To loan or not to loan?

[_Rosie_]

Hello,
For past few months I've been thinking about trying to take a horse on a full loan.
I'm experienced in looking after horses as I've worked full time as a groom on a busy eventing yard. There is a couple of yards in my area which I know would be suitable for many reasons - instructors on site, decent facilities, easy access from where I live, well trained staff. I have a few friendly instructors who would be able to help me and find the right horse to loan, and also provide an advice and training whenever needed.
So it all sounds great but that's where it begins to be more difficult...
I work full time (not with horses any more) and so my free time is quite limited.
Due to my working hours I'd need a full livery deal (which isn't a problem, as long as the horse owner is still involved in paying a part of it monthly), and I probably wouldn't be able to exercise the horse every day.

Currently I go riding once/twice a week with a lovely girl who owns 2 horses. I am enjoying riding with her, but it's not ideal as we both work and can't always coordinate. Also I am very keen to start having lessons again, which I won't be able to do on her horses (for various reasons).

So, I guess my question is, do you have any experience/advice on loaning a horse and working full time? Did it work out for you? Did it cost as much as you expected or did it turn out to be way more expensive? Was finding the right horse difficult?

I'd like to make a fully informed decision to make sure I won't waste anyone's time

 

[Lakota_Lizzie]

Can I just clarify something?

You are looking for a horse on full loan, due to your full time job you need full livery, and you are expecting the horses owner to pay a part of this?

When I loaned my TB out many moons ago her new mum was responsible for everything... we did help her out with insurance but that was for our own piece of mind.

I would be interested to see others options on this but if I was loaning a horse out it is unlikely that I would be helping to pay for full livery.

Perhaps consider a share, less work, money and shared responsiblilties

 

[be positive]

Why don't you look for a part loan for now, most full loans will mean you taking over all the costs involved, including livery, shoeing, vets bills and insurance also extra bits and bobs that you require or need replacing, not many owners will give someone full exclusive use of their horse and assist you with the finances unless the horse is staying at their own yard which may be an option if you can find one nearby.
Not being able to exercise daily should be no problem as long as it gets turned out every day but is something you would need to discuss with the owner, you need to be able to "sell" yourself to an owner if you want to convince someone to let you take on their horse, it is a two way deal with you getting the pleasure as well as the commitment of having a horse given to you to think of as your own without the initial expense of purchasing it, the owner needs to be able to see you are offering a good home and that they can trust you and the yard to take the best care of what will probably be a much loved horse.

 

[_Rosie_]

[Lakota_Lizzie]Can I just clarify something?

You are looking for a horse on full loan, due to your full time job you need full livery, and you are expecting the horses owner to pay a part of this?

Fair point, I don't know what was I thinking I guess since I've only shared horses before, I just simply didn't know how the deal works. Now I do
I guess I'll just have to really rethink the whole idea - I can afford to pay all the basics (i.e. livery, shoes, jabs etc.) but then if something unexpected happens (large vet bill, or car repair or something) I might struggle. Perhaps it's just not the right thing at this stage.

Part loans are always an easier option, but then there isn't so much of the bond and freedom, can't really wake up in the morning and spontaneously decide to go for a hack if this hasn't been planned and agreed on so basically we're coming straight back to where I am now.

Well, thank you for your replies, I hope I'll have it all figured out someday. Maybe after a lottery win or something.