Maybe loaning a horse from a 'friend'

[Phylis81]

Well she's not really a friend, I met her once whilst we were both drunk - her husband however works with my partner and they're quite pally.

Anyway! they live near us and funnily enough we both work in the same career so will work similar types of shifts (but on different days). she's buying a horse and wants me to loan it from her (I was looking to loan). I've not met the horse yet and would obviously want to get to know it more before I commit to anything but can anyone offer any words of wisdom about a) loaning a horse and b) loaning from someone you work with (can it cause problems?)

I have loaned ponies from people who have become friends and would always say,get a contract and what each of you expect,down in writing.The BHS do a good form that you can adapt to your own needs.If she says she doesn't want a contract 'because you are mates and it'll all be ok',walk away.There are too many issues that can arise and things can ad do go wrong with loaning horses.

Get it in writing and be absolutely clear what is going to be involved and what happens if either you cannot continue for whatever reason. My mum did this for years from a family she worked with and had a lovely time. And a lovely horse. Eventually she bought the horse and bred from her.

Are you loaning or sharing? It's a bit odd for someone to buy a horse just to loan it out immediately, why is she doing this?

The BHS loan agreement is a must, agree beforehand as many tiny details as you can and have them in writing to avoid future misunderstandings.

Good question Boo, sounds more like a share than a full loan. If it is a full loan, I would be somewhat wary. Heck, I'm wary that she hasn't got a horse yet, and is lining up someone to loan/share... The first thing that comes to mind is money, and I would be asking more questions regarding her finances in regards to keeping a horse.

If you do end up liking the horse and decide to go through with the loan/ share, take it on a 'probationary period' to begin with, so you have a clause to get out if you decide the horse is not for you. After 3 months, you will know (more or less) whether you want to continue this loan/
share or not - when I got my loan through my instructor, this was offered to me. Thankfully I really liked the horse and loaned him for 5 years.

Well I've found out the horse is 13.2hh and I'm almost 5ft 10in ... It would be like a bloody cartoon! Think I'll leave this one.

Always the option of rollerskates!