Horse Loan Arranger to the rescue

I had almost committed to a new livery yard for Count. It was seven miles from home base, so not ideal logistically, but the facilities and people looked good.



And then, my friend ( and riding instructor) Laura mentioned a young pupil of hers. Meg was nearly eighteen, and an enthusiastic, capable and sympathetic rider who had long outgrown her pony. She ached for an ex-racehorse, but couldn't afford to buy one. Laura's suggestion: how about letting Meg take Miraed on loan ?



Out of the blue, a whole new scenario to consider! Actually I didn't need to consider long. I'd felt for some time that I'd taken Miraed as far as I could myself. We'd got past the ex-racer tantrums, through the re-schooling, and right up to winning at dressage and taking ridden showing championships. It had been long and hard, but we'd made it and I felt a real sense of achievement.



But Miraed was bored with all that now. ( She's a Lara Croft type of gal, and likes action !) Miraed needed to be going on now, doing more jumping, hunting, eventing - whatever - than I am fit enough for these days. I'd been vaguely looking out for a young ( and fearless!) rider for her ..... And here, it seemed, was the answer. I'd never intended for Miraed to actually leave the yard - but now, if she did, it would make room for Count.



I've loaned out - and borrowed - horses before. It can work very well for all parties, but it can also go very wrong, and it needs lots of checking out and safeguards. This time, though, it was all looking good. Although I didn't know Meg, I knew the livery yard she used very well - the facilities, the proprietors, and several of the horse-owners. I go there regularly for shows and socialising. Miraed would be in a well-run yard, with the same farrier, and same instructor, as before. I would have plenty of 'spies' to monitor her situation! And, lots of witnesses to the nature of the arrangement, to avoid any possible future 'misunderstandings' or wrong-doing. Importantly, Meg had the enthusiastic support of her parents. It was about as safe as these situations can be.



Even so, I took it step by step. First Meg came to see and try Miraed . Her Dad came too - a good sign. Meg stroked and talked to Miraed in a way I liked. We went into the school and I rode first, as you do when showing off a horse. Miraed was not at her most obliging but, thankfully, not too stroppy. Meg then climbed aboard and the two got to know each other while I watched carefully. Meg was quiet and tactful. Miraed tried it on. She jogged, swerved, and ran about with her jaw clenched and her head up in the air. Typical Miraed stuff. Meg sat through it, and then made her behave properly. I was impressed. Miraed is by no means an easy ride suitable for a novice, but Meg quickly had her sussed. After fifteen minutes Miraed had given in and was going sweetly, while Meg wore a great, soppy grin. She was in love.



We discussed loan terms, and I was glad to see Meg's Dad (clearly a horse-lover himself) was actively involved. We agreed a two-week trial.



I delivered Miraed the following weekend. Getting her ready to go, with all her kit, was like sending your kid off to college - and just as emotional. Miraed was finally growing up and going out into the world. When I led her down the horsebox ramp, and handed her leadrope over to Meg, there was a lump in my throat.



Miraed was not in the slightest perturbed. She walked into her new stable, received all the pats and polo mints from the assembled welcome committee, and tucked into her hay. Grub's Ok, job's a good'un!



There was never any doubt about the final decision two weeks later. Meg, and her parents, were both besotted with Miraed, and the yard owners told me the mare had settled in well. I made sure that they, and everyone else, understood exactly the nature of the loan, and in fact the yard owner signed as witness on the formal Loan Agreement.



We used the template of the sample loan agreement from the British Horse Society website. It's very comprehensive, and can be customised to suit your requirements. The BHS strongly advises that a legal advisor checks through any contract you might draw up and agree, but having already checked and used this document in the past I knew it was sound for my purposes. The BHS also advises that you seek references for any potential new keeper of your horse before you agree anything, and also that the keep facilities are approved in advance . Sound common sense - I can't imagine letting a horse go without doing that.



The BHS sample loan agreement can be found at http://www.bhs.org.uk/ . Click on Welfare, then click on Leaflets (at the side). There is a link at the top right corner to the sample contract. Also on this page is an advice leaflet on Loaning and Leasing Horses, which you can download. The direct web page address for this is http://www.bhs.org.uk/content/leaflets.asp?id=20&page=Welfare&area=4