Would you buy loan horse?

[Stenners]

I have been riding a horse since February (he belongs to a friend I used to be at a yard with years ago so known the family a long time) and at the end of May she offered him to me on loan having had 5 children and other ponies she had no time at all for him!
She has since offered me to buy him as realized she won't want him back full time and can do with the money for a pony they have just bought but at the moment can't bring herself to sell him to a stranger. She's had him 18 months.
I really like him and getting to know him really well, he's green in some aspects (he's 9 but low mileage, mainly hunted in Ireland I believe and lots of schooling so he's highly schooled before she had him) in the last 18 months he's mainly just hacked once a week for 30 mins. He's green hacking alone but getting much better. He's great in company and bombproof in heaviest of traffic. He's a gentle giant and super cuddly! He can have his moments and can buck if he's excited.
The issue I have is I haven't yet told my husband!! I have had horses all my life up until I was pregnant. My daughter is now 2.5.
I was worried about telling him about the loan but in fact he was great but I know buy another one will be a whole new ball game to discuss! (It's my money he wont have to pay a penny).

I know winter is so much harder than summer but the owners have 3 other ponies and said they will be more than happy to always help out. I work 4 days a week but my job is very flexible as I work from home.

Basically if I say no - I lose the loan as well and he will be sold elsewhere so I do feel I'm between a rock and hard place!

Who else has horses on DIY with toddlers?

 

[Arzada]

The owners couldn't be making it much easier for you to buy their horse. You know him, you don't have to find a place for him and they will help you out. And the bonus for the horse is that his life doesn't change. Go for it!

 

[eggs]

I think this is a conversation you need to be having with your husband. It might be 'your' money that will be used to buy and keep the horse but in reality it is actually money that can't then be used by the family. Having said that I hope he supports you in buying this horse.

 

[Gloi]

Even though you know and ride the horse don't skimp on having him vetted before you buy. If you do ?

 

[Stenners]

Even though you know and ride the horse don't skimp on having him vetted before you buy. If you do ?

I absolutely would have a 5 stage vetting so I know what I am dealing with!

 

[Stenners]

I think this is a conversation you need to be having with your husband. It might be 'your' money that will be used to buy and keep the horse but in reality it is actually money that can't then be used by the family. Having said that I hope he supports you in buying this horse.

I know you are right and half of me didn't want to bring it up until I'm 100% sure I want to buy him. I'm taking him out thi sweek to see how he copes in a different situation before making a decision as he hasn't been anywhere in so long!
I have my daughter to think about so don't want to get him out somewhere if he's going to be a nightmare or rear or bronk the whole time!!

 

[Leandy]

Is he what you really want or just a conveniently available horse? What would you feel if they suddenly told you they had sold him to someone else? If they did that would you be looking for something very similar or something a bit different, or nothing at all? I think if you answer those questions you will know if he is right or not.

 

[PSD]

I have 2 young children (2&5 year old) and I’m on DIY. It’s hard but you manage, I’m lucky that I can park my car right outside my stable so in winter they wait in the car whilst I do jobs and if I want to exercise her I leave the kids at home with OH.

 

[Sir barnaby]

I had Barney on loan when the opportunity came to buy him so I did, the day after I paid for him he bucked me off, I thought hell what have I done, anyway I’ve now had him for 6 years and he’s the best horse ever, he’s brilliant on the ground happy to hack in co and alone 100% on roads, this year a friend took him xc and SJ after 6 hrs just hacking and he was awesome. I do have a friend comes and rides him occasionally and I bike with her as I love to see him out and about and I need some excercise I am 70 this year and don’t regret one moment of buying Barney

 

[Stenners]

Is he what you really want or just a conveniently available horse? What would you feel if they suddenly told you they had sold him to someone else? If they did that would you be looking for something very similar or something a bit different, or nothing at all? I think if you answer those questions you will know if he is right or not.

I'd be gutted if they sold him to someone else to be honest! I didn't intend on buying another horse yet but it's just how it's worked out but I've got to really like him and he's improved so much lately.

 

[Stenners]

I have 2 young children (2&5 year old) and I’m on DIY. It’s hard but you manage, I’m lucky that I can park my car right outside my stable so in winter they wait in the car whilst I do jobs and if I want to exercise her I leave the kids at home with OH.

This is good to hear! I can park almost outside my stable also! Do you find the winter a real struggle?

 

[Goldenstar]

Have a tactful chat with your OH and buy him .
Its hard to find a horse you like atm .

 

[SussexbytheXmasTree]

You know him as well as you’ll know any horse it’s always a bit of a leap of faith. If you like him and finances are ok then go for it. No advice on the children aspect though

 

[teddypops]

If you like him and he’s fine vet wise and outing wise, go for it! I had a pony on loan for a few years. I bought her when she was 18 and she’s still going strong at 30! Best pony in the world. My husband wouldn’t have an issue with me buying a pony, but I can’t really see much of a difference between you having a horse on full loan and buying one. You can always sell in future if you needed to. Hope it goes well!

 

[Sir barnaby]

It’s very difficult to find a horse these days where you have the history and chance to have it awhile to see if you gel, it might not be the ideal time but would you ever get that chance again, even if you just keep on doing what you have been doing and keep other activities until children are a bit older it won’t matter and it sounds like you have plenty support I would definitely go for it especially if you can afford it. I didn’t have Barney vetted as he’s blind in one eye and wouldn’t have passed a vet, but I had known him since he was broken in at 4, then I bought him relatively cheap at 6, he’s now 13 and never been sick or sorry, as he’s a gelding and owner couldn’t breed from him so was happy for me to take him on.

 

[Trouper]

I'd be gutted if they sold him to someone else to be honest! I didn't intend on buying another horse yet but it's just how it's worked out but I've got to really like him and he's improved so much lately.

And that is exactly what I would be saying to my husband!! Had no intention of buying a horse but it is too good an opportunity to turn down - especially in the current horse market.

 

[magicmoments]

Yes, I have done. Her previous owner wanted me to buy her, and was not intending to sell her otherwise, so no pressure. What's not to like, if you are able to, money, and time wise, and like the horse, much better than buying the unknown.

 

[claret09]

go for it. everything will fall into place

 

[PSD]

This is good to hear! I can park almost outside my stable also! Do you find the winter a real struggle?

Not at all. I mean I’m pushed for time but winter is winter I guess, OH is very understanding. Well, he has no choice. He gets rugby through summer and I get horses in winter ??‍

 

[Stenners]

Not at all. I mean I’m pushed for time but winter is winter I guess, OH is very understanding. Well, he has no choice. He gets rugby through summer and I get horses in winter ??‍

The only trouble I have is my husband not always good at wanting to have my daighter alone! (He's never had her for a whole day in 2.5 years!) it's working currently as he takes her out for a walk with the dog in the mornings on his back whislt i go to the yard but she's getting too heavy for that!
Also like you he watches rugby all year round, he cycles 4-5 times a week for a couple of hours at a time but sometimes he sees as one rule for him! But I have to say he's been great so far but I know winter may be more of a challenge as he won't want to do more childcare!

 

[Stenners]

go for it. everything will fall into place

I hope so!!

 

[Stenners]

It’s very difficult to find a horse these days where you have the history and chance to have it awhile to see if you gel, it might not be the ideal time but would you ever get that chance again, even if you just keep on doing what you have been doing and keep other activities until children are a bit older it won’t matter and it sounds like you have plenty support I would definitely go for it especially if you can afford it. I didn’t have Barney vetted as he’s blind in one eye and wouldn’t have passed a vet, but I had known him since he was broken in at 4, then I bought him relatively cheap at 6, he’s now 13 and never been sick or sorry, as he’s a gelding and owner couldn’t breed from him so was happy for me to take him on.

Absolutely - you don't tend to get trials these days and i'm lucky in the fact i've almsot been able to trial him since February! And like you say yes I'll probably carry on hacking and schooling until my daughter is older and i can compete a bit more!

 

[Highflinger]

If you like him I would buy him but perhaps get someone to share - there are lots of people looking to share and as the owner you would be able to make the "rules". If you had someone say 2/3 days per week it would free up some of your time and also help with costs so a win win. It would be a halfway house between your current arrangement and being completely solo. Also you husband may feel more comfortable with this arrangement.

 

[Stenners]

If you like him I would buy him but perhaps get someone to share - there are lots of people looking to share and as the owner you would be able to make the "rules". If you had someone say 2/3 days per week it would free up some of your time and also help with costs so a win win. It would be a halfway house between your current arrangement and being completely solo. Also you husband may feel more comfortable with this arrangement.

This is absolutely something I have already thought about and will consider! I have a friend who may interested but is currently sharing an old boy at the moment.

 

[Equi]

I actually find winter a hell of a lot easier than summer but i may be the odd one out, and my yard has a strict routine of out and in times which means everyone is on the same page so happy to help out (no horse left behind type thing) It just becomes part of your routine just like having a kid does i assume. If you really like the horse and would feel rubbish if he left then dont let him go.

 

[PSD]

I actually find winter a hell of a lot easier than summer but i may be the odd one out, and my yard has a strict routine of out and in times which means everyone is on the same page so happy to help out (no horse left behind type thing) It just becomes part of your routine just like having a kid does i assume. If you really like the horse and would feel rubbish if he left then dont let him go.

I find winter easier too! Don’t have to trek across the huge fields!

 

[MiJodsR2BlinkinTite]

Ohhh!!!

Just buy him!

Do it.

Worry about hubb's later......... :O

 

[Stenners]

Ohhh!!!

Just buy him!

Do it.

Worry about hubb's later......... :O

Haha i love this!!!!

Unfortunately my husband won’t understand how much he’s come on since Ive been riding him and he’s having some attention or how much i like him he will just see him as ‘any horse’! I need to build up to this i think!!