How to Lease a Horse

Are you thinking about buying a horse but aren't sure if you are ready for the responsibility or the financial commitment? If so, leasing a horse may be the option for you. By leasing a horse, you can see firsthand what ownership is like. Or, if you know you don't have the time to own, a limited lease can let you ride a few times a week without as much extra responsibility. You'll learn lots of horse tips without having to put down the money and time up front.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Start by properly assessing your riding abilities. If you have never ridden before, plan on taking lessons during your lease. If you currently take lessons, have your instructor give you an unbiased opinion of your abilities and the type of horse that would suit your needs. Consider not only your technical skills but your emotional compatibility too. You might be able to handle a hot, spooky, or green horse but do you want to deal with that on a day to day basis? Are you looking for a trail buddy or a show partner?

2. Next, begin looking for possible horses. If you are taking riding lessons, your instructor might know of lesson horses or privately boarded horses right there at your barn to lease. Take advantage of the opportunity and save time by doing both things at the same time, or at least the same place. Ask around at your local tack shop and post a notice with your experience, what you are looking for, and what you might be willing to pay. This method is especially useful if you are looking to keep the horse on your own property or a private barn. You might also try posting an ad on sites such as Craigslist, though it is safer to deal with people you know.

3. 
    

   While you are looking for horses, consider which type of lease agreement you would like. Do you want a full lease where all of the financial responsibilities such as board, feed, farrier, and vet are yours and you have complete use of the horse to ride or show? Do you just want to use the horse once or twice a week for lessons? For this, you should only expect to pay for part of the board. Or maybe you would like something in between such as a half-lease. Decide what will work for you before you talk to horse owners. Find out if you will be responsible for paying for and picking up feed.

4. Approach leasing a horse the way you would buying one. Ask to ride the horse. Make sure that you can go get the horse and tack it up so that you know how the horse handles on the ground as well. You may want to ask the owner for a month "trial" period. Ask questions about soundness and, if you are planning to use the horse for competition, have a vet check done and bring your trainer to your "try-out" ride. If the owner requires that the horse be kept at its current barn, you must consider the features (including distance!) of that barn in your choice. Remember that the people around you can provide horse tips and will be a crucial part of your learning experience.

5. Once you have decided on a horse, make sure you sign a contract with the owner stipulating how and when you may use the horse as well as which financial obligations each of you are under. For instance, if there is an emergency barn call, whom is expected to pay? Does the owner provide the tack and supplies or are you supposed to use your own? It is very important to have a copy of the lease contract in case there are problems.

6. It is important to realize that, in most cases, the person from whom you are leasing the horse is a separate entity from the barn where you will be boarding it. Each has their own rules that you must follow. These might be time rules, clean-up rules, or safety rules. For instance, the owner might stipulate that you can't ride between 6:00 and 8:00 on Wednesdays because he or she has a lesson, and the barn might say that no riders can be in the barn after 9:00 or that all riders must wear helmets. Expect to sign a waiver and/or contract with the barn in addition to the contract with the person leasing the horse.

7. 
    

   Once you have all the paper work done, start taking advantage of "your" new horse! Enjoy the time you spend with your equine partner. If you experience any glitches in the arrangement address them early on.

Tips & Warnings

• If you are leasing the horse directly from a barn, ask if you can work off part of the payment by doing barn chores such as cleaning stalls. If you demonstrate that you are a reliable worker, you might even be offered more work for money which is a great opportunity for a summer job if you are young.

Resources

• How to Keep a Horse During a Recession

[farmgirl1961]

on 7/27/2009 Nice article. I have a few horses and I am thinking about leasing them out. Good things to think about here.

[Beadbug]

on 11/25/2008 Bravo! Loved this article, you seem to have had some experience with this! I too am a horse owner of over 30 years! I have leased out a few of my horses and one of the advantages I had, that wasn't memtioned is that my horse were very well schooled by the time the leases were up! I was Military Dependent back then, so when I had to leave the horses went with me, but my horses were well cared for and it was a win/win for everyone.

[Geargirl113]

on 11/17/2008 I have always wanted a horse since I was little. This sounds like a perfect option for someone like me. Thank You.

[dsarokin]

on 11/16/2008 Hah! I thought it said house...How to Lease a House! But this turned out to be a great article...something I might like to do sometime down the road.

[Gardengates]

on 11/15/2008 I have a friend who will love this article. I'll refer it to her. Good, detailed information!