I was going to get a lawyer to write out a rock solid loan contract - but does it make a difference?

I don't really want to sell her but I can't leave her with my mum as she's not confident around anything bigger than 14hh but if needs be there is a space if she does come back at a drop of a hat.
 
Loan within 20 mins of where you live/ will be at Uni so you can pop and check on him/her very often,
if you can find someone who knows someone all the better than a stranger,
get them to keep using your farrier/ dentist etc so they can feed back to you.
Keep your own insurance and get them to pay the premiums to you by direct debit each month (then you know s/he is insured fully and you can make claims as and when necessary!)
 
Always-Riding said:
I was going to get a lawyer to write out a rock solid loan contract - but does it make a difference?
.
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The loaner being happy to sign a contract and provide evidence of address/ references etc. is useful to see how serious the loaner is - in terms of the actual contract - Not really worth the paper it's written on as so difficult to enforce/ or claim against.

If the loan agreement says one months notice and they call to say they are bringing him/her back tomorrow - really what are you going to do?!?
 
I agree with those who say that enforcement of many of the clauses of a loan contract would be expensive and time consuming. Where the contract IS useful, would be if the loaner tried to sell the horse on. In that case a contract is a useful piece of evidence to the effect that you are the rightful owner, and could help you to recover the horse from a third party.
 
I've known plenty of good and successful loan stories, I loaned my mare for a few months before having the opportunity to buy her, I have sent my other mare out on loan twice and even though the loaners may not have handled her as I would have, the horse was generally well treated and no worse for her experiences.

But there is the flip side. We just had someone we think has done a moonlight flit from our yard, this person had a TB gelding on loan. Based on my observation, if that were my horse, I would not be happy. I think people need to really assess how much time they are willing to dedicate to a horse before committing to a full loan especially if they're on a DIY yard with it.
 
Shay said:
I could be cynical and say the best advice is .... don't.

There are good loaners out there - I know because I was one. We loaned my daughters first pony for 2 years - and then bought him when his old owners said they wanted to sell rather than keep on loaning him out. But I would never put any of ours out on loan now. I have sharers - but the horses stay with me where I can keep an eye on them.

There are simply too many horror stories. And I've known too many horses come back from loan injured or ill treated. I've not personally known one who didn't come back from loan at all - but you only have to look at all the "Stolen whilst on loan" posts to know that isn't uncommon either. There are good people to loan to - but far far more who are not.
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Don't loan, why put your horse at risk, yes I admit there are some good trust worthy people out there, but there are many who are not, ok so you get a loan agreement all sorted, but what good is that if your beloved horse is already dead by the time you find out that things are not right, yes you may be able to take someone to court, but is that going to bring back your horse, no it isn't, so now please think again, sharers yes maybe, but loans no way !:eek:
 
Just bear in mind that actually there are decent honest people out there who have the knowledge and ability and financial situation to care for a loan horse very well indeed.
My loan horse, who is slowly but surely turning into my 2nd horse of a lifetime has now been with me a year, her owners are just about to renew my contract for a further 3 years .
I provided them with ;
Equine references
Employer references
Personal references
Verifiable proof of my home adress and employment adress
Before the initial loan started.
They visited the yard I proposed to keep their horse at and have visited our new yard too.
Since then, I have regualrly updated them on her progress via FB and a smaller horse forum.
Any major changes in her management, eg changing from barefoot to shod, were fully discussed with them before being acted upon.

I didn't know them in person at all before the horse came to me, but they knew via another forum all about my own horse and knew that I was looking for a very long term loan and was a person of decent values.

Yes, there are loan horror stories, but they're comparatively rare given the number of horses out on loan, we just don't tend to hear the happy and successful stories.
 
Ok, so we all have a horror story, but if theres no other way and it's got to be loan put some thought into it.

Howsabout notices up in your feed and tack shops for starters? The chances are if they are also a customer the people who own/run the shops will also know them? It wasn't until after I loaned ours - I wasn't convinced about the 6 degrees of seperation thing - turns out we know the lady who owns our girlie through about 8 different ways indirectly. It's a small world.

Put the word out, it may take a good few weeks but go with someone word of mouth, rather than a total stranger. They will probably be local (not as in Royston Vasey - mind you round here :eek:) as well so you and or mum can check up often, and you'll have the grapevine.

Dont forget your agreement - BHS website do a free download example one - As although it isn't worth didly for a return, it will be invaluable for potential theft and ownership disputes should they arise.

Go into it with open eyes, don't let anyone rush you (as happened to me) and take your time to take up the references, just because someone seems very keen to offer them doesn't mean they expect you to take them up. You won't offend a genuine person by asking - just the sort that have something to hide and you don't want them anyway.

Good luck, keep us all informed - as OP said, you only hear the bad luck stories really as when its good you don't need the support. :o
 
Word of mouth is probably your friend here. I had one of mine out on loan for around 6 years while I was at uni (I took the other one with me!). The first two homes didn't work out, but he was always cared for, fed, healthy and safe. The third home he spent 5 years in and only came home (as per the contract) to retire. I couldn't've asked for nicer people or better suited to him. My first two ponies were loans acquired through word of mouth, as is my current loan horse. On all occasions, knowing who the horse was going to, how they'd looked after previous horses, and having friends in common who could also keep half an eye on said horse was a plus.

My advice: 1) contract, with all eventualities covered, who pays for what, who makes the medical decisions in the event of an emergency/pts situation, what is and isn't acceptable use of the horse, etc. 2) If loaning away from home, visit the place, see what it's like and how the other horses look. 3) Find someone you can talk to/communicate with. One of the things that's always made my loans work, from both sides of the contract, is knowing I can always call and ask how things are going/cross-check behaviours, etc. I always keep Orange Mare's owner updated with pictures and reports of what we're doing and Blondie's loaner did the same for me. OM's owner is always my second phonecall if something goes wrong (first is usually the vet, since she's a bit of a klutz!) and B's loaner was the same too. 4) Visit. OM's owner doesn't visit often, but she knows she's always welcome. I used to pop down and see B 2/3 times a year and was given blanket permission to swing by his field whenever I was in the area. 5) Go with your gut. I kept my other horse at the same yard as OM for a few years before I took her on loan, so her owner knew me and how I looked after mine. I also shared her for a while first. B's loaner I didn't know except via others, but on pure gut instinct I was sure he'd be fine with her. He was. 6) Give yourself plenty of time to locate a loaner. If you have any doubts, wait for someone else.

Good luck - it's not all horror stories out there!
 
There are plently of working loans out there, they easily weigh out the bad. You just hear about bad often as its a shock.

I think its important to remember that you still own the horse and have a responsibility. If you dont want that, sell.

Loan somewhere in a visiting distance. Keep in contact with updates and pictures from loaner.. Vet the yard before they go, and get yard number. Maybe have vet/farrier number too so you have a third opinion on how theyre doing.
A good clear contract will always help the dos and donts and gives you both a beter understanding.
Horse freezemarked or microchipped is probably a good idea too!!


Im looking to loan soon so have been doing my reading.. I understand there are bad loaners but i really wonder how the owners dont realise sooner if horse comes back really bad.. Not looking a bit poor, as in neglect. ive seen this and always thought the owner should have noticed earlier!

Good luck with your horse though, im sure youll find a lovely loan home for him.. Dont let the tiny bit of bad put you off!:D
 
shmoo said:
Ok, so we all have a horror story, but if theres no other way and it's got to be loan put some thought into it.

Howsabout notices up in your feed and tack shops for starters? The chances are if they are also a customer the people who own/run the shops will also know them? It wasn't until after I loaned ours - I wasn't convinced about the 6 degrees of seperation thing - turns out we know the lady who owns our girlie through about 8 different ways indirectly. It's a small world.

Put the word out, it may take a good few weeks but go with someone word of mouth, rather than a total stranger. They will probably be local (not as in Royston Vasey - mind you round here :eek:) as well so you and or mum can check up often, and you'll have the grapevine.

Dont forget your agreement - BHS website do a free download example one - As although it isn't worth didly for a return, it will be invaluable for potential theft and ownership disputes should they arise.

Go into it with open eyes, don't let anyone rush you (as happened to me) and take your time to take up the references, just because someone seems very keen to offer them doesn't mean they expect you to take them up. You won't offend a genuine person by asking - just the sort that have something to hide and you don't want them anyway.

Good luck, keep us all informed - as OP said, you only hear the bad luck stories really as when its good you don't need the support. :o
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Agree, its only the bad situations that we hear about, but people do need to be so careful these days, I myself would never put a horse of mine out on loan or want to have one on loan, I cannot really understand why people prefer to have horses on loan rather that buy them out right anyway !
 
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