I have been riding for nearly a year. Should i start looking for share or loan horses or ponies?

Question

I have been riding for 10 months, so nearly a year.
I would love to share or loan a horse, and to treat it as my own.
At the stables i ride at, we are just beginning to canter and jump, but at my friends, i am jumping at least 2ft.
My mum is fine with me loaning/sharing, as we can't afford my own horse or pony.
I would be even happier if you have a horse or pony up for share or loan.
thank you

by the way, i live in the UK.

Answer 1

Whether it's a good idea to take a horse on loan really depends upon how much time you have to devote to riding and caring for the horse. If you take a full loan, you are completely responsible for exercising the horse every day and if you are in school or have other activities, you can find that devours a great deal of your free time. There are many people who take lessons and love horses and riding who do not have the time or resources to care for a horse properly.



Expense is another issue. Buying a horse is usually the least expensive part of the equation. Depending upon the terms of your loan, you would be responsible for paying all stabling fees, the feed and hay, shoeing and possibly vet care if the horse becomes ill or injured in your care. If you cannot afford a horse on your own, make sure that the terms of the loan spells out very clearly your financial obligations so that you don't run into unexpected financial obligations.



Before taking a full lease on a horse, you might want to try a half-lease for a few months first. This way you share the responsibilites with someone else and if you find that a half-lease isn't giving you enough time with the horse, then you can take on a full lease.

Answer 2

hey

erm i was riding for about 4-5 years before i loaned my 1st horse, and it is still very expensive. So even though you dont have full ownership of the horse it is still expensive.

You sound like a great rider, but its not only riding you have to be good at before you have a horse. There is all the stable management, like tacking up, grooming, mucking out etc etc.

There are loads of horses or ponies up for loan, not only at riding schools but alot of people privately loan out horses, so that would be worth checking out!

I loaned a pony/horse and it was such a fantastic experience!

But make sure you are getting the right sort of share of the horse hat you are paying for. Make sure you dont pay too much for what you are actually getting!

Loaning or sharing is also a great way to make sure that if you did eventually buy a horse, that you would want to!

Whatever you decide to do, have fun!

I think this site is pretty good, check it out!

Good luck =D

http://www.horsesharesuk.co.uk/pages/page/11/

Answer 3

I live in the U.K too!



i know that there are may riding schools that will let you loan a pony, and even yards specifically for loaning out ponies (there's one near stansted) which would be advisable as you would still have the support of yard staff and instructors to help you with looking after and riding your pony.

If you do loan one from a riding school, find out what the terms of the loan are, some riding schools will be really stingey about the terms of the loan, and the pony would not really be yours to look after. Some are great about it!

Also, if the riding school has lessons all week, there may be no time when you can use the school, so check this as well.



you could also look on the internet or in magazines for ponies for loan or share, lots of people will be looking for someone to ride and look after their pony for a few days a week once school starts again, and this can be great as long as the pony is kept at a yard where there is staff to help you.

Answer 4

Firstly, you're very lucky to be able to loan a horse, I've been begging my parents for years =)

But, keeping a horse is still expensive, even if you loan. The initial cost will vary according to the type of horse you want to get, where you will keep it, and how complicated the horses' needs are. Not only is it expensive, but it takes up a lot of your time. If you think you can fulfill these requirements, its time to think about where you are going to buy your horse. Finding the perfect pony can take months, and it is important that you don't fall in love with the first pony you see. You should consider the following:

The pony's height and age

Is he good to shoe, load, clip, catch and travel?

Is he good in traffic?

What sort of activities has he done?

Can he live in or out?

Has he ever had laminitis, sweet itch etc?

Does he have any vices?

Is he nice/easy to do?

How long have they had him and why are they loaning him?



And most importantly, are you sure you would be able to control and ride the horse well?



Good luck!

Answer 5

A loan or share is agreat idea if you cant afford your own horse

but if i was you i would wait another year or two brfore getting the all important deal

that way in the time you can look for something suitable and find your perfect partner

you can gain all the extra experience under your belt

and you will have plenty of time to get used to all the comitments having a horse can carry



this is what i found a couple of years ago

- i waited a year

- got a horse on loan for a year

- bought it after that year

- now i have 19 horses



Hope This Helps

Good Luck

Jade =]



when your ready my friend has got a thoroughbred gelding for loan

http://www.nfed.co.uk/index31.htm

scroll down and he is about half way down

called charm

Answer 6

Whether you share or borrow a pony you will still be personally responsible for its care and well-being. Frankly, unless you have been living in the livery for the last 10 months, you are unlikely to have a full picture of what is involved, let alone the horse-handling skills to know how to care for the horse.



I was at riding schools and riding camps and spending every weekend I could staying with friends who owned horses or had friends who owned horses, and when I finally got my own horse I made sure that he was agisted with a friend who had much more experience than me, so that I could be sure he would get good care.



Be patient, take your time and when the time comes to venture into horse ownership, you can do it in the knowledge that you will be able to give your new friend the sort of care he or she deserves. Rush into it and both of you will be badly let down ...

Answer 7

im in the same position as you! i have been riding a year, and i really want a horse, but do you know EVERYTHING there is to know about taking care of them? such as wrapping polos? im hoping to learn that, if you do it wrong you can actually hurt them. Also when you lease a horse, the stable owners will think you can do it yourself, so asking people for help, would be almost embarrasing. wait until you can do everything yourself. I made a list of things i have to be able to do before i let myself get one, even though leasing is ok with my mom. i will also suggest working at a stable. I have done it for a week and learned WAY more than i would have just taking lessons. Buy books, etc. horses require alot of time, care, and knowledge, it wouldnt be fair to the horse if you didnt know what you were doing!

Answer 8

Well Done.



Because you seem like a great rider go on!



It's best to loan a pony because you could get into a fight with your friend but loaning a pony would cost as much as owniig one really!



This is because if it lives at your stable other people have to do the mucking out and grooming as well as you and that costs money!



If you spent most of your time with the horse mabye it would cost you less but don't forget about the tack and grooming kit and vets!



Good Luck



Enjoy your riding



Tibby



xxx

Answer 9

if you know how to tack up a horse, groom it, feed it, put a rug on it, etc, then i guess you could, but i think it might be a bit too soon to take on the responsibility. I have just got my first loan horse and i have been riding for 5 years. it takes up a lot of time, and "proper horses" are a lot different to riding school horses. I would ride your friends horses for maybe another year or so, just to make sure you are confident enough around horses to look after one on your own.

Answer 10

What you want may not always be what you need. You are clever enough in the way that this is the right way to go about taking the right steps to finally owning a horse. Though I think you should wait another year. Also you must mean that the horse can jump 2ft. Even if you can jump 2ft, that would have nothing to do with you being ready to lease a horse. But your heart is in the right place, please bide your time though. It will be worth it.

Answer 11

O-K, it seems a bit weird that you've been riding for 10 months and you've only just started cantering and jumping. I had my first canter after 7 lessons!

I think it might be a good idea, but i only started with my own horse after 7 years of riding once a week!

you may think it's all going to be great and everything, but it is a lot of hard work!

Answer 12

Good Idea, but first ask you riding instructor if you could help with looking after the horses for a couple of weekends to get the feel for it, sometimes its harder than it looks.

If all goes well you might find a loan or share on

www.adtrader.co.uk



good luck

Answer 13

I really do think that you can learn sooo much from having your own/or loaning etc. But, as a horse owner who has tried to find suitable sharers/loaners here is some advice. Be honest about your ability and knowledge. Most horse owners would support you as after all we all started somewhere. If you go in as a 'know it all' it wont work out and you may find yourself struggling.

It sounds as if you already have horsey friends in your area, maybe ask them if they know of any for loan? I am looking for some help with some of mine - i am based in the north west of england.

Answer 14

When it comes to buying or leasing a horse it does matter how many years of experience you have. You should thoroughly know your way around horses and you should always be sure that you have someone else to depend on if you come into a situation you are not sure how to deal with. Personally, I think that this is a little early in your riding career to own or lease. I waited five years before i started leasing, and six before i owned. But if you really beleive you are ready for this step I am not one to tell you what you should or should not do. But you have to be sure that you are ready to make a commitment and be devoted tword this horse and be ready to give up some luxuries for him/her. (I also suggest leasing before buying)

Answer 15

Well i would loan a pony, it sounds like fun.

I have been riding for 3 1/2 - 4 years and i want to start loaning a pony and i am starting looking for one but cant find any... anyway, back to you...I would start looking for a horse or pony on loan! ! !



Good Luck! ! !

Answer 16

No. You still tons more horse experience. Remember that leasing a horse is the leasing cost and the vet cost. I would say another 6 months to a year before you should lease.

Answer 17

yeah its a good idea, but remember that owning (even part of) a horse can be very time demanding, i was personally riding for 4 years before i got my own horse, and i was capable of going out riding by myself and at a competition level, but if your mum is fine and your riding coach thinks you are ready go ahead! Just make sure when you are looking for a horse dont go for the first one that comes available rahter one you gel with and get on well with!

Answer 18

I live on a horse farm, but my friend has been riding for 4 years and she doesn't own a horse or lease or share one. So think about it before you do this.

Answer 19

to be honest i have been riding for about 4 years (i havent exactly kept count odd free ride) and i dont have a horse partly because i dont live near enough to a stable but still. i ride 2 times a week (i get a free ride when i help) help out at my stables at least 3-4 times a week in hols and every sunday on school terms, i am constantly reading and looking up about horses but as much as i would love a horse (as in it is the only thing i could ever wish for) i dont think i would be able to give it as much attention as it needs (i am 12) because i would be at school and have homework etc. i feel if i am at school i would only have a horse if i had a stable in my back garden or only 5-10 minites away in case there was an emergency etc. but back to the point it isnt just your experiance when riding that is important its is that you can HANDLE the horse when leading it (i.e if it gets 'excited') and also you need to know alot about stable management, you need to be able to pay for everything it needs including unexpected vet bills because horse are quite prone to acidents you need to be able to keep track of what needs doing (i.e farrier, worming etc.) and you need to be COMMITED no matter what the weather, if you get invighted out by this guy you really fancy whatever happens you need to prioritise the horse and as much as you think you will when you have to get up at half six every morning i can gaurentee you will most likely not feel as enthusiastic :) especially after you have been doing it for about 6 months and its if raining cats and dogs. :) you cant shunt responsibilities you must do it yourself not ask your mum coz you have a party or its too early (by the way i dont mean you cant ask for help if you are unsure of something) and having a horse means you get up early on your birthday and xmas too not just the other 363 days of the year everday twice a day minimum.sharing a horse is easier because you can take it in turns to check on the horse (i.e your responsible for him/her mon, wed, fri and you both see him at weekends. its also good if your ill coz u can ring the person and ask them to do it but pretty much every thing i alrwady said still aplies. over all although i year feels like ages you should wait a few more years (ideally 2 or more) and get some hands on experiance helping out with horses (get stable management 1-4 averagly but it isnt a must helping out is fine too, if you want to do stable managments then ask your riding cantre they probs will do courses in the hols) before you loan or share or buy one. if you decide not to loan one their is tons of other stuff u can do, you could go on a resedential ridng holiday http://www.drakesfarm.co.uk/Menu/Riding/Riding%20Hols/Riding%20Hols.htm#Prices they have spaces left and it looks great (i am going on the 9th of august. :) its £360 and you get 4 hours of riding each day plus you groom feed catch and turn out etc. or you stable may have own a pony days on :) good luck a if you do get a horse and if you dont then thats a good choice in my opinion but whatever you choose its your choice :) also plz e-mail me if you decide to go the same time as me my e-mail is [e-mail]

Answer 20

getting a pony on loan is the best way to learn and you will find that you get more confident this way but you must keep up the lessons too. it is also wise to make shure your loan/share pony is kept wher there is other people about to keep you rite and help you out if you need to ask anythin

Answer 21

i suggest you wait till about 2 years ive been riding for 5 years we've been searching for about 3 years and ive got tons of experience and now ive got a horse called woody

good luck do what you think is right

xxx

Answer 22

1, dont jump higer than you do with supervision, without supervision. 2, i have been riding for 9 years, and didnt get my 1st horse til february, and didnt start shareboarding until november. and you should make sure you know enough about horses to be able to care for someone elses.

Answer 23

That is a good idea. Ask at your stable if they know anyone who will be able to accommodate you. Be sure to find out what your responsibilities will be and what you will need to pay i.e. vet bills, boarding, shoeing etc. It might be a good idea to get this in writing also.

Answer 24

well you have 1 horse and you may need to dedicate yourself to that one first so that you 2 have bonded because you would learn to jump quicker first however after that bonding you probably wont want to :) xo