Loaning pony out - what might I not think about

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We are trying to sell a pony without too much luck but someone has offered to loan her. I'm considering it but I've never loaned out a pony before! The pony will be kept with the loaner so obviously I need to check out the grazing etc they have and also what experience they have in horse care. Would you ask for references?

I assume that the loaner would pay for all his care - food, vet, farrier etc and I would definitely want to be able to visit to check she was OK.

I was going to look at the BHS website as I think they have loan agreements but was wondering if anyone has any particular tips on what I should think about to ensure this is successful/or not to do it!

Do you have a passport for your pony?

I've not loaned a pony but things that spring to mind that will need clarification are:

1. Who will be the farrier?
2. At what point would you want/expect to step in regarding veterinary treatment and decisions- say a colic?
3. What will you provide regarding tack & rugs - if you're not providing a saddle then you might want to check the fitting of a replacement.
4. Are there restrictions on what they can do with the pony (eg, no jumping or competing...)?
5. What happens if the pony becomes unsuitable or unusable - eg long term lameness?
6. Would they keep records of dental visits/worming?

I'm sure there are loads of others but those were my first thoughts. If you don't know these people personally then yes I would ask for a reference. If they take offence then it's probable they're not the right people for you pony. I've acquired a rescue pony and they asked to contact my vet and farrier and I was perfectly happy for them to do so. If someone is unwilling then I'd be wary. Yes to requesting visits, but not surprise ones, I think that would be a bit unfair.

We loaned one of our horses out once - never again. Some good points made by Frosty. The biggest issue for us was that they were loaning because they didn't really have enough money. This became an issue when our horse needed the vet and they were supposed to be organising the vet to come and treat the horse and get on top of an issue. However they couldn't really afford the fees and were ducking the issue. In the end, luckily they asked if we could just come down and pick him up.

The other problem with this - and I suspect an issue for loanees - would be that he returned at an inconvenient time for us. Of course we made space in our stables for him but when you've loaned a horse out - to make room for babies - getting them back at short notice can be tricky.

Stinkersmum why do you ask about the passport? I'm not sure it's really relevant. The passport is not proof of ownership and I believe it's meant to be held by the keeper of the animal.
Unless you mean something else. I think I've read that you can contact the passport people so that if in future anyone tries to change details it will be flagged up. I'm vaguely thinking something about the microchip number but can't quite remember. Hopefully someone else has a better memory than me!

Ah, found it here.
Some very interesting advice about loaning out but scroll down to the passport bit.

I've loaned one of my horses out twice. I chose the loaners through a combination of gut instinct and references. One of the things that reassured me about his first loaner was that he was to be kept at a livery yard not a private yard. I visited and spoke to the yard owner and I had no doubt that if he wasn't being looked after properly I would find out about it.
I have used the BHS loan agreement both times. We set out an initial loan period of 6 months to be renewed if all went well. His first loaner kept him for 4 years. Usually the loaner pays insurance but make sure you get confirmation of this or get them to pay you for it. Its normal for saddle/bridle/rugs etc to go with them. I expect normal wear and tear and if a rug is trashed for the loaner to replace it.
Basically they should pay for everything as if the pony is theirs.

For my second loan I went through horses4homes as they have an application process which is supposed to deter unsuitables/ dodgy dealers etc. Remember to google names and tel nos for prospective loaners just in case they are known for selling horses on.

We have a loan pony. She's been with us for a year and we will have her another 2 at least.

It's honestly the best thing both sides have done.

She came with a barrage of tack, we would replace anything I felt I couldn't send back due to wear and tear. I chose to buy another saddle for her, as she's now in full work and has changed shape considerably, so I wanted a professionally fitted saddle.

I pay insurance and for all costs related to her. And we can afford it!! The insurance is in my name but Petplan know she is a loan and also contacted the owners. We have her passport. A full loan agreement

in the event of anything terrible happening, we make the decision about what to do.

It's worked wonderfully. We have a pony that was stuck in a field essentially as the loaners kids considered her too much, who loves to be working and out and about, and we can provide that. So she's fit healthy, happy and loved and adores being busy, plenty of life in her yet. She's strong and stubborn but DD finds her fine.

So it works both ways really well.

I didn't buy her because of difficult experiences in the past. She's also nearly 18 and DD 14, so I expect she will either scale it down as her exams come up, or specialise in a discipline and need something specific to that. I doubt they would sell anyway, she's been with them from foal.

I speak to our loaners at least twice a week, they come to as many events as they can, to watch and I know they would never come and take her back etc. I would give plenty of notice if our circumstances change.

No references, but they did visit out yard twice before she came to us.

It will be very hard to give her back

If not done already, get the pony microchipped!! And make sure the chip number is recorded on the passport AND with the agency who issued the passport. I'd ask for references or at least the contact details for the vet and farrier they intend to use.

It should be microchipped - as it's been legal requirement since 2009.....

If there's anything specific you would rather not have the pony do, or wear or whatever, specify that in the agreement.

I am thinking of pony racing or hunting etc. we are not allowed boots on the pony at any time, strange but true!

Make sure you continue to insure the horse yourself. I have heard of horror stories where loaner agreed to insure horse, failed to do so, and then horse returned horse to owner when it was ill/injured and owner couldn't afford necessary treatment due to lack of insurance.

I have a horse on loan, and it works really well for me and (I believe) his owner. She still has the insurance, in her name, but sends them a copy of the loan agreement every time it is renewed. I pay her for the insurance every month. Everything else I pay for directly. If he is injured I decide whether it needs a vet or not, but always keep her updated, and if there were any difficult decisions to be made it would be done jointly.

One thing I do think is very important with loaning, is that the owner, and the loaner have similar views on how a horse should be kept. I think the reason that my loan has worked out so well, is that the owner has agreed with decisions I have made as I've gone along. If you have different views on how things should be done, I can imagine it could be a nightmare.

One thing - always get the horse insured in your name. There are 3 potential issues if the loaner insures in their name

1 - a loss of use payout would go to them and you could potentially be left without a horse, or a horse with extremely diminished value and they would get the ££££.

2 - if they send the horse back without notice due to not being able to afford the excess for vets bills, you wouldn't be able to claim on new insurance as it would be a preexisting condition.

3 - if they send the horse back suddenly, you would face a 2 week buffer period where you wouldn't be able to claim.

One thing you need to do is notify the chipping/freeze brand/passport company that the horse is on loan and no changes are allowed to be made. They can still fraudulently get a new chip or passport but a a freezebrand is more difficult to fake. This will help stop the horse being sold on without your knowledge - though it is still possible.

Do a thorough Google search on the loaner's name - aliases of dodgy people may come up. Also Google their phone number as this may indicate if they are actually a dealer (it will pull up previous ads on various sites like Preloved and Dragon Driving.

There are good loaners out there so don't look at it too negatively but please be careful. I would insist on a check after a week, then a fortnight, then monthly for the first 6 months, and other couple of 3 monthly checks then 6 monthly from then. I wouldn't loan to anyone who would disagree with this.

One more thing - the horse is advertised for sale. Please consider what would happen if the person took on for loan and after a 4 week trial it did the work out. You potentially have a horse that they may have screwed up and would be even more difficult to sell...

My last horse sold in 4 hours - if you want me to review your ad for you to see if I can help fee free to PM me. I'm good at ads ;)

Plus EVERYTHING Velociraptor said!

Stinkersmum it has only been a requirement to have foals chipped since 1st June 2009, not anything born before then. My boy just missed out as he was born on 24th May but I have had him chipped since, even though there is no legal requirement. The only legal requirement is with passporting which is ludicrous as it isn't proof of ownership

AuntieDee not quite - any horse that was passported before 2009 doesn't need a chip. If a horse was born before June 2009 but not passported til after, they still have to have a chip. Regardless, I don't understand anyone who doesn't chip their pets, including dogs and cats. It's the safe and responsible thing to do.

Sinkersmum Chips can be removed - they aren't fail safe. I know of a yearling with two as when the passport was applied for the vet couldn't find a chip. Passport was issued in the new chip number but another vet managed to find a second chip rescue situation hence no passport

Your information you initially provided was wrong - you stated it should be microchipped. It may need to be microchipped, it may not, it must be passported (since 2005). I see you have done a little bit of googling since your piece of misinformation.

I was initially wrong also - it was August 2009, not June. It is also all new passports since that date, not just foals as sinkersmum later added backtracked.

I've loaned a pony out and had a couple on loan for DSS. I think that it's better if they are kept locally where you can keep an eye without being in their face.

All of the above points mentioned are great. Bear in mind that they are often returned without much notice, usually in the middle of winter, so make sure that you'd be able to take them back if need be.

Make a list of equipment and tack you're sending. Be prepared that it might not come back in as good condition, so don't send brand new treasured saddles. Equally I would always send reasonable things that fit the horse (some people send loan horses off with badly fitting cheap tack). Perhaps consider asking for a deposit?

The pony I loaned out was further away (I was at uni) but there were local instructors that I was friends with that kept an eye out and would let me know he was fine.

Generally speaking loans have been good for me.

My goodness, the point about having the microchip is that it's better to ensure that the pony is chipped rather than not chipped! Not when, where, who, what or why. Yes chips can be removed but that's an extremely rare occurance. I suggested microchipping as another security measure for the pony's owner. Good luck with the loan!

Haven't read all the replies so apologies if already been suggested but insure the pony yourself to your own satisfaction (and in your name) and then the loaner can re-imburse you- so many loan ponies you hear of who were 'supposed' to be insured and the people who loaned had failed to do it. It can work really well or be a nightmare but keep an eye on your pony x

Just to say that we insure our loan pony in my name, but Petplan contacted her owners and they had to fill out paperwork at inception and get a letter advising of renewal annually. So she is insured as a loan, in my name and the owners are up to date.

The best way to ensure your horse's welfare is to see the loanee handle and ride the horse a few times, write a very detailed loan agreement, inspect the yard they want to keep the pony at and then visit regularly. Always be prepared to have the horse back at short notice.

Thanks for all the really useful advice (I have been away so couldn't reply until now!).

I think it has mainly put me off the idea! Of the many issues the point about the loaner not having much money I think may be a problem. The pony is for sale at a pretty low price but the loaner cannot afford it which does worry me if the vet was needed.

Auntiedee I have PM'd you the advert in case you have any inspiration

Just found this reply but I think I have already replied to your PM lol