When considering how much it costs to keep a horse, it’s important to realise that the ongoing care costs will go way beyond the initial outlay associated with buying a horse. These costs are continuous and should be realistically assessed before you decide to take on the responsibility for a horse of your own.

In my experience, once you’ve calculated what you believe to be a realistic budget, you should add on a buffer – prices always go up and there will undoubtedly be things you haven’t accounted for in your initial budget. I am now spending more than double what I originally budgeted for my horse’s monthly costs before I bought him 10 years ago – and I do everything I can to save money on horse costs. He doesn’t want for anything, but there are certainly no nice-to-have extras.

I’ll share the regular costs of keeping a horse, so that you can step into the wonderful world of horse ownership as prepared as possible for what you’re about to take on. Where the costs vary significantly, I’ll offer some considerations I wish I’d better understood before I bought my first horse. All prices quoted are approximate and based on prices at the time of publishing (March 2026) – spoiler alert: it’s a small fortune, but worth every penny.

I’ll cover the costs of:

• Livery
• Feed and forage
• Bedding
• Insurance
• Farriery
• Regular healthcare

Costs of livery

The costs of livery can vary wildly because there is a full spectrum of options from DIY grass livery (your horse lives in a field without a stable, and you look after it yourself) all the way up to full competition livery with all-singing-and-dancing facilities that includes training, competing, tack cleaning (you name it, they do it).

However, there are also variations depending on your location, similar to buying or renting a house. I moved from Berkshire to Nottinghamshire and got more facilities for my money, but there are parts of the country that are both far more expensive and cheaper than these.

Unfortunately, there are also major differences in livery pricing between lowest and highest prices for the same offering and similar facilities, which can make budgeting more difficult.

It’s hard to put a figure on it as costs vary so wildly, but according to the latest BETA survey (2023), owners spent an average of £257 per month on livery or £129 per month on grazing. Bear in mind, it’s possible to spend an awful lot more and costs will have risen since the survey due to the ever-increasing cost of living and raises to the minimum wage.

When choosing a livery yard, look at as many different yards in your local area as possible and work out what your priorities are – this will help you compare your options and weigh up what’s best. If you choose a DIY yard, don’t forget, if you’re on holiday or need assistance, you’ll need to pay someone to look after your horse, too, unless you can share the work with friends.

Unless you’re in the lucky position of being able to keep your horse at home, livery charges will be one of the largest regular monthly costs of owning a horse. And even if you can keep it at home, don’t be fooled into thinking it’s free.

Cost of feeding a horse

Similar to livery, the costs of feeding a horse are certainly not “one size fits all”. You might have a good-doer, which generally means your costs will be lower, but once you start adding things, such as a joint supplement, which they might need as they age, for example, the costs start to add up.

If you have a horse who struggles to hold weight or needs a specialist diet for any reason, then be prepared for much higher monthly costs. Similarly, feeding competition horses is usually more expensive.

Remember, it’s not just what’s in the bucket that will cost you. Hay, haylage and other types of forage are the foundation of your horse’s diet and likely to account for much of the monthly expense. You can save money on hay by buying in bulk, for example, but I would suggest that you should be prepared to spend at least £50–60 per month on hay for an average sized horse, although again, this varies with location and quality.

The quality of your grazing and the amount of turnout your horse gets, will affect how much forage you need to feed. Despite my horse having 24/7 turnout year round, I still feed hay throughout the year as there is not enough grass – this suits me as he’s a good-doer and it means I can easily monitor his weight, but it would be very expensive to manage a horse that struggles to maintain weight in this way.

There are ways to save money on horse feed and budget wisely, but feed and forage are essential costs that you can’t really cut corners with to ensure your horse gets the nutrition he needs.

Cost of bedding

Stabled horses will need bedding and you may also want rubber stable mats as they make it possible to use less bedding, as well as providing a comfortable and non-slip surface. Straw is the cheapest type of horse bedding, but it’s not typically not suitable for horses with respiratory problems and some horses will eat it.

In the long term, rubber mats combined with a more expensive bedding, such as shavings or wood pellets, can prove more economical, but the initial investment is considerably more.

Some horses are particularly wet and dirty, which will inevitably mean you use more bedding. If you’re in a position to deep litter, then this could reduce your costs, although this needs to be carefully managed to avoid negative impacts on your horse’s health.

Be prepared to use a minimum of one bale of shavings a week, which would cost around £10 per bale (although this varies with quality and your location). Good quality rubber mats will cost around £40 each, and you’d typically need six for a 12x12ft stable.

Cost of insurance

Following legal cases that have ruled that owners can be held responsible for any damage caused by their horses, all horse owners should be insured for third-party/public liability. One way to do this is to become a BHS Gold Member at £105 a year, which provides up to £30million of cover.

Horse insurance to cover death, straying, theft, vets fees and more is not mandatory, but many horse owners opt for it for peace of mind as costs can quickly escalate. You may also wish to take out rider insurance or tack insurance, which will add to the premium. Insuring high-value horses is more expensive, as is insuring horses that compete, while you can get specialist policies to insure veteran horses, which should prevent you paying for aspects you don’t need.

The cost of insurance varies a lot depending on what exactly you want to cover, but there are ways to save money on horse insurance. I would suggest budgeting at least £100 per month for a ridden horse, but get quotes before you buy your horse – the same as you would if you were buying a car – and be prepared that they may well be higher.

Costs of farriery

This is likely to be your largest cost after livery, feed and bedding is accounted for, especially if your horse is shod all round. Trimming a barefoot horse may cost around £30–40, while front shoes may cost £60–70 and a full set £90–100. If your horse needs remedial shoeing then it is likely to be a lot more.

Due to variation across the country, I would suggest using these numbers as a guide to compare the costs of different shoeing options. I know even within my local area, it’s possible to be paying up to £150 for a full set – and on average a horse is likely to need new shoes, or a trim, every four to six weeks.

Costs of regular healthcare

While you’ll inevitably encounter some vet fees over your horse’s lifetime, these are not regular occurrences. Instead, I’ll run through the costs you can expect to pay as part of the maintenance care for your horse.

Vaccinations

It’s recommended that your horse receives an annual equine flu vaccination, plus tetanus every other year, and the flu vaccination is mandatory if you’re competing. You can find more information about what’s required in our guide to equine vaccinations, but I would suggest putting aside £100 a year to cover the vaccinations and call-out fee.

Dentistry

Horses need a visit from an equine dental technician or vet who practices dentistry every six to 12 months, depending on their age and oral health. If your horse can be done without sedation and needs no additional treatment, you might be looking at around £50–60 a visit, but this will increase with sedation and any further treatment.

Physio

Regular maintenance sessions with a physical therapist can keep your horse moving freely and feeling their best. Costs will likely depend on the therapist’s qualifications as there are a wide range of therapies available, but you should be prepared to spend at least £50 a session. Your horse might only need seeing once every three months, but if your practitioner needs to work a specific issue this could be more frequent.

Saddle fitting

It’s recommended that your horse’s saddle is checked for fit at least every six months as their shape can change throughout the year. Depending on how the saddle fitter structures their costs and whether they include visit fees, this could cost anything from £40–100 depending on where you live, whether you’re part of a group visit, and whether you’re booked on an initial assessment or follow-up visit. Adjustments to your saddle are likely to be additional.

Worming

The most cost-effective worming programme is a “targeted” plan, which uses worm egg counts (around £10 per horse) and worming only if the results suggest it’s necessary. It’s recommended to perform a worm egg count test every 12 weeks, and a saliva test for tapeworm every six months.

Annual worming packs that include everything you need delivered to your door cost £6–10 per month, depending on your package.

How much does it cost to keep a horse: total costs

The costs I’ve covered so far are simply the basics – further significant costs to be considered are tack, rugs (plus washing and repairs) and grooming products, before you even start on transport or training.

Below is an example of what the basics costs to keep a horse on DIY livery might be. Of course, for you some things may be less and others more, so do some research in your local area and add up the numbers.

Costs such as dentistry aren’t paid monthly, but I prefer to put the money aside each month so that when vaccinations and a dentist visit land in the same month as my farriery appointment, it’s not a problem because the cost is already accounted for. I also find this a clearer way to understand whether I can afford to take on a new ongoing expense.

• For unlimited access to advice on how best to care for your horse, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

You might also enjoy reading:

13 ways to save money on horse costs without compromising on care

New horse? Or moving yards? Be prepared with Horse & Hound’s ultimate checklist

Deep litter bedding for horses: pros and cons

How much does it cost to breed a horse? H&H crunches the numbers

Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

Loaning a horse can provide flexibility and be a rewarding experience for all parties, with the horse, owner and loaner all benefiting, but it is not without its potential pitfalls.

Anyone who has recently put a horse up for loan knows there’s a large demand from people who want to have a horse, but can’t afford the costs of buying one in the current market.

Loaning your horse out can be a great option for owners who face unexpected changes or have limited time, allowing their horse to remain active and well-cared for without the need to sell.

It can also be the perfect solution for a much-loved pony that a child has outgrown or for an older horse that can no longer compete in its usual discipline, but isn’t ready for retirement.

This was Jo Ward’s situation when her beloved warmblood Leo’s hocks became resistant to medication at the age of 15 and the vet advised he should continue hacking only. 

“I was 24 and moving to London for work, so I thought I’d see if anyone might want to loan him before I put him on retirement livery,” says Jo, who placed an advert online with no great expectations. 

“I was sceptical because Leo isn’t your standard happy hacker,” explains Jo. “He is not keen on hacking alone, finds unnecessary things spooky but is a joy to do on the ground.” 

Scarred by a previously unhappy loan, Jo decided Leo would only go to someone within an hour’s drive who was happy for her to visit regularly.

Luckily, the perfect candidate appeared in Fiona Burnard, a BHSAI looking for a fun horse to ride out alongside her teenage daughter. 

Jo appreciated Fiona’s setup, requested references, and ensured a proper contract was established. She also retained responsibility for Leo’s insurance and veterinary costs for his chronic conditions. Fiona enjoyed riding Leo around the scenic Wiltshire countryside for four wonderful years before agreeing to provide him with a permanent home when he fully retired in his 20s.

However, not all loan arrangements work out so well. Cases where horses have been sold on while out on loan highlight one of the problems associated with loaning without a written agreement. There have also been cases where the loaner has found themselves abandoned to care for a horse that they don’t own beyond the agreed loan period.

It’s a vulnerable position to put yourself in either way, which is why the British Horse Society (BHS) strongly advise that a mutually acceptable written agreement is drawn up.

Wendy Peckham of the BHS says: “Frequently loan arrangements are made by word of mouth only, and when something goes wrong it can be the animal that ultimately suffers.”

The BHS has drawn up a free-to-download sample agreement that can be used as a basic template that can – and should – be tailored to meet specific requirements and circumstances of a loan agreement.

“Having an agreement in black and white felt like protection for both parties – we were two complete strangers who have become really good friends,” added Fiona. 

How does loaning a horse work?

In essence, a horse loan is a temporary agreement where a rider borrows a horse from its owner for a set period under specific conditions. While it eliminates the upfront cost of buying, it still requires taking on many of the same responsibilities as ownership.

Horse loan agreements come in various forms, outlining how responsibilities and costs are shared between the owner and the loanee.

A full loan places all financial and caregiving responsibilities squarely on the loanee’s shoulders. In most cases, the horse moves to a yard chosen by the loanee, allowing them to manage the horse’s care and routine independently. This arrangement is ideal for those seeking the experience of horse ownership without having to purchase a horse upfront.

In a part-loan arrangement (also known as sharing a horse), the loanee shares the horse’s care with the owner, often on specified days. The horse typically remains at the owner’s yard, and the loanee contributes to its upkeep, covering costs such as livery, feed, or farrier services. This is a great option for riders who want to enjoy regular access to a horse without the full financial burden.

Loaning a horse with a view to buying is an arrangement where a horse is temporarily loaned to a prospective buyer, allowing both parties to ensure the horse is a good match for the new owner before completing the sale. During this time, the horse may remain at its current yard or move to the buyer’s chosen yard, depending on the agreement. Clear terms for care, costs, and duration, as well as under what circumstances the horse can be returned, should be outlined in a written agreement to protect both the buyer and seller.

By law, a horse’s passport must always stay with the horse. So, if a loanee relocates the horse to a different yard, they are also required to ensure the passport accompanies the horse. In legal terms, an equine passport is not proof of ownership.

How much does it cost to loan a horse?

While loaning a horse eliminates the initial purchase cost, the ongoing financial responsibilities remain the same. However, who pays for what varies widely based on the type of loan agreement.

In a full loan, costs typically include feeding, worming, farrier visits, dental care, vaccinations, bedding, public liability insurance, transport and livery fees.

According to the latest British Equestrian Trade Association (BETA) survey, on average during 2023 owners spent £3,092 (£257 per month) on livery alone or £1,548. But costs are rising and in some areas of the country, it’s much more.

Costs for part loans vary even more but typically include a contribution to the horse’s upkeep commensurate with the percentage of responsibility you’re taking on. But to comply with legal requirements, agreements should clearly specify that contributions are intended to cover the horse’s upkeep costs, not as payment for hiring the horse. Additionally, they should not suggest that the owner is providing professional training or instruction.

Who pays for vet bills when a horse is on loan?

The most common disputes in loan agreements arise from misunderstandings about financial responsibilities, in particular regarding who is responsible for veterinary fees.

Vet bills for non-chronic conditions tend to be the responsibility of the loanee. But everyone’s circumstances are different, which is why it’s so important to cover all bases in your loan agreement, including what authorisation the loanee has in the event that a vet advises a horse to be put down.

These can be uncomfortable conversations to have – especially with someone you might not know well – but they’re essential.

It’s also important to note that as a loanee you can take out additional insurance on a horse you don’t own for peace of mind, however, there are often limitation periods applied to the start of new policies to prevent pre-existing conditions being claimed for.

Loaning a horse for the first?

Here are some things to consider when loaning a horse for the first time:

Top tips for loanees

• Make sure you have done your sums. Loaning a horse might appear to be a cheap option, but the only money you save is the purchase price. The ongoing costs of keeping a horse will be exactly the same
• Make sure you have adequate insurance and don’t be offended if the horse’s owner asks to see the policy
• Have a written agreement which clearly explains who is responsible for what drawn up before taking the horse home. Although it doesn’t have to be written by a solicitor, it is advisable
• The owner is likely to want to see where their horse will be kept, before agreeing to the loan so if you are planning to put the horse on livery have this already organised
• Consider getting the horse vetted. If the horse has an underlying problem it could result in expensive vet bills
• Be sure to discuss with the owner what would happen if a serious accident or disease means the horse would have to be urgently destroyed
• Get written permission from the owner about the type of activities the horse is and is not allowed to take part in and make sure these activities are covered by the insurance
• If you’re moving yards, take the horse’s passport with you

Top tips for owners

• Under no circumstances should a horse be put on loan or out to lease if it is suffering any kind of illness or lameness. The horse should be sound and fit for the purpose for which it is being loaned or leased
• Consider the reasons why you are loaning the horse out. If the horse is old or infirm other options may be more suitable, so do discuss your plans with your vet
• Always thoroughly check out the person and home where your horse will be going. Ask for references and follow them up
• Never allow your horse out on loan without a written agreement, which states that you retain the ownership of the horse at all times
• If you don’t want the horse to take part in particular activities, such as hunting or polo, make this clear and include it in the written agreement
• Discuss what will happen if the horse becomes badly injured or ill and needs to be put down on humane grounds
• The loan agreement should include terms under which the horse can be returned to you by the loaner, or under which you can ask for the horse to be given back
• Communicate – it’s important to remain involved and responsible

• To stay up to date with all the breaking news throughout London International and more, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

You may also be interested in:

How make sharing a horse work, plus important things to be aware of…

The expense of horses: should I buy, share or have lessons?

Considering giving up horses? You need to read this first…

From checking your weather app 20 times a day to booking your holidays around your competition schedule, horse ownership takes over every part of your life. When you love it, there’s nothing better. But what happens when you dread going to the yard? Or see riding or caring for your horses as a chore you have to do, rather than want to do?

Oonagh Meyer, head of approvals at the British Horse Society says: “Owning an equine can have its ups and downs, but the responsibility to provide good care and quality of life for their horse should ultimately feel like a rewarding experience for the owner. It’s important that owners recognise if they are no longer able to give their equines the time and care they need. Owning a horse is also a large financial commitment, and owners must be realistic about their ability to afford horse ownership long-term.”

So, if you’re thinking about taking a break from horses, take a look at these five options that are worth consideration first – rather than selling straight away and then regretting your decision.

1. Try a sharer or a full loan

If you could do with a few days off a week, why not look for a sharer or part-loaner? You’ll benefit from some downtime, and your horse still gets plenty of exercise and attention. It’s common to ask for a financial contribution too, so you can take some pressure off your budgeting.

“If short-term financial pressures are causing difficulty with full livery fees, owners could consider changing to assisted, part or DIY livery, or find a sharer who is happy to make a contribution in exchange for riding,” Oonagh explains. “Best practice would indicate this should only be undertaken with clear contractual agreement.”

You may want a bigger break than just a few days off every week. But if selling either isn’t plausible or something you want to do yet, then consider putting your horse on full loan. You’re still in control of their future, without the day-to-day care and riding. It’s a good way to test the water to see if you could sell — or if indeed you want a life without horses in it. That said, great care should be taken to check the suitability of the loan home and H&H recommends a legal contract is put in place so both parties are clear about their responsibilities.

2. Turn your horse away

Whether it’s a lack of time, money or motivation, turning your horse away can help ease your worries and stresses. For horses who don’t need their weight managed or grazing restricted, being turned away is a perfect way to take a break without having to sell. Plus, it can work wonders if your horse has been suffering from any health niggles or behavioural issues — the combination of time off and Dr Green has been known to work wonders in some cases.

Depending on the set up of the grass livery, the owner is likely to remain responsible for their horse’s daily care, although some yards will provide daily checks as part of the service, meaning you only need to visit when you want your horsey fix.

“Even if owners feel that the time has come to give up the day-to-day responsibility of owning a horse, remember that many activities connected to riding have significant physical and mental benefits,” Oonagh says. “Being outdoors and in contact with nature is a key motivation for the majority of riders, and the sense of emotional well-being people have when interacting with horses can be psychologically very important, especially if a rider is in poor health.”

3. Change yards

If you love to hack but have to cross a road that resembles the M25 at rush hour, it won’t take long to lose your motivation. Likewise, if you spend 10 months of the year slogging through shin-high mud, the joys of owning a horse get tiring, and fast.

If you want more time, support, or better facilities, consider a yard change. It might be putting your horse onto part livery or moving from stabling — and all the mucking out — to grass livery. One individual we spoke to owns a young Connemara gelding, and has struggled with the idea of giving up.

“There are so many reasons behind it — money, time, and feeling like I’m missing out on things that other people my age are doing, like travelling,” she explains. “I’m now considering putting my horse on grass or assisted livery to give me some breathing space and to focus on my partner and my career a little.”

Another horse owner moved to England from Switzerland and found the change in hacking a shock.

“I considered quitting riding shortly after I’d moved to England. In Switzerland, I used to go for hacks several hours long, without meeting anyone or hitting any traffic. Hacking has always been my favourite discipline and it helps me clear my mind after a long day at work. I found hacking in England incredibly stressful at first. It wasn’t relaxing, it didn’t give me any sense of freedom and for quite a while I didn’t actually enjoy it. That’s when I thought ‘why am I doing this at all?’ But I got used to it, helped by finding places to go for a good canter.”

Sometimes a new group of people, a little extra help, and better facilities can help reignite your love for riding and help get your motivation back.

4. Find a more suitable horse

Owning a horse that needs exercising every day to keep it safe and sane can quickly turn your hobby into a chore. We all have other commitments, and if you’re sacrificing some parts of your life to exercise your horse, it’s no surprise if you lose the love for it.

Riding shouldn’t be a chore, and if your current horse doesn’t fit in with your lifestyle, find one who does. If you like the odd hack at the weekend but can’t guarantee you’ll have time to ride five or six times a week, look for a horse that’s happy to go for weeks without being sat on, rather than one that requires sticky-bum breeches, a neck-strap and an air jacket after two days off.

5. The right support

Sometimes all you need is a fresh pair of eyes and a new approach. Another owner we spoke to spent years battling through injuries, behavioural issues and confidence wobbles with her two horses.

“I tried selling both of them at various times, but never found the right homes,” she says. Taking it as a sign to carry on, she also considered retiring them to get her “time and sanity back”. But for her, the light at the end of the tunnel came through taking a different approach.

“I tried various professional trainers and vets, using both traditional and natural methods. With one, we found he really enjoyed learning by play, so I used that, and he improved so much. With the other, it was all about perseverance.

“My main advice is to stay positive and never be afraid to ask for help. As soon as I started reaching out to the right people and telling them how I felt — rather than letting them take over — I started to achieve things. I’m usually a negative type of person, and just hearing positive words and reframing even tiny steps as a positive has helped my entire attitude, and I’ve started to enjoy having my horses again.

“We’re definitely not there yet, and some days I still feel like throwing in the towel, but I’m much more focused now.”

• To stay up to date with all the breaking news throughout the year and more, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

You may also be interested in:

The expense of horses: should I buy, share or have lessons?

13 ways to save money on horse costs without compromising on care

How to ensure loaning out your horse is a great experience for everyone involved

Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Purchasing a horse at whatever budget you have is only the beginning; the ongoing cost of owning a horse is the most important figure in terms of what you can afford to maintain. But there are several ways of experiencing the joys of having what feels like your own horse to ride, without the financial commitment of full ownership. Horse & Hound compares approximate costs of owning a horse outright, sharing and having lessons on a riding school horse.

Cost of owning a horse

Unless you have the luxury of being able to keep your horse at your own home, your heaviest monthly cost of owning a horse will be the livery bill. The bare minimum annual expenditure for a horse kept on livery will be around £85 a month (grass livery for a hardy pony) going up to £1,ooo–£1,600 a month for a horse stabled on full competition livery. Prices will depend on location, the facilities at the stables and the level of care offered.

DIY livery is at face value a much cheaper way of keeping your horse than part or full, but remember to factor in the costs of feed, bedding, forage, and the responsibility of needing to be at the yard twice a day, or pay for cover whenever you away. Expect to pay in the region of £120-300 per month.

Whatever livery package you choose, additional costs will push it significantly above the flat monthly fee.

Typical routine “extras” include:

• Shoeing: every four to six weeks at around £80-95 per new set
• Dentistry: regular check-ups, either six-monthly or at least annually, at a cost of around £80 for a full examination plus rasping
• Vaccinations: equine flu jabs need to be done at least annually, but some competition authorities require every six months. These are around £35 (£45 with tetanus) and you usually have to pay a call-out fee, too
• Insurance: this depends completely on the value of your horse, what you do with him, and the depth of cover you go for. Costs can vary from around £50 per month into the thousands.

This is by no means a comprehensive list – the saddle fitter and physio are additional costs, and there will inevitably be vets’ bills at some point. There are other one-off costs, such as tack and rugs, plus regular less expensive items that soon add up, for example: supplements, worming and grooming products. And this is before you even start on transport or training.

Sharing a horse

If you own a horse and want some breathing space on the monthly bills, finding someone to share your horse who will shoulder some of the financial burden is worth consideration. It’s essential to have a contract and appropriate insurance, even between friends, so that you both know where you stand in case anything untoward occurs.

Sharing contracts vary enormously. Typically, the owner will allocate a number of days for the sharer to ride the horse in exchange for a financial contribution and sometimes yard duties. The contribution tends to vary according to the riding ability of the sharer (for instance, they may be adding value to the horse through their schooling), whether they wish to compete and so on. If an owner is short of time and is seeking a sharer so they don’t have to pay someone to ride their horse, they may allow the sharer to pay nothing. On the other hand, they may want as much as half the cost of the livery, or for the sharer to pay for the farrier for example.

From the owner’s point of view, this reduces the monthly costs, while they retain their overall responsibility for the horse (and the asset should they wish to sell). For the sharer, they have no long-term financial commitment, and may find a nice horse to ride – and sometimes compete – without a major investment. If they decide they no longer enjoy riding the horse, either they or the horse suffers an injury or their funds dry up, they can move on without any responsibility. Conversely, if the owner decides to sell, they are likely to lose the ride.

Taking lessons at a riding school

Riding lessons might seem expensive as a one-off cost, but if you can only ride once a week and don’t have your own horse, this is often the most viable option. And there’s the benefit that you are learning and therefore making progress in your riding. You can often build up a rapport with a certain horse or pony, giving you some of the experience of having your own horse.

As with the two previous options, the range in costs are as long as a piece of string. Prices are much higher in the south of the country, and again within London’s commuter belt. For example, an hour’s private lesson in the centre of London could set you back as much as £145, while in Leicester it might be only £36. It also depends on the level of instructor – a highly qualified senior instructor will charge up to 50% more than one with lower qualifications.

Then there are variations in cost according to the type of lesson you want. A group lesson will be cheaper than a private one, and although you won’t have the intensity of one-to-one tuition, there’s plenty to be gained from watching other riders, listening to the instructor’s comments and making friends. Booking a block of lessons is likely to earn you a discount. Bear in mind, you will usually have to pay around £2–5 to hire a hat if you don’t bring your own.

For younger riders, many riding schools offer “pony days”, which allow for time both riding and learning to look after horses. Week-long camps also work out a better value for money in terms of hours spent in the saddle and gaining valuable education.

Some riding schools will offer hacks in the countryside or on the beach – these are often cheaper per hour than a lesson in an arena, although you won’t be benefitting from the same level of tuition.

It’s worth checking out if the riding school offers cheaper lessons during the week; weekends are often more expensive due to demand.

Most expensive of all lessons is hiring a schoolmaster to teach you the more advanced movements and jumping. Few centres offer this (subject to riding ability), and you’ll need to budget around £130 depending on the level of the instructor.

Like many hobbies, horses are expensive, but there is a vast range of options to suit more budgets than you might think.

NB: All prices given here are approximate and are based on prices correct in March 2022.

You might also like:

How much does a horse cost a month? H&H does the maths so you don’t have to…

Sharing horses: dos and donts

Advice to help make sharing your horse a success

Cost of living squeeze: what it means for horse owners and equestrian businesses

Buying a horse: Horse & Hound’s ultimate step-by-step guide

The 7 stages of a horse lover’s life (from jumping broom handles to sensible cobs)

Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

If the time has come for you to part ways with your horse, deciding whether to loan or sell can be a difficult decision. Lottie Butler weighs up the options

Whatever the reason, whether a pony has been outgrown, your competitive ambitions don’t match your horse’s talents, or a change in circumstances has made keeping a horse difficult, deciding to sell your horse can be heart-breaking.

For this reason, many people opt to loan their horse. If well-thought out, it can be the ideal solution for both horse and rider. However, not every loan is a success, and reports of disputes, neglect and even theft are far too frequent.

Here are a few things to consider when weighing up your options:

How involved do you want to be?

If you sell your horse, it doesn’t necessarily mean you will never see them again. With the right buyer, you can stay in touch. However, the advantage of loaning your horse should be that you can ensure it always has a high level of care and will never be moved without your permission. Equine welfare charity Bransby Horses only offer loan homes. “We never sell or sign over care just in case people’s personal circumstances change,” says Ryan Rouse, re-homing coordinator. “We need to know that our horses are always going to be safe.”

What’s best for the horse?

Does your horse have the potential to do more? Or does he need a break from competition? Grace Moran, British Eventing rider representative in Scotland, has owned her 18-year-old eventer Porthill Rusty Nail since he was a foal. In that time, he has been on loan twice — first to event rider Caroline Powell, and subsequently to a young rider. “Caroline approached me about having Rusty as a reserve for the 2012 Olympics, and I wanted to give him the opportunity to compete at that level,” she explains. Last year, she loaned him to local rider Lauren Robb after deciding to retire him from top level competition. “As a young rider, I was loaned an advanced horse, who made me the rider I am, so I wanted another upcoming rider to benefit from Rusty’s experience.”

What about the future?

If you don’t think you will ever be able to take on the responsibility of your horse again — for financial or logistical reasons — selling to a long-term home can be the best option. A succession of different loan homes will be unsettling for any horse.

Continued below…

If you do loan…

Assess the home properly

“We try to get to know the loan home as much as possible — those who are welcoming and put the effort in are usually going to be the better homes,” says Ryan at Bransby Horses. Always visit the stables where your horse will be kept. You can also ask for references from livery yards to find out more about the loan owners — advice from a third party can be a good assessment of how much experience they have.

Know your terms

Even if you are loaning your horse to a friend, make sure you have worked out of the details — the level at which the horse is ridden at; who is responsible for the horse’s running costs, veterinary bills and insurance; who will organise routine dental checks and vaccinations; what will happen in the event of an accident and a notice period if the loan is to come to an end. “Our loan agreement outlines that the horses need the ideal level of care — things like tetanus vaccinations, a worming programme and regular shoeing,” says Ryan.

Be vigilant

There have been cases where horses taken on loan have been stolen or sold on, and it can be difficult to prove ownership. Be wary of such scams. Make sure the passport stays in your name, and always keep a photocopy.

If you sell…

Be upfront

Honesty is vital to make sure your horse goes to the right home. Make sure potential buyers are fully aware of any health issues or character quirks of your horse. You don’t want to sell your horse to a happy hacker if you know he thrives going out competing regularly, or to a hunting home if the horse has never seen hounds.

Advertise your horse for sale with Horse & Hound

Vet the buyer

If logistically possible, it is reasonable to request to see where your horse will be kept — it will help alleviate concerns you may have about selling. You can also look into loan-to-sell arrangements, whereby the horse goes on loan for a trial period before selling. With the right paperwork in place, this can be the perfect option to ensure horse and buyer are well-suited.

Look at wanted ads

Some buyers will know exactly what they’re looking for. Claire Harker bought her horse for use in the Light Cavalry, and knew exactly what she needed. “I was just trawling through thousands of adverts and not really knowing if the horse would do the job I needed,” she explains. “In the end, I did a ‘wanted’ advert that outlined exactly what I wanted, including height, colour and temperament. It saved a lot of time.”

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

There may come a time when you need to make alternative arrangements for your horse, but the thought of loaning him to a stranger or selling him may not appeal. Loaning to a college or university could be the ideal alternative.

A number of equine institutions throughout the country take horses on loan, including Hartpury College and Warwickshire College, so how does the process work?

“Hartpury College takes in 55 loan horses at the beginning of each academic year,” explains Tom Hallam, head of equine. “They are used for student teaching sessions for both further and higher education students.

“The day-to-day care of the horse — including a tailored exercise plan, diet, bedding and farriery — are all provided by highly qualified staff, and the horses are treated as individuals, allowing an optimum balance between work and relaxation.”

Similarly, Warwickshire College takes on loan horses, to be ridden by students enrolled on relevant courses.

“While at college, the horse is under our custody and control,” says Fran Penn, horse unit manager.

“The horses are always supervised by experienced and qualified staff, and are available for owners during the college holidays, most weekends and other times by negotiation.”

Contracts vary, but it is generally expected that the horse will remain at the college for one academic year.

They sometimes go home during the student holidays, and there is usually a notice period of four weeks for both parties to terminate the contract.

A detailed loan agreement is drafted, to be signed by all parties.

How much do owners pay?

The financial arrangements differ between colleges, but owners should expect to pay a small contribution to their horse’s care over the academic year.

“All loan horse owners are required to pay a £100 deposit at the beginning of the period, which covers one academic year,” Tom says. “This covers the costs of worming and vaccinations, but owners are responsible for all veterinary costs while the horse is at college.

“Hartpury will pay all shoeing fees while the horse is here; however, if the horse requires any remedial shoeing, the owner will cover this additional cost.”

At Warwickshire College, hard feed, forage and bedding costs are covered, but there is a charge towards laundry, saddle fitting, wormers and vaccinations.

“The owner pays for any regular medications and supplements, and we do not fund major vet costs such as colic surgery or lameness investigations,” says Fran.

Is your horse suitable?

Horses loaned to Hartpury College range from those used in Riding for the Disabled sessions up to ex-advanced eventers. Each horse is assessed on an individual basis.

“Horses are graded depending on their level of training and education,” Tom Hallam says. “We need a variety of horses as we run a range of courses, and host British Horse Society training courses and exams.

“Hartpury loan horses come in all shapes and sizes, with varying experience, but we usually ask that they are at least five years old, 15hh or above, and are established on the flat and over fences.

“We have a four-week assessment period to ensure that the horse is happy at the college

and suitable for students to ride.”

This article was first published in Horse & Hound magazine (7 August 2014)

Are you selling your horse? Take a look at this expert advice

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) is looking for three or four loan horses to help to train officers.

“Some older horses are due to retire so we have some vacancies coming up” said Mima Manning, equine manager of the Mounted Unit.

The horses must be of a hunter stamp to join the 27 currently in the stables. They must be physically sound and fit to walk, trot, canter and jump small fences. Ideally they will be between 16.2hh and 17.2hh.

The loan horses will be used to help to improve officers riding skills and teach them stable management. 

“It gives owners a break from the financial costs and time spent keeping their horses fit and healthy,” explained Ms Manning.

All of the horses are cared for by a professional team of grooms and officers. Horses and riders are trained by instructors who are both British Horse Society and ACPO Mounted Police qualified.

H&H publicised a similar request for GMT in 2011, which resulted in several suitable horses being found.

“This scheme was a great success and a couple of the horses who came to us initially on loan have now transferred to our ownership and are now successfully working as operational police horses,” Ms Manning added.

GMP are also looking for suitable horses to buy for mounted service. These horses must meet all the above criteria and be aged between five- and eight-years-old.

“Horses play an important role in meeting policing objectives,” said Ms Manning.

“Horses are also a great medium for connecting the public and the police as they are highly visible, approachable, touchable and engage the interests of both adults and children alike.”

Anyone who is interested in loaning or selling their horse to GMP should contact Ms Manning at jemima.manning@gmp.police.uk

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

A horse who was stolen while on loan as a companion six years ago — and whose plight was featured in H&H — has finally been reunited with his owner, after his photograph was spotted on Facebook.

Oscar, a 24-year-old Irish draught-thoroughbred, was returned to Alexis Jacobson on 25 May, following a civil trial at the end of April. He had been bought by Nicole Caulfield, in good faith, from her local riding school in Kent.

On 26 April, after a two-day hearing, the district recorder sitting at Brighton County Court granted an injunction for his return, after finding that the horse still belonged to Alexis Jacobson.

“It feels surreal to have him back,” Miss Jacobson, from north-west London, told H&H. “He had disappeared off the face of the earth. It is incredible and nice to know he’ll be happy and live out his days in retirement.”

Oscar has now been retired to a local farm.

The chestnut gelding was loaned as a companion to a woman in Essex in 2007, after being diagnosed with kissing spine. Within weeks of sending him off, Miss Jacobson grew suspicious and realised she had been duped.

The theft was reported to the police and featured in an H&H news article, “Sold-on-loan scam exposed” (12 July 2007). But Oscar had disappeared.

Miss Jacobson continued advertising and posting on equestrian forums. In February 2011, via a tip-off on Facebook, she tracked him down to a livery yard in Kent.

Her enquiries revealed that Oscar, now called Syd, had been given a new passport and sold to White Horse Riding Centre in Harvel — which is no longer trading — in February 2008. He was then bought by one of the riding school’s clients, Mrs Caulfield, for £4,000 the following month.

Miss Jacobson was concerned that Oscar — now aged 22 — was still being ridden and offered to refund Mrs Caulfield the purchase price. But she decided to contest the claim.

“He was my baby,” Mrs Caulfield told H&H. “It is horrific. I am an innocent party in this and have lost my beloved horse. This has cost me £6,000 and £10,000 of costs have been awarded against us.”

Solicitor Belinda Walkinshaw, who represented Miss Jacobson, said “justice demanded that Oscar be returned” to her clients.

“He had been part of their family since Alexis was 15,” she told H&H.

The case demonstrated the ease with which horse passports can be obtained — and the importance of thoroughly checking the credentials of any potential loan home, added Mrs Walkinshaw.

A woman was arrested in 2007 over the disappearance of Oscar and three other horses sold on loan, but the Crown Prosecution Service found insufficient evidence to prosecute.

• This news story was first published in H&H magazine, 13 June 2013 issue

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

A stolen cob has been returned to her owner and the thief jailed for 12 months, thanks in part to eagle-eyed members of the H&H online forum.

Piebald Saska was loaned to Debbie Cooper of Chapel Garth, Broomfleet, Hull, in May 2010.

But before the loan agreement was even signed, Cooper had advertised her for sale on her Facebook page.

The then 15-year-old mare was bought for £1,400 by Tom Iverson, who lives near York.

Cooper was jailed for 12 months at York Crown Court on 19 March.

She pleaded guilty to theft of a horse and fraud by false representation.

“I bought Saska for my wife Lisa as a wedding present,” Mr Iverson told H&H.

“We found her through an advert on a website and bought her from Debbie Cooper, who seemed very friendly and believable.

“We are sad we have lost Saska, but are elated that Debbie has been sent to jail.”

The 16hh mare belongs to Anne Harrison of Selby. She loaned Saska to Cooper for six months, having drawn up a loan agreement and kept in regular touch.

But when she tried to get the horse back, she found Cooper had moved and could not be contacted.

A plea for information was put on the H&H forum by the campaign group Missing Horses on Loan in February 2011 and a member of the H&H online community recognised the picture of Saska from Mrs Iverson’s Facebook page.

Within weeks she was home.

By a lucky chance, Mrs Iverson had kept text messages from Cooper and, as Mr Iverson had paid for the mare by instalments, there was a clear link to the thief.

Both Miss Harrison and the Iversons praised Selby Police and in particular PC Sarah Ward for her help in this matter.

“She was like a terrier with a bone,” said Miss Harrison.

But she said she had been “virtually thrown out” of the first police station where she tried to report Saska’s theft.

“The police have to realise this is not just a civil matter. Stealing a horse is theft, as this case has shown,” she added.

This news story was first published in the current issue of H&H (29 March 2012)

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

The revelation that former News International boss Rebekah Brooks was loaned a horse by the Metropolitan Police has caught the public imagination – prompting a slew of puns on Twitter.

Mrs Brooks – who is married to racehorse trainer Charlie Brooks – took the horse on loan in 2008, according to the London Evening Standard, which broke the story.

She resigned from News International in the wake of the phone hacking scandal.

The Evening Standard said the loan of the horse would “raise fresh questions about the close relationship between the police and the [Rupert] Murdoch media empire”.

Yesterday, the Leveson inquiry into press ethics heard that Mrs Brooks was briefed by a senior Met officer on the progress of the original phone hacking inquiry – and was even consulted on how far she thought the investigation should go.

A spokesman for Mrs Brooks confirmed that the loan took place, saying “Rebekah acted as a foster carer for the horse”.

Within minutes of the story breaking, a Twitter account was set up in the name of @rebekahshorse, the subject was trending and a flurry of punning ensued.

Daily Mirror associate editor Kevin Maguire tweeted that the story was a “night mare” for the Met, while several tweeps asked whether she had gone “hacking” on the horse. Others joked that Ms Brooks had some “serious equestrians” to answer.

Sunday Times columnist India Knight wondered if “Rebekah Brooks needed the Met police horse’s head for @tom_watson’s bed”. Tom Watson is the Labour MP who played a significant role in bringing the phone hacking scandal into the open.

And the former deputy leader of the Labour party, Lord Prescott, went into overdrive. Did “Andy Hay-man” [the former senior police officer in charge of the first hacking investigation] lend her this horse?, he asked. Perhaps, he tweeted, the horse was “working undercover for neeeeighbourhood watch”.

Several wags observed that the BBC had assigned correspondent Fiona Trott to cover the story.

A Scotland Yard spokeswoman defended the loan, saying: “When a police horse reaches the end of its working life, Mounted Branch officers find it a suitable retirement home. Whilst responsibility for feeding the animal and paying vet bills passes to the person entrusted with its care, the horse remains the property of the Metropolitan Police Service.

“Retired police horses are not sold on and can be returned to the care of the MPS at any time. In 2008 a retired horse was loaned to Rebekah Brooks. The horse was re-housed with a police officer in 2010.”

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

A website designed to help tackle the problem of unwanted horses and the dangers of loaning your horse in the UK will be launched in November.

Horses4Homes aims to help owners loan, rehome or share their horse or pony in a safe manner.

The site is being developed by Rebecca Evans, the vice chairman of the National Equine Welfare Council (NEWC).

She said: “This is for people who care about their horse but through no fault of their own have had to give them up.

“We will invite applicants to apply for that horse and screen them according to the owner’s requirements. We will strongly recommend that applicants try the horse, and that owners visit where the horse will be kept.”

She added: “If the owner is unavailable to check the suitability of the home, we can provide a suitable welfare representative to check on their behalf, for a small fee.”

Horses4Homes is also creating a loan agreement form so if a home has not been found after six months, Horses4Homes will approach charities to see if they can take the horse – or suggest it is put to sleep.

Horses registered on the site will be checked against the National Equine Database and Stolen Horses Register.

It is free to advertise your horse on the site but there is a nominal fee of £10 to be screened and considered for taking on a horse, and a further £50 if a match is found.

Lee Hackett of the British Horse Society said: “It looks like a good idea on paper. We are yet to see the finished site but are happy with the way they are working with charities.”

For more information visit: www.hauctions.net

This news story was first published in the current issue of Horse & Hound (13 October, 2011)

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Your horse’s passport, microchip and freezemark are all in your name — so there’s no doubt that you own him. Or is there?

Teresa Newcombe-Baker of Woodford, Northants, put 14.3hh bay cob Quincy out to loan in last December after she suffered a shoulder injury.

She claims her 13-year-old pony was sold on by the loanee and although she knows who the new owner is, the police refuse to help her reclaim him.

“I sold a thoroughbred mare in December last year and the people who came to transport her said they had heard Quincy was available to loan,” Teresa told H&H.

“I agreed to let them take him then instead of having to make a second journey.

“We agreed that I would visit in a couple of weeks and they would fill out the loan agreement then.”

But Quincy’s new keepers, whom H&H is not naming, repeatedly deferred her visit and eventually stopped taking her phone calls.

“I found out that the phone number was used by a woman who had sold dozens of horses over the past year,” said Teresa.

Cambridgeshire Police made inquiries and it transpired that the pony had been sold just weeks after being loaned.

But the loanee claimed he had been given to her by Teresa and the police dropped all the charges.

Teresa has tracked Quincy down through a horse forum but has been warned by police not to try to remove him from his new home.

“It’s heart-breaking but I can’t get my horse back,” she said.

A spokeswoman for Cambridgeshire Police said they had advised Teresa that the case should be dealt with in a civil court.

“She claims the woman stole her horse, the loaner claims she gave it to her. It’s one word against another, and we can’t prove it either way,” said the spokeswoman.

She added that if Teresa had a loan agreement the case would be stronger.

But Teresa says taking on a solicitor to fight a civil case is too expensive for a horse worth no more than £2,000.

Missing Horses on Loan, a group set up to advise people in this position, says owners have got to wake up to the dangers inherent in loaning out their horses.

Ali Cann, who established the website, said: “I have about eight ongoing cases at the moment and things don’t seem to be getting better.

“Owners have to ensure they have a loan agreement, but the police have to start treating these cases for what they are — theft.”

And even with a loan agreement, Ms Cann says the police may not pursue the claim.

“There seems to be loophole in the law. In a couple of cases recently the police have said the loan agreement is a civil contract and so is not a criminal matter.”

A World Horse Welfare spokesman said: “This is a very sad case and highlights that it is vital that any loan home is thoroughly checked out and a legally-binding loan agreement is signed before you allow the horse to leave your premises.”

This news story was first published in the current issue of Horse & Hound (28 July, 2011)

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Horse owners must become much more aware about the risk of disease and how to prevent it. That’s the clear warning from Roly Owers, chief executive of World Horse Welfare, in his Christmas video message.

“Disease does not differentiate between a Grade A showjumper and a pony in someone’s back yard,” he says. He urges everyone to be more vigilant, warning that an outbreak of a serious equine disease in the UK could spell disaster for the country’s horse population.

He also refers to the problems faced by horse owners in looking after their horses as costs spiral. World Horse Welfare’s Great British Horse Survey 2010 revealed that 80 per cent of horse owners worry about the costs of keeping their horses.

The number of equines being taken into the charity’s care has risen by 50 per cent this year, putting enormous pressure on space, and Mr Owers urges anyone who could consider taking one on loan to visit the World Horse Welfare website.

To close, Mr Owers says: “Horses are only here because of us. We choose to breed them, we choose to own them, we derive great enjoyment from them. And horses depend on us to meet all their needs, so we are all responsible for their welfare.”

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

More articles on loaning a horse

View horses for sale

Q: I am looking for someone to loan my horse, but worry about the pitfalls.

A friend of mine was horrified to learn that her loan horse had been put down by a vet after a bout of colic. Is this allowed to happen?

AM, South Wales

Although the case you mention is a sad one, it is not an uncommon scenario. The welfare of a horse is the responsibility of the carer or keeper rather than the owner.

Furthermore, a vet has a duty of care to the horse and this takes priority over contacting any unavailable parties involved in the animal’s care.

“The story highlights the importance of having a sound loan agreement,” said Samantha McEwan, partner at law firm Stone King Sewell.

“The loanee is, of course, strongly advised to have the horse vetted as an objective evidence of its health at the commencement of the loan.”

According to Samantha, a loan agreement should include the following:

• Authority regarding veterinary intervention and euthanasia

• Stipulation of an agreement to loan, not a sale or gift

• Description of the condition of the horse and equipment

• Details of how long the loan is for and any options for renewal or termination

• Details of where the horse should be kept

• Details of who pays for what — vaccinations, insurance, etc

“Incidentally, in the example you gave of the horse being euthanased, legal action on the part of the horse’s owner would have been unlikely to succeed — it would actually be evidentially very difficult to establish that the vet was negligent in putting the horse down, or that the animal’s owner would not have done the same thing if consulted,” said Samantha.

Information

Stone King Sewell (Samantha McEwan), tel: 01285 649717 www.skslaw.co.uk

This article was first published in Horse & Hound (6 May, ’10)

Looking for more articles on loaning a horse?

View horses for sale near you

Q: I have loaned a mare for four years and our formal agreement expired in October. Two years ago, I offered to buy the mare, but the owner wouldn’t sell her. The owner has since moved away and rarely contacts me.

Early in 2008, I asked to cover the mare, and thus extend the loan period, to which I didn’t receive a reply so didn’t go ahead. I have since heard nothing from the owner apart from a brief phone call in September.

I would like her to take the horse back, but will keep her if I have to. I intend to write to the owner, but where do I stand? Can I start charging her a livery fee? If she doesn’t pay, can I sell the horse to recover the debt? Could I put her on loan to someone else?

SH, Staffordshire

This is a complicated case so you should contact a solicitor immediately. However, Elizabeth Simpson, senior solicitor with Yorkshire law firm Andrew Jackson, has some advice.

The first point is in regards to breeding from the mare, which you were correct not to proceed with, as “the mare does not belong to you and you will be liable if anything goes wrong,” explained Elizabeth. “There will also be a dispute as to ownership of the foal.

“While you continue keeping the mare, you are required to take reasonable care of her. You should keep a record of expenses. But you should not loan her to anyone.”

You could sell the mare, but must first notify the owner in accordance with the Torts (Interference with Goods) Act 1977, allowing sufficient time for collection.

“You should also set out any claim you may have for payment of expenses incurred in maintaining her,” said Elizabeth. “If the owner does not contact you, or if you cannot find her, you can sell for the best price reasonably available. The sale proceeds are due to the owner, but you can deduct costs of sale.

“You should attempt to agree sums due to you in maintaining the horse, failing which it is probably best to bring a claim before the court so that you cannot be said to have unlawfully taken monies to which you were not entitled.”

If you have no luck in contacting the owner, you can apply to the court for an order for sale.

“The court may permit you to deduct the costs of sale,” said Elizabeth. “The balance is, in principle, due to the owner but you could ask the court to award you expenses if these cannot be negotiated with the owner.”

Information

Andrew Jackson, tel: 01482 325242 www.andrewjackson.co.uk

This Q&A was first published in Horse & Hound (12 February, ’09)

The slaughter of two stolen loan horses for meat has revealed a loophole in current horse passport law.

Norfolk Police are investigating the disappearance of the mares, who were put on loan last year. H&H has now learned they were sent through an abattoir under false passports.

Norfolk resident Emma Hitchcox put veteran Lady and 10-year-old Gwen, who had kissing spines, out on loan last October to a woman who gave her a false name and address. The horses went through Turner’s abattoir in Nantwich, Cheshire, a month later.

“I am devastated,” said Ms Hitchcox. “I have been desperately trying to track them down and rang all the abattoirs. Turner’s told me they went through on 6 November.”

Gwen was microchipped and Lady freeze-marked, but H&H has learned that the Horse Passport Agency did not check the horses’ details against the National Equine Database (NED) or the Stolen Horse Register before re-passporting the animals.

Neither did Turner’s perform these extra checks before they went to slaughter.

The case represents the clearest indication yet of how open the passport system is to abuse, and how it can pose a serious threat to human health — the very reason passports were introduced in the first place in February 2005.

Both horses had been given the painkiller bute — banned in meat for human consumption — by Ms Hitchcox in the weeks before they were stolen.

Turner’s proprietor, Val Turner, told H&H: “The horses came to us from a dealer who I believe bought them at Melton [Mowbray horse] sales.

“The passports were fine. They were the right horses, with the right markings, the right freeze-mark and they had the right silhouette.”

Defra said this loophole would be closed by legislation to be introduced in July requiring all foals and adult horses being passported to be microchipped. It will also become mandatory for PIOs to record that number and pass it on to NED.

Read this story in full in the current issue of Horse & Hound (29 January, ’09)

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

A number of owners of missing horses have contacted West Mercia police following an H&H story about a Herefordshire man accused of serial horse theft (news, 5 June).

Sergeant Adrian Bean is investigating reports that Brian Evans of Vowchurch in Herefordshire, had taken four people’s horses on loan and then sold them on, pocketing the money.

Following the article, Sgt Bean told H&H that 16 people had come forward so far and he is delighted with the response. “We’re talking to everyone who has been in contact, collating information and, after that, we may put a plan into action,” he said.

Jackie Crew of Stourport-on-Severn and Jayne Brace from Worcestershire told H&H that Mr Evans had appeared at Worcester Magistrates Court in 2006 accused of stealing their horses,but was found not guilty.

Jackie Crew, 42, and her sister Sherrie had a mare and a gelding which they claimed were stolen by Mr Evans and sold at Holmfirth sales in Yorkshire. Sherrie got her gelding back when the buyer looked up the horse’s freezemark and saw it was listed as stolen.

The dealer who bought and sold Sherrie’s horse at Holmfirth told Jackie that Mr Evans left the market with her mare. Jackie Crew doorstepped Mr Evans twice to ask him to return the horse.

She told H&H: “I was devastated. I just wanted her back. I didn’t want revenge. He said his life wouldn’t be worth living if he told me where my mare was. I left my job so I could look for her.”

Jayne Brace found her horse in Hexham, Northumberland: “I bought her back for £2,000, which was what I’d originally paid for her. In the court case we were let down by the Crown Prosecution Service. The police were excellent and thought we had a good case.”

Mr Evans told H&H that the allegations are untrue and he is the subject of a harassment campaign.

If you have any information email: adrian bean@westmercia.pnn.police.uk.

This news story was first published in Horse & Hound (26 June, ’08)

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

A man accused by a growing band of horse owners of stealing horses using a bogus loan scam has been reported to West Mercia police.

Four people have told H&H that Brian Evans, of Vowchurch in Herefordshire, and previously of Malvern, Worcestershire, has taken their horses on loan and then sold them on, pocketing the money.

They claim that when owners request the return of their loaned horses they are told it has died suddenly, went mad and was destroyed or that the horse will be disposed of unless livery costs are paid.

Mr Evans denies the accusations.

He told H&H: “I’ve never stolen a horse in my life. I’ve not got any convictions — I’ve never even had a parking ticket. I’ve got no history of theft. I don’t deal too much with the horses. I don’t even ride.”

More than 10 cases have now been reported to Sergeant Adrian Bean at West Mercia Police.

Sgt Bean said: “It’s a grey area. People loan in good faith. We’re now collecting evidence.”

He asked anyone with information to come forward to the police.

Beverley Firth of Weybridge, Surrey, says she loaned two ponies to Mr Evans as broodmares, but when she asked for them back, he told her that one had died overnight in its box and the other was at stud.

She said: “I couldn’t understand how a four-year-old pony had just died. Mr Evans comes across as very charming, but became threatening when I challenged him.

“In the end I found one of my ponies in Birmingham and bought her back for £1,800. It had a false passport as I’d kept the real one.”

Eric Brown of Melton Mowbray claims he asked Mr Evans to sell his horse, but then failed to receive any money.

He says he eventually tracked the horse down to Bradley Hill, Gloucester, but has not been able to secure its return.

He said: “I’ve issued a county court summons on the people who have the horse, but they didn’t want to know he’d sold it illegally.

“Mr Evans is such a plausible chap when you talk to him.”

Another owner, Philippa of Guildford (who prefers not to reveal her full name), claims she loaned a pony to Mr Evans and his partner, Hattie Dandridge, but that Mr Evans subsequently told her it had been destroyed because it had gone mad.

And Alex Aungeaer of Lingfield in Surrey , who was the only person to have an official contract with Mr Evans, claims she loaned her horse to him and Ms Dandridge with a view to them buying it for £3,000.

She says the pair competed the horse in British Show Pony Society competitions, winning a couple of classes, but suddenly claimed the pony had gone mad and offered to pay her only £500.

Ms Aungeaer declined but allowed Mr Evans to extend the loan period. But when this expired he demanded £1,000 livery costs from her, threatening otherwise to “dispose” of the horse.

Ms Aungeaer said: “We had to go and snatch the horse back. We gave him a cheque, which we quickly cancelled. It was the only way to get the horse out of his yard. They were aggressive; it was very heated.”

Mr Evans said he’s annoyed by these accusations: “Beverley Firth gave me two ponies. She said she’d lost the passports. She said, ‘Take the ponies, I don’t want them’. She only wanted them back when we had broken them. She made my life hell.”

He claimed Mr Brown lied to him.

Lee Hackett, head of welfare at the British Horse Society, said: “The only protection in such cases is a legal loan agreement. We suggest people use one even among friends. We have a free, legally-constructed loan form on our website. Click on welfare on our home page at www.bhs.org.uk and the loan agreement can be downloaded, top right.”

Anyone with further information on Brian Evans or Hattie Dandridge should contact Sgt Adrian Bean at West Mercia police adrian.bean@westmercia.pnn.police.uk.

This news story was first published in Horse & Hound (5 June, ’08)

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

A woman has been arrested in Essex for obtaining horses around the country by deception.

Inspector Peter Gardner of Essex Police told H&H that he had been investigating the woman in connection with loaned horses that had been sold on fraudulently. He had also been exploring possible links with a similar trader in Derbyshire.

He explained: “We’ve been collating evidence, but it is not a clear-cut matter — there are several issues involved. The person is currently on police bail until 15 July while the Crown Prosecution Service [CPS] reviews the evidence.”

Valerie Crawford, chairman of Essex Horsewatch, which works in partnership with Essex Police, said three owners of lame horses had each responded to “practically the same advert” placed on Horsemart.co.uk and in the local Yellow Advertiser newspaper. The advert claimed to be seeking a companion for a lame mare.

Ms Crawford said: “We think the same person took all these companion horses and then sold them on. When a horse is on loan as a companion it remains the property of the owner.”

Stuart Farr of Laytons Solicitors in Manchester advises anyone arranging a loan with a stranger to: “Check out the ID of the person you will be loaning to very carefully. Get a loan agreement and record each party’s responsibilities.”

Loaning dos and donts

• Advertise widely and word your advert carefully. Be discerning — don’t just accept the first applicant that comes along.
• Let prospective loanees spend some time with your horse and watch how they handle him.
• Carefully vet the person you are loaning your horse or pony to. Ask to see proof of identity with an address, and references. Wherever possible visit the premises at which your horse will be kept and check them out with local suppliers such as tack shops and feed merchants.
• Make sure your horse is freezemarked and/or microchipped and retain the documents.
• Ensure the loanee will be able to provide for your animal’s welfare adequately. If your horse has specialist needs check what arrangements will be in place for its care.
• Get a solicitor to draw up a fair and reasonable contract for both parties to sign. Review the contract on a regular basis. Take nothing for granted, even with friends. Circumstances do change, so be businesslike.
• Unless it has formed part of the original agreement, do not expect to be able to visit your horse whenever you please.
• If you have cause for concern, such as a breach of contract, contact a solicitor for advice on the best course of action.

Read this news story in full, including the views of the owners involved, in today’s issue of Horse & Hound (12 July, ’07)

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

View horses for loan

Q: I am entering into a share agreement for one of my horses, where a lady will be looking after him 3-4 days per week and contributing £25 per week for his upkeep. I am also putting a pony on permanent loan as a companion. Please could you advise me on the sort of contract I need for both situations, and how I go about drawing them up so they are legally binding?

A: Think carefully before entering into a permanent loan agreement, as it is not unknown for loaners to sell horses on without informing the owner. It may be better to set up an agreement that lasts for two or three years, with the option of continuing for another fixed term. If you don’t know the loaner well, you may want to get references, too.

You will need similar written contracts for both the share and loan agreements; these should be drawn up before the agreements start. You can draw up your own contract — there is a good sample one on the BHS website. We strongly advise getting the document checked over by a legal advisor before it is signed and witnessed, to ensure it is a legally binding agreement.

Both agreements should include:

• Start and finish date, names and addresses of the owner and loaner, details of the horse or pony
• Early termination conditions, for example, if the owner believes the horse isn’t being correctly cared for
• Where the horse will be kept and conditions of accommodation, such as overnight stabling and restricted summer feeding
• What access the owner will have to visit the horse if stabled away from home to check it is in good health
• Information the loaner needs to know to keep herself and the horse safe, such as if it is terrified of large vehicles, so should not be ridden on roads
• Activities the horse can and cannot carry out
• Details and condition of equipment provided with the horse, stating the make, size and colour

The loan agreement should also include:

• Veterinary care, such as regular checks, and who will pay for this; the obligation for the loaner to contact the owner if the horse becomes seriously ill; the owner’s consent for the horse to be put down if a vet advises it to be immediately necessary
• Insurance cover and farriery responsibilities
• The fact that the loaner cannot sell, loan or lease the horse to anyone else and that the horse is loaned at the loaner’s risk

The sharer agreement should also include:

• The amount and frequency of payments to be made by the sharer and the method of payment
• The frequency and duration of times they will spend with the horse and all work they will be expected to carry out, such as mucking out and feeding
• Any other benefits they will receive, such as time spent riding or going to shows
• What happens if either party goes on holiday and who will care for the horse

You and the loaner/sharer must be happy with everything included in the contract. Provided that is the case, it must be signed by both parties, and witnessed by two people, one of whom knows the owner well, and the other the loaner/sharer.

All parties should have a copy of the contract.

• For more information on loan agreements and a sample contract visit www.bhs.org.ukView horses for loan

Q: Last August, having owned my horse for two years, I decided to advertise him for sale. I had no luck selling him, so asked a former employer and proprietor of a riding school if he wanted to use him in the school.

It was verbally agreed that he could use him if he thought he was suitable, otherwise I would make alternative arrangements. My horse’s passport was left at the yard with him so vaccinations and so on could be recorded. I did not give anyone permission to change the owner’s name on the passport.

A few weeks ago, the proprietor of the riding school had my horse put down without my prior knowledge or permission. I am considering taking legal action against the school as, presumably, the passport must have been produced when the horse was put down.

Surely I ought to have been contacted before he was put down? Or is it possible that someone could have changed the details on the passport without my knowledge?

Although the Passport Regulations state that the person in possession of a horse’s passport must make it available to a vet administering medicine to a horse, it is possible for a vet to administer medicine without seeing its passport where it is not available, according to solicitor Lucy Jay of Travers Smith.

“Their overriding duty is to alleviate suffering wherever possible by administering appropriate medicine. And, even where they are shown a passport, they are only required to satisfy themselves that the horse is the one described in it, and to complete certain parts of the passport (where applicable), such as vaccination records,” she explains.

“Passports are not ownership documents. Instead, they are identification documents intended to ensure that horses who have been treated with veterinary medicines not authorised for use in food-producing animals cannot be slaughtered for human consumption.

“Under the regulations, a horse cannot be sold for slaughter for human consumption or be consigned for such slaughter unless it is accompanied by a passport. But this requirement only applies to horses intended for human consumption,” adds Lucy.

So, contacting you before your horse was put down would not have been part of the vet’s remit. Similarly it would not have been necessary for the riding school proprietor to change the ownership details on your horse’s passport in order to have the horse put down.

As the horse’s owner, it is your duty to inform the passport authority within 30 days of its death, stating the cause and other relevant details. The riding school owner should give you this information along with your horse’s passport.

With regard to your legal position, Lucy states: “There appears to be no written contract between you and the riding school relating to the loan of your horse.

“Where an oral contract exists, this can be difficult to enforce, as you would need to argue that the contract contained an implied term that the horse would not be put down without your consent.

“The success of this argument would in turn depend upon the circumstances in which the horse was put down. For example, your case would be weakened if the vet who put the horse down advised that immediate euthanasia was the only option and the riding school had tried (unsuccessfully) to contact you.

“You would also need to show that you had suffered a financial loss as a result of the horse being put down without your consent. If the horse was so badly injured prior to being put down that it had no value at that point, you would have suffered no loss.

“I would strongly advise that written agreements are put in place in all circumstances where horses are loaned. Such agreements should specify what is to happen in the event that the horse requires emergency veterinary treatment, and may provide that the horse may be put down on the advice of a vet where it is not possible to contact the owner,” she concludes.

First published in H&H 2006

Police have reissued warnings for horse owners to be wary of unscrupulous individuals who promise the perfect loan home, only to sell horses on.

An owner, who cannot be named, contacted H&H about the “disappearance” of her 10-year-old bay mare three months into a formal loan agreement. This is now under police investigation and looks set to be heard as a civil case.

During an unannounced visit on 2 January, the owner, from Surrey, was initially informed that her mare— loaned out last October as a companion due to behavioural issues — had been moved to a different location. After repeated enquiries, the story changed to a claim that the mare had broken her leg and had to be put down.

But the owner, who used a sample British Horse Society (BHS) loan agreement, was not contacted or given any supporting evidence except for the name of a man (not a registered knacker or vet) who allegedly shot the mare.

“I haven’t completely lost hope,” said the owner, who refuses to believe her horse is dead. “But what are the chances of finding her when she wasn’t microchipped or freeze-marked? She does have a scar from a colic operation and two white socks [one front and one hind].”

RSPCA inspector for Surrey Nicky Thorne said it was tragic that an owner who clearly tried to do the best for her horse was seemingly “conned by someone with no regard for horse welfare or the law”.

Miss Thorne stressed that a claim made by the borrower that she rehomed horses for the RSPCA was fabricated. She urged owners to contact organisations to validate similar claims.

It is the kind of story that is all too common for International League for the Protection of Horses (ILPH) field officer (south-east) Ted Barnes and Inspector David Collings, who heads Hampshire Police equine liaison officers’ scheme.

“Every so often, someone will think there’s a window of opportunity — if a horse looks reasonable and the owners have entrusted it into their care — for them to have a licence to print money,” said Mr Barnes, formerly of the Metropolitan Police equine crime unit.

“It’s not endemic, but people who go into this situation must be aware that it’s a minefield and someone will always see an opportunity to make money out of other people’s misery.”

• Read this story in full in today’s issue of Horse & Hound (23 February, ’06)

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Experienced horse owners who are keen to re-home a horse from the International League for the Protection of Horses (ILPH) can now view all the horses currently available on a new section of the ILPH website: www.ilph.org/hls/

The ILPH currently has 1,800 horses and ponies of all shapes and sizes out on loan to approved homes but are always keen to hear from potential new borrowers, especially those looking for companion animals.

Tony Tyler, director of the ILPH’s UK operations, says: “The introduction of the new online loan scheme is an exciting development for the ILPH. Potential borrowers will be able to see pictures, view details and apply for individual horses and ponies online. This will speed up the process of finding suitable loan homes, allowing us to take in more needy horses and ponies each year.”

The website includes information about the ILPH rehoming process, including how horses are prepared for rehoming and the responsibilities of the borrower after receiving a horse on loan.

The site also allows prospective borrowers to search for a horse which best suits their needs including what activities the horse is suitable for and the horse’s age, sex and type, as well as where it is currently located in Britain.

Once people find a horse or pony they think might be suitable, they can also browse further information about the horse’s history and special needs – if any – and place an application to rehome the horse through the website. This information is passed directly to the appropriate centre manager.

In addition to the centre managers, who are always happy to let visitors know what horses are currently available on their farms, Jenni Smith, ILPH loans officer can be contacted on (tel: 0870 873 1927) for further information on the loan scheme, or visit: www.ilph.org/hls/

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

View horses for loan

Q: I am thinking about getting a horse on loan and I know I need to draw up an agreement between myself and the owner – I have seen a sample loan agreement on the BHS website. As the horse will be kept at a local livery yard, will I have to meet all livery costs and how will I be affected if I prefer to move the horse to another yard with better facilities?

Helen Niebuhr, a solicitor and partner at Oxford-based law firm Darbys, answers: A written agreement defines who is responsible for what and protects the rights of both the owner and the borrower. Any agreement will have to be tailored to suit your own needs and those of the owner. You should both sign the final loan agreement and each of you should keep a copy for your records.

The loan agreement should cover the obligations of the owner and borrower and the needs of the horse. It may specify where the horse is to be kept, who may ride him and for what purpose he may be used. The intentions of the owner and borrower should be clear and it should specify what sort of agreement it is.

It is usual for the borrower to be responsible for the costs of keeping the horse, including livery costs. However, this will be a matter for discussion between yourself and the owner, who may want the right to visit regularly and ride the horse on occasion. In this case, it may be akin to a sharing agreement where you share the costs of keeping the horse.

The owner may also wish to specify where the horse is to be kept, so it would be inadvisable to move the horse without prior agreement. If you do move the horse without the owner’s consent, then you may be in breach of the loan agreement and the owner may have the right to recover the horse from you.

Other areas where problems can arise include insuring the horse (and for what value), the length of the loan, plus length of notice and reasons for termination of the agreement. If you are not clear about this and decide to return the horse early, the owner may claim that you are in breach of the agreement and seek costs of livery or re-advertising as a result.

It is advisable to record any subsequent agreements in writing if they add to – or change – the terms of the original loan agreement. These should also be signed by yourself and the owner.

View horses for loan

View horses for loan

Many people loan out horses on such an informal basis that, should something go wrong, it can be difficult to put right. This is where loan agreements come in.

A loan agreement should include:

• Statement of ownership – the animal is to remain the property of the owner
• Duration of loan
• Review date
• Notice required if cancelling agreement
• Insurance policy details – both parties should have adequate Third Party (legal liability) cover. The owner should take out a policy to cover the horse or pony plus tack, but the lessee may reimburse the premium. If a loan horse may be ridden, there should also be adequate Personal Accident cover
• Tack – items included in the loan; what they may be used for, who is responsible for repair
• Use of horse – limited or unlimited use(this should be in line with the insurance cover). May include or specifically exclude certain activities. If the animal is leased to a commercial establishment, will it be used for hire/reward?
• Rider – who will be the rider?
• Veterinary surgeon – the owner may wish to specify the name of a vet, although the loaner is responsible for “running costs”. The owner must be informed in advance of major surgery or total anaesthetic
• Farrier – is the horse to be shod? Are special shoes required or a particular farrier to be used?
• Owner’s specifications for feed, stabling, fencing and grazing – must the horse be stabled in winter?
• Special conditions – any vices, allergies should be clearly stated, along with names of feed supplements or medication that must be administered
• Rights of the owner to visit – frequency of visits; owner should be advised of any change in management or where the horseis to be kept

The British Horse Society publishes a leaflet on loaning, which includes a sample agreement. This also available online at www.bhs.org.uk under welfare leaflets.

Equine Legal has recently developed a software package, which enables owners to produce a bespoke agreement to suit their specific circumstances. For more details contact (tel: 01494 582083)

View horses for loan

View horses for loan

Putting your horse out on loan or lease can seem an ideal solution if circumstances prevent you from looking after it, but you do not want to sell.

A written agreement will protect the interests of the owner, borrower and horse, and should always be undertaken, even if the owner and borrower know each other well.

A loan or lease agreement does not have to be drawn up by a solicitor, but it should be dated and signed by both parties and a witness.

What to include

Begin with the name, address and telephone number of owner and borrower as well asdetails of the horse and the period of the loan/lease.

Basics will include the borrower agreeing to look after the animal properly and accepting responsibility for the horse when it’s in their care.

State that the borrower has to have the owner’s permission before having the horse put down, and what should happen if the owner cannot be contacted in an emergency situation.

Clarify who is responsible for arranging and paying for vet’s bills, worming, shoeing, insurance and feeding costs and travel to and from the borrower’s home.

Include where the horse is to be kept and whether the owner wants to visit or ride the horse during the loan period. If the owner wants to be consulted before the borrower moves the horse to another yard, this should be included.

Any restrictions on the type of work, regularity of competitions, and who is allowed to ride the horse should be included, as well as any specific requirements, such as a shavings bed or particular feed.

It is a good idea to include the fact that horse remains the property of the owner during the loan as this prevents ownership disputes in the future.

Don’t forget to state the terms for terminating the agreement. This is usually a month’s notice, although alonger time frame would be fairer if the horse is competing. An owner may want to include an emergency get-out clause in case they find that their horse is being mistreated or inadequately cared for.

In the case of a lease the amount of money and regularity of the payments should be stated – lump sum, monthly or weekly.

If the borrower fails to comply with the terms in the agreement, that the owner will be able to claim the horse back before the term is up.

Finally include the name of a mutually-agreed arbitrator in the event of any dispute between the owner and the borrower.

Before waving goodbye

Take photographs or video of the horse before it leaves as proof of its health and condition, or get the horse vetted.

Make a detailed inventory of tack and equipment going with the horse and its condition.

If you are loaning your horse out to strangers, do your research, or you may be one of the unfortunate individuals who never see their horse again.

Ask for references and follow them up with visits and phone calls. Check out the address you have been given for both the stables and the borrower’s home, and if possible deliver the horse yourself.

For further advice on loaning or leasing your horse contact the British Horse Society (tel: 08701 202244).

View horses for loan