Why do people take on full loans?

About 18 months ago i took a mare on loan, her owner was moving away (but didn't want to sell) and i wanted something i didn't have any ties to (at that point). I was just getting back into horses after having my children and wanted to make sure i could juggle everything (inc work/family/husband). For me it was a good way of testing the water without the outlay of purchasing and i had the option of 90 days notice if either of us wanted to terminate, i also started the loan at the worst time of the year (winter) so i knew if i could see a winter through i would be ok.

As it turned out 6 months into the loan i bought a youngster and carried on with the remainder of the loan agreement as she was such an easy mare to have around (but not what i wanted long term, her age, her quirks, her breeding all contributed to this).
 
I've read all of this with interest - I'm in a very similar position, OP. I have a very nice five year old WB, but I have just got a new job and will be working really long hours. I would love to find somebody to loan him, but I just don't know if it's the right decision (correction - it is most likely the wrong decision, but I can't bring myself to sell him). The replies here have confirmed my suspicions - that to get the level of rider who would be able to school and compete him, I will most likely have to pay.
 
My boy has been out on loan for 2 years and is coming back in April as my loaner is having a baby.
I'm already worrying if I'll be able to find a sharer or loaner or anything as he is 20 this year, however won't be slowing down much and is fit and competing currently - I couldn't find anyone 2 years ago, despite him being a school master and really good fun and being flexible with what people wanted!
 
Your problem is you want someone to do the bringing on, hard work, get horse out and about, pay everything so they can hand you back a perfect horse.

Not fair on them.

Maybe you can find an experienced rider that wants to share with, share costs and work.
Or put horse at a yard where you can learn with it and have help schooling etc with a good instructor/rider.
 
ihatework said:
You comment about how much time and money it takes to bring on a young horse. You are absolutely correct.
Anyone that is capable enough to do a good job will not want to be your substitute for what other people pay £150 a week on schooling livery.
I think the best you could hope for would be to keep the horse where it is, you pay the bills, and then offer an exchange of free schooling/competing.
Click to expand...

this ^
i can't imagine why anyone would want to take on a young horse and put all the hard work in then hand it back in two - three years time when its going nicely for no gain
 
People take on a loan 1) to get something they otherwise couldn't or 2) to avoid the commitment that a purchase entails or 3) to do someone a favour

Your horse doesn't really fit into any of the common sucessful loan categories - schoolmaster needing quieter life, local happy hacke for owner with not time , outgrown but well loved kids pony.

I agree with everyone above - think logically, why would someone bring on and school your youngster for you for free just to give her back in 2 years when she's going nicely and much more valuable (to you or anyone else)
Mostly likely you'll get someone who tells you they are the dogs b*lls but can school one end of a youngster - anyone really good enough to put in all the work you are asking for will be paid for their time and knowledgable enough not to invest so much in a loan - just to get you out of a fix.

Sorry OP - if you havn't got loads of cash to pay for the schooling she needs, sell - coming into spring people will be looking for projects, and buy something suitable now (10 years +).
Even if you did find someone from somewhere - she still might not settle in a few years and you've go the risk of her being injured in that time too.
 
There are good loaners out there and people loan for lots of different reasons.

Does it have to be a full loan though? Why don't you put her up for share? It may be that you could find a good, confident teenager who will have the incentive of helping to bring on a young horse with the possibility of competition plus you still have control if anything does go wrong - also you will know if anything untoward is going on.

My 14yo niece is currently riding my rising 5 homebred mare - not because I'm not confident but because she is a fairly decent rider and I want to give her that chance. Yes it is all being done under my supervision but my niece is learning a lot and the mare is coming along nicely (she's a 16h friesian who is on the flighty side) we have a couple of shows planned which is giving them both something to aim for.
 
I have a similar situation with my mare. 5 years old, green and ive taken a knock to my confidence. Im currently paying a very good rider to take her out a couple of times a week (hacking and schooling). Its great as its not too expensive, she's fab at telling me what she's done and how she's getting on and ive also watched her school. Its given me the confidence to do more myself with her and taken the pressure off if i dont have time to ride (weather and light over winter). I appreciate this is not what your post was asking but for me its the best option - i keep my girl and get to see/handle/care for her daily, she gets consistent and confident riding and i get to see it and take advantage and in part (albeit not completely) take responsibility for bringing her on. If you loan, what are you going to do in that time to boost your confidence to make sure when your horse does come back you will be able to go forward?
 
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