Why is it so hard to find a part loan?!?

[Rainbow151]

After having to return my loan horse last year I have been looking for a part loan, and I didn't realise how hard it would be!

I am happy to do yard duties and pay a contribution, I have my own insurance and am reliable (can provide references) and there just seems to be nothing! They either want an extortionate amount of money (which I think is unjustifiable) or want someone to pay to improve their very green horse. I do work full time, but now the days are getting lighter it does make it easier.

I have put adverts up on local facebook groups, I keep an eye in local tack/country shops and have horsey friends on the look out. Am I missing a trick?

Preloved? Lots of ads for sharers on there.

I think you point about about owners of very green horses wanting a sharer/ part loan is valid. I’ve recently taken on a very green youngster on part loan (in fact I’m the sole rider) and it suits me because that’s what I have a lot of experience in and enjoy it but I know from when I used to own young horses and would look for a sharer that most sharers don’t want too or have the experience to take a very green horse on.
I also think that as the weather gets better and the days get lighter and longer there will be less around.
How much is an extortionate amount of money? Years ago (over 20) when I was a horse owner on a big yard most people wanted about £30 a week plus 1/3-1/2 the cost of shoes (maybe less if it’s DIY and your happy to do all the yard stuff) for that you got to ride 2-3 times a week. I looked at two other horses before choosing the one I’m currently riding they too were very green and on DIY, the owners wanted £20 a week for riding three times a week but on the basis that they did not have to see their horses on the day I rode and were keen to have me because of my extensive experience with more difficult green horses.
Having said this if you’re reliable happy to do yard duties have insurance and are willing to make a contribution then I would have thought there must be someone out there who would snap you up, a reliable competent sharer who gets on with your horse is worth their weight in gold. One of the many reasons I got rid of my horses was that I couldn’t even pay someone reliable to turn up and ride mine let alone find a decent sharer to pay me to ride them.
I agree try preloved and also keep reminding your horsey friends I found that if I just vaguely mentioned to horsey friends, aquantainces or even non horsey friends with horsey friends that I could ride I was frequently offered a ride/share.

They are out there, its just hard to wheedle out all the ones where the owners are wanting you to school their horse for them and pay them for the privilege.

I have a great horse for part loan and my problem has been finding someone for him. In the end despite numerous ads I found someone word of mouth.

Have a look at the pic - you'd think people would bite my hand off... horse will take a confident novice round a XC course

Have you tried the riding club pages on FB? Different type of horse there ;)

From the other side of the problem - it is desperately hard to find a reliable part-loan person who is a competent rider. Most seem to want something sane, safe and sensible that will hack alone and is suitable for the less experienced rider.

I've been fortunate in finding an excellent rider for one of mine a few years ago but sadly she moved with her job. The pony in question is, to put it mildly, not a novice ride but not in any way dangerous or bonkers, just a competition pony who will test you. Not been able to find anyone since!

Also been exceptionally lucky to find a small, light, but very competent and reliable lass to ride another pony. Yes he's a youngster but I've put in all the hard work and he now just needs miles on the clock and to go out competing. I have put up loaner wanted ads on Preloved and FB and been totally honest that these are not suitable for novices, and had virtually zero response.

On the other hand, I see lots of ads for people wanting part loaners for horses that are not difficult rides, and as these ads keep appearing for the same horses they are obviously having no luck finding loaners!

I would keep at it - I'd say there are more horses for part loan than there are competent, reliable people wanting loans. Local FB horse groups are awash round here with horses to loan.

Happygardening - one that I inquired about wanted £250 a month for 3 days, plus stable duties on the weekend day, plus half of farrier bill (and they already told me that they were planning on shoeing her all around rather than just fronts!). Was for a horse coming back into work, isn't allowed to jump, so not in my mind worth the cost.

Unfortunately Preloved don't have anything in my area, have tried gumtree, horsemart etc but will keep looking. May just have to buy my own or do a full loan again :)

I live in a reasonably rural and extremely horsey part of the world. And I do not expect any monetary contribution. I am happy that my pony gets mucked out and exercised by someone I trust!

Do you mind if I ask what part of the country you are in? Round here you can't move for people wanting loaners!

I agree with both sides. I have been looking for a part loaner for years, I know good ones exist but they are like hens teeth.

All i'm looking for is someone, confident and competant to ride a couple of days a week. Not an expert by any stretch but not a complete novice either as my mare can be quirky.

I don't want any financial contribution just ask that they are reliable and trustworthy. Messaging me at 8am when i'm in London for 6am saying they cant get to the yard is a piss take. Muck out on their days and turn out with my Shetland. I don't ask a lot.

On a nice private yard, off road hacking, both horses extremely easy to do.

So what i do seem to end up with:-
Young joy riders that all want to jump 1.20m and tank my ex racer about.
Cant get to the yard because they are hung over.
Want to bring boyfriend and every other mate to 'have a go'
Phoning me saying 'i cant catch her'.She is the friggin easiest horse to catch, you are being a lazy fuck because its raining!
The list goes on.

I note, she is the most horizontal horse i've ever owned. Will give you a good ride if you ask but also likes to just walk. Put her in an open space and she will just stand there. Has stable manners to die for. Generally like most of them gets a bad rep for being an ex racer.

Where are you OP? i'm in Herts

I'm in Somerset, so unfortunately miles away from Herts! I'm a happy hacker, but do like to school, do fun rides, maybe a local show and have some lessons but it just seems impossible to find anything. I'm relatively experienced, can handle quirks but don't feel the urge to get on a lunatic anymore as I'm too old to be falling off!

I miss having a horse in my life, but realistically do not have the time to commit to having my own again. I don't even mind not riding on some days, just to have cuddles and groom etc still makes me happy :) Plus doing the yard duties keeps me fit.

Such a shame you're so far away. I’m too old and reminder of a broken back keeps me from falling off. But to be honest the worst she does is plant or spin, and then she doesn’t go anywhere. If me the cripple can sit to her, anyone can

I do hope you find something. I wouldn’t be without them now

Dizzy where in Herts?

Badger, near Broxbourne

Whereabouts in Somerset? DM me if you don't want to say on here, but it's my part of the world.

I know this thread is a few weeks old, just found it and it’s been really useful! I’m off to view a potential loan horse in about an hour, and was doing some last minute checking over my questions. Now I’m worried the owner just wants someone to school a green horse!
I’ve had lovely communication via email and text so far, and owner is not in any rush and says I can visit as many times as I like before I make a decision...so far so good. And I’m taking my riding coach next week to view again. But will have to see how I feel after today’s viewing

Wiccamum, nothing to lose by going along and having a look. Best to be very straight with the owner about your abilities and what you are looking for - both loaner and owner end up disappointed when there is a mismatch. Some owners of green horses do want someone to come and school (and I have seen some very cheeky requests from owners!) but it doesn’t have to be the case. A friend of mine has a green horse and she was looking for someone to come and hack it a couple of times a week to give a little bit of continuity to its riding - younger horses don’t always do so well if there are breaks between sessions.

I’ve struggled to find reliable, regular riders for my horses. I ask for no payment, no stable duties, but I need my horse keeping fit for competition and hunting. I work away from home so need someone to come in some of those days - you’d be amazed at the number of people out there who expect me to keep a horse fed, shod and ready to go in order for them to float in occasionally as and when it suits them!

I’d say most horse owners looking for someone to share/part loan/etc just want someone likeminded to share the workload and the pleasure to be gained from having a horse. Find someone with the same aims as you and put the effort in, and it’ll all be good!

Thank you Backinthebox, I did go along and take a look. She’s a lovely looking mare, but overweight (hence the owner wanting her to do more). My heart says yes but my head is not sure. She played up a bit, went to bite but didn’t go through with it, and just acted a bit “mare-ish”. But...she is just coming out of season, and was hungry, so enough to make the best of us grumpy! My coach is coming with me and we will take her round the school. I think she’s got potential, I just need to be sure I’m the right one for her! Amazing yard and lovely owners too.

Is anyone looking for a sharer in the Broxbourne area for their horse? I'm a reliable experienced adult with 35 years experience. Please contact me if you need any help. Many thanks, Verity