To loan yet or not?

[T85]

Hi all. Am new to the forum and after some advice please. I have recently come back to horses and riding after around an 8/9 year break (got married/had children etc). My 6 year old has just started riding as well. I have been having lessons at my local riding school and want to continue with these but am also feeling an hour a week is not enough. I loaned horses most of the way through my teens though have never been lucky enough to own one. I have recently been thinking about looking for a loan or share near me but don't know if it is too soon to be thinking about a loan. Should I just continue lessons for a while first and look again in a years time or so?thanks

 

[Meowy Catkin]

You have shared/loaned before, so if you have the time and finances to commit to a share/loan, then start looking. Finding the right one might take some time, so keep on with the lessons and maybe brush up your stable management while you are looking.

 

[FestiveFuzz]

Hi all. Am new to the forum and after some advice please. I have recently come back to horses and riding after around an 8/9 year break (got married/had children etc). My 6 year old has just started riding as well. I have been having lessons at my local riding school and want to continue with these but am also feeling an hour a week is not enough. I loaned horses most of the way through my teens though have never been lucky enough to own one. I have recently been thinking about looking for a loan or share near me but don't know if it is too soon to be thinking about a loan. Should I just continue lessons for a while first and look again in a years time or so?thanks

You don't say much about your experience both ridden and from a care perspective. Personally I would expect anyone loaning or sharing my horse to know how to groom/muck out/tack up correctly and be balanced in walk/trot/canter and know when to correct naughtiness such as refusing to stand to be mounted/walking off before being asked/general nappiness etc.

That said, there will be plenty of people looking for some help now winter is on the way which could give you the perfect chance to get more hands on whilst continuing your lessons, or there's always the RDA who I'm sure would love another volunteer.

 

[Princess Rosie]

It's a big step to go from lessons once a week to taking on a loan or a share. After a 9 year break I would be looking to get as much refreshing done as possible, find a stables that you can help out at before you commit to taking on a horse at the minute, that way you can be a sponge for as much info as you can and continue with your lessons and get yourself in a better position to take on a loan or share. Most owners will be wanting someone with good experience to loan or share. Will your riding school where you already having lessons let you help out in return for another lesson per week? Best of luck and welcome back to the horseworld.

 

[T85]

Thank you for your replies. Much appreciated.
Unfortunately it's only a small riding school and they have plenty of helpers already. However, I have also started helping a friend with her section b pony so that I can brush up on my stable management. Fairly confident grooming, tacking up. Am taking advanced lessons. V happy in walk, trot and canter. Will be doing some jumping again v soon too. Will continue helping out over winter etc and maybe start looking next year. And as Faracat mentioned, it could take a while to find a mutually suitable share/loan so hopefully by then my skills/knowledge will be fully back up to scratch (although I am aware you never stop learning)
Thanks again for your replies and for welcoming me back.
T x

 

[View]

I returned to horses in October 2013 after a 30 year break, and started off with weekly lessons or hacks. After 3 months, I was looking for a share, which I found 3 months later - so 6 months in. However, my Dad and I had previously owned and looked after out boy at home, and my instructor at the riding school was happy to provide a reference regarding my riding and stable management capabilities.

I've continued with lessons, taken the R&RS, and have decided that I will work towards gaining the BHSAI (there are some clients at the riding school who believe that I'm full time staff there, and not just an occasional helper).

Finding a share or loan will be so much easier if you have proven stable management experience, so I second the suggestion above.

Good luck.