What's your experience of full loan to move yards?

[Myma81]

Hi guys

How does a full loan to move yards work? I understand I would be responsible for the horse's care including vets bills. But how does it get arranged?
I've found one suitable but it's in another County. I'm guessing I would go and have a trial and if suitable I would pay for transport to my livery?
Would the horse come with fitting tack?
Does a contract/agreement need to be signed?
Can anyone tell me about their experience?

Thanks

 

[Wishfilly]

I haven't done a full loan to move yards in over 10 years, so things may have changed a bit- but here's what I would say:

1) You'd definitely go and have a trial. It's very likely the owners would want to see your yard before agreeing to the loan. They may arrange transport, but they may leave that up to you.

2) It would be usual for the horse to come with tack (and it's likely any major changes to this e.g. new saddle would need to be negotiated with the owner). The tack may not always fit as well as one might hope, though!

3) You definitely, definitely need a contract in place. It should detail things like who is responsible for paying insurance, what happens if the vet needs to be called, a notice period, what happens if you want to make any changes to the horse's management and so on. Expect it to say the horse can't move yards without the owner's agreement. It may specify a trial period with a shorter notice period. There are lots of other things it probably should include- I think there's a template version on the BHS website which can be amended.

4) I had a couple of ponies on full loan as a teenager- in both cases they had been outgrown but the owners didn't want to sell on. In one case it worked really well, and it was a great experience, and when I could no longer give the pony the time he deserved, he was able to go back and I knew he would be well looked after. In the other case, it worked well for a little while, but then the owner decided they wanted the pony back (which is always a risk) and unfortunately he had a field accident and had to be put down not long after, which was awful all round. I have heard/seen horror stories from both sides, though- which is why having a contract in place is so important.

I hope this helps a bit, and hopefully others with more recent experiences will be along soon.

 

[Surbie]

Hi guys

How does a full loan to move yards work? I understand I would be responsible for the horse's care including vets bills. But how does it get arranged?
I've found one suitable but it's in another County. I'm guessing I would go and have a trial and if suitable I would pay for transport to my livery?
Would the horse come with fitting tack?
Does a contract/agreement need to be signed?
Can anyone tell me about their experience?

Thanks

I've had mine on full loan on DIY livery at a different yard for just over 2 years now. He's also my first horse. I did a couple of months trial at his owner's yard a few times a week so she could get to know me a bit and see how I ride. I guess if you are much further away you might have an initial trial period with the horse? The owner may also want to know a lot about your experience and what support you might get from the new yard. My horse's owner came with me to see the yard I was moving him to first and to meet the YM.

If you don't have much of a trial period, be clear about the circumstances where you would want to return him. And what notice period that would involve - the contract would usually have that in it.

I hold his insurance (this is unusual we found!), have a BHS contract in place and I paid for his transport to my yard. I sort out his vaccinations, dentist/physio/chiro appointments as well as farrier and saddler.

He came with tack, listed in the schedule of the contract, it's also a good idea to list what it was worth at the time. I have since replaced it to a large degree and added a lot. It's up to you obviously what additional stuff you buy - I tried to buy as little as possible to begin with but I've totally given up on that front now! I was advised to take detailed photos of all the things that come with the horse on the day I picked it up, just in case there is any damage or it needs to be replaced.

It helps to agree how much the owner expects in terms of contact. Mine comes to visit around 2-3 times a year and is always happy to be contacted if there is a problem or if I want a bit of advice - she was great when his feet had issues a year ago. I send her videos, photos and updates regularly, we're friends on FB so she can see what I am up to with him. I keep a diary so can always tell her when he was last worm counted/shod/saddle checked etc.

It's only been a positive experience for me. I feel so fortunate to have him. His owner knows I try my best to keep him fit and healthy, have good professionals who can advise me, and trusts me to yell for help if I need it.

We were on a yearly contract, and have just agreed he is mine on permanent loan, which I am over the moon about.

Hope that helps.

 

[Myma81]

That sounds amazing. I'm glad it's worked out for you. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Myma81]

I haven't done a full loan to move yards in over 10 years, so things may have changed a bit- but here's what I would say:

1) You'd definitely go and have a trial. It's very likely the owners would want to see your yard before agreeing to the loan. They may arrange transport, but they may leave that up to you.

2) It would be usual for the horse to come with tack (and it's likely any major changes to this e.g. new saddle would need to be negotiated with the owner). The tack may not always fit as well as one might hope, though!

3) You definitely, definitely need a contract in place. It should detail things like who is responsible for paying insurance, what happens if the vet needs to be called, a notice period, what happens if you want to make any changes to the horse's management and so on. Expect it to say the horse can't move yards without the owner's agreement. It may specify a trial period with a shorter notice period. There are lots of other things it probably should include- I think there's a template version on the BHS website which can be amended.

4) I had a couple of ponies on full loan as a teenager- in both cases they had been outgrown but the owners didn't want to sell on. In one case it worked really well, and it was a great experience, and when I could no longer give the pony the time he deserved, he was able to go back and I knew he would be well looked after. In the other case, it worked well for a little while, but then the owner decided they wanted the pony back (which is always a risk) and unfortunately he had a field accident and had to be put down not long after, which was awful all round. I have heard/seen horror stories from both sides, though- which is why having a contract in place is so important.

I hope this helps a bit, and hopefully others with more recent experiences will be along soon.

Thanks. That's given me some things to consider. X

 

[Upthecreek]

There is lots of good advice and a sample loan agreement on the BHS website. How is it going with the chestnut mare you bought earlier this month?

 

[Myma81]

There is lots of good advice and a sample loan agreement on the BHS website. How is it going with the chestnut mare you bought earlier this month?

Sadly it didn't work out. I took the lady's word that she was sound stupidl didn't have her vetted.
I had to return her after her tooth fell out in the vets hand determining that she was much older than they had stated. Possibly way into her 20s. A blood test determined she had strangles previously. She had breathing trouble and kept tripping over when I rode. I suspect she was going lame.
If I had enough funds to keep her as a pet and buy another horse to ride I would have but I don't. I was devastated. Sobbed for an entire day.

Hence thinking of another route now.

 

[Upthecreek]

That’s unfortunate for all involved. Has she gone back to the seller?

Just because you’re loaning it doesn’t make it any less important to properly try the pony and make sure it’s a good match for you and your daughter. As you’ve found out from your experience with the chestnut mare, it’s very upsetting when things go wrong, particularly when a child is involved.

You have to accept with a loan that you run the risk of your daughter becoming very attached to a pony that the owner can take back at any time.