I have a wonderful horse in my barn that I know I could get leased, but I am concerned about him coming back to me in not as good a shape. I know I can come up with a detailed lease agreement, but what if?
Iāve only leased in-barn and was fine for everyone. I could see the horse every day and he was in the same training/board program. Lease ended amicably also when rider went away to school.
That āwhat ifā is always going to a factor, even with a detailed lease agreement and even to someone you think you can trust. Iāve seen lease horses used a little harder than an owned horse ā not necessarily that they were cruel or over-doing with the horse, but just that feeling that they should be getting the most out of their lease, so maybe would not be as sympathetic or easy on the horse. And seen a few (not mine, but in another barn) lease horses that have come back a little skinny or with some training issues. Or ones returned lame.
So, you can cover your bases and itās still taking a chance on other people. Charge enough of a lease fee to make it worth your while in case the horse comes back less sound/trained than when he left (imo, itās easier to get money upfront than to try to collect for a horse that becomes not-useful to the other person). Make them do a PPE beforehand, so they canāt claim unsoundness as pre-existing to return a lame horse. Check on the horse periodically, in person if you can.
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I have only had bad experiences leasing my animals, and have seen things with other leased animals that made me certain that I will never lease any of mine out again.
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Iāve had good experiences leasing horses from others. Weāve had horses from out of barn come in barn as leases and everyone has had good experiences. There are āwhat ifā scenarios for everything in life. You do your best to cross your tās and dot your iās. Do your research and if you canāt lease in barn you could always choose to work only with other trainers you know or riders you know that will take the best of care of your horse.
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As others have mentioned, the best scenario is keeping the horse in the same program. If you can swing an in barn lease everything is a lot safer. You know the horse is in an environment you are comfortable with, you know the program, your trainer knows your horse, you know other people who can keep an eye out for you and you also potentially know the person who will be leasing your horse.
If itās going to be out of barn itās best to go through your trainers network. Get the PPE before hand, make sure itās someone you trust. Preferably either close enough that you can keep an eye out or somewhere you have contacts. And most importantly make sure the lease is a good match.
Itās a two way street. Iāve seen people who leased horses they werenāt ready for. And while those horses all went home sound, Iām sure they gained some bad habits and kinks that had to be worked out because the riders were not up to the level of the owner. On the flip side Iāve seen owners blame leasers for issues that were definitely present before whether physical or training related.
The reality is that this is, at itās core, a business transaction. Assuming its not in your budget/desires to keep the horse for yourself, whether you lease or sell the horse, there are the same āwhat ifsā with regard to the horses treatment. The difference is that when itās a lease, it becomes your problem upon their return. The only real way to deal with this is to cover yourself: ensure there is insurance in place, ensure the lease fee takes into account the risk you are taking and do your best to place the horse in a situation you trust.
My experiences have always been positive. I leased my first horse for years before eventually becoming her owner. Iāve also leased out horses periodically, without any problem. (However these were not A-show horses, and free or part-share leases) Go with your gut on the person.
I would only ever lease in-barn, and in fact have done it a couple of times with success. Itās just too risky otherwise for a horse that I love.
Plus I would miss seeing them every day coz Iām a sook 
On the flip side of the coin, before I got my own horse I leased myself (in-barn). It was a great way to learn care horse and management with the support of the owner at my side.
Iāve always had good experiences; but I will say that your experience will always be based on your expectations. If you are highly particular about every aspect of your horses care, you may not enjoy leasing your guy out as you wonāt have that control and itās hard to know - even with a very detailed lease agreement - that every little detail you expect will be respected by your leasee.
With that being said, Iāve always expected some degree of deviation from whatever I do - but if you would send your guy somewhere where youād worry every day that his condition would worsen, or you donāt trust the leasee to take good care, then perhaps leasing your guy out isnāt for you. If heās staying in barn and you can āsuperviseā so to speak to give yourself peace of mind, could be a great fit!
Ultimately I think if you trust the people heās going to, thatās the best you can ask for.
I half-leased a horse for two years many, many years ago (15-17 years of age). I had actually picked up the lease on the mare when she was owned by the barn program (purchased to be started by one of the trainers, and either incorporated into the lesson program or sold). Another girl ended up picking up another half lease on her (and eventually purchased her) and we continued that arrangement for a year.
It worked well, despite having multiple trainers involved, and two teenage girls. We were both relatively mature for our age and communicated fairly freely - there was a riding schedule for both of us, (and contract dictated terms - I was guaranteed at least 3 rides a week, one of which was a lesson) but we also communicated very early on that we were both flexible about non-lesson days (IE: if she had a school event, I would be willing to cover her day & give her one of mine). We mutually agreed that we would communicate these schedule changes a minimum of a week in advance, so any āday swappingā would come pre-planned.
I used my own saddle and the bridle that my instructor started the mare in, her owner ended up using a slightly different configuration for a different riding focus.
So it was an in-barn half lease, but for the number of people involved (parents paying the checks at that age, two trainers, and two teenagers responsible for the communication) things went very smoothly. I ended up terminating the lease because she wanted to ride more and was willing to keep up the lease but she ended up riding her 6x a week so I would be her second ride of a day, and the mare (a naturally low-energy type) didnāt enjoy it. It was amicable and we still run into each other 12+ years later and enjoy catching up.
The biggest thing I have for leases is a clear contract that outlines expectations.
Communication is not negotiable. Outline what your dealbreakers are (for many āhard to fitā horses this can be something like āyou must use the saddle that comes with the horseā). Have the contract clearly state what the penalty for violating terms are (āIf leaser is found in violation of this agreement, owner is within rights to terminate lease (without warning? without returning money? determine how youāll approach that) and take custody of horse immediately.ā) Clear contracts, clear expectations, and clear follow up can save a truck-full of angst.
Not all leases go south. A few years ago, I leased a horse from my trainer. After a few years they decided their program wasnāt a match for me anymore, and we all decided it was time to for me to move on BUT they also said that I could have my lease horse if I wanted as they couldnāt imagine anyone ever taking better care of him or loving him more than I could. Itās been over two years and I ran into her at a show over the weekend and shared some recent pictures. See was elated to see him looking so dappled and gorgeous.
So, there are great people out there who are leasing for whatever reason who will have more time for your horse, or a life that can dedicate time to your horse, or the resources to give your horse the support he/she needs. You just need to vet the lessee very well and have a solid contract.
Good luck!
Iāve leased several times and have had mostly good experiences, and one really bad.
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medium welsh pony with a show record a mile long but a little quirky: I leased her 4 times as a paid lease and every time she came back after a year (when kid outgrew her) and was going well, sound, and in good weight. As she got older, I free leased her a few times, and one time she came back a little skinny and needing her teeth done. But one lady tried to sell her!!! I found out through a friend who boarded there, and put a stop to that immediately. Her last (current) lease has taken her on as a forever pony, though they know they can send her back anytime if they canāt keep her, sheās considered part of their family. I assess the majority of this ponyās leases to be good experiences.
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fancy, winning WB mare. I had done her in the AOs and she was easy and sound. I leased her to a Childrenās girl (paid lease), who showed her very successfully, but at about 10 months into their yr-long lease, they reported some soundness problems. They put me in touch with their vet, and gave consistent updates. When I got her back, it turns out sheād been shod/trimmed so poorly, it caused a mechanical founder in one foot. (sheās high/low, and her feet werenāt balanced properly). It took me a year to get her sound/correct again and sheāll never jump big again. I donāt blame the family leasing her, they were wonderful. But they werenāt experts, and they naturally relied on their trainer and farrier to manage the horseās health. So I will NEVER do business with that trainer again, and I hold her responsible. Obviously, I do not consider this particular lease a positive experience. They broke my nice horse.
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imported warmblood gelding. Shown successfully but a little quirky: I leased him to a dressage rider for a year. She was good about providing updates, and rode him well. When she got hurt and couldnāt ride for a bit, she paid a pro to keep him going. He only came back because her life situation changed. He came back in good weight and condition. Heās currently free/cheap leased to a young adult rider. Iām not as happy with this one, as sheās not great about providing updates. The first year, I think she hardly rode him. This summer, it sounds like sheās not doing much more. Iām not super happy with this one, because I leased him for very low $$$ with the understanding heād be in a regular program and showed. Iām not really happy with this lease, but not unhappy enough to take him back either. The horse would not fit into my current program, and this way heās off my feed bill.
So, take my experiences for what theyāre worth: free 
Leases can be good/bad, and paid vs free is no guarantee of quality of home/care. Regular communication with the lessors is key, and periodic photos of weight and how theyāre going is important for your peace of mind. Insurance is non-negotiable.
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Iāve been very lucky to be on the receiving end of of multiple leases. Based on my/my husbandās careers Iāve had to move a lot, resulting in my reliance on finding half/part/full leases. Most of mine have been on-farm leases where I was able to half lease a horse in my trainerās program, which worked out for all of us. Communication is really key, as I think part leases can be even harder than full leases, but having the trainer as mediator can be very helpful.
We did have one come in from out of the barn, and just made sure there was a detailed contract, which was important as a couple issues came up. He was leased out with the condition that he stayed under the watch of our trainer, which meant that when she moved to a new barn so did we (and we informed owner). And when he came up lame, the contract helped us figured out what to do, who owed what and we had insured him as required. He ended up going back to the owner early due to her wanting her vets to care for the injury.
Obviously a lot of potential for things to go wrong, so I understand why people are hesitant to lease, but Iām super grateful for everyone whoās let me ride their ponies.
Iāve always done in barn leases and had a good experience. I could see out of barn leases getting more difficult when there is lack of communication of how the horse is doing, the horse has training or soundness issues etc. But I think when the horse is in the trainerās program it takes a lot of those variables away. The owner knows who the vet/farrier/trainer is and presumably is on board with said trainers program.
Iāve had both bad and good-bad only being when he was offsite. Itās difficult when you arenāt physically there to be able to check on progress and health of your horse, only trusting the word of the person leasing them. You never truly know if they are keeping up with their promises, unless you know the trainer well/person well/ etc. I would caution off-site leases and encourage on-site. As a trainer, being able to lease my horse out on site is great because not only am I there to keep track of his care but I can also hop on if any issues arise and be able to properly assist the rider if need be.
ETA* detailed lease agreements donāt mean crap. Unless you are fully willing to take the person to court if need be, you really donāt get much out of them but a scare tactic.
I have had several good experiences leasing a horse from someone else ( and I think they would agree). I have also leased a horse out offsite and was slightly disappointed that he lost weight while there even though I emphasized many times that he was a hard keeper and would require a high fat diet. That said, it wouldnāt keep me from leasing again, but I would prefer to keep it local, so that I have the option to check in from time to time and might see the horse at the same shows I attend. I also think itās really important to make it clear what happens if the something happens and the horse needs colic surgery or some other expensive medical care that is not because of anything the leaser caused.
I had a fantastic experience leasing my old gelding out, and I found her on craigslist of all places! I obviously met her and watched her ride to make sure 1) sheād be a good fit and 2) she knew what she was doing (itās crazy how many people say they are āexpertā horse riders yet canāt even put on a halter). Anyway, she leased him for about 6 months before making me an offer on him and ended up buying him! It actually worked out really well since I was on the fence about wanting to sell him anywayā¦and on the bright side I still get to ride him on occasion!
This was an in-barn lease though, and Iām not sure Iād be entirely comfortable doing a full lease to someone at a different barn or area. Unless you knew the person closely and 100% trusted them ā¦ and even then, I would be hesitant about it! You just never know.
I have been on receiving end of three leases over the years. First one, Adult Hunter, came to me from a couple states away. Saint of a horse, talented, capable. The ONLY reason he came that far was because owner was friends w/ my trainer. Point here: if you send horse out, better it be someone you know and trust. Closer is better.
Second two were in-barn leases. One was a hunter that didnāt sell over summer, I sat on him once, was hooked, and by some stroke of luck talked owner into a free lease situation for up to a year. He had some quirks, but after showing him w/ an ammy rider, he got sold following summer.
The final one is my current horse (now a dressage convert) Owner really wanted cash out of the horse, but was also willing to settle for help covering expenses - divorce situation. She moved horse to the barn where I boarded another horse in order to do a 1/2 lease. We each had 3 days per week, she turned into a very dear friend, and after a year I bought the horse from her. Best trial period a girl could have!
I think if you want to lease horse out - focus on the best possible and flexible scenario. A free lease to a good situation is better than a paying lease with unknowns. Put restrictions in lease agreement if necessary. First hunter above was 18, had done regular working in his younger days. We were limited to 3ft 3" jumps. Hard obviously to police, but owner trusted my trainer.
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