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Barnyard Buddies:  Can someone talk to me about leasing a horse?  |
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FieldsofThyme
Farmgirl Guide & Schoolmarm / Chapter Leader
4928 Posts
USA
4928 Posts |
 Posted - May 14 2010 : 04:33:46 AM
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We have been offered this option, but our barn needs repaired. We would need to install a fence and shelter also. We have never leased a horse. I grew up around them, my Dad can assist with knowledge, and my daughter is well educated and taking English riding lessons. I'm not nervous about the care, as much as I am about picking the "right" horse. I don't know what the typical lease requires for leasing a horse. This is all new to us. This horse is a 15 yo retired race horse and is barefoot. He is perfectly okay without other horses around so starting with him seems good.
"You cannot plough a field by turning it over in your mind."
Author Unknown |
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Marybeth
True Blue Farmgirl
6418 Posts
Mary Beth
Stanwood
Wa 98292
USA
6418 Posts |
Posted - May 14 2010 : 06:01:52 AM
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We have leased out several of our horses before. We did a free lease and all the leasee had to do was to give the horse proper care--shelter, vetting and shoeing. and of course enjoying the horse too. We have had mixed results usually we will periodicly check on the horse or keep in touch the the person. It's a nice way to see if you really want a horse and the upkeep that goes with it. MB
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FieldsofThyme
Farmgirl Guide & Schoolmarm / Chapter Leader
4928 Posts
USA
4928 Posts |
Posted - Jun 03 2010 : 05:22:02 AM
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Thanks. We are still thinking on the idea. The particular horse my daughter is riding (the 15 yo) got spooked a few days ago, while she was putting the bridle on. He doesn't like other horses around him. I'm concerned with his too. She is riding a different horse to get a feel for other horses. I'm also checking into another horse stable this week.
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Shery Jespersen
True Blue Farmgirl
115 Posts
Shery
Upton
Wyoming
USA
115 Posts |
Posted - Jun 03 2010 : 05:57:08 AM
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Before committing to any one horse, I would suggest that the horse be one that you fall so hard for that you want to buy it. THAT kind of horse would be described as such: Practically 'bombproof'. Unless a person/family is experienced in dealing with all aspects of riding and equine care, the best horse is the one that ought to come with a 'solid citizen' award. Of course, horses don't get them -- I was just making a point. Experienced horsefolk and advanced trainers get hurt by horses they never expected to be hurt by. A very nice horse can hurt you in a thousand ways through no real fault of their own...in a pure accident. Therefore, it is logical to lessen the chances by getting as nice a horse as possible. I've trained horses of every age, bred them and so on and thus far I've not been badly hurt. My husband has trained horses for 40 years. There is always a first time for a severe injury and I'm acutely aware that one bad accident can end or change your life forever. I do not ride with that fear any more than a person who owns a boat, a motorcycle or a bike for that matter. You just approach the matter with as much preparation and common sense as possible...and then ENJOY the experience.
As to the matter of the lease. There are all manners of equine agreements as free download forms online. I would put whatever kind of agreement you come to on paper. What if the horse gets hurt? Will you be expected to then pay for him. If he develops some kind of chronic health problem, will it rest on your shoulders to pay for his care? Note to self: equine vet care is or can be eXXtremely expensive. In all things pertaining to horses, the purchase of the horse is the least expensive part of the deal!!
Were it me, seeing as how you would need to set up housekeeping for a horse anyway, why not look into buying a good one? Then you are answerable to no one. Personally, I do not like 'strings'. Partnerships and leases way too often are a breeding ground for problems and can end badly. That said, I know they can go well also. I'm just trying to play the devil's advocate so that you can think about all the potential complexities beforehand. You may experience smooth sailing all the way through and I hope you will! I've been a horse addict all of my life and I pray I can continue to ride for as long as I can waller up into the saddle :o) You're about to embark on an adventure that can be really enjoyable for the whole family and I bet it would make a dream come true for your daughter. Best wishes for a GRRReat journey.
Shery
Farmgirl Sister #753
Ranch Farmgirl http://rfgblog.maryjanesfarm.org
My Blog http://reataroseranch.blogspot.com/ |
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TabithaLenox
True Blue Farmgirl
605 Posts
Kim
Gettysburg
PA
USA
605 Posts |
Posted - Jun 04 2010 : 06:20:56 AM
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I agree with Shery....leasing anything but especially an animal can become very complicated. I would also buy instead of lease!
Kim
Farmgirl #184
http://www.tabithalenox.blogspot.com |
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Faransgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
895 Posts
Beth
Houston
Texas
USA
895 Posts |
Posted - Jun 04 2010 : 07:25:27 AM
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I personally own my horses but having worked with hundreds of horses over the years I would lease a horse (short term) before I buy. That way you can be sure personalities match and you are going to indeed enjoy the horse. Etc. But I do agree that you need to make sure you are not responsible for any long term health care if the horse gets sick. If you can get the lease to where all you do is provide daily care then that would be a great option. With leasing if for some reason the horse doesn't work out then you return it to the owner and go about your business. If you buy then you have to find a home for the horse and in today's economy I can tell you that isn't easy. Also, if you are leasing just for you daughter, how old is she, how soon does she leave for college or get married. Then you are stuck with the horse if you bought it. I have seen so many horses end up in the rescue because people got them for their teen-age kids then the kids started their own lives and the horse stood in a pasture neglected and resented because the parents didn't want it. Horses are expensive and the live to be in their 30's. The average horse has 10 owners in it's life. That is very sad. Sorry I sometimes get preachy - to much time in the rescue business. Good luck with the horse and don't rule out leasing without looking further into it. Please keep in mind the long term life of the horse involved.
Farmgirl Sister 572
When manure happens just say "WOO HOO Fertilizer". |
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smiley
True Blue Farmgirl
650 Posts
lea
pea ridge
arkansas
USA
650 Posts |
Posted - Jun 06 2010 : 07:27:33 AM
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| I agree with Sherry, we like the no strings attached way also. My daughter (14) job shadowed at Horses for Healing on a 4h assignment and some (not all) of the horses were rescued so I see Beth's point. We let our daughter help neighbors muck stalls etc before she got her 1st horse(age 9). That lets the child see the work and effort that is behind the scenes of the lovely lady in the fancy clothes at the rodeo. |
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amomfly
True Blue Farmgirl
658 Posts
Angie
LaGrange
IN
USA
658 Posts |
Posted - Jun 06 2010 : 12:50:30 PM
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I have never leased, bt have owned and taken lessons.
Is she cleaning stalls at the barn she is getting lessons from. The barn I took lessons from as a teen, had me clean "my horses" [the horse i used] stall, feed and mend fences. This also helped me pay for my lessons.
Leasing any animal can be a pain. But this may open up an opprotunity to buy him if it works. Any animal, especially[sp] our large farm animals can injury anybody. It would make no difference if it were leased, bought, bomb proof or what. I have had head trauma, and all the small bones in my hand crushed by horses. I still own one [she caused the head trauma]. I was at fault too for the injury to my head, the hand thing, horrible horse from a rescue situation.
My point, just go into this with your eyes open. Have barn rules. I never allow anybody to go to ther barn without a cell phone or someone else.Thaway if something happens, you can call for help, or have help there. I also never allow anybody without experience to work with a horse alone. These are just a few of my rules. But always a good idea. Keep us posted on wha you decide.
God Bless
Angie-amomfly
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HorseLady
True Blue Farmgirl
87 Posts
Rose
Irwin
PA
USA
87 Posts |
Posted - Jun 06 2010 : 6:51:32 PM
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All the leases I have known about, the person who leases comes to the barn where the horse lives and rides there. I've never heard of leasing a horse and taking it to your own place. Having seen a good many retired race horses, personally I would steer clear of them. It takes a very experienced person to overcome that racing mentality, even a horse of that age.
There are half leases , where you pay half the board and half the vet and farrier bills, and you are limited as to how many days per week you ride. Full leases let you ride more, but I'm not sure what percentage you pay for the vet and farrier. Most people lease for money, they can't afford to keep their horse without help from someone paying for it.
I own 2 horses and would personally never lease a horse out to someone else. I just wouldn't want anyone else undoing anything I've already done with my horse, such as training.
Hug a horse or a dog today! |
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Faransgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
895 Posts
Beth
Houston
Texas
USA
895 Posts |
Posted - Jun 08 2010 : 07:48:55 AM
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I have know several people that leased a horse and took it to their place. I have even known of people leasing mares to breed. Sometimes it is a good arrangement and sometimes it isn't. It depends on the people involved more than the horse. I think it is a great way to get to know a horse you may be planning to buy but you have to be very careful of return policy and vet expenses. What I have seen is if you are responsible for the vet care the lease is free, but if the owner remains responsible for the vet bills then you pay a lease fee. Both of my horses I was lucky enough to be able to spend time with before I got them. The first one I would never have chosen but he was about to be sent to the slaughter house if he didn't find a home. He was mean and aggressive and charged people, he bucked when ridden and was generally aweful. But I had a bond with him due to an injury he had had. So I reluctantly took him. My first horse. I started working with him one on one and he started to calm down and get better. He still would charge anyone under 25. I took him to the vet to get his teeth floated and the vet asked me about his behaviour. I told him that he could be aggressive and that he bucked some under-saddle. So the vet opened his mouth and told he to look in. He had three broken teeth. They were broken in a way that when he ate the food would go between the two halves and it was forcing the broken of pieces to move across the roof of his mouth so he had trenches about an inch across the roof of his mouth and they were abscessed. The Vet said that it was like torturing him to put a bit in. So we took out two of the broken bits and I had to power wash the inside of his mouth for two weeks. The Vet had to find a new tool to pull the other little piece. We finally found one and pulled it. Now he is very sweet, calm, easy to ride, not aggressive etc. He was just in pain. I guess my point to this story is getting to know your horse and get a good vetting before you make a commitment.
Farmgirl Sister 572
When manure happens just say "WOO HOO Fertilizer". |
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Barnyard Buddies: Can someone talk to me about leasing a horse? |
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Can someone talk to me about leasing a horse?
