Do people do paid off farm leases?

[luckycricket123]

I feel like I see a lot of paid off farm leases are doing the hunters. Is this a thing for dressage horses that I’m not aware of?

I’ve seen paid on farm leases, but never paid off farm. Is there a reason why they’re more popular in other disciplines? (Or maybe they’re there and I’m just not seeing them?)

Just asking out of curiosity

[Mersidoats]

Sometimes, but usually they aren’t advertised and are brokered by people “in the know.”

[beowulf]

It is done, but nowhere near as often. I think the reason for that is (and this is not a dig at H/J, just an observation) that the H/J model as a general rule is much more lucrative, with horses being sold and traded and leased off so young riders or ambitious riders can earn ribbons/qualifications for a specific show or season.

It’s much easier to train a H/J horse than a dressage horse, in my experience – so the competitive dressage horses tend to be kept by their people because it can be years and years before they start to show their talent and come into their own; by that time, you’re quite attached.

[trubandloki]

@beowulf

that the H/J model as a general rule is much more lucrative, with horses being sold and traded and leased off so young riders or ambitious riders can earn ribbons/qualifications for a specific show or season.

I think part of this is there is a larger market of lesson barns producing riders who want to show and leasing is a good way to step into showing.

[Mersidoats]

@beowulf

It’s much easier to train a H/J horse than a dressage horse, in my experience – so the competitive dressage horses tend to be kept by their people because it can be years and years before they start to show their talent and come into their own; by that time, you’re quite attached.

From a financial perspective, at that point (FEI level) your risk to reward is less if you sell the horse, rather than leasing it out off property. Who knows what will come back up your driveway in a year or so. The hunter business model is built on leasing horses and ponies to kids, and then selling said horse or pony, essentially doubling your money. The business model in dressage is different, buying/breeding babies, starting them, and selling as a 3/4/5 y/o, or buying a started youngster and finishing it to FEI.

[ladyj79]

It is common to see hj and fei jumping horses lease for six figures. It is very uncommon in dressage. The fei horses I’ve seen leased are more money and stay in money program, or next to nothing/care lease.