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free leasing questions

1K views 6 replies 6 participants last post by  Chasin Ponies 
#1 ·
So, some of you likely saw my thread about leasing one of my mares out while I am in school for the next year. Originally I was going to be either full leasing to a girl at my barn, or breeding her. Long story short, the girl at my barn will no longer be leasing my mare, and myself and the stud owner are going to wait until probably next August - so yes, somewhat late breeding.

I have 99% decided that my mare will be going 3-4 hours from here on a ~1 year free lease. It's the best situation for both of us right now. She'll get to continue at her current level of training doing 3'3"-3'6" hunters on the A circuit all over my province, the one next to us, and she'll get to do Thermal as well. They'll school her more O/F at home since she is currently at 3'6"-3'9" and lots of room to move up, so I'd like to see her doing that over the next year as well. It's a wonderful facility with a lovely group of riders and the trainer will be amazing to further my mares training O/F.

My question though is this, what sort of things am I aloud vs. not aloud in a contract? While I have lots of experience writing up contracts and leasing out my own horses in the past, I have never free leased out a horse. So keep in mind that I do know the basics of what to put in a contract, etc etc, but I am not sure if some of the things I'd personally like in a contract are too outrageous to ask for (if that makes sense?)

1. Am I able to request that I would like to hear personally from their vet each time my horse is seen by the vet whether it's for something minor or major (hopefully this doesn't happen, but you never know)

2. Am I able to request that I know exactly which dates and where my horse will be going off property (like for a trail ride a couple hours away, or whenever they expect to be away competing whether it's local to them or otherwise)

3. Should I be expecting them to supply all their own tack and misc. items for my mare? I understand it is a free lease so they SHOULD be supplying everything, but my mare is quite large (like her blankets are 86", so not as easy to come by) so I'd feel somewhat bad if they had to go buy her an entire wardrobe for the next year, but I also don't want to send all my blankets for her as I did spend quite a bit on them.

4. Can I request that she only wear certain tack undersaddle? Like, they are not to ever switch out her bit? Can I put that no "extra" tack be used ever (draw reins, martingales, etc etc.) ??

5. Even though they are 3-4 hours away, and I will be in school full time, can I request that I am able to show up "whenever" to see her if I wish. I don't mean that I'll show up completely unannounced or at midnight or something ridiculous. I just mean that I would like to give fair notice that I will be coming on X day from X time to X time and would like to see my horse at that time. I would never expect them to cancel a show or lesson or what-have-you just because I am planning on being there, but I do expect to be able to see my horse as I please and they'd of course be able to go about their day or plans with her without me getting in the way by any means.

6. While they do have a show schedule and the student (trainer is leasing from me for the student) takes 3-4 lessons per week and rides 6 days per week, am I able to request that they only jump a certain amount per week? And what would be a reasonable amount to do jumping and the rest of the days flat only? (this doesn't include when they are at shows obviously).


I feel like I had more questions, but I'm sick right now and haven't really got a clear head because of that so I'll probably be back later with more questions.

Thanks in advance =)
 
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#2 ·
All of those sound reasonable to me. It makes sense. I had a lease-to-buy contract with a horse that was even more strict than that. She is still going to be YOUR horse and you don't want her to be "ruined" or anything while she is free leased. :)
 
#3 ·
Going off number 1: You should outline what you authorize the vet to do, what you would be ok with
3: Could they put a deposit down on the equipment they borrow?
 
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#4 ·
You can put whatever stipulations you want in your contract, but remember that being too restrictive may be a turn off to some people. You're well within your rights to not allow the horse off the property at all, and if it was my horse I would have them ask permission before each event. They should be expected to provide their own tack, but some people allow the person leasing to use theirs. I would inspect their tack before approving it to make sure they aren't using an ill fitting saddle or soketging to that effect, but I would never leave my saddle in someone else's care for a year and expect it to be in good shape when I got back. I agree with having to approve any tack changes. I would tell them to expect random visits to check up on the horse. I would follow through on those random visits- the only way you'll truly know that she's cared for is by checking up on her yourself. Limiting jumping days is also reasonable. I don't jump so I can't help say how many, but you sont want them jumping your mare every day. Your requests sound reasonable to me.
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#5 ·
So, some of you likely saw my thread about leasing one of my mares out while I am in school for the next year. Originally I was going to be either full leasing to a girl at my barn, or breeding her. Long story short, the girl at my barn will no longer be leasing my mare, and myself and the stud owner are going to wait until probably next August - so yes, somewhat late breeding.

I have 99% decided that my mare will be going 3-4 hours from here on a ~1 year free lease. It's the best situation for both of us right now. She'll get to continue at her current level of training doing 3'3"-3'6" hunters on the A circuit all over my province, the one next to us, and she'll get to do Thermal as well. They'll school her more O/F at home since she is currently at 3'6"-3'9" and lots of room to move up, so I'd like to see her doing that over the next year as well. It's a wonderful facility with a lovely group of riders and the trainer will be amazing to further my mares training O/F.

My question though is this, what sort of things am I aloud vs. not aloud in a contract? While I have lots of experience writing up contracts and leasing out my own horses in the past, I have never free leased out a horse. So keep in mind that I do know the basics of what to put in a contract, etc etc, but I am not sure if some of the things I'd personally like in a contract are too outrageous to ask for (if that makes sense?)

1. Am I able to request that I would like to hear personally from their vet each time my horse is seen by the vet whether it's for something minor or major (hopefully this doesn't happen, but you never know)I don't think it is fair for the vet to be expected to take the time with you as well as the lessee. Perhaps you could ask for a copy of the visit report?

2. Am I able to request that I know exactly which dates and where my horse will be going off property (like for a trail ride a couple hours away, or whenever they expect to be away competing whether it's local to them or otherwise)You want to control the lessee's calendar and dates? WHy not just say that off farm trips are restricted to XX distance without your express approval? But then-how will you monitor that?

3. Should I be expecting them to supply all their own tack and misc. items for my mare? I understand it is a free lease so they SHOULD be supplying everything, but my mare is quite large (like her blankets are 86", so not as easy to come by) so I'd feel somewhat bad if they had to go buy her an entire wardrobe for the next year, but I also don't want to send all my blankets for her as I did spend quite a bit on them. Do you have another use for the blanket? Why not send it with the mare and they replace it if something happens to it? I supply blankets my guy who is free leased because he is old and I want to be sure he has one.

4. Can I request that she only wear certain tack undersaddle? Like, they are not to ever switch out her bit? Can I put that no "extra" tack be used ever (draw reins, martingales, etc etc.) ??Again-how do you plan on monitoring everything the lessee does? I would make sure the saddle fits correctly, and perhaps make sure you like the trainer the person is using…..

5. Even though they are 3-4 hours away, and I will be in school full time, can I request that I am able to show up "whenever" to see her if I wish. I don't mean that I'll show up completely unannounced or at midnight or something ridiculous. I just mean that I would like to give fair notice that I will be coming on X day from X time to X time and would like to see my horse at that time. I would never expect them to cancel a show or lesson or what-have-you just because I am planning on being there, but I do expect to be able to see my horse as I please and they'd of course be able to go about their day or plans with her without me getting in the way by any means. This should be no problem

6. While they do have a show schedule and the student (trainer is leasing from me for the student) takes 3-4 lessons per week and rides 6 days per week, am I able to request that they only jump a certain amount per week? And what would be a reasonable amount to do jumping and the rest of the days flat only? (this doesn't include when they are at shows obviously).


I feel like I had more questions, but I'm sick right now and haven't really got a clear head because of that so I'll probably be back later with more questions.

Thanks in advance =)
I think you are going to make yourself crazy trying to micromanage this. You cannot control what they do when you are not there. All you can do is check on the horse as much as possible, with notice, watch them ride occasionally, and check all the references of the trainer. I would insist on insurance, both liability for you and mortality and morbidity for the horse-perhaps major medical. I carry my own liability that covers both of my guys and is about $500/year. Well worth the piece of mind.
 
#6 ·
Not able to put a full reply as I'm quite sick ATM and on my cell, but to answer a couple questions

I don't at all want to control their schedule, I'd just like to be aware of when my mare is going off their property. I would likely never turn them down for taking her off property. My personal goal for this lease will be to have my mare more exposed in the show world (and simple hacks off property) than I will be able to do over the next year or so (lease is actually 10 months, but the girl is moving down here for university next august and would love to continue her lease as a part lease on property at that point, and I plan to be pregnant at or around that time anyhow). So of course they'd be able to go with their show schedule as they wish, I'd just like to be notified is all I meant.

As for tack - I have check to be sure their tack fits. I never planned on sending my own, simply wondering if I should send her blankets or not. Maybe I didn't word that well in the beginning, lol. It is definitely a trainer/farm/student I trust, I just want to make it sure that other tack items won't be added - of course I cannot monitor this from far away, but I'd like to be optimistic in the fact they'd be honest in signing tr contract. =)


Thanks for all the input I've recieved in this thread! My mare tentatively leaves September 21st, I'm going to miss her like crazy, but at least she'll be in a lovely home and gain even more experience at her current level - and I can go visit and the lease will only be until August 1st 2015, so just over 10 months , not even a year =) it'll go fast I'm sure
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#7 ·
I don't feel as if you are micro managing at all!

It is extremely important to protect your horse while she is out of sight-the best seeming conditions can turn out to be a disaster unless everyone involved understands the rules and it's in writing.

I think you could demand a vet's written report anytime it's necessary and then call later for clarification.

I have seen people do horrifying things to borrowed/free lease horses when the owner isn't around to catch them. I'd be very specific about equipment changes, there are too many people who will think the latest new bit/martingale/spurs/tie down etc. will "fix" your horse. You don't want her abused or ruined in any way.

Let them keep any equipment specific to her but put your name all over everything and take pictures of each before you deliver.

You should be able to stop in and any reasonable time to visit your horse and it's probably a good way to keep her safe.

And yes, I'd limit usage of the horse for trail and the shows. You don't have to be extreme about it but once again, you have to protect her.

Look at all the many posts on this forum where seemingly fantastic arrangements turned sour. The very fact that this is a free lease will make some people value your horse less; a lot of the time, when it's costing them some money they take better care.

It's important that in the end, you get back at least as good a horse as you gave them!
 
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