Handing over the reins....good idea, bad idea?

[DarkHorse1]

About a month ago, I posted about the loss of my heart horse and my subsequent loss of will to ride my young horse. I can’t say it’s gotten much better, but the nasty weather is definitely playing a role. Still, riding ain’t much fun these days.

Meanwhile, a talented junior in my barn is struggling endlessly with her horse’s lameness issues. They do not have the money to get her another horse even temporarily.

See where I’m going here?

What if I hand over the reins to this gal for a while? She rides as well – if not better – than I do. She’ll take lessons, she’ll take him to shows for the mileage he needs. And I get to run the Pet and Pay Department, which is where I truly shine. Big hats and adult beverages at ringside while I cheer on my pretty horse and young friend? Yes please.

But, I also feel like I might have rose-colored glasses on. I know there are a number of things that could go wrong. Is this a bad idea?

[SuzieQNutter]

It sound like a great idea as she is taking lessons. That should nip a lot of things in the bud, plus you being in the pet and play department you can supervise the ground training as well if needed, and how the horse is looked after.

I say go for it.

[Mander]

As someone who has been in that young rider’s shoes (more or less) I may be somewhat biased, but I think you should do it. I owe an awful lot of my riding skills/opportunities to generous people like you who were willing to give me a ride.

Honestly, if she’s in a lesson program with a trainer you trust and she rides as well as you think she does, I think your overall risk is fairly low. Especially if you keep in touch with the trainer to keep tabs on any issues that might bubble to the surface. I’d be less inclined to do so if she were, say, at another barn with a trainer you didn’t know, or not taking lessons at all, etc. Your situation seems pretty ideal.

And worst case scenario, you realize she’s not a good fit for the horse and you take the reins back.

[Bluey]

It is standard for western show stables to have some up and coming young riders that need a horse to train and show to advance.
Generally the trainer suggest any such suitable horses could be shared or if the owner is not riding and showing, the trainer is, a few junior classes with some such young rider is one option.

I was lucky a few years ago to have several such young riders in the same stable I had some horses and both, under a very good trainer, were successful showing at the junior level.

One kid gave me for Christmas a scrap book of her and the horse’s wins and cute pictures I treasure.
Under a very good trainer’s direction is the key word here.

Decades ago, I was that kid, paying it forward is nice too.

[Tha_Ridge]

People did it for me, and now I do it whenever I can. There are risks to everything we do—and assuming you have a thoughtful trainer supervising, your horse is at no greater risk with this young lady in the irons than he would be with you. I know she will never forget your kindness.

[fourfillies]

As @Tha_Ridge. I’ve done the same a couple of times. Two recs would be:

1. Time limit to set a backstop (which you hopefully will never need but creates a very polite out if it’s not all roses)
2. Formalize a hold harmless clause. I’ve put it in a very brief lease agreement in similar situations.

Then sit back and enjoy with flask on call. Hopefully the kid or Mom pays it forward one day.

[Heinz_57]

It sounds like a great idea, just don’t forget to do a formal ‘free lease’ contract that outlines the arrangement clearly and protects everybody involved.

[clanter]

we often loaned our horses out to deserving young riders. …one mare was the mount for three different kids in three consecutive years at the same Class A …each won High Point Youth.

[hoopoe]

I think of all the people who gave me a hand up I still try to pay it forward. All the “things that could go wrong” could just as easily go wrong with you or your trainer at the wheel.

I say a meeting with trainer and her parents are in order

It sounds like a huge win.

[Foggy]

I have done this with one young rider for a number of years now and it has been amazing. We are now on horse #2.
Having said that, I think you both need to be clear what you want out of the arrangement. It sounds like you still expect to be in the horses life and around the barn and shows. Which is personally the arrangement I have. You are not getting just the horse you are getting the horse and me. I like to watch lessons, will be at all shows, but I will support you and be the trailer driver for horse shows.
We have a great time together and the situation has worked incredibly well for us.

[MsM]

I would be inclined to start with a short term lease. You dont know right now if your feelings about riding this horse will change or if the program with the young rider will work. With an open ended lease, you would have to be the bad guy and “take the horse away” . If you start with a six month agreement, renewable if both parties agree, the lessee is on notice that this isnt necessarily permanent.

[joiedevie99]

I benefited a lot from these arrangements as a kid. As long as you trust your trainer to keep things moving in the right direction, and you’re going to be around at least weekly to keep an eye on things, I’d give it a try. Don’t get the kids hopes up by promising a year of showing at first - say a few weeks and see how things go first.

[Calvincrowe]

I’ve done it twice with great results. Insurance for the horse, solid lease agreement where all the details and responsibilities are laid out clearly, good communication with all parties, will make it all go much more smoothly. Enjoy!

[paw]

I’ve done this when sidlined by injury - it’s generally been a win!

Since I’m a lawyer I would recommend having some sort of written agreement - doesn’t have to be super formal, but including who is paying for what (are you still maintaining the horse? what about show fees?) and the usual “horses are unpredictable and you could get hurt” sort of language. Also what happens if the horse gets hurt while under saddle.

But yes - it’s nice to share.

[dani0303]

I have been on both ends of it and agree with everyone else. A lease agreement is necessary and set a term limit with the option to extend when the time comes. It sounds like it should be a mutually beneficial arrangement!

[furlong47]

Do it - but put everything on paper just like you would if it were a paid lease. I agree with making it short term at first and then being able to extend it if all is going well. If the horse isn’t insured, I’d consider doing that.

I was one of those kids who wouldn’t have ridden much if not for the kindness of people who had more horses than they needed.

[trubandloki]

Another vote for - Do it, with a clear contract.

Sounds like the perfect solution on all fronts.

[imbassetma]

This is working out well for me. Young, greenish but honest mare, chickenshit new owner. One of the working students at the barn who did all her baby training, still rides/lessons a couple of times a week on her. Shows her as well. I wanted a packer, bought a baby. But our arrangement will get me that packer and I get to participate in the journey.

[2DogsFarm]

I’ve been on both sides & both times as an adult.

As a 30ish re-rider, I was fortunate to get a shareboard arrangement (verbal only) with a gal who had little time to ride the 4yo QH (race-bred) DH gifted her.
She allowed me to show him as a Green Hunter, rarely came to show herself.
When she did, I generally showed Fri & Sat, she’d show up Sunday to ride in a class or two, leaving Medals to me.
This worked for us both for nearly 5yrs.
She moved w/horse to a suburb that was an inconveniently long drive for me.
But…
Years later moved horse to the barn I was at & DH took over the QH shareboard.
They did pretty well

Later, I took on shareboarders for my own TB Hunter. Again, verbal contract only - I asked for 1/2 board & shoeing, I paid vet bills.
Started with a Jr I had shown with, home from college for Summers.
Neither of us was showing then, mostly trails & lessons (for me).
When she skipped a season, I had an adult Newb - the sister of the older lady my DH was sharing her QH with.
Only change was I insisted she lesson once a week with my trainer.

I always gave the prospective boarder a “free” month. This let me observe & decide if I found them a good match.
Only time I had a problem with this was when we moved barns & trainer asked if I’d let one of his clients shareboard.
This overachiever (practicing lawyer, returning to Med school) lessoned several times a week, but had a problem keeping horse clean - she left saddlemarks!
Mentioned this to trainer once & solved.
Only other minorish issue was she was not an effective rider.
I’d come to ride after she had & TB informed me turning right was not necessary
So I had to spend the first 20min or so reminding him it was indeed possible.

[cayuse]

I think it’s a good idea (with all the appropriate paperwork in place). But I’m going to be honest, I tried something similar once years ago and I couldn’t really enjoy watching the horse as I felt an underlying resentment creep in that it wasn’t ME in the tack. Not jealousy, but more of an irritation with myself. I also had someone show my driving mini a couple of times and felt the exact same way. So I guess you could say I wasn’t able to fully “let go” of those reins.