From: mary@cloudpeak.tivoli.com (Mary Anthony)
Newsgroups: rec.equestrian
Subject: Re: Leasing a horse (Long)
Date: 13 Dec 92 07:27:07 GMT
Organization: TIVOLI Systems, Inc.


   >> I may have an opportunity to lease a TB.  I've ridden Western all my life
   >> and began lessons in English a year ago.  I hope to get into jumping
   >> at some point.  I've never leased a horse before, and was wondering
   >> the advantages and disadvantages of leasing a horse.  What are the
   >> problems associated with leasing, advantages, etc.  Anyone out there
   >> want to comment.

I leased various horses for 2 years before buying my TB, Doug.  I found the
experience, for the most part, positive.  Some things you might want to
consider:

1) Is it a full lease or a half lease?
 
   I did both.  Check with the barn or person to find out what kind 
   of lease they are offering.  A full lease (at my barn) meant that
   I had exclusive use of the horse for the period of the lease ( 1 month).
   I could ride the horse whenever and wherever I pleased. 

   A half lease meant that my use of the horse was restricted -- either
   I had to coordinate with another rider or the horse was being used
   for lessons part of the time.  At first this may seem like a
   *disadvantage*, but I'd say it depends on who you are sharing the
   horse with and what your own expectations are.  If you know how
   often and when you want to ride and the other person is also
   very regular as to when and how often and there are  no conflicts...
   Needless to say a half lease is cheaper.  I rode nearly every
   day and half-leased most of the horses I rode.

2) Are you responsible for other care?

   For instance do you have to pay for shoes or any vet bills that
   may come up.  Are responsible for cleaning or feeding? I've 
   heard of some full leases that include vets and shoes -- basically
   you "own" the horse though you haven't bought him. 

   I was always responsible for grooming the horse thoroughly before
   and after I rode -- but I just consider that part of good
   horsemanship.  I'd agree with Linda Merims, if you are
   responsible for the horse's total care it would be a good
   idea to vet him, also some kind of insurance or at least
   a contract in the event of accidental death of the horse
   would be a good idea.


3) Who provides the tack?

   For a good part of the time I was leasing I didn't have tack for
   a horse.  I was lucky to later find a wonderful Stubben dressage saddle 
   about a year into the period I was leasing.  I had my instructor
   check to make sure it fit the horse (and me).  Later, when I leased
   a different horse I was lucky to again have a saddle that fit
   the horse -- but if my saddle did fit the horse I would expected
   the owner (in this case) to provide one.


4) Are you and the horse a correct "fit"?

   My second lease was a wonderful TB named Easter.  I loved Easter
   and considered buying him at one point.  Looking back, it would
   have been a mistake.  Though I learned a lot riding Easter I
   believe that he was too much horse for me.  If I had leased
   him or bought him the combination of me and Easter would have
   driven me out of riding  --- he was highly strung and I was
   too inexperienced.   The last month I leased him I had to 
   nerve myself up to trail ride him -- I was afraid I'd get hurt.
   (Later I found out Easter was sold to a good home with an
   experienced rider.  Yeah a happy ending.)

  If you can ride the horse in some lessons or watch other people
  at your level ride him a number of times it would be a good
  idea.  If you are planning on learning to jump you might want
  to think about leasing an experienced jumper (if possible).
  An instructors advice is always helpful.

5) Do you want to show the horse?

   I was lucky, with a full lease I could show the horse I leased.
   If you intend to show, check before you lease.

Having leased and owned a horse, I'd say I found not a whole lot of difference
between to the two.  Even as a leaser I still bought fun things for the horse,
enjoyed advancing in lessons, went to shows -- had a lot of good times.  If the
horse and I didn't work well together, I was able to lease another horse (this
only happened once). 

On the other hand, I fell "in love" with at least 2 of the horses I leased.
Easter, and another Tasco, I went through a lot of worry about them being sold
or hurt during lessons with other folks.  If you lease or own -- you can't help
getting attached.

As an owner, I have all the pleasure of leasing -- plus he's mine! I don't have
to worry about other riders hurting him or not taking care of him properly. (It
used to get me so mad when I found Tasco put up without being groomed by some
kid taking a lesson on him).  But owning you have more responsibility -- I worry
more and of course, it costs a bit more!

Sorry this was so long.  I had a good time leasing -- gosh the memories.  Good
luck!

- Mary

*****************************************************************
* YOU WANTED TO OWN A HORSE.		| Mary M. Anthony	*
* YOU WANTED TO BE A HORSE.		| mary@tivoli.com	*
* YOU WANTED YOUR BROTHER TO BE HORSE.	| Tivoli Systems, Inc.	*
*     - from a Nike ad			| Austin, Texas		*
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--
*****************************************************************
* YOU WANTED TO OWN A HORSE.		| Mary M. Anthony	*
* YOU WANTED TO BE A HORSE.		| mary@tivoli.com	*
* YOU WANTED YOUR BROTHER TO BE HORSE.	| Tivoli Systems, Inc.	*
*     - from a Nike ad			| Austin, Texas		*
*****************************************************************