What should I do with this horse? Is leasing an option?

Question

I have a 12 y/o paint gelding. Sound, bomb proof , but I don't get to ride nearly enough. Maybe once every 2-3 weeks. I don't really want to get rid of him. What should do? I know I have heard of people leasing horses, is this an option? Could I still ride him? All he's ever done is trails, he has never shown. Whats involved in leasing? Please be specific. If you have another idea let me know! Thanks

I own a small stable, which is part of why I have so little time. I would definitely require he stay in my stable!

Answer 1

I half-leased my horse lots of times and it always worked out well for me. I required that they pay half of the board and half of the cost of shoes. I paid ALL the vet bills. I had a contract that spelled out SPECIFICALLY that if there was a difference of opinion -- I WON.

For example -- he was once leased by a woman who wanted her 12 year old daughter to show him. At the barn where he was kept, show horses usually stayed inside and blanketed ALL the time, even in the summer. I made it clear that my horse would go outside, every day, all day, without a blanket (unless it was cold). They liked my horse a lot, so even though the trainer wasn't happy, they agreed.

I was able to ride him whenever I wanted, EXCEPT of course when they wanted to bring him to a show. If he was being trained when I went out to ride, I just waited until they were done -- my horse was young and strong and could stand to be ridden for hours!

Half-leasing my horse really worked well for me and I think it's a great option.

Answer 2

Leasing could definitely be an option. You could still ride him if you did a partial lease. I did that for my horse while I was in college and it worked wonderfully - I didn't have to worry about her when I wasn't there. You can put up leasing signs at a local tack shop or a barn nearby. Normally, the person will pay a fee that helps cover board or feed or something. Since board where I ride is $450 (crazy, I know, we're looking into switching barns) she paid $225 a month. It helps cut down your cost and benefits your horse. For a trail horse, you probably couldn't charge this much, but you can talk to people in your area to see what would be reasonable - I looked on like, dreamhorse.com to see what people were charging for their horse who did the same things mine did and talked to my riding instructor who owns the farm where I live. You then make up a contract for you two to sign - just basically the amount you agree should be paid, what the horse can and cannot be used for, days that can be ridden, what should happen if the horse is hurt, the amount of time needed for notification that the lease will end, etc. You can find basic leases that you can just change the text to fit what you need. Here's a website that has a few different types to fit what you want (and they're free, just copy/paste, change what you need, and voila! lease!). If you would feel more comfortable, you can have a lawyer look it over to protect yourself. I didn't because I had my riding instructor look it over who has experience with leasing contracts, etc. Good luck!
http://iceryder.net/lease.html

Answer 3

Since there are so many young people out there wanting to learn about or just be around horses, perhaps you could put an ad in the local paper or put up flyers offering to trade riding time for barn/yard/horse care.

You should probably consult a lawyer, though, because whether you trade services or leases the horse out, if someone gets injured you're likely to be sued. I'm not sure where you live, but there are a lot of states in the US that have "deep pocket" laws which would protect you a little. Try to find out if you have something like that where you live.

Answer 4

i went through a situation like this.. yeah leasing is a option but you don't have to ride him to give him excersie... lunge him for 30 mins or so and ride him the 2-3 days a week ( don't lunge and then ride the same day) id you decide to lease you ask for a reasonable amount of money each and every month.. and when you and the "new owner" talk about how long the horse will be leased.. when ever you want him you can call and take him.. personally i think you should keep him.. becuase he maybe has a close relationship with you and you don't want to loose that... try to lunge him and ride him when every you can or ask somebody you know that loves horses if they want to come up for free and ride him when ever they want! and you ride the 2-3 days a week... horses need lots of exercise and love..

Answer 5

leasing could be an option for you. you can put up an ad explaining your situation. say that you just dint have enough time to ride him as much as you would like. you can make up a price that you want for a month and if he has a stall you can have that be a requirement for your lease. if he is kept at a barn it may be a little harder. i own my horses at my home and have a little girl next to me leasing my 22 yr.old gelding. she gives me a steady payment a month for a stall and pasture. she also cleans his stall. i dint know if you should talk to the barn owner about it first. if you find someone make up a lease document stating the horses name,. the price and all the duties of the leaser. and both people sign it. you want everything in writing. well i think i cover it all, let me know if you need any more help!!

Answer 6

Part Board
Say the cost of board is $300
You charge $150 and they can ride your horse as many times as you both agree on.
Your horse get the attention it deserves (exercised), and you can ride when ever you want .
I'm sure there is a young horse person or two in your area that would love to have a horse to ride
It makes owning a horse that much easier

Answer 7

leasing out your horse would probably be a great option. Leasing (although it varies) lets you keep he horse while another person pays you monthly to take care/ride it. generally, leasing implies that they take the horse with them to their barn, and care for it there. If you still want it at your barn, or if you want to ride it a few days a week, you canput your horse up for half lease. The price that they pay you should depend on what they will use the horse for, whether they pay for the vet care while they lease, whether they pay for shoes, and if they are using your tack, or using their own.

Answer 8

when you lease out a horse, you sign an agreement stating that you are still the rightful owner but the other party agrees to take care of and pay for the animnal. i am sure if you worked something out with someone that you would both be able to ride the horse. we leased a mare out on a free lease option to buy, it went very well. they fell in love with her and are now purchasing her. its a nie way to evailuate thier future home also.

Answer 9

The problem with leasing is that if something happens to said horse you are still finacially (vet bills) responsible unless otherwise stated in the contract. If you are considering leasing out your horse be sure that you include anything you feel you need to in the contract( your own riding privledges,vet care, farrier, etc..) I personnally won't lease my horses because I feel that the majority of (lesees) probably won't give the added care I give.

Answer 10

Maybe you could find a horse-crazy teenager in your area willing to swap some barn chores in exchange for riding your gelding. That might free up a little more time for you and it'll keep your gelding gainfully employed too.