Full Loaning a Youngster? Would you?

[riderriddle]

Considering going to look at a green slowly started 5yo available on full loan (backed start of the year, in hand hacks, wtc in arena, seems ok on ground from videos). I feel if I had a youngster and I needed to take a break due to childcare I would just turn them out for another few months as Id be so nervous to hand my own youngster over at such a young age/ important stage.. Ideally looking to buy but considering options as in no rush to do so and building budget so exploring options to have a bit of fun. Short term thinking mainly hacking (ridden, in company and in hand etc) short schooling sessions and eventually work towards some low level dressage / take them to lessons as appropriate for point in their mental/physically development. Have the time to put into them daily & experience around me, but am I better holding off and getting my own to put the effort into if I so chose. Worth noting been around horses since 5yo, but took a significant gap until 2 years ago been part loaning, not a novice but equally not a paid professional. Personal experiences?

If you do it, be very strict with yourself about not feeling resentful when the owner takes the horse back and it's more educated and experienced because of your hard work!

You say you’ve been around horses for a long time, however in what sense? Have you owned before especially youngsters.
I always advise people to be wary of very well behaved youngsters, in my experience youngsters can be very quiet early on in their careers as they want their hand holding and then when their balance improves and they get a bit stronger they tend to be their real selves more. I genuinely would have let a beginner ride my mare in walk and trot as a four year old. As a five year old she went absolutely loopy for about 6 months and simmered down but she’s a lot more forward and can be very fresh (she’s 8 now). Just something to consider that the youngster you try today may be a different horse in a year or so.

Would you be confident enough to take the horse on the road for the first time, have the horse hacking alone for the first time, if it panicked on a road would you be calm enough to deal with that, have you taught a horse to jump before, would you have the knowledge to work through common issues with youngsters when they don’t understand things and they get dramatic about it!

Yes you get stories of people buying three year olds when they could barely rise to the trot and doing really well but most of the time for rusty/nervous/inexperienced riders, youngsters are not the way forward and people lose their confidence and get hurt. I do a bit of instructing and I’ve seen several people who have bought a “quiet” (ie weak) 4 year old that’s muscled up and is a sharp 6 year old and they are scared blind of it.

I also personally wouldn’t loan a youngster as I always think there’s a risk you do the work and they take them back.

I wouldn't take and train someone's 5 year old for free, no. Because essentially that is what you will be doing. Someone did a part loan offer round here for her 4 year old where she wanted an experienced rider to come and school him three times a week (no hacking allowed by loaner) AND pay for the privilege of doing so. Funnily enough she didn't get any takers. I did suggest a few trainers she could use though for a fee.

part loan 2 currently one of which is a 5 year old but he is literally no bother ploddy type to be fair still probably in the unbalanced Lastqueenofscotland2 category mentioned still. This would be a 14.2 connemara type so know they have the potential to be sharper. Received more info regarding timeline - As she is focusing on young family and due second baby she is open to right home from anything to 6 months to years and potentially up for sale if she is happy with home. Know people can change their minds though. I have seen both sides family friend loaned and then bought their ex racer, another got really attached then sold from under her.

Put all the hard work / take all the falls / spend all my time and money on someone else’s youngster only for them to take it back in a year or so to either enjoy all my hard work or punt on for a profit?

no thank you!

I agree @Lastqueenofscotland2 and would unfortunately be suspicious of the owner who was happy to take the chance on a loaner who may or may not improve the horse. Having taught a few horses to ride on the roads and after getting on a youngster who had been allowed to spin on the road to try to reestablished it for a friend who could not at the time I wouldn't trust my youngster to anyone unproven as I realise what it takes to bring them on and although that can be lovely how easily it could go wrong. I would look around for a more established part loan even if they are old or not perfect in other ways. You will have a much nicer time imo

Decided against thanks for confirming what I thought, not worth the risk.

Yes, I know lots of lovely newly backed 5 years olds who hit 6 years old and turn into Kevins. It's the demon age