loaning for the first time - what to consider?

[trashcanjunkie]

Am shitting myself a little bit, having ridden most of my life but never been in a position to own. I decided that a part loan would be something to look at, and have been checking out horses in my area. I will be getting riders insurance, but am wondering if there's any other advice I should follow, or anything people wanted to share basically....

Definitely get the agreement in writing. There is a loan agreement on the BHS website. That way, things like days you ride, who pays what, etc etc are clear to both parties and there are no grey areas. Make sure you don't over horse yourself and be honest with your abilities to the owner of the horse.

Take your time and try the horse in various situations. If you are going to hack out make sure you feel comfortable on the roads with it.

What DENMAN said, and also make sure you get on with the horses owner as well as the horse. Things can get very difficult if you have very different idea's on how things should be done.

I'd want to be very clear on everything to avoid falling out - for instance, my friend has a share and the horse has to have all stable stains/grass marks cleaned off everytime, tack cleaned everytime, bed made up exactly etc. fortunatly, she is v laid back, but it would drive me insane.

Agree how costs will work for everything - I'd want to just pay a fixed cost with no suggestion of anything extra.

Make sure you know what would be expected through the whole year - will you need to visit twice a day all year, be there by 4 in winter? What about holidays?

And make sure you have roughly the same philosophy on horses/riding - if you are parelli and they are classical it could be tricky

ok thanks guys! am trying him out tomorrow - will update.....

Good luck!

He's lovely! Went like a dream in the school and is basically awesome so far. I'm responsible for exercising and improving schooling and dressage twice a week. As she has other horses that's the main requirements. Got my first show with him in November. Am so bloody chuffed so far. he's a thouroghbred ex racer 16.2 dark brown. Thanks for your answers guys I'll keep you posted on our progress

Aah sadly this one did not work out. Not the horses fault either. Basically, the owner was a bit odd, and not in a good way . She moved him yards three times in three weeks.... which wasn't a good start. He then was unable to be ridden as she told me he had spooked whilst being hosed down and had reared and fallen on his arse, so she had physio out to check him. I never saw the physio but apparently he was fine and just 'lying' (the horse???) The final straw came when I turned up to try and ride and it emerged the saddle had no stirrups anymore, as they hadn't actually belonged to her, and unbeknownst to me she took someone else from the yards girth to stick on her saddle (which incidentally I found out afterwards doesn't bloody fit properly!!) She didn't get that any of this was problematic, and was really horrid to her lovely boyfriend (I thought it was strange that they were both there on my day tbh) It was with a heavy heart that I cancelled the loan, but I have since found another, which touch wood seems much simpler

That's a shame. You do get the very odd one, but most of the time loans/shares are straightforward.