What would an appropriate thank you be for someone who’s loaned you a horse to hunt?
My 5 y/o (see afraid of water thread) was injured in the pasture the day after we last went hunting. He’s out for a month or two…kicked in the knee. I can’t take either of my other two, for various reasons, and I’ve had a couple offers of horses to hunt for the weekend. What can I do for the person who so generously allows this?
In the spirit of hunting, replacing the bottle of whatever they fill their flask with is always a nice thing. And, folks are always hungry so a dinner at a nearby eatery would be a nice treat too. Remember, if they are sincerely loaning you a horse it is in part because they want you to enjoy the sport that they do.
I say that because I loaned a horse last Saturday to the junior rider in the family from whom I purchased the horse a couple months ago. I was repaid a million times over to see her grinning from ear to ear and hear her say “it feels SO GOOD to be out of the ring and galloping!” FTR, she is a serious dressage rider who can control every fiber of her horses muscles when she schools or shows so winging it and letting the horse make the calls took her back to her eventing days of a few years back. 
The year my mare was pregnant a very dear hunt friend loaned me a lovely horse to hunt.
she refused to allow me to pay her, so what i did instead was pay his farrier bill for the season.
Some people won’t accept payment, but there are lots of other things you can do.
Can you braid? Braid her horse for the High Holy Days, or something like that. The bottle of booze thing is always good too.
The $100 they pay me is thanks enough. 
No payment required in my case
Although I say I won’t take payment, I am very selective about who may ride my horse.
I have loaned my mare to a friend of our MFH who tried to pay me. I was on the breakfast crew that weekend, so I was just happy that my horse could enjoy herself while I slaved over breakfast. The MFH’s friend did a wonderful job with her and had a glorious time.
I will be loaning her to a trainer friend of mine for the upcoming Opening Hunt. I wouldn’t dream of taking payment of any kind from her. I kind of consider it a “free training ride” so maybe I should be paying her?
The way I look at it
Some horses you would pay to hunt.
Others you should be paid to hunt.
Depends on the horse.
I had a professional (our former huntsman) on one of my horses Sunday. It’s a win-win situation. I get two horses hunted and she gets to go out.
I think the free braiding is a great idea. Gift cards are also good from their favorite specialty Grocery. I hauled a friend of mine’s horse to a show I was already going to and she gave me a gift card for Trader Joe’s that was much appreciated.
Flask fillers are always good provided they are a drinker.
My horse has provided many hunts for friends and guests. One person offered to pay me, and I wouldn’t take her check, but she has given me some riding lessons in the meantime which I really appreciate. Most of the time I’m just happy to get both of mine ridden at the same time. Who knew I could be making hundreds of dollars renting out a hunt horse!! 
It would be a nice to bring a bottle or something like that as a token thank you.
Cheryl
PS I like scotch and drambuie to make rusty nails in my flask if anyone wants to come ride Opie
I loaned a horse to a foxhunting friend more than 20 years ago, and he gifted me with Daphne Moore’s book The Foxhound, and a standing offer to borrow a horse any time. Alas I didn’t get that payback while he still hunted that lovely chestnut son of Secretariat- but I know I could call him today and tell him I’m coming and he’d have a horse for me.
I love this thread! I have been lurking here a lot lately, since the farm I now board my horse at has a lot of hunters (and my fabulous BO and her family are avid hunters and Whips). I have expressed an interest in learning to hunt at some point, and one of their friends has offered me a horse twice now; drat I couldn’t make it due to work and prior commitments!
But either way, I think as soon as I can I will take them up on this and am so excited. I would love to know a nice way to thank them for loaning me a hunt-on-the-buckle fellow who won’t mind my learning ways.
The owner of the horse in question that I have been offered is a junior and her awesome mom. So no flask, but would love to give them a little gift in thanks for their kindness. Shoot, I’d also love to give a little something similar to my BO & family for helping me get my confidence up again enough that I would even feel good riding out of a ring!
Lovely thread!
I think the going rate is $80-200 to hire a horse for a hunt, so you might keep that in mind.
cjmicro- I may take you up on that offer. What kind of Scotch do you prefer
There are some really nice ideas here.
[b]asb own me[b] sorry to hear about your horse. And just when you got a good taste of hunting!
A lovley pair of gloves would be a welcome, and thoughtful gift.
Horse Country carries beautiful ones.
priceless!
How about a gift certificate to a local tack shop or a catalog? Flowers, candy? Dinner if they’re an eater! Fancy booze if they’re an imbiber. Offer to groom for them at opening meet (includes cleaning horse, braiding, cleaning tack/boots AND taking their horse home, wash & turn out so they can stay and enjoy the breakfast!) I had a friend give me 3 boot shines!! The serious spit & polish kind!! (they haven’t been done since! btw!)
I wish I had a groom…
How about offering to feed/care for the barn some weekend of their choosing? Or for their next vacation? Horseowners always need help when trying to get away. Or how about offering to help putting up hay?!!
I guess the money value should be equal to what the going rate for livery is in your area but less is ok too. You may be on a budget but it’s the thought that counts but a generous gift guarantees a repeat offer! :winkgrin: Or make your first thank you gift generous and make different arrangements for a longer term arrangement.
Honestly, loaning a made, quiet fieldhunter to someone is priceless. You’ll come to truly appreciate this in time. :yes::yes::yes::yes::yes::yes::yes:
I think the going rate is $80-200 to hire a horse for a hunt, so you might keep that in mind.
cjmicro- I may take you up on that offer. What kind of Scotch do you prefer
Uh… something in the $80-200 range??
LOL—kidding.
(Single malt)
& Opus likes peppermint treats.
Seriously I love to share my love of hunting and our hunt is very receptive to visitors and new people. So if you find yourself in the area, just give a jingle!
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