Has anyone used a trial agreement?

[Phwooooar]

Very sadly have to sell my horse. Have got a buyer - friend of a friend - who wants an 8 week trial. I'm happy with a trial as I know where she's going and will be good home, etc. Am just concerned that if she has an accident or is injured and they want to return her after the trial that she may be returned unsound or with an ongoing injury. How is this type of event covered? Would they take out insurance or do I keep the insurance going? How would such an agreement be worded? Any advice much appreciated

I think it would be best to keep your insurance going incase you end up with dh back. You don't want to risk having things excluded/premiums going up by cancelling or setting up policies. Most companies are happy with loans so long as you tell them where the horse will be kept etc. I am not sure how they are about trials though so I would be careful how you word it. Technically a trial is a short term loan so I would ask about loans first and are what they say.

There is always an element of risk with a trial but they are a good way of really checking horse and owner will be happy together. You just have to balance the pros and cons and arrive at the decision that works for you. Sorry you are having to sell :(

To be honest I would not do it. Anything can happen, it doesn't even have to be the potential new owner's fault, and you could end up with an unriddable horse.

If you have no other option, then I would suggest you take the BHS loan agreement and adapt it to your purposes. Write down exactly what she is and is not allowed to do with the horse (re feed, turn out, tack, type of exercise, frequency of exercise, etc.). Also call your insurance and make sure they will continue to cover you. If anything does happen to the horse you may find it difficult to get any compensation even with the agreement in place, so this is something you should really consider. Is there no way the potential buyer could come to your yard and ride for a while so you could keep an eye on things?

I think 8 wks is a long time for a trial. I think you know in the first couple of weeks (if that) if that horse is right for you, thats plenty of time for you to 'try' the horse out properly!

If it is 8wks then I agree with Booboostoo, make it a short term loan with view to buy, or let them come and help you out at your yard.
The BHS loan agreement is very good, have used it myself, just adjust to your horses needs.

Saying all that, if it was me, then I wouldnt do it! There is so much that can go wrong. They could have a accident, not look after your horse properly, poss just want a horse to ride for a few months with no intention of buying in the end, sell her as their own. I know very few people who a loan/trial have worked well for!

Anybody takes any of my beasts anywhere, the agreement is 'you break it you pay for it'! I did as someone suggested and adapted it to suit the individual pony. I'm sure that legally there are ways out of paying if they were looked for, but with everyone signing and it being witnessed, it gets the point across!

Thanks for all the advice - much appreciated.

i know she's going to a good home - she'll be a "move up" from a cob for a 17 year old who wants to do more with a safe horse which is why they want the trial. They're willing to pay the asking price plus what I'm asking for tack. Am just nervous about injuries and 8 weeks seems a long time but I did say I'd be ok with that. I have to sell due to a prattish stbxh and lack of funds and it's breaking my heart - just want to her to go to the right home. She can't come and trial at the yard as it's too far.

Booboostoo - thanks for the advice. I wonder if I can get an arrangement whereby they pay up front and if she's injured in any way then no return of deposit and they either keep her or return her. So difficult - the lady who came to trial her is very experienced - runs a training livery - so am sure she'll be aware of all the pitfalls.

How about take full payment and then say if she has to come back, then you'll refund them. If she's not in exactly the same condition as when she went, keep the money. It's easy to have a full 5* vetting before she goes (including blood tests) and at least you have a baseline in case of problems. Then have something in writing that relates to "return horse/ return money" rather than an 8 week trial.

If they are serious about the horse, they'll have to buy her anyway and at least this way they won't trash her and then give her back.

Just read my previous post. A bit got missed out! I use the BhS standard contract, adapted to fit my animals.