Leasing Advice, Questions, Saddles, and More :D

QtrBel said:

What level of rider is currently riding him?

If he's being ridden in lessons, I'd ask to watch a lesson.

I'd ride in the tack they provide and then if you get to the next level then you can always ask about using your own saddle but I'd have the owner/trainer (if owner is comfortable with that) check the fit with and without you in the saddle. As for bridle, if they want a specific bit used then they may let you use what he's ridden in.

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stevenson said:

I would ride with their saddle and then ask to ride in your saddle. Your saddle may fit you but not the horse.
Then again their saddle may fit the horse but not you .
I would ask how many days a week you get the horse to ride. IS anyone else riding the horse beside the owner?
What happens if there is a show you want to attend and it is not on your lease day ? What happens if the owner want to show and its your day for riding ?
I would not a want to use a horse being used for a lesson program and you lease it , your days may be bumped for lessons.
Will you be paying half the board and then additional for the horse ? If you are just paying a flat fee to the owner then you should not be responsible for the board .
Who is responsible for Vet fees ? Who is responsible for farrier ?

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• why is he being leased, how often is he exercised
• any vices
• what he enjoys doing
• any previous (important) injury or traumatic experience

HarmonywithHorses said:

you said that he was an ottb right? I have an ottb and I fell in love with him when we bought him as my first horse. However he has had A LOT of training issues. We decided the best thing to do was to go back to square one. Not saying that every ottb is like that... but wanted to let you know. Especially see if this ottb has a good stop cue. Another thing that you might already know is that race horses are taught to lean against the bit, and go faster with more gathering of the reins. So if the horse for some reason or another is crazy, or getting out of control, do a one rein stop not pulling back with both reins. OTTB's are great sport horses and I love them. But they can have major training issues, not to discourage you! I just think that if you are paying for a lease make sure it is a good, nice, enjoyable horse for you to ride. Good idea asking about past injuries. I would ask if someone could ride the horse first to see how the ottb acts and how the rider rides. Like is she/he rougher or gentler in their riding than you. If the horse's owner rides say way rougher than you, or with a lot of leg. and say you ride very gently and with more rein cues that could be an issue. Because then the horse would be confused when one day one rider asks him to do something one way and then the next day the other rider asks the horse to do the same thing with different cues. That could possibly be a big hindrance. I really hope this works out for you, and that this OTTB is a well trained horse! All the best!

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Luna’s rider said:

@BitterSweetCitrus i came to post on exactly the same topic. I am checking out a horse for lease next week. My first ever. He is privately owned and I think retired from competition, now a pleasure horse. He’s staying a good 45 min ride away in a private barn with “some” riding arena and lots of trails. I have no idea where to start. Apparently the trainer/owner also gives lessons, so I am going for a trial one and then we will see. I’d ask:

• why is he being leased, how often is he exercised
• any vices
• what he enjoys doing
• any previous (important) injury or traumatic experience

Mostly, I’d make sure your goals align with their goals. Good luck to us.

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QtrBel said:

Rather than asking about past injuries ask if the horse has limitations.

Be prepared to answer their list of questions as they are sure to have them.

What is your level of riding and what are you expecting to do with the horse? How long have you ridden? Under what trainer? What level do you show? How many times a week are you looking to ride? What type of riding are you expecting to do? Are you looking to advance? Are you willing to take lessons from their trainer? They'll likely continue to watch you ride and evaluate/reevaluate their decision as you continue to ride. Some owners are more trusting depending on the situation than others. Some put it in the trainer or barn owner's hands. Some are helicopter lessors. Some that are leasing a child's horse for a financial break will pull a lease out from under you if their child complains or has jealousy issues.


I expect by junior experience you mean someone under 18 is riding the horse in shows. That doesn’t tell you the level the horse or current rider is at. I'd expect the trainer to be more than just advanced.

Starting with that gives you your basic questions. Be honest with yourself about your skill set and expectations. Know what temperament you are comfortable handling as well as understanding that horses will behave differently for different handlers/riders. If you aren't prepared/willing to handle the horse in a like manner or if your handling riding negatively effects the horse be willing/open to change or understanding when your lease is ended before term. If you're planning on showing then knowing if the horse has shown, level he has shown to, how he trailers and how he behaves off property. All of those are important. Will he be available for shows also becomes important. Showing can complicate a lease when the horse is shared. More complicated if the other rider is an owner or has leased the horse for a significant amount of time. In my experience leasing a lesson horse is a good option for showing if you're riding lower levels as lessons and riding outside of lessons for practice or pleasure can be included as well as preference given to those with leases that ride the horse for shows. If the horse isn't a lesson horse then that needs to be clearly communicated and coordinated between riders. If the owner's child is riding they will give preference to their child not you. Are they willing to allow two riders at the show? Typically not a problem depending on number and type of classes. Will you be in the same classes? Who gets preference if seperate classess but held at the same time? If you are interested in showing but the other rider just wants to hack out on weekends how will that work?

Price for the lease and length of lease. Is the lease month to month or longer term like six months to a year? Are there clauses that cover ending the lease early? Board is irrelevant unless they are asking you to pay a portion separately but that is not something I've ever dealt with on part leases. You paid what they asked and the owner pays the boarding (including feed and supplements, basic health/vet costs). Other things that come up are negotiated. If the horse needs shoes/special shoes for your discipline then that likely will fall on you. Same for tack with their approval/say on fit. Injuries related to your riding/under your care are likely going to be your responsibility. Ask about insurance. Not something I've dealt with but depending on the value of the horse and level you're riding it may be something to cover.

As for why the horse is being leased there are several reasons and unless it's for short term like the owner is taking time off for a pregnancy which may affect the length of your lease then why isn't a priority for me. Some may be a child going off to college, financial, not enough time to ride, wants to keep horse conditioned, horse needs a more advanced rider and ride time to keep it fit for owner or able to be handled more easily by the owner.... all sorts of reasons for an owner to lease. In the case of a retired show horse it is typically to keep it active and fit. I do know of a PSSM horse that the owner part leases because the horse needs excercise daily and she can't ride every day. She expects her leasee to ride every day they've committed to. It becomes a problem if they can't.

Ask about barn rules. When and where on/off property can you ride. Are there times riding rings/arena are not available. If you are leasing and using your tack then is there a space gof you to store on site or will you need to bring your things each time.


Get everything in writing.

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