[crazi4horses]

I've never offically leased a horse before, only purchased one. I kind of lease Whiskey, but he was my best friends horse, and it wasn't really a true lease. Anyways, I was talking to mom and dad, and they are a bit worried about me having time for another horse..foal or mature horse. We talked a bit more and decided leasing first, so I could show that I do have time, etc, for a horse..or show them that they are right(which I doubt will happen, but who knows), would be the best option. Now, if you lease a horse, I realize there are many different situations. When you lease to buy, do you have to buy it at the end? What if things don't work out, then do you just give it back? While you are leasing to buy, does that money go towards the cost of the horse, or is it on top of the price. If you lease, without the option to buy, what's the normal amount of time? 6 months? A year? In the time period, do you pay the people to keep thier horse?

Thanks in advance!

[keaneequestrian]

well first of all it all depends on the person you lease from, personally I have always leased and never owned. In my experience, your lease never expires but that it may be terminated at different times because of things like moving or sudden need for the horse. For examplt hte horse I am currently leasing will be leaving next year so I know I will lose my lease then but the horse I was previously leasing was available indefinetly. It all depends on the person.
As for what you are paying for, it also depends on the person, I pay for my horses board and shoes but major vet bills do not fall on me. I also am lucky enough to get lessons from his owner as part of the deal.
In the end it all depend on the person, ecspecially in a lease to own situation.
Good Luck.

[drunkenmimes]

i lease tonto but its kinda a weird situation. im friends with the people who own them and the need some one to keep him in shape. him+not being in shape= bucking off the ten year old who owns him. i pay for half his board and ride him pretty much when ever i want/show him unless the owner is going to ride/show that day. They pay for everything else- vets,shoes,etc. so its kinda a weird lease.

[sirius-dressage]

I leased for two years before getting my horse. Make sure you've got a solid contract...that was my problem with the first horse. I leased her for about six months and then come summer camp time (this was at a lesson barn), she ended up getting used on the days I was paying for. Needless to say I was incredibly sour about that.

I also full leased my trainer's mare. I paid for board, vaccines, trimming, and worming, I believe. So, basically, everything minus all major expenses such as emergencies, etc. I was always given 24hrs notice if the mare was going to be used, and it was pretty infrequent. And I got to tag along to watch my trainer ride her at her trainer's facility...and another girl at the part took her to a couple of eventing shows.

What I found was the biggest shocker was that leasing doesn't teach you the full extent of the money, coordination, and time that goes into horse ownership. Now that I'm out on my own with my horse, without my trainer there at all, I'm finding out how to do a lot of stuff on my own. After the huge payment on a saddle, vet bills from colicking, shots, teeth floating, pulling shoes, transporting...I have spent WAY more on him than I had ever initially thought I would. And...well, where I am, my time is very limited. I don't always have the time to get him the excersize he needs because they don't get turnout, and I don't know what I'd do with two. Probably have a nervous meltdown.

[MissBandit]

Originally Posted by crazi4horses

I've never offically leased a horse before, only purchased one. I kind of lease Whiskey, but he was my best friends horse, and it wasn't really a true lease. Anyways, I was talking to mom and dad, and they are a bit worried about me having time for another horse..foal or mature horse. We talked a bit more and decided leasing first, so I could show that I do have time, etc, for a horse..or show them that they are right(which I doubt will happen, but who knows), would be the best option. Now, if you lease a horse, I realize there are many different situations. When you lease to buy, do you have to buy it at the end? What if things don't work out, then do you just give it back? While you are leasing to buy, does that money go towards the cost of the horse, or is it on top of the price. If you lease, without the option to buy, what's the normal amount of time? 6 months? A year? In the time period, do you pay the people to keep thier horse?

Thanks in advance!

A lease is basically a rental agreement. I have never personally seen a lease where it is 'lease to own'. I think you would be hard pressed to find something like that. Most people lease their horses b/c they don't have the time/finances at the moment but do not wish to sell them.

All lease agreements will differ. Some people want a long term lease, some will have a time line. You will either pay the owner, or pay the barn - depends on the set up you agree on.

[sirius-dressage]

I've seen leases to own. Some people are keen on them because it's basically a trial period. You pay for a month or two (or longer) until you decide if you do or do not want the horse. For those who want to sell to the right home or those for who money is not an issue.

[Chester]

we have my daughters thoroughbred on a 2 year lease because his owner was travelling the world. He was previously for sale. We paid $500 for the lease and we are responsable for ALL related costs in the time we have him. We agreed on a sale price before she left and hope she keeps her word when she returns as it was a fair bit under what she had advertised for and he is now part of the family. The reason we leased him was it gave us a good trial and time to save up to pay for him.