Finance Guide Center

Leasing a horse?

I am an intermediate rider and i really want to start leasing a horse. My family are all very beginner riders. At the barn i go to, there is a bulliten board that has has papers that people can put up about selling horses and tack, leasing horses and stuff like that. If i put a paper up there saying im looking for a horse to lease, what should i put on the paper?

Public Comments

1. There are many advantages and disadvantages of leasing a horse. Depending on your particular situation, you can decide whether leasing is a suitable option for you. The most common reason a person would lease a horse instead of buy one is that leasing allows you to experience the joys and responsibilities of horse ownership without actually having to buy a horse, and without having to deal with certain liabilities.A common place to look for lease prospects is in classified ads in your local paper, on the internet, and at your local tack shops. You may even want to make your own wanted ad in your local paper or on internet sites. If you are currently riding at a stable, ask the other horse owners at the farm if they know of any horses available for lease. Also talk to your trainer about a lease situation, and ask if he/she knows of any horses available for your situation. If you are particularly interested in a horse at the stable where you ride, mention it to the horse's owner. Many owners are willing to accept a share-lease situation, since it will cut down on their boarding expenses, and will allow their horse to get more exercise. In the full lease situation, the lessee usually pays for all of the horse's boarding costs in addition to routine farrier and veterinary care in return for being able to use the horse whenever you'd like. The restrictions on the full lease are much less than on a share-lease, where the owner and lessee must communicate frequently about the shared details. The full lease usually does not restrict riding times and days, and also does not usually restrict access to the horse for special events such as horse shows. The share-lease situation is less expensive than leasing a horse completely by yourself, but still allows you usually 3 days per week to work the horse. In the share-lease, boarding expenses are split between two individuals (usually the horse's owner and the lessee), in exchange for the lessee to care and ride for the horse 50% of the time. If you'd like to get involved in a share-lease, be sure that everything is clearly understood and written in a contract first. This includes where the horse will stay, how much is paid in expenses by each individual, schedules for the split riding time and special occasions such as horse shows, and who is responsible for the routine care of the horse. When you are looking at a horse to lease, use the same precautions you would if you were going to buy him. Get a vet check done on the horse (especially if you will be liable for veterinary and farrier care). Test the horse in the discipline you wish to use. If you are planning on riding the horse, ride him several times before making a decision, if you are planning on jumping, be sure to jump the horse on several occasions. It is also good to bring along a trainer or educated friend to assess the horse and help you with your decision. Most full leases ask you to pay for 50% to 100% of the horse's board fees in addition to a lease fee. Lease fees are usually very negotiable. The full lease fee should be in the range of 25% to 30% of the horse's total value per year. So, if the horse is worth $10,000, the lessee will usually pay about $2,500 per year. The share-lease is usually less complicated in payments, because it is usually equal to ½ of the horse's boarding fees. Don't decide to lease the horse until both you and the owner are agreeable on the fees and conditions for your situation.
2. I would put exactly what you wrote here. That you all are very green, need a horse that can teach you, and you would also need lessons too on that horse. I get too attached to my animals, so leasing wouldn't work for me. Nor would I lease one of my animals out due to the fact that I would worry that they would become less responsive in their training with ppl that didn't ride well. However, that being said, there is a drought, scarce hay and horse prices have tanked, so ppl might be more willing to lease a horse out to you too. It never hurts to ask and see, just take someone knowledgable with you to help you know if this horse is the right one for you and your family and not some maniac someone is trying to dump off. Good luck!
3. Well...You should put your first and last name and where you are located. You should put approximately how often you do/would ride. What discipline you ride, whether is be western pleasure, barrel racing, English pleasure, jumping, dressage et cetera. You should put your experience level, maybe how many years you've ridden. Your age, possibly gender, that's up to you. There are some horses out there that prefer one gender to the other and the owner may need to know. Whether you have your own tack or not. It is better to. If you'd like, you may also post temperment, breed, heighth, and horse experience level preferences. You may like a horse that has a little more zip to keep you at the top of your game and sort of learn what to do and not to do, or a very broke horse for comfort and confidence. Then you must put a way to contact you. Multiple ways are better, but at least one. Say, a cell phone, home number and e-mail address. Hope this helps. Me Myself and Death
4. http://www.youtube.com/clayyetisquad
5. I have not really seen a lot of people who put up papers looking to lease. Usually you see someone advertising that they have a horse to lease. Ask your instructor if they know of any horses at the barn that are for lease. If you still want to put up an ad just write what you are looking for. (i.e. size, training, temperament, price, days per week, etc).
6. you should say...what you can do that you need a horse thats reliable and trustworthy if you say your a beginner and a way to contact you...i would aslo state about what size horse you would need...would a cob or pony be okay or do you need a horse thats average size or do you need a huge horse because of your size.