Why Have a Written Loan Agreement?If you are having a horse on loan ask the owner to put everything in writing in a formal Loan Agreement even if you know them well.
This avoids any misunderstandings at a later date particularly over payment of veterinary bills or insurance claims. Make sure the Agreement is fair and reasonable for both the owner and the loanee (person taking on the loan). A certain degree of trust is involved in the owner loaning out the horse. Having the details of the arrangement in writing (eg duration of the loan, who is permitted to ride the horse, any allergies or medical treatment required, insurance responsibilties etc) will help prevent problems arising later on. In the event that disputes or disagreements do arise, you should always refer to the original written Agreement as the basis for discussion and try to resolve problems amicably. As a responsible loanee, it will be your priority to take care of the horse to the best of your ability - view it as your own in terms of the standards of care you provide. It is a thoughtful gesture and demonstrates good manners to keep the owner informed of the horse's progress at regular intervals. Do not obstruct them from visiting the horse as they may be feeling a sense of loss having parted with their equine friend. If you are considering taking a horse on loan, we suggest you view the British Horse Society's template Loan Agreement as a guideline. When you open the link, be sure to read the important guidelines at the top of the document before using it for your own Agreement. Once the Loan Agreement has been drawn up, we recommend that both you and the owner should retain a separate signed copy of the Agreement for safekeeping.
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