To those that have put horses out on loan.....

Supertrooper

Supertrooper

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How long did you leave it before contacting owner to see how horse was?

My best friend and I have just put our horse out on loan to a really nice couple, to be honest I don't think we could of found anyone more suited to him but it's the first time we've ever done this and I'm finding it so hard.

Basically my friends health has suddenly deteriorated and my job has got busier and we couldn't dedicate the time to him and we wanted him to be doing more as he's only 15.

The loaners texted us when arrived at their yard so we know he travelled ok and we are going to see him in a month (we drew up a comprehensive loan contract) but I'm finding it very very hard not to text them for an update! I've not done so far, yet!!

I can't be the only one that's felt like this, surely :-(
 
Id contact in the first couple of days & then again at the end of the first week to see he is settled in ok. Facebook is actually really handy for keeping in touch & getting little updates without feeling like your hassling the new loaner.
 
I always give my boys owner updates, to out her mind at rest and so she knows how he's doing. I also send photos when I remember to take someone and don't mind when she visits.

I text her the day after he came to let her know how he'd settled, etc.
 
I recently put my horse on loan. I delivered him, they rang the next day to let me know he was ok, we emailed a few days later, i visited after 10 days and have spoken to them again tonight (about another 10 days later) and I am bringing him and his friend in on Sunday as the loaners are going out for the day! Yippee, I get cuddle time! He is only 3 1/2 miles down the road and with friends of my mum, so they did understand how upset I was to retire him. They are wonderful loaners.

If you want to know I'd text or email, any decent loaner will understand you want to know the horse is settling in and be pleased you haven't just dumped your horse and run.
 
Thanks juliette, that's really helped. I'll send them a text tomorrow. I know they won't be bothered at all by us contacting them xx
 
I took a horse on loan 9 days ago and have text when arrived home safe, emailed photos and spoken by phone twice. I think the early days are especially important to keep in touch. I'm surprised the loaners haven't contacted you actually. Never feel guilty about contact!
 
I had a pony on loan, and I loan out a pony too, so I have experience of both sides!

With the gelding I have on loan, I sent his owner photos and texts on the day he arrived, and I send her pictures probably every fortnight and update her. I try to treat her how I like to be treated, and would prefer to send too many updates than not enough.

The girl who has my pony on loan sends me the occasional snap, and tags me in photos of the pony on facebooks, and calls if there's anything I should know. I wouldn't mind if she updated me more, but I know the pony is well and happy - and thoroughly spoilt!

I think you should ask them for an update, it doesn't hurt to ask!
 
I would get in touch the evening of the day they go, and probably the next day, then after a few days, and then perhaps let it slip to once a month or whatever regularity you want. I have put mine out on loan before and been lucky with lovely loaners who kept me updated with long emails most of the time. There were occasional longer gaps but only after I knew he was settled.

It's hard to start with... Hope it all goes well. Sounds like you have found a good home for him.
 
i took a horse on loan at the end of the summer, as i wanted to reassure the owner as much as possible , and totally appreciate the enormity of trust they have placed in me by loaning me there much loved cob.
i text them several times in conversation the day he arrived, i then text them the following morning to reassure all had remained well over night. then for the next few weeks i text them once a week to send a little update, and a couple of times if we had done anything significant, accompanied by a few picture.

after prob 4/5 weeks i then just text maybe once every 2 weeks or so to update etc

now after 3 or so months i'll text if we've had a special moment or if we've not spoken for a while
 
Mariposa said:
I had a pony on loan, and I loan out a pony too, so I have experience of both sides!

With the gelding I have on loan, I sent his owner photos and texts on the day he arrived, and I send her pictures probably every fortnight and update her. I try to treat her how I like to be treated, and would prefer to send too many updates than not enough.

The girl who has my pony on loan sends me the occasional snap, and tags me in photos of the pony on facebooks, and calls if there's anything I should know. I wouldn't mind if she updated me more, but I know the pony is well and happy - and thoroughly spoilt!

I think you should ask them for an update, it doesn't hurt to ask!
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^ second this. Have loaned and am currently loaning.

I would definitely contact loaners by text / email at end of first week and would even potentially do a spot check at 2 weeks just to make sure horse is where it should be.

There after I would expect regular updates and then go see horse after a month and then longer intervals.

Current arrangement I have with owners is that they can come see him any time they want, without notice (I offered this as I have nothing to hide and think it gives owners peace of mind that they can turn up and see him without me being able to 'get him ready' for their visit). Even now, a year down the line I don't bother too much with him if I know they are coming. They know he's a mud fiend so why bother trying to make it look like he's all clean all of the time?!
 
Thanks for your replies, I texted loaners last night and this morning had a reply to say that he's fine, has settled really well and they adore him. We're going to talk on phone at weekend :-)
 
Excellent news! I was thinking about this thread last night as my loanee sent me a video of my pony galloping around the field like a loon, bucking and pretending she was an arab with her tail in the air - one very happy pony full of beans!
 
I have one at the moment but am buying him, but nethertheless his owners dropped him off for me he went out into field so they could see him out etc.

they came back up after about 6wks to check on him, they only live about 20mins away I am friends with his owner on FB and should I have any issues etc I always call or text her.

I don't have regular contact, she knows he's in great hands and is so well loved its unreal and is always more than welcome to come see him.
 
I don't have a loan horse, but do have one that was gifted to me more than 2 years ago. I still send updates and photos to old owner and we have become good friends (didn't know each other previously). I'm delighted to have her involved with the horse and she's happy with the home we have given him.
 
I've both put my boy out on loan AND have a mare on loan (from an old friend) at the moment.

Regular contact between owner and loaner is vital IME and this has to be kept up from day one.

Its important to provide "space" for the new keeper to share any problems relating to the move, as often this is a time when behavioural or other issues surface and unfortunately often too the new keeper may be embarrassed to mention any difficulties they may be having. Also the owner will have their own anxieties over "their" horse and will no doubt be missing it, so the first few weeks going into the first month or two, is vital.

You could structure the time with the owner by writing a checklist, i.e.

How are things going generally (i.e. any issues immediately surfacing, if so, what, and how is the new keeper dealing with it???). Owner may at this point offer suggestions: but care needed not to appear over-precious!

How is the horse coping with its new environment? any issues relating to livery/keep etc? Any bite-marks, field injuries? Mud fever??

How is the horse coping with its new rider? Any behaviour concerns? Is the partnership working out (albeit may need fine-tuning); are they generally suited?

How is the new keeper coping with the horse? Is he/she keeping to the terms of the contract? Does the horse look well and cared for? Groomed? Fed properly/according to contract terms (plus any supplements stated there). Does the horse generally look well cared for? Any field-bullying issues?

Environment generally: is the horse happy? Who actually deals with the horse on a day-to-day basis? Owner or YO?? Which most often? (I include this as when my boy went on loan the YO told the Yard Manageress that she was NOT to "waste time" on horses which people had on loan as it wasn't her problem). Amazing but true.

Contract: (um, there IS a contract in place?????) are the terms of the contract and any specifications therein being adhered to?

Medical/Veterinary: anything need doing like teeth, vacs, back-checks, saddle-check??? Worming? (if at a yard should fall within their yard worming policy).

When I went to see my boy when he was on loan, I used this check-list and it did help to clear my mind.

Hope it helps for you.

Oh and don't forget to take a picture of the horse now; and then compare to the next time you visit.
 
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