Would you ever consider LOANING your horse out?

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Sameru

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A fellow livery is having to give up her loan pony (arthritus related - pony not human) and is looking for something 15.1+ to loan - moving to the most fabulous yard EVER!! She is very competant and has myself and other knowledgeable owners around for any help she may need. Wanting to do a variety of disciplines and have some fun, so long term home would be best.

Does this exist these days? or are people too frightened to loan anymore?
 
Yes, if I had a horse of the right description and met and liked your friend and her facilities - I would yes!
Tell her to look on horsequest that sometimes has very nice horses on there for loan :)
 
She could try putting an ad. in the local tack shops and the main horse websites like Horsequest, Horse Hunter, Horsemart.

Ironically, although I have a horse on loan myself, I could never loan out one of my own. I suffer from the conviction that no-one else could look after her as well as I can!
 
If I had a suitable horse looking for a home I would certainly consider your friend, what about advertising on your local horsey Facebook page?
 
One of mine has been out on loan twice. One was someone I met through a forum and the other is through word of mouth (friend of a friend)

Both have kept her at same yard as my others. I would only let her go elsewhere with very good references!
 
Yes, but with the following conditions:

1. only if being kept local
2. as many excellent references as possible
3. watertight professionally written loan agreement
4. assessment of riding ability
5. ability to just 'drop in and visit' unnannounced

I would also expect the prospective loanee to come and visit as many times as necessary to get to know the horse and for me and the horse to get to know them. But most importantly my 'gut' instinct - it's not quantifiable but sometimes you just know if the horse and rider are a 'match'.

I have met people who can meet all the about conditions but they just didn't seem 'right' if you know what I mean. Also sometimes the horse seems to know who will be good for her :)
 
Yes, if I absolutely could not keep him or I could no longer provide him with his fun and stimulating lifestyle I would rather he were having fun than stuck in a field as I couldn't even think of selling.
He came to me on loan originally so let the circle be unbroken and all that!
 
I loaned a pony out a few years back and it was such a disaster, I would never consider doing it again.

The lady was known to friends, she had another horse in excellent condition and we had a loan agreement. She had my pony as a companion after she'd lost her old companion. It should have been fine, I did all the checks, popped in and saw her etc.

6 weeks after she left my yard, the lady moved away with her horse and left mine behind 'in payment' for livery she hadn't paid in months. Luckily the yard owners knew me, and I was able to get her back the same day, but it could have been much worse. I'd never do it again, but I do appreciate that there are some lovely loan homes out there, its finding them!
 
I find it strange how people are reluctant to loan but not sell. I know that advertising any pet for free is risky but at least if you are loaning you can pretty much tell them what you want i.e. stay on current yard or not move far away and be open to visits. You can't really do that if you're selling!

I just thought that the whole point of loaning is that you don't want to lose control of the horse's future. Obviously money wise there is a chance the horse could be stolen and we do hear some terrible stories.

I have always part loaned or shared so I think it sad that owners can be so suspicious, but that's because I am nice :-)
 
Its a difficult one.

I put a horse out on loan (many years ago) Got a loan contract and suchlike- person was recommended to me, facilities checked - agreement included me being able to pop in unannounced. - I would never have out my horse out on loan if it was not for an unforseen change in personal circumstances. all went well for the first 6 months... then I started getting concerned about the level of care/attention she was getting, - as per the loan agreement (about a year after she went on loan) I decided (circumstances had changed for the better by this time) to terminate the agrement and take her back. However, she disappeared. I found her 2 years later for sale (by another owner - they had sold her on) and then when the "new owner" , I still had passport clearly notified as being on loan etc, found out, she returned her to the Loanee's who inturn had her pts. (I only found out the final outcome 6 months ago). All this happened at least 10 years ago.

I have been looking for the last 6 months or so for something on loan for myself (no insurance pay out on my old horse - old age) but I have found people to be very reluctant to let a loan horse move yards which is understandable. however they were all miles from me, and I have a field almost on my doorstep. I posted ads everywhere I could think of. however, my loan pony (arrives tomorrow) was found by word of mouth. the people know me, know where I work, etc, and are happy for him to move 70miles away as they know he will be looked after.

Although I've had a bad experience loaning something out, it would not prevent me from doing it again but I would be very, very wary of allowing it to move without safegards being put in place.

Be patient the right horse will find your friend. x
 
My horse went on loan (I thought long term) to a lovely experienced lady who was going to buy however she fell pregnant and handed him back. He is realy just a big lawn mower now but if the right home came along then yes i would loan.
 
Our three ponies are out on loan to super homes. We did have to take one off a previous loaner though because they let her get way too fat, even though we told them when they took her on, not to. If there came a time when we couldnt keep the horses then yes, they would go out on loan.
 
No. I did it with my old mare, worked well mare is now back with me but I have just read too many horror stories on this forum about horses missing, being sold on, PTS. It is different when selling! Totally!

Would only consider a loan if knew the person and horse stayed very very close but not so gullible anymore!
 
I can see it from both sides, but I am VERY glad that some people are prepared to loan.

We have our gorgeous boy on long term loan - haven't yet had him for 2months but he is an absolute delight in all ways. Prior to us he went through 2horrific loan homes and we are currently working to undo their bad work condition wise.

His prior homes 'couldn't do anything with him' - he is a total angel in all respects- and one home gave him back like a hat rack and lame as they took his shoes off and worked him hard. I can't believe his owner was prepared to loan him out again but we are incredibly thankful that she did, or we wouldn't have our horse of a lifetime. We found him through a facebook group wanted ad - it was just meant to be!

Oh and why loan rather than buy? Because the initial outlay of a couple of thousand is something we don't have laying around, sadly. Ongoing costs, yes. He is insured for vet issues, so no lack of funds to keep him in the luxury he deserves!
 
No. I have loaned 3 horses, each time thinking I had checked out the person better than the last time. Each time it was a disaster. The issue with loaning a horse is that you can't replace parts (like on a bike) if they break....and they who pays for it?

Worst was we lent a fabulous pony which has won everything at pony club as I'd outgrown it. The people we lent it to then hunted it without getting it fit and it did a ligament on front leg. After 3 months walking it went sound but they were told by vet and us NO HUNTING as it would go again. They agreed...however 2 weeks later we get a call to say the ligament has gone big style. They said they were at a pony club rally but we were informed they were hunting as they were out with people we knew. And the poor pony was never sound enough to ride again ....not even for a little hack.
 
No I wouldn't. For the fact that I let a horse go on LWVTB and the people made him lame, then continued to hammer him around the roads.
 
One of my horses are out on loan atm whilst i concentrate on my youngster. I have a fully watertight agreement, signed by both parties with witnesses, explaining who pays for what, when and how i would take him back if necesary, how they have agreed to keep him, how long its for, and also allowing me to pop in unanounced. I also have a copy of the loanees passport, a utility bill, her national insurance AND i have his passport, they have a copy with all parts regarding his identity blacked out.

My insurance are aware, as are the passport agency. I also have notes on the passport account to contact me with regards to change of ownership. The vets are aware and the loannees cannot change anything on the account only i can.

I'm lucky enough to have found lovely people, but the decision was not taken lightly. I see him every 2 weeks and also have the ability to go unanounced. I Also have the added benefit that the woman is a police officer and works with my dad :D
 
Yes but..
I would either have to know them very well and trust them
or
It would stay at my current yard where i know the yo would keep an eye out!
 
We currently have a horse on loan, and one out on loan, and Pip was out on loan for a year last year :) All have these have either been to people we know well, or are within a 5min drive and in the PC where the pony is well known :)
 
My mares on loan, iv heard so many terrible stories about loaning but i got lucky that a girl id been on the yard with for 2 ish years was going to loan her so worked out fab.
If i did't know the loaner id still loan her out but she would have to be on the same yard But am very parnoid about what they get up too cause shes arthitic and don't want her being pushed beyond her limits x
 
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