Leasing or Buying?

Question

hi everyone, i am thinking about getting a horse, after alot of thinking and descussion with my parents. I have been riding for ages, and i am in love with them. I have loved horses since i was, well as long as i can remember.

I know all about feeding,deworming,care you get what i meen. I can jump,canter,trot (rising and siting),gallop so on.

I have done crosscountry,dressage and showjumping. I want to know what i should do, lease or buy. Do you think i am experienced enough? Personally do you think leasing or buying is better?

What are the good and bad things about both leasing and buying. TELL me what you think.

Thanks bye xoxo

Answer 1

Hi, I would suggest loaning first. It is a great way to 'test the water' with horse ownership - for you and your parents. You sound like you have looked into this, well done you! I would recommend finding a loan horse, for perhaps a 6 month loan to start then longer if this horse is right for you. I think you are more experienced than a lot of people who buy horses but obviously you still have a lot more to learn (we all do, no matter what stage in our equestrian career). Just make sure you are prepared and have researched the things you mentioned such as worming, feeding, shoeing (if needed, trimming if not), teeth care etc. etc. Buy yourself a good horse care manual, and also a book on horse illnesses so you can be prepared if your horse becomes ill or gets injured. It's a good idea to take your instructor along with you when viewing a horse, and its also advisable to view the horse several times before making a decision. Also, get the horse vetted. If you do decide to loan, make sure you draw up a watertight loan agreement - perhaps consult a solicitor for this because if something goes wrong you will need it! Include in this details of:

Who is liable for vet costs/farrier cost/teeth etc?

Who is liable for paying insurance for the horse?

Who pays the horse's keep?

Who is responsible should the worst happen and the horse is killed/dies?

Can you phone the vet without their consent or must you conslt them first?

What happens if the horse injures someone else?

What happens if the horse is caught accidentaly by a stallion (escaped perhaps?) and becomes pregnant (if a mare)?

All these things and more must be drawn up in a written agreement, oral agreements are not enough.

All in all, do your research, you sound like a level headed kid! Good luck!

Answer 2

Hi, i havent read the other answers so i might be repeating something already said, but anyways, this is my opinon as I have leased and owned horses.

If you want to compete and show and grow as a rider you might be better off leasing a horse at first. When you just start out with stuff like showing you are at a lower level with lots of room to expand your talent. Typically, you cannot find a horse that can take you from the start of your show career to your peak. You would be better of leasing a horse that can pack you around and teach a lot of the basics of showing, a horse that is good enough for you to do well on but easy enough to make showing fun. Then, as you get better and need a different horse the lease is over and you can then choose to buy or lease, at that point it would probably be ok to consider a purchase, although a lease still wouldn't hurt. I leased my first horse and she carted me from showing 2ft to showing 2'6. Then i bought a great little horse that was good enough for state level showing, but a challenge enough so i could continue learning. This horse took me to showing in the 3ft ranks. Then we decided i would be better leasing a 3'6 equitation horse for my last junior yearts, and now we are moving on again and deciding to purchase me a young jumper that will one day be able to jump in the grand prixs. This plan has worked amazingly for me, and i think every young rider without a disposable income should consider it.

However, if you are not interested in showing and just trail riding, pony clubing, having fun, etc. It might be best to buy a horse. This way you can enjoy your horse and the fun stuff you get to do together and not have to worry about when the lease is up or having to return the horse. Trail horses are also cheaper then show horses. If you just want a nice horse that you can take out to gallop and just jump random stuff then buying is the better idea as you don't have to worry about getting another horse when you want to move up in a level in showing, if that makes sense.

Good luck and have fun with whatever horse you get!

Answer 3

yes i think you have got enough experience , i think you should buy , leasing can be very dangerous , as the owners can ring the police and say this or that about what you could of been doing , or they would be lying . also they can take the horse away from you at any time they want . so you then cannot have the horse say after a month of keeping it , i think the safest way of getting a horse is to truley keep your own . buy one !  :)

good luck ! x

Answer 4

If you are a first time horse owner, I strongly believe in leasing as many different horses that you can get your hands on. It also gives YOU and idea on what YOU would like to see in your forever horse.

A disadvantage of leasing is, unless the horse is for sell, you will never have this horse "forever", so don't get too attached, although I know that is very hard to do.

If you are going to buy, make sure you look at as many horses possible, even if it is not your favorite breeds (I use to hate TBs, but now I am leasing one, and I am so happy that I did. They are the most versatile breeds, and even though they can be quite "hyper",  I do think that is what makes your bond stronger. They will trust you more, unlike a school master that anyone can ride.). Make sure you expand your mind, and look long and hard for a good mount.  You don't want to find a horse and then have to resell in a year because you outgrew, or he doesn't have enough potential. If it means buying a younger horse that is green under saddle, but has alot of potential, do so.

Whatever you feel you need to do, then do it, just make sure you expand your mind.

Answer 5

I think it really all depends on your situation.

Your experience isn't really a factor as I've seen good horse owners that know very little at first but learn with time, I've also seen bad horse owners with lots of experience.

At first I believe leasing would be better, then you always have the option to send the horse back if you can no longer keep the horse. Buying it becomes harder as you need to actually sell the horse.

Are you interested in a show horse or just a 'trail' horse? Show horses you may want to start leasing because the owner will often cover the costs of showing. Trail horses you'll probably be fine buying because of the easier maintenance.

In the end though its all up to what you, your parents and the market can offer. Leasing is cheaper but buying is great for the long run.

Answer 6

buying might be best, but you need to do at least 1 months trial period lease thing just to test it out a bit. i think owning your own horse is wonderful, but then again it is really fun to dream on about owning a horse/s. i would go for the buy option. you sound knowledgeable enough to own a horse on your own.

Answer 7

I usted to lease. I stopped leasing and bought my own horse. If is sooo much nicer and i think that you can do more. For example if you pull a mane you dont have to worry about messing up cause it is YOUR horse. And you get to ride more. Go to shows more. Even tho you have to buy the horse and pay for vet and everything it is sooo much better. Put 300 dollars away each month for a year and you will have enough to pay for a BIG chunk of your horse. My board is 410 a month and lessons included (cause i work everyones board is 700+) and then about 80 dollars a month for shes and shots or anything. Getting their teeth floated is about 150$$ depending on how bad the teeth are. But you ahve a lot more freedom while having you own horse. I would reccomend buying your own!! GOOD LUCK!!! :)

Answer 8

Hi , Good Luck and Congrats on getting your fris horse !!

I agree with Westerng........... I think you sound like you know enough about horses to buy one . I preffer owning horses because you don't have to ask for permision to take them to shows and other things . also if you lease the horse never truly feels like your's . I own all my horses and if you have the option why not I would choose to buy lol . as it is YOUR horse. If you lease you can never truly say" I have a horse " because you know deep down it is not your horse . So good luck and I hope you have fun with your new horse =] Cheers Kristie