Loans

[Guestless]

In light of the number of horses/ponies that go missing/stolen when on loan, it is recommended that the parties involved draw up an agreement no matter how well they know each other.

The BHS produce a really comprehensive free document
www.bhs.org.uk/Horse_Care/Horse_Care_Advice/Publications/Download.aspx

Having a signed document means both parties know exactly where they stand and could prevent a lot of heartache.

[apple123]

Although good for peace of mind there are people who abuse these agreements big time and take no notice of things written in any signed contract.
It is such a shame that those people kind enough to put their horse and their trust in someone else's hands that people take advantage.
My mare was sold whilst out on loan last year, we spent 4 months looking for her and only managed to track her down through a results post on here!

[ellieraga]

Cant believe some people are so untrusting, and to sell a horse you had on loan is unbelievable

How did you cope not knowing what happened to her, did you manage to get her back ?

[kickon]

I have a 2 horses on loan! One has been with me 20 years now and is retired. Owner has vanished and really didn't care but I would never let anything happen to him. The other chap has been with me for about 6 months. He came for my OH to ride
So he has had a good well fed rest! snuggled up in a warm box with my show horses. I would fine it impossible to think that someone taking a horse on loan would not keep it well or try and sell it?

[beckyhutchinsonx]

its not just the owners iv had a couple of loans and on one occasion we broke there pony and was out winning they took him back for no reason and made lies up sayin we abused him (obviously not as all that know us will know our animals are family) then i recently found out they had put him up for sale

[janet]

the other side of the coin is when the owner does not want to take them back even when given notice, I put him up for sale at her request paid for the ad , she then refused to pay me back even though she asked me to do this, found a home for him on loan again , she then said they were not good enough even though they had travelled up from devon were very keen , had a stud, he was a stallion , I thought they were lovely and recommended them, she never met them.
I was then stuck with a pony when the loan agreement had expired by 4 months, she only took any notice when I said the transporter was going to deliver him back to her the following week.
It was an utter nightmare!

[rachel123]

blimey janet that sounds awful, i'm starting to get cold feet, i'm only looking for loan as i've given up trying to buy

[plod]

loans can go horribly, we loaned out a pony - said not to cut his feet right back as he'd go lame, so they ignored us. However we had a pony called jojo, she was absolutley wonderful adn we had so much fun with her. When we didn't have enough room we called her owner who was very happy to have the pony back - no problem whatsoever.

[lilliput]

I put a pony on loan to a "friend" who I had known for years. She was fully briefed regarding the ponies querks, however 6 months later she gave her back, looking like a hat rack. It took months to get her back to normal and regain her normal temprament. I was too trusting, as she was a friend I just checked on progress by phone, BIG MISTAKE, I should have visited and saved my pony months of unhappiness.

My neighbour had a horse on loan that was, shall we say, difficult to the point of dangerous. They could not contact the owner and after several years, in the end (stupidly, due to her temprament) decided to breed from her. The owners of the mare then turned up and "kidknapped" the foal, they had to go to court to regain the foal...Oh and they still have to mare, the owner wasn't bothered with her!!

[janor1]

Hi it sounds like I was very lucky! Sorry long story! I used to look after and ride arabs, thoroughbreds, high level competition horses when I was a teenager. Thirty years later and now having a critical illness which affects my balance and muscle strength I decided early last year to ride one last time . It didn't stop there, I kept riding and when I am around horses my body improves. Late last year I found a livery yard where people would help when I struggle so put an advert up for a loan and met a woman who had an ex-racer. My first instinct was not to go anywhere near one. But tried him 8 times before I agreed to have him. I invited his owner to my house because I was taking him out of her area, also to the livery yard where she met the owner who told her I had been paying a small fee for the last couple of months to reserve a stable. I gave her a 3 page questionnaire of every question I could think of in regards to the horses health, dislikes, habits, quirks, food etc. which she signed and returned to me. We then both signed a contract. I have had him 9 months now and bought him 3 months ago and although we have had some problems e.g. he always is on his toes when I get on him for about 3 mins but then he is as good as gold. He also went through a stage of threatening me in the stable and when i told him off the situation escalated so now when he is grumpy I ignore him which he hates so he then creeps to me which makes me laugh because I can't resist him he's gorgeous. He likes being in the field so when he is left inside for worming or other reasons he sulks, he also doesn't like to be told no but if he's nervous about something I laugh and tell him it's ok and he trusts me and when we go out for a hack if he feels me wobble in the saddle he moves to compensate. I may not be the best rider but his ex-owner knows that her horse is well loved, looked after and she is welcome to come and see him anytime. I still send her photos and tell her what he is up to. So please if you decide to loan your horse just insist on seeing where the person lives and watch how they treat their children and dogs or cats. You could also ask for references from their vets, doctor, or someone who has known them in a professional capacity. Just do a bit of research and watch how the person applying acts with your horse. You will always feel that you gave your horse the best care, that's human nature, but if your horse is happy with the loaner surely that is what matters!

[katyrules99]

I have owned horses for years.But then had a car accident which left me with a neck and shoulder problem; this meant I had to sell as couldn't care for a horse properly. When I felt better I thought " I know I'll loan " I explained my problem to the owner saying that if I experienced problems then could I either return the lovely little mare she had or find another person to look after her and love her. Well after several months I realised that I was going to be fine so asked if she would be willing to sell her as I was head over heals in love with her. She said no she was sorry not willing to sell, but as she was going to be abroad for the next 9 months or so if I wanted to breed a foal from her then she was quite willing for me to do that. I was overjoyed I know I wasn't going to have her but at least I would have a part of her. Well to cut along story short she came back early. Kerry was in foal about 6months when she returned. She wanted her retuning straight away; we fell out as you can imagine as I wanted her to stay untill she had had my baby. I got a solictors letter saying I had to relinquish the mare at once. So with a sinking heart I watched my friend being driven away.I tried to stay in contact as I obviously wanted the foal at weaning, but all my letters and phone messages were ignored; till one day when I knew the foal would have been due. Answer phone message "YOU HAVE A COLT".Oh I couldn't wait to see him. I had in the mean time found out that I was expecting twins. I arranged to go that weekend. My god he was absolutely beautiful. Big and strong. He was going to be fantastic. I came home buzzing. Several days later I rang to see if I could go again that weekend. They are not here I've put her back on loan as I have to return to Hong Kong. Why didn't you let me have her back? Because your pregnant. I was really upset as they could have ambled around here until he was ready for weaning by which time I would have had my twins. Well can I go and see him at his new location? They are in Scotland 400 miles away. I had to accept that I would not be able to see him now till weaning. So 6 months later I contacted her asking when I could collect my colt. He's dead came the reply (tears are rolling down my face as tell you all this story).How? When? 2 months ago; apparently he had run down a hill and fallen over the wall at the bottom and broken his neck. Then she say's will I take Kerry back as she is in a very poor way, she has been pinning for the last 2 months for her baby. So of course I did and slowly she came to trust me again ,I fed her by hand every few hours as she wasn't strong enough to put her head in a bucket I would stand for hours talking to her with my babies asleep in their pram. Within a couple of weeks she seemed to be responding and would attempt to eat on her own. When mine cried now she would prick her ears and nicker gently. It is an happy ending she is now at peace; I lost her 2 years ago when she died in her sleep at the age of 25 not old but I think her experience aged her. The twins are now 15 and I know it's daft but I am looking to loan for my daughter as we can't part with her pony as he came to us in need of some urgent TLC. tHANKS FOR LETTING ME RAMBLE ON.

[welsh1]

That has just brought ters to my eye's thats dreadful...... :-( I have just put my 13hh pony up for loan on here but not so sure its a good idea now :-(

[katyrules99]

It's fine to loan you can usually tell if someone is not genuine. But there will always be the odd one that lets the side down. It is the same in anything you do in life. My bad experience was with the owner. Out there will be the right person to love and look after your little treasure i'm sure.

[cayo]

unbelievable the tosh some people will come out with ,what do they call it when people add to the truth to make a storey and themselves sound better ahh i know lieing
my advice be very careful when loaning out your ponies and take up refs and follow up talk to people about the people you intend to loan to .there are very good people out there but watch out for the sharks

[cayo]

Oct 11, 2010 23:29:26 GMT katyrules99 said:

I have owned horses for years.But then had a car accident which left me with a neck and shoulder problem; this meant I had to sell as couldn't care for a horse properly. When I felt better I thought " I know I'll loan " I explained my problem to the owner saying that if I experienced problems then could I either return the lovely little mare she had or find another person to look after her and love her. Well after several months I realised that I was going to be fine so asked if she would be willing to sell her as I was head over heals in love with her. She said no she was sorry not willing to sell, but as she was going to be abroad for the next 9 months or so if I wanted to breed a foal from her then she was quite willing for me to do that. I was overjoyed I know I wasn't going to have her but at least I would have a part of her. Well to cut along story short she came back early. Kerry was in foal about 6months when she returned. She wanted her retuning straight away; we fell out as you can imagine as I wanted her to stay untill she had had my baby. I got a solictors letter saying I had to relinquish the mare at once. So with a sinking heart I watched my friend being driven away.I tried to stay in contact as I obviously wanted the foal at weaning, but all my letters and phone messages were ignored; till one day when I knew the foal would have been due. Answer phone message "YOU HAVE A COLT".Oh I couldn't wait to see him. I had in the mean time found out that I was expecting twins. I arranged to go that weekend. My god he was absolutely beautiful. Big and strong. He was going to be fantastic. I came home buzzing. Several days later I rang to see if I could go again that weekend. They are not here I've put her back on loan as I have to return to Hong Kong. Why didn't you let me have her back? Because your pregnant. I was really upset as they could have ambled around here until he was ready for weaning by which time I would have had my twins. Well can I go and see him at his new location? They are in Scotland 400 miles away. I had to accept that I would not be able to see him now till weaning. So 6 months later I contacted her asking when I could collect my colt. He's dead came the reply (tears are rolling down my face as tell you all this story).How? When? 2 months ago; apparently he had run down a hill and fallen over the wall at the bottom and broken his neck. Then she say's will I take Kerry back as she is in a very poor way, she has been pinning for the last 2 months for her baby. So of course I did and slowly she came to trust me again ,I fed her by hand every few hours as she wasn't strong enough to put her head in a bucket I would stand for hours talking to her with my babies asleep in their pram. Within a couple of weeks she seemed to be responding and would attempt to eat on her own. When mine cried now she would prick her ears and nicker gently. It is an happy ending she is now at peace; I lost her 2 years ago when she died in her sleep at the age of 25 not old but I think her experience aged her. The twins are now 15 and I know it's daft but I am looking to loan for my daughter as we can't part with her pony as he came to us in need of some urgent TLC. tHANKS FOR LETTING ME RAMBLE ON.

why do you feel the need to lie

[cayo]

Jan 10, 2011 10:31:33 GMT Jenna said:

katyrules your profile says your only 15

her mum will have written this i can assure you it isnt all true

[amyhorses]

does anyone have a 13-14hh pony for loan near bedfordhsire? xx

[jojo79]

I've loaned 2 of my horses in the past...one went well and one went horribly wrong... I'll certainly be visiting regularly and keeping an eye on the pony!! Maybe microchipping is the answer to not being sold?!! Bev

[topworker]

It is essential for owners and loaners to create a written signed agreement andget it signed by an independant witness. Owners still have the responsibility for their pony and should check on it regularly to approve it's living conditions. Ask the yard owners how you pony is being looked after on a daily basis not just on show days or when the loaners know you're coming. Loaners have a duty of care to make sure the pony has a clean bed, fresh water, regular hay / feed and daily exsersise. There are too many ponies on loan which are falling below neccessary care.
And no one is doing anything to police this. Loaning can be a great help if done with knowledge and the agreement is understood by all parties, but please take care there are unscrupulous people out there!

[bettyboo]

Just read these posts with interest - I have over the years had many ponies / horses on loan and in fact two were ultimately given to me by their owner as they were really happy with how they were looked after - another pony when I returned to the owner was again over the moon by the way the pony had been looked after - ours whether on loan to us or owned by us are all treated in the same way - my advice would be to always loan not to far away from home / make regular visits / obviously get a written agreement but over and above that take up references from a few different people - I have given my vets / livery yard owner / horse physio in the past and now have recommendations from owners I have previously loaned off - loaning is a fabulous way of keeping control of where your pony / horse will ultimately end up and I hope that the unscrupulous people out there don't spoil it for those of us who do it for all the right reasons.

[stravellerandprincess]

Us loaners are not all bad :-) I have a mixture of owned and loaned ponies to show for my children and can honestly say that I wrap them in cotton wool! ! I am very grateful to have the opportunity to care for someone else pride and joy and make sure that I care for and love them as they deserve. My biggest fear is of adding value to the loan ponies as you then find yourself in the position where all your hard work ends up in tears ! And yes this has happened when my little girl had a pony she loved dearly taken back for no reason other than it doing well. Loaning is a two way street, if you take a loan horse/pony then be prepared to care for it , love and respect it. If you are putting a horse/pony on loan then please consider the hurt that may result in you needlessly taking it back :-) x