Loan as a companion?

[Ellybellyboo]

Just looking for experiences of loans please

We have a retired mare.

Just as back ground, she had been removed from a previous owner due to severe neglect

A friend of a friend of a friend is looking for a companion horse and she’s approached us to see if we’d be willing to sell her our old lady

I’d never, ever sell her but did wonder if a loan could work, depending on how much control I’d retain

Our current set up is perfect for her and she’s having the time of her life, but it’s not ideal for DD’s pony so a loan could solve some issues

Due to the previous neglect I’m not keen on giving up any control and I’m very protective of her so not sure if/how it could work without me driving a potential loaner completely nuts

Thanks

This probably isn’t much help, but I’ve currently got one of mine out on loan to a family. I trust the people implicitly and we have an arrangement whereby we keep in touch but isn’t too intrusive for them. I’m welcome to visit at any time and will remain responsible for ongoing vet care.

I figure that as long as he continues to be well-fed and cared for and has companions, I’m not going to micromanage the details of his daily care.

So far, he has absolutely flourished and the loaner is very happy with him.

How well do you know the person, and what kind of "control" would you be wanting? I assume you will take care of insurance/vet bills/worming/vaccinations, and specify whether you expect the loaner to be responsible for farrier/teeth etc or whether you will also be responsible for these?

I am currently edging towards a loan companion, as I really don't want the expense and responsibility of another pony and if someone had a suitable loan but was willing to look after vet/farrier/dentist bills I'd snap their hand off!

Equally whilst I'd encourage regular visits to so owner could satisfy themselves pony was well cared for, I'd not be too happy at being told how often to groom, pick out feet, change rugs etc etc as I consider myself a very experienced and responsible horse owner.

Thanks!

Theres a couple of health issues we need to keep on top of

She has arthritis and has a specific supplement (because we know it works) so she’ll need to continue with it.

She has an extra tooth so sees a dentist every 3 months and I’d want her to continue with our current dentist

I want her to continue with our farrier. Her feet were a right state when she was removed and he worked with her back then so he knows all her history

She’s never fully lived out. Since the arthritis we’ve tried to get her out more and more but she doesn’t cope well out 24/7 so I need to know she’ll have access to a stable or a field shelter

Is that reasonable?

We’ll obviously take care of the vet/insurance/worming/vaccinations/dentist/farrier/supplement

I don’t really know the potential loaner that well, I’ve met her a few times and she seemed nice enough. My friend knows her and says she’s lovely

The neglect she suffered was pretty severe and went on for several years before the RSPCA finally acted and removed her so I’m really fussy about mucking out and general care and stuff like that - I can’t stand the thought of her ever being reminded of it if you see what I mean. I have to get over myself with that though

Not many people would take responsibility for vet, farrier, supplements etc, so kudos to you OP.

I don’t think you’re being unreasonable about the big ticket items like a shelter and the arthritis supplement. But I wouldn’t get too hung up on things like mucking out to your own standards as long as the mare seems happy and healthy.

If you don’t know the people that well, I’d strongly recommend a formal loan agreement. I know people (and, sadly, horses) who have been burned by people who ‘seemed lovely’.

I think you either loan and let them get on with it, or do it yourself. We have a loan pony, he lives with us to our routine. You're basically asking for someone to do your routine for you, under your supervision, to your standards. I think that sounds stressful for both parties.

P.s. I also wouldn’t get too hung up about the farrier either. We all have a tendency to swear that our farrier is the very best there is.

But I’ve certainly changed my thinking on this over the years and am always open to seeing a different farrier’s work and hearing their opinions. My current farrier does things radically differently than previous ones and I absolutely love how he does my horses.

But, in truth, I suspect that my horses were just as comfortable with the work of the previous farrier and neither know or care who does, or did, their feet.

Anyway, sounds like you’re very mindful of the mare’s best interests. So good for you and good luck to all concerned!

Thanks!

I’m not so fussed with the day to day stuff but I’ve definitely got to get over myself with the mucking out. I’m a lot better than I used to be, if I muck out then you can put a spirit level on her bed, DH and DD not so much. There would have been a time I’d go back and do it again . Considering our oldie comes straight into her clean stable and does a massive shit in the middle of it (which she later uses as a pillow there’s not a lot of point

The other stuff is is a bit of a deal breaker though - well, the supplement, the stable/field shelter and the 3 monthly dentist definitely is

Hi, I have seen this kind of arrangement working out really well where there is mutual trust on both sides. I have also heard some horror stories too of horses that were strictly non ridden only being wanged around a XC course by the loaner teenagers the day after being picked up, or being sold on as competition horses without the owners knowledge (!) but if you are sure the lady proposing to take the mare on is genuine then that shouldn't be an issue.

Being slightly harsh here though, if I wanted a field companion on loan I would be quite wary of (a) over invested owners and (b) a horse that was going to prove a lot of work for me to manage. It does sound a bit like both could potentially apply here! As an owner I would be happy to give some feed+supplements regularly, and ensure the companion saw the farrier and dentist regularly as I would be having both out to my own anyway. I would not particularly want to have to call in a different farrier/dentist as that would mean being at the yard for extra visits, nor would I want to be bringing my own horse in overnight so companion could be stabled or mucking out extra if I didn't have to (mine always do have access to shelter though). And I definitely wouldn't want to be told what to do wrt to rugs, grooming etc! I don't say this to upset you OP as you sound like a lovely, responsible owner who obviously wants the best for your mare, but rescue centres, auctions, gumtree, preloved etc are bursting at the seams with very low maintenance companion horses and ponies for loan or very cheap purchase, there are certainly more animals needing that kind of home than there are genuine, caring, responsible homes available. Frankly, why would someone commit to lots of extra work when they can pick up a small, easy, cobby or native type that needs no feed and very little maintenance for £100 or so?

So if I were you, I would meet the lady with an open mind but be completely honest with what you'd need/expect from her with regard to the mares needs (true needs, not a completely level bed lol!) and I'd be very wary if what is an effective stranger promised me the earth with regard to taking care of the mare if that will be a big commitment on her part, I'd think she's naive at best and lying at worst if she glibly says none of the above is an issue.

Good luck!

I was only joking about the spirit level beds

To be honest, we had no plans to loan or sell her, she has a home for life with us. It’s only that I’ve been approached that it’s even entered my head. We’d never sell her on.

I do see lots of horses for sale/loan as companions locally so she probably would be better off with something else - I’m actually not quite sure why she wants her, she offered a couple of hundred quid for her initially

I don’t know why but I would be wary of her being so keen to have yours when there are so many cheap or free companion ponies available.

Thanks!

We’ve said thanks but no thanks. I just didn’t want to let her go in the end

I’m sure it would have been fine, but I’m an over thinker at the best of times and the more I thought about it, the more I wondered why she’d want our mare with her health issues, when she could pick up any number of companions for little to no money and gave myself nightmares

If it was someone I knew well and trusted then fair enough, but I just didn’t know her well enough

Think you’ve made the right decision. We had a loan horse for DD but from someone we knew well and she knew he would be treated like a king whilst with us. Bug you read so many horror stories where things go wrong.