Loaning out a horse???

Question

I currently have a horse but due to health issues just now i can't ride him he is only 5yrs and has so much potential so i don't want to waste it by not riding him for a yr or so, i also can't sell him i love him to much to lose him forever.

I thought about loaning him out for a year so that i could put more money into treatment just now, and also he would get ridden lots more! but i don't know anything about loaning out a horse, what does the loanee pay and how does it work?

At least if i loan him then i have a goal to work too in getting my health back so i can get my baby back.

Please help

We are in Ayrshire, Scotland, if anyone knows anyone who might be interested...

I would definately keep up the insurance myself as he is worth about £6000.

As a warmblood i do not think he would weather well to be kept out at grass all year round unfortunately.

Thank you for your suggestions i guess i have a VERY hard decision to make

Answer 1

Hi, basically full laon would be the better option for you if you are unable to care for him as well. This is when someone takes on the full responsibility of your horse and he is moved to their yard of choice for the duration of the loan.

If you dectake the following pride to do this take the following precautions:

A) ensure he is loaned locally or a distance where you are able to drive and 'drop in' for the odd visit.

B) ensure the potential loaner rides him several times before commiting to take him on loan (make sure you see them hack him out, ride on the flat and over a jump) firstly to check ther riding ability and secondly to ensure your horse is happy with them.

C) make sure you go and see the yard they want to keep him at before sending him there.

D) ideally the loaner should be able to provide you references from a professional source (vet, riding club official,instructor etc), not from a friend.

E) ensure you maintain the insurance and ensure that the laoner is eiother covered under the policy or have their own insurance in place.

F) make sure the rider is as experienced as they say they are and get details of what riding etc they have done in the past.

G) make sure you take an inventory of all equiplemt sent with the horse and detail its condition etc when sent. Dont send too much stuff, only items that are a necessity (saddle, bridle, headcollar, couple of girths and numnahs, couple of rugs)

H) agree who covers what costs. Usually the loaner should (on a full loan basis) cover all costs- insurance, shoeing, worming, feeding, livery, vaccs and so on but occasionally circumstances require some charges to be paid by owner due to individual agreement (i.e they may ask you to pay for his shoes)

I) Make sure you tell his good points as well as his bad points, be 100% honest with ANYTHING he may be naughty or funny about as you are trusting these poeple with your horse and they dont want to have to give him back 2 wks donw the line as they find he rears or soemthing and it had never been mentioned.


MOST IMPORTANTLY
J) Ensure that they sign a loan agreement that covers who pays what, who has what responsibilties, where the horse is to be kept, duration of laon etc.

The BHS has one but i have an excellent one (i have loaned out horses for years.) which has been adapted after various issues/ problems have arisen, it covers everything and anything you could imagine. If you wnat me to email you a copy that would be no problem, even just to give you ideas for your own: [e-mail]

Alternatively you could part loan (i.e he remains at same yard but someone comes and rides and takes care of him 3-5 days a week) This would enable you to keep an eye on him and his new rider. They would usually contribute towards costs (approx £20-£50 per week depending on what type of livery he is on.

Answer 2

I've often loaned out horses. You want a written agreement with every possible contingency in - and the more friendly you are with the person, the more important it is to have it in writing BE WARNED. Usually the loanee pays for the whole of the horses expenses but the owner pays the insurance. Bear in mind that if the loanee competes or shows your horse its value may increase and whatever you think now, have something in the agreement about sale price if your circumstances change drastically and you decide to let the person buy him. I've always had a price and conditions in the agreement, even though in 20 years i've always had them back in the end and never sold one. You need to talk to the loanee about even the difficult things like, what if they accidentally permanently cripple him? Get it ALL out in the open right from the start, and particularly anything you feel not sure about, those are the things that will ruin your agreement. After he's gone, go and see him regularly at least twice a year and don't accept any excuses why a visit is not convenient. Good luck, i hope it works and you make a new friend who loves your horse as you do.

Answer 3

You will need to have a contract in place stating very clearly what you are prepared to pay for and what you expect your loaners to pay for. I have a mare on loan and I pay for everything, but if she needs rugs etc, her owner will buy them so that if he does ever have her back, she will have all her equipment with her. You must also put down that you only wish to loan him for a year or you could have a problem when you try to get him back. Also state that you will visit the horse regularly and, if at any point, you think he is being neglected, you are able to take him straight away. Take your time finding the perfect loaner for your horse, don't just settle for the first person who shows an interest. I would also get him microchipped so you have proof of ownership. If your horse has to have regular back treatment or has an ongoing problem, I would suggest you continue to pay for that treatment as some people may be put off with having massive bills every month. Hope this helps, email me if you like xx

Answer 4

In the US we have 4H, and those kids are often unable to afford really nice horses, but they ususally have good supervision. If you could find an older kid who is a good rider but is looking for a young project horse to bring along, something like that might work. Definitely have a written contract and have either yourself or someone you trust looking in on him regularly.
When I have leased a horse from another party, I have had to pay the insurance on him myself, but you don't mention if he is even of insurable value - most people over here don't insure unless they are a valuable show or performance horse.
I don't know what training costs over there, but you might consider giving the horse some time off - maybe six months. Then when you are a few months from getting back in the saddle, send him to a trainer for that time, if it is fiancially possible. Then he will have some intense professional riding, and not have been messed up by someone who may not know what to do with a young horse.
If he is riding well now, time off will not hurt him that much. On the other hand the wrong rider could ruin him for life, mentally or physically. I would use caution loaning/leasing him out since you are so fond of him. There are people out there who would jump at such a chance - you see them on here all the time. Unfortunately most of the people that deserately want a horse aren't knowledgeable enough to take on one by themselves. Please use caution.

Answer 5

Only loan him to someone that won't mind you visiting him. lots of cases where horses out on loan have not been looked after well. You must draw up a contract. stating loan time (reviewed in 6/12 months) I would advise you to continue paying the horses insurance then you know it's paid should he need veterinary treatment.
They foot all the bills other wise. You must stipulate that you need to be informed should the horse require the vet (no matter why) and check him.
Unless you can find some one you REALLY trust I would be tempted to find him some where to live out for the duration of your recovery. At 5 he is still young enough for a year off to make much difference.
Personally I would rather my horse be terned away for ever rather than let anyone else have him on loan.
There are to many idiots out there wanting horses and not having a bl**** clue what the y are really doing.
You could always talk to you equine vet. They may know of someone.

Answer 6

Just advertise him as being on loan to a non-novice rider - If it is only for a year you may not get any takers though, especially because of his age - he will obviously need work to keep at his full potential and wouldnt just be a hack about somebody could just use! Loan horses are usually loaned for longer because of this!

You could advertise for someone to share him - so they can ride and help look after him and in turn can help pay towards costs. Its also quite handy for when you are well enough to ride again as you will still have someone to help out! Its not the option you wanted but would also save you money and ultimately stop him going to waste for a year! You should get lots of takers as it is the only way a lot of people can afford to ride!

Best if luck with it all - a tough decision for you I am sure!

Answer 7

Well how much is he worth? And since you would be loaning him out for a year or more you need to have a contract written up.

On the contracts list your name, loaners name, rules, dates (dates of signature, and date loan starts and ends). You will also want to have two witnesses sign the contract. That way you can be sure that no one will violate anything and all rules and regulations are in black and white. No misunderstandings.

As for the price, hmmm... Well that would depend on his breeding, training, location, health, and whether he is beginner safe or not. I do not understand pounds, since I live in america but over here I have seen a lot of people loaning out for very low amounts. But again that is something you and the loanee are going to have to discuss. If you need any further help, please send me an email.

Answer 8

Hi, i have a horse and a pony both of which i have loaned out, the pony as hes a bit small for me but still my baby and my horse due to like yourself i can't ride at the moment but don't want him getting unfit and fat!
the only thing i pay for is both their insurance policy's as if something were to happen i'd rather i got the money than the people loaning them, i set up a contract, its not a legal one but you could always look into that for yourself, mine just basically explains about the horse, what he is taking with him i.e tack, rugs etc and that they'll be returned in the condition they were loaned out in, how long he is on loan for and maybe a trial period so that you can make sure that your all happy with the arrangement and state that you will pay insurance but they must pay for his welfare i.e feed, shoeing, veterinary etc. oh and don't forget to put that they cannot sell or loan out your horse without your permission.
then make sure you both sign it, and have a copy each.
i hope this helps you and i wish you a speedy recovery so you can get back in the saddle again!

Answer 9

If you loan your horse out you pay nothing the loaner pays everything,IE stabling grazing, shoeing vet bills for the time he is loaned to them and also the insurance too, also any damage done to rugs tack etc has to be payed for and returned at the end of the contract time in the same condition that they received it in, you could put in the contract for him to be keep at his present yard so he is not disturbed in any way and put a clause in so that you are able to visit him when ever you want to but would not interfere unless asked, this way you could check up on how they are doing with him.best of luck i hope you get better really soon and are able to go back to your riding.

Answer 10

You can lease out the horse, writing up a contract to make the entire event legally binding. You can lease the horse for any amount, for as little as $1 to much more. It all depends on you. Basically you need to write something out detailing the duties of the leasee, the length of the lease, etc. If you have special instructions for his care, make sure you put this in the lease contract. When the leasee signs the contract they are obligated to perform these tasks. You are also legally obligated to let them keep the horse for the specified amount of time unless you know they have broken their part of the agreement (mistreatment, etc.) Make sure you are very specific in you instructions so you know your horse will be well taken care of. Usually the leasee is instructed to take care of all vet bills, farrier bills, and feed expenses.

You should both sign the document and have a couple of witnesses sign as well. Remember to date it and have a few copies. Make sure the leasee has a signed copy as well. This legally protects you, them, and the horse. You might make sure to put a clause in the contract stating that you are entitled to visiting the horse at any time and checking on its care. Good luck!