What do I need to know about loaning my pony out?

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Me n jaz

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Hi, sorry if this is in the wrong section.
I'm considering putting our much loved pony on loan as I don't have a rider for her at the moment and she would love to be out and about as she's full of beans. I have never done this before and am completely in the dark about how to protect myself and my baby girl.
Do I loan from the yard she's at or do I allow her to move? Would I keep her insured or would this need to be done by the loaner? Do you have some sort of a contract in place? Would you loan a year at a time and renew a contract yearly if both party's agree?

Any help advice would be much appreciated x
 
Depends on a lot of things. Do you have time to look after the pony in other ways and is it just a rider you want? If so you could look out for a rider who just wants to part loan and ride on set days and pay a contribution towards the care of the pony.
 
Have a look on the BHS website as have a loan agreement on there which is very good.

It is personal choice whether you are prepared to move the horse - when we were kids we had numerous ponies on loan, but nowadays people are more cautious as have been some horror stories about people selling on loan horses without the owners knowledge.

We loaned out my sons pony and let it move, but it was through PC and we knew the people and premises.

The main thing is to find the right person, and ask for references, then maybe consider if you would let it move.

In my mind it should be the loaner that incurrs all costs, including insurance. Also a 6 mnth or yearly contract is a good idea in case circumstances change for either party.

Good luck!

(ps if it is a 14.2hh hunting pony let me know as am looking for one atm!!)
 
Look at the website "horses and ponies missing on loan" before you decide.............. having loaned my boy out in the past to someone who only five weeks into the loan decided she "couldn't afford it" anymore (and I was left with the livery bill to pay); AND they let his sweet itch get hopelessly out of hand the first weekend he was there, I'd never ever do it again. And I know there are a lot worse situations that can happen with a horse on loan; some disappear, never to be seen again.

The ONLY loan I would ever consider again is to put mine on working loan to an equestrian college: I've done this in the past and it worked out well - but they do have restrictions on height as they obviously need horses that the majority of students can ride.

The owner should be the one who pays the insurance as they would be the ones to benefit if anything happened to the horse.

Have a look at the BHS website as they give some specimen loan agreements: if you're committed to loaning then I dare say I can still find the one I used for mine, which is amended from the BHS one. Never ever let a horse on loan without a contract: and personally I'd never loan to a stranger and even with "friends" and/or "friends of friends" still insist on a loan agreement (even if it isn't worth the paper its written on TBH) and be VERY very careful indeed. You've only to read some of the awful stories which have been on here re. someone letting a "friend" have their well-loved horse, who then "loans" it on to someone else, and the horse disappears........... :(

Personally I'd far rather keep the horse at the current yard rather than move it: the horse will be far less stressed that way plus you can (very important) keep an eye on what goes on.

I'd be inclined to look into getting a sharer and keeping pony where it is rather than "loan", for now. And/or perhaps ask any friends/contacts in the local Pony Club/Hunting fraternity if they'd be interested? That way you could keep things local, essential IME.
 
Echo the others but I personally always pay the insurance and keep it in my name with a note to the company of who it is on loan to, that way I know there'll not be any problems in the event of a claim. Also insist as part of the contract that they keep up to date with vaccinations or they have to pay for the whole course themselves if it is lapsed. While the passport should be with the horse, I would date and photo copy all pages to give to loaner for the first month just to make sure the horse and they are both happy then you can exchange the passport.

If you send any equipment with it take pictures of it all (and the pony) showing the condition of it. Anything you loaned out should be returned in as good condition as it was sent (minus careful wear and tear) but damages should be replaced or repairs paid for.
 
Very good advice, thanks loads, I will keep her where she is as it make better sense, the other girls will keep an eye on her too so she will be well watched over. Fingers crossed I can find someone who will love her as much as we do. Xx
 
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