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

[Bluey]

@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.

During those years, I had 9 surgeries in 11 years, all unexpected.
Every time, as I was getting back to riding, another health crisis came up, it was getting old!

I was so glad the trainer I choose to keep the horses going and show them had up and coming juniors that could help keep the horses doing as well as they did.
That took the edge of frustration with other, at least the horses did surprisingly well.
Two of those kids today are budding young trainers.
They were talented and well coached, a win for everyone, the horses also.

I think that in the right situation, everyone can do well with such arrangements.

[lenapesadie]

Sounds like a good plan. Paperwork and giving yourself an out sound like the way to go.

As a teen that didn’t have their own horse, ride options included: saintly old schoolies with restrictions, BO’s flip horses (fresh OTTBS/OTTBs that flunked out of polo training) and precious show horses owned by AAs willing to head the Pet and Pay Department. That scenario is about the only thing that has stayed consistent in the local barn culture over the past 20 years. There are some other threads where the lack/price of trained, athletically capable horses and how that impacts up and coming riders and the equine industry as a whole are discussed. Heading the Pet and Pay Department for a developing rider is a noble position.

I dunno what your current program is like and this is kind of a tangent, so maybe not terribly applicable.

The times I’ve had someone else up on my homebred have been very positive. It was incredibly useful both to watch him go and to have dialogue with the person in the tack. If your program currently includes training rides that you watch that might not be terribly relevant other than the different perspective of another person riding.

It was also a blessed relief from managing his green butt without the guilt of horse not getting worked. Win win, pass the champagne.

I think it’s valuable experience for horses to go under multiple riders, presuming appropriate skill level. Green horses may react interestingly to different rider habits creating good training opportunities. Blah blah

Bonus the Pet and Pay Department is AKA the Calling the Shots Department. There’s security and comfort in that.

[Luseride]

Sounds like a good idea, especially as you are still going to be involved. Just make sure everything is in writing. Seeing your horse progress may even get your desire back also.

[2DogsFarm]

I am the opposite.
I loved watching my TB when I loaned him to a Jr whose horse was lame & to an adult friend whose mount was out of commission for year-end points.
Here he is @ Lamplight - circa 1994ish:

I wish I could get someone to drive my mini.
I’m always when I see him going w/me in pics or vids friends take.
In a recent clinic:

[hybriseris]

I say if you know her & and her riding, do it! I lease from a woman somewhat like you, who lost her heart horse and got another that she just didn’t click with but felt responsible for and looked for a rider. The happiness and fun of the symbiotic relationship we have around her mare is one of the biggest blessings of my life, and I know I’ll always remember it and her generosity. I’ll want to pass it on to another young rider when the tables are turned. I’m getting saddle time and becoming a better rider every day, and the owner loves to come up and watch us go (and occasionally lovingly push me past my jumping anxiety). With any luck, it might give you a new lease on your love for horses watching someone else benefit from your kindness.

As others have recommended, some written guidelines to the agreement are probably a good idea just to mitigate any concerns you might have.

[NothingSimple90]

I’m doing something like this currently, and it’s been working out great for both parties! Mare’s owner has been taking a break from riding, but was previously paying full training board, maintenance, etc. to keep her in work for when she’s ready to come back to riding and showing. I sold my last horse and was looking for a replacement, so in the meantime I’ve been riding mare, taking lessons with trainer, keeping her in full board (paying board, training, maintenance, shows etc.). The one thing I don’t pay is her insurance. It’s a win-win for everyone - I get a lovely horse to ride and love on (even knowing it’s temporary) and owner gets her horse maintained, going to shows with her longtime trainer etc. I also keep the owner very UTD on everything going on, how mare is feeling etc.