Rocking Horse Gaits part 4

So you want to ride, ride, ride but you don't think you are ready to own a horse?

You are a young rider who is either unsure about which riding discipline you will like best or you are growing and your parents won't buy a pony you will fall in love with and then outgrow? Well, there is an alternative to ownership! Read on..

There comes the time in the lives of many horse owners when they find that they no longer have the time to ride but they do not want to sell their horse(s). Or owners simply need financial help to afford to keep their horse(s). Whatever the reasons, horse owners seek riders. A good place to find owners looking for riders and riders looking for horses is through the local tack shops. Almost every shop has a bulletin board and those boards are a gold mine of information and opportunity.

The arrangement between owner and rider is called “leasing” or “half boarding.” And there are as many formal and informal contracts as there are owners, riders and horses! To avoid problems a clear understanding must be reached between the two parties. Usually, the rider pays half of the board in exchange for specific riding privileges. Sometimes farrier (shoeing) costs and vet bills are shared. It is absolutely imperative to spell out the deal in no uncertain terms to avoid future misunderstandings.

Here are some points to consider in order to compose a proper leasing agreement. This agreement should be written and it should be signed by both parties with an original for each.

For the owner’s part:

1. Make it perfectly clear what the cost(s) will be to the rider on a weekly or monthly basis.

2. Specify the length of the lease in weeks or months and terms (if any) for renewal.

3. Outline the exact privileges that the rider will have:

a. number of days per week and amount of time per ride
b. tack and grooming supplies to be provided by owner and/or rider
c. schedule of days and times the horse will be available to rider
d. who (if anyone) may ride the horse other than rider himself/herself

4. Specify the terms of the lease:

a. days can/cannot be substituted if not used
b. horse can/cannot be trailered and shown
c. horse can/cannot be taken off the property
d. horse can/cannot be used for lessons

5. Responsibilities assigned to either rider or owner

a. regular dentist, vet bills and immunizations
b. farrier services
c. tack repair
d. grooming supplies
e. feed
f. emergency expenses

6. Special considerations

a. (if the horse is boarded) inform the barn owner and get insurance, releases, barn rules, etc.
b. provide emergency telephone numbers for owner, vet, farrier and barn owner
c. ability or training of the horse
d. (if horse is insured) procedure in case of emergency

For the rider’s part:

1. Terms

a. be willing to demonstrate riding ability
b. explain your goals (pleasure, shows, jumping, barrels, dressage, etc.)
c. provide references
d. provide personal safety equipment (helmet) and proper riding apparel
e. make sure your tack fits the horse properly (with the owner present) if you want to use your own
f. understand and sign all safety releases for owners and barn owners (if horse is boarded)
g. understand the precise financial responsibilities of each party if emergency occurs during a ride

2. Payments

a. pay amount due promptly
b. keep track of payments made

3. Keep owner informed

a. if the horse has a problem
b. when there is anything different or unusual in the horse’s behavior or appearance
c. if the vet or farrier had to be called.
d. when there is a problem with tack or supplies are low
e. of your progress and experiences

4. Responsibilities

a. learn the barn rules and follow them
b. keep the owner’s tack scrupulously clean and properly stored
c. ride only when, where and how permission has been granted
d. blanket, groom, feed, muck and turnout as required
e. call the vet or farrier promptly in any emergency and inform owner
f. stick to the agreed schedule and terms
g. if the rider is a minor an adult is present during all rides
h. never let an unauthorized person handle or ride the horse

For mutual understanding it is a good idea for the owner and rider to get together for the first few times the rider is using the horse so:

1. the owner can observe the horse with the rider and can assess the relationship

2. the rider can ask questions about the habits and preferences of the horse and the owner

3. details can be ironed out (even such small things as what treats the horse is allowed)

4. information as to the abilities, training and habits (such as kicking or biting or shying) can be given

5. the owner can ride the horse and demonstrate training, aids, etc. for the rider

6. tack fitting and adjusting can be accomplished

7. tack, grooming supplies, cleaning supplies, etc. can be located and storage or replacement discussed

8. grooming and handling procedures can be taught

Leasing can be a wonderful experience for the horseless rider and the horse owner. It all depends on a clear understanding of the agreement between the two parties.

I hope this article has been of some help for owners and riders and lovers of horses.

Comments can be mailed to book@nazlo.com or diane@nazlo.com any time.

 

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