Have you ever allowed your horse to be a school horse?

Question

I am going to college in the fall and i have 4 horses, and i wont have enough time to exercise them and everything.

I dont want to put all the reponsibility on my younger sister, so do you think putting the horses as school horses at the stables in which they board is a good idea?

It is a very good riding school which cares for thier horses well...but would you still trust them?

Answer 1

Yes that sounds like a great idea i know MANY people who do that at my barn and if your bording barn has a good riding  program then it should be worth it since the horses will get exercise and the instructor will be able to watch the horse. I would make sure that the instructor is cautious of your horse around the children so they don't accidentally hurt it. Good luck with your horses and college.

Answer 2

Personally, I would never even consider it.  Even if they take good care of your horse, bad riders tend to f things up.  

I sold my horse back to his previous owners right before I went to college.  As hard as it was, there was no way I was going to put him in a situation where I was not able to supervise his care and who was riding him.

Answer 3

yes, i was in a similar situation when i was in college.   my last horse was used as a school horse by my trainers more advanced students.  It was great for both him and me.  He got out more and having other people ride him made him a little more bomb proof in a way.    and it also helped me cause i didnt have the money to pay someone to ride him while i was away... and my trainer took money off board with was awesome.

i would only consider this if you TRULY TRUST the people that are going to be using your horses. how well do you know the trainers?  if you have any doubts that they wont be taken care of to your standards I wouldnt recommend it.  just for peace of mind in knowing that they are okay...

hope this helps.    

and good luck in school!!!

Answer 4

3 of mine are ex school horses, been there and done that. I know the school very well and know that they would treat them good so if I was in a fix and had no other option then yes I would do that.

My daughter ( at horse college) has told me numerous horror stories of things happening to the horses there ( the college actually owns very few)  so there is no way I'd consider that but I'd let them go back to the place they came from if I had to.

Answer 5

Yes. My sister did that and her mare is well takin care of. Its a better idea to leave them at the stable that it is used to to be a school horse, then selling it to someone you dont know.

Answer 6

You need to ask how do you think your horses will handle someone who doesn't ride well and being ridden by different people.

My horse, a OTTB, was up for half lease. I had someone ride him in a lesson for one hour. She rode him like the crappy horses she was used to riding. She rode with her hands instead of her seat, making his head go way up in the air. In one hour she undid two YEARS of hard training. It took me two weeks of riding every day training the basics all over again to get him back to where he was.

If your horses are not very sensitive they should be fine. :)

Answer 7

yes

Answer 8

We have done it and there are some things I don't like about it.  Just make sure your rules so to speak are being followed and if your sister can followup on that and you like the barn, then go for it.  Let the barn owner know that if your horses like a particular rider or riders that you prefer they ride your horses.  Make sure they train them the same way or close to the same way you do.

Answer 9

Yes - absolutely.

I would have no doubts about someone s******g up my horse.  If they're going to be a school horse they should be broke enough that you can let others ride them without messing them up anyway.

I would make a huge effort though when I had time to get over and ride them so that you stay connected with your horse.

I would have the owner of the stable or trainer sign a release of liability in case someone were to get hurt while riding your horse. Unfortunately that's a reality of today's world.

Also, a great part of it would be that hopefully the horse could help to work off some of their own board!  That's always a good thing!

Answer 10

A horse is a horse, of course, of course,

And no one can talk to a horse of course

That is, of course, unless the horse is the famous Mister Ed.

Go right to the source and ask the horse

He'll give you the answer that you'll endorse.

He's always on a steady course.

Talk to Mister Ed.

People yakkity yak a streak and waste your time of day

But Mr. Ed will never speak unless he has something to say

A horse is a horse, of course, of course,

And this one'll talk 'til his voice is hoarse.

You never heard of a talking horse?

Well listen to this: "I'm Mister Ed."

Answer 11

I would do that.

Answer 12

I wouldn't give my horse to my school... the kids are sweet but they don't know what they're doing. The school is good and reputable, but accidents happen and many school horses have come and gone. If you want to give/sell them to the school, try to arrange for more experienced riders (teenagers and adults) to ride them. You also need to make sure the school actually wants your horses - the economy isn't doing so well and they might not be able to take more horses

Answer 13

The riding school is in the business of making money. That's their bottom line. Your horses will get used and they will be ridden but probably by several people who have little experience. If you have no other choice you should ask your little sister or someone else to check on your horses regularly and tell the school that if you don't like the arrangement you reserve the right to pull your horses out whenever you want.

Answer 14

Yes, I had a semi - retired gelding that needed something to do besides being a pasture potato. I loaned him to a summer riding program with certified instructors and he came back to me in the fall, fit and happy as a clam.

I would do it again to, providing I approved of the facility and was pleased with the level of care and commitment of the staff.

Ask for references from others who have horses on loan, too.

Answer 15

Depends on the barn and if they are willing to accept the responsibility of paying for regular shoeing and vet care. If the horse gets hurt in their care, they should be responsible. Get everything in writing. I dont' care if you are related to them, you will be sorry if you don't.

Answer 16

Not a chance....have too much invested, time and training to allow anyone to wreck them.....I'd rather not have to spend x number of months cleaning up someone else's screwups.  I don't think it's fair to the horse.  I'd sell them outright  before I'd do that.

Answer 17

My old show horse went to college...so to speak...I donated her to their riding program.  I have went back and ridden her several times and she has always been just like I remembered her!! It's a wonderful situation for me.  But it helps that my trainer is the only person teaching lessons at the college.

Answer 18

I havent done it, but my mom uses boarders horses as lesson horses sometimes. (she has permission, and also gives them money off their board).

I would go ahead and do it.  im sure they will be taken care of