Is partboarding/half-leasing/shareboarding not a thing in the US?

[gottagrey]

another Marylander here and close to Rockville and I know of 2 barns right off the top of my head that are smallish hunter/jumper barns that offer part leases, the requirement is you do have to take lessons. I believe both places the horses belong to the owner/manager/trainers.

OP are you a hunter/jumper rider, eventer, dressage or what? Have you checked out the Surrey or All About Equestrian tack stores in the area (Darnestown and Poolesville ) not far from Rockville? Both tack stores have bulletin boards with all sorts of ads, including lessons or part leases. I can also think of a couple of Facebook pages that also post horses for lease and sale Area II eventing FB and Poolesille Equestrian Group.

[ladyj79]

I’m not sure what discipline you are looking fpr, but dressage Hilary Moore Hebert is up by you, and I feel like she had horses for lease posted on Facebook recently. But really, to repeat, contact local barns and ask because many won’t advertise.

[mydogs]

I am in Maryland as well. I have half leased and offered my horse for half lease pretty often. I have posted my horse on Dreamhorse and Facebook.

I have found horses for lease on Facebook, but I had to know the person or they had to be a friend of a friend. I know there is a horse that was posted on the PVDA facebook group that was available for half lease near Boyds, MD.

I also have emailed many barns/trainers just asking and giving them information about myself. I found two horses this way.

Building a relationship with a trainer has also allowed me to half lease the trainer’s client’s horses too.

[OneTwoMany]

Lots of great advice above. I would add one thing, what you are looking for is called a “half lease” here in the States. You might want to use that term in your discussions with barns and trainers. It will get you on the same page a little more quickly.

And I second @findeight’s comment that nice show horses are half leased at times. The owner/trainer will be very choosy about the riders that are offered these opportunities, but those situations do exist.

[LiveToRide1000]

Thanks to everyone for all the helpful replies. Sounds like the opportunities exist (thank goodness) - I just need to work a little harder than I’m used to, to find them. Time to up my networking game (gulp). Thanks again!

[DoodlesMom]

@Wonders12

Yes, it’s a thing, but rarely advertised and usually arranged by word of mouth.

That’s a good point. I found mine through word of mouth, because her current lease had just left the barn, and our trainer thought it might be a good idea for her to try my guy. I never would have found her otherwise.

[2DogsFarm]

I have to agree with @NoSuchPerson & @Toblersmom - Not all schoolies - even the ones who suffer the UpDown Newbies Are plugs.
Think of riding them as giving them a good experience with no bad seat or hands to have to bear.

You may be very surprised to find one that plods along with a kid aboard has much more energy & talent with an experienced rider.
Remembering my long-ago Dressage trainer getting on an OTTB schoolie and having her Passage.
This was a mare who wore her ears pinned giving lessons.

[amb]

I second (third? fourth?) the suggestion of finding a barn you like and trying a lesson or two. I suspect that area is a lot like where I am–lots of people busy with work, with horses who could use a little more work themselves. It’s almost always a trainer who gets the people together, though. (Everybody wins–the trainer gets a new client, the owner gets help with boarding costs, the horse gets more consistent work, and you get a ride too.)

If you want to stick with low-level eventing in particular I think your odds are really good even if you want to show; the occasional outing at starter or BN isn’t going to wipe out the horse for days afterwards. Also you’re in a great region for eventing generally.

[mmeqcenter]

I agree with OP on the schoolie sentiment; it’s not really the fact that they may or may not be “plugs,” it’s the fact that riding a horse that you’re constantly having to undo or combat bad habits of multiple beginner riders get tiresome. Half-leasing a privately owned or single rider horse is far more ideal. However, it may be a good option to get into riding now, and wait for a really good lease opportunity to arrive. It may also be a good way to get into a nice barn, make friends with horse owners, and create a lease opportunity that may not have otherwise been available. EX. owner who doesn’t care that horse only gets ridden twice per week so would never have advertised horse as available for lease, but they like you a lot and would love to let you ride their horse.

I also cannot stand it when people try to lease out green-bean horses. No one wants to pay YOU to train your horse for you, stop being cheap.

In your internet searches, search for “half lease” or “partial lease,” it’s not commonly called partboarding here.

[rockonxox]

I’ve only ever done half leases through the trainer whose barn I ride at or once I half leased a boarders horse whose daughter went to college. I half lease one of her horses. There are some private owners/boarders who offer half leases for their horses as well. Half leases are definitely a big thing in my region. Most of the half leases will require the horse to stay on site where the owner boards their horse. If you want to be able to move the horse to where you regularly ride then you’d likely be needing to look for a full lease.

PS > I did a quick search of Rockland and half lease and plenty of places came up. That can at least give you an idea of what is available in your area. Also, try joining your zone/area/professional horsemans associations/etc. (depending on discipline) if you haven’t already. And, there is NOTHING wrong with learning from school horses while you are in limbo. Some barns have pretty fantastic horses that can teach you a lot. Hell, the horse I lease is technically a school horse but only has one other lesson student who rides him once a week so it is a great situation for us.

[Canaqua]

@amb

I second (third? fourth?) the suggestion of finding a barn you like and trying a lesson or two. I suspect that area is a lot like where I am–lots of people busy with work, with horses who could use a little more work themselves. It’s almost always a trainer who gets the people together, though. (Everybody wins–the trainer gets a new client, the owner gets help with boarding costs, the horse gets more consistent work, and you get a ride too.)

I

Yep! I’ve been half-leasing/part boarding privately owned horses for quite a few years now. Definitely first find a barn and trainer that you like and take some lessons. You might have to try several to find a good fit. Once it’s clear that you are a desirable client, the trainer will likely be happy to help you find a half lease prospect. Could be one of the trainer’s horses, could be a boarder’s horse, or it could be finding a horse from outside the barn that would be appropriate to bring in for you and another half leaser to share. I’ve seen all three happen. Once word gets around that you are a good half leaser (pays bills on time, responsible with horse and tack, treats owner respectfully, communicates effectively…) you won’t have to look hard for a half lease situations, they will come to you ;).

[Linny]

Part board leases are available but as mentioned, typically set up by trainers. I’d try couple of barns that offer lessons at the level you are interested in. (Lets face it, there are many levels of lesson outfits.) If their website or FB page mentions that they attend Local A and some A or AA shows, especially if they have riders listed with wins/ribbons in good classes, it is probably not strictly a lesson mill. Go and sign up for a lesson. Tell the trainer what you are looking to do. S/He will want to assess your ability so be prepared to take a few lessons. Be sure to always put the horse and tack away carefully at the level of the barn. (Washing everything and Fig 8’ig the bridle when no others are done might make you look like a snob!) Get to know your lesson mates, especially if they are on their own horses. You might pick up a catch ride that leads to more.
I’ve found that if I’m in a new barn, half leasing a lesson horse is often a way to become friendly with boarders as you’ll probably hack with them etc. If the barn has any events (trainers birthday party, holiday party, potluck dinner etc) make sure you go. Offer to help at shows. Anything you can do to show your interest and competence will help.

ETA: OP, if I were looking to lease out my horse, I probably would skip your ad. You might mention that you’ve just arrived from Ontario, saying “new to country” might make people fear a language barrier. Be specific about your skills (ribbons through Level X in Y Company…) I’d much prefer to hand over the keys to my horse after getting to know a rider and their overall competence first hand or with the guidance of a trusted pro who knows my horse and the other rider as well.

Good luck. There are lots of Marylanders here, I’m sure you’ll get some leads

[emipou]

… It’s all I’ve ever done actually. As a teen, and as an adult. I’ve become so good at it, I’m starting to wonder if I’ll ever own… :’(

You just need to look around. It’s best to start with a trainer. Generally they will have horses available, or will know of horses available. You can check dreamhorse, it does come up; also there are facebook groups for this sometimes. I have a local one where I see leases posted, but they wouldn’t be close to you.

[ace]

@Toblersmom

Don’t knock schoolies too hard. A barn with a large and robust lesson program may have some quite advanced students and may have several horses that are either too advanced and hot for MOST of the students (and therefore could be available for a half-lease to advanced keep them ridden more regularly), or are the type of horse that really does know All The Things and will freely give them to somebody who knows how to ride, but is also content to plod along as a kiddo flails ineffectively. Those horses often are half-leased by the barn so they keep a bit of an edge on and don’t collapse entirely to sloth and deafness to the aids by the uninitiated.

There’s also the factor that many lesson barns are boarding barns, and many boarded horses may be available for half-lease, but the owners don’t want to go through sifting people and wants somebody that’s a “known” via lessons at the barn.

I’ve done half-leases in all of those situations, all around the country.

This. If I was to ever half-lease my horse it would only be to a known rider in my barn.

Also emphasize don’t knock the schoolies. You could potentially take lessons on and half lease a very nice horse.

Our barn has 3 horse-size schoolies (and 3 ponies). One does beginner W/T to 2’6’, safe and slow when needed but can be jazzed up with a better rider. The second is a 25 year old former 1.60m jumper (that I leased and showed to 1.0m, schooled 1.10m only last year). The third was recently added to the program as a future replacement for the 25 year old. 15 year old that did 1.40m in Europe and 1.20m in Canada. Beautiful flatwork, 100% sound, just doesn’t want to do the big A circuit shows anymore so he came to our barn to be a lease horse for lessons and 1-2 day schooling shows.

Get in at a barn on the lesson horses, then look for a lease.

[tabula_rashah]

I’m in MD and have a couple of very nice horses I’m looking for someone to ride a few times a week- unfortunately I’m on the other side of MD and a totally different discipline But I’d work on that networking- try some of the MD horse FB pages or putting some ads in local tack shops.

[gottagrey]

OP you didn’t share what your discipline is, there are several of us Marylanders who live in Montgomery County who you can “network” here with and can probably help you. There are several good lesson barns in the area which might be a good place to start, or there are some smaller H/J barns (like the ones I know of) which offer lessons and can work out a some sort of leasing arrangement.

[JenEM]

@gottagrey

OP you didn’t share what your discipline is, there are several of us Marylanders who live in Montgomery County who you can “network” here with and can probably help you. There are several good lesson barns in the area which might be a good place to start, or there are some smaller H/J barns (like the ones I know of) which offer lessons and can work out a some sort of leasing arrangement.

Yes, knowing discipline would be a big help in pointing the OP in the right direction. For example, I just randomly saw a 1st level horse for part lease on the PVDA group, which might be a good option for the OP if she were looking to get into dressage in the area, but probably of no help if she’s a hunter rider. But we could all recommend a few barns to contact in that discipline, too.

Part leases are not uncommon here at all, I part leased a horse for years after I graduated college. It does seem to be more of a word-of-mouth or in-barn thing, though, so getting in to a barn and working with a trainer would be in your best interest. Go take a couple lessons, making it clear up front you’re interested in a part-lease, and if you’ve got the skills, there are often horses out there unadvertised.

[gottagrey]

@JenEM

Yes, knowing discipline would be a big help in pointing the OP in the right direction. For example, I just randomly saw a 1st level horse for part lease on the PVDA group, which might be a good option for the OP if she were looking to get into dressage in the area, but probably of no help if she’s a hunter rider. But we could all recommend a few barns to contact in that discipline, too.

Part leases are not uncommon here at all, I part leased a horse for years after I graduated college. It does seem to be more of a word-of-mouth or in-barn thing, though, so getting in to a barn and working with a trainer would be in your best interest. Go take a couple lessons, making it clear up front you’re interested in a part-lease, and if you’ve got the skills, there are often horses out there unadvertised.

Yep, we have a great area for riding and certainly no shortage of convenient barns here in Montgomery County for which I’m so thankful. OP we’re here to help you

[LiveToRide1000]

Thanks again for all the great replies - lots of good suggestions and helpful advice.

Fellow Marylanders, I would absolutely love some barn suggestions. Networking is not really my strong point and I’ve been feeling kind of daunted trying to figure out where to start/who to approach. I’m really hoping to find an eventing barn.

[JenEM]

If you’re looking to make some connections in Eventing, look into volunteering at a few of the events in the area, watch some trainers and students ride, and get a feel of eventing in the area. Loch Moy, Waredaca, and Seneca all have events coming up on your side of DC, and you might want to join the AreaII and MCTA FB groups.

My first suggestion to look at near you to get started in some lessons would be Waredaca, which hosts events and has a lesson program at a variety of levels. Bascule also has some school/lease horses, I don’t think Kelley Williams or Destination have lesson horses, but they might have some private horses in their programs looking for leasers. You’re in eventing paradise