Sending horse on trial

[middy]

I know this has probably been discussed to death, but I have a horse for sale lower level hunter/ lesson horse under $5,000. I have a trainer that wants to come look at him but wants a 15-30 day trial to see if he fits into her program. What are some of the things I should ask for? I really don't have a problem with him leaving but want to make sure I amcovered so if he doesn't work out I can get him back or if something happens to him I don't lose anything.

I was thinking of agreeing to a 15day trial. With a certified check for the full purchase price and a contract stating that they cannot change his shoes, and if he isn't in the same condition as when he left then we are able to keep the money. I also want to ship him to them so that I know where he is and put in the contract that he cannot leave that facility.

Am I crazy to let him go? Should I let him go? What is everyone's take on this?

[IronwoodFarm]

I wouldn't recommend doing it, but if you do, then definitely all that is described AND explicit requirements for type and frequency of work, turn out restrictions, and what constitutes the same condition as when he left. I would insist on a PPE being done on your farm before he goes. I would video tape it. Heck, I would video the horse u/s to document the horse's abilities.

There is a real risk that a your horse could be injured during the initial period at a new facility. I have had it happen to me and seen it happen to others, so you can't be too careful.

[dab]

I'd be concerned about sending one out on trial for a lesson program -- How could you know the ability level of the riders who would be trying him? -- What's your liability if a lesson kid gets hurt riding your horse? Does this lesson barn have facilities for private turnout?

I just don't think a qualified trainer should need a month to figure out if a horse is suitable for lessons -- They ought to be able to try it at your place, see if it is forgiving, and have a pretty good idea if it's suitable -- Let them pull blood if they don't know you and are concerned something is being masked --

I wonder if the lesson program is looking for a brief free lease -- Any chance they have a lesson horse who needs a few weeks off to come back from an injury?

[kellyb]

I used to be anti-trial, but in some situations, it is almost necessary. I think 2 weeks is plenty of time to see if the horse is going to work for you or not. Anything more is asking too much, imo. You either like him or you don't.

Just make sure you cross your t's and dot your i's in your contract. Require that they carry insurance. Spell out every. little. thing. so that there are no questions if and when he gets hurt, sick, stolen, etc. Require a cashier's check or cash up front so you have something to hold collateral.

Good luck with it. I had a positive experience last year, I sent my mare out on trial with a family. I had a good feeling about them. Things could have gone horrendously wrong as she was 4 hours away, but it didn't. They liked her and 2 weeks later they said keep the check, we'll keep the horse :)

[ESG]

Don't. If the trainer isn't smart or competent enough to know from a single ride, whether or not a horse will fit into her program, that's not someone you want to trust with your horse. Trainer is supposed to be competent enough to evaluate the horse and figure out if her students can ride it, or not. If you decide to take the plunge anyway, I guarantee you'll get back a lame horse that's had everyone and their brother riding it, and probably into the ground. That's the silliest request for a trial I've ever heard. Trainer is either an idiot, or she has someone in mind to sell the horse to, at her barn.

[crosscreeksh]

I am TOTALLY with ESG!!! If it takes a "Pro" 15 to 30 days to evaluate a lesson horse...I sure don't want her borrowing mine!!! Let her bring ONE student to try to ride your horse at YOUR house!!!

[Cruise Control]

How many "lessons" wil the poor horse get during the trial period.. even if it does'nt work out??? I vote no.

[shanky]

It doesn't sound so crazy to me, depending on how well you know the trainer, I guess? In a smaller horse community, where many of the trainers know each other, lots of lower level sales horses get brought to another trainer's barn for a pretty long "trial" period. Mainly, it's when one trainer/owner can't use the horse anymore and doesn't want to keep putting money into it. So, another trainer takes it on a trial and they owner knows it is in a solid program, getting good care, etc. At my previous barn they had a horse on trial for a client, decided it wasn't a good match, but the owner had them keep the horse in their barn to try to sell it from there. It was a lucky break for me b/c my horse was recovering from a suspensory so I got to ride a pretty decent horse for a few months until it was sold.

As for the OPs question, whenever I have had a horse on trial, the owner had me get an insurance rider.

[Flash44]

Don't do it. You are selling a $5k horse, and the buyer is looking for a bargain. I've heard of people jumping 3' horses through 4' grids because they are looking for a 3'6 horse with a 3' checkbook. They have nothing to lose by overfacing the horse because they can just say the horse did not work out and send it back.

[Sabovee]

Don't do it. It's simply NOT worth it - especially for such a long period, that's hogwash.

[shakeytails]

The lesson-type horse I sold last year was "on trial" for over a month before he sold. He'd been used by my trainer for lots of lessons and since he was going to a reputable barn for the trial it didn't bother me a bit. He was off my feed bill and I knew he would be well taken care of. He was also the type of horse that could give several lessons a day and never get grumpy- he actually hated being at home, he thrived on a busy atmosphere and being pestered by children.

[Hazelnut]

I know this has probably been discussed to death, but I have a horse for sale lower level hunter/ lesson horse under $5,000. I have a trainer that wants to come look at him but wants a 15-30 day trial to see if he fits into her program. What are some of the things I should ask for? I really don't have a problem with him leaving but want to make sure I amcovered so if he doesn't work out I can get him back or if something happens to him I don't lose anything.

I was thinking of agreeing to a 15day trial. With a certified check for the full purchase price and a contract stating that they cannot change his shoes, and if he isn't in the same condition as when he left then we are able to keep the money. I also want to ship him to them so that I know where he is and put in the contract that he cannot leave that facility.

Am I crazy to let him go? Should I let him go? What is everyone's take on this?

Are you requiring them to insure him for mortality and loss of use with you as the benificiary?

[middy]

Thank you everyone for your input. I would be asking for insurance but not Loss of Use as it is a waste of money and you never get what you want out of it. I will be requiring a cashier's check before he leaves and I will be delivering him so I know where he is. I have started on the contract and am going to get me lawyer friend to look it over to see if it is okay. I have been very upfront about this horse's ability and am not really worried about him being over jumped as the only he is really safe for is carrying kids over little stuff (not over 2'6) he just isn't very talented but he is a solid citizen and anyone can ride him. He enjoys work and I am not teaching students much less beginners anymore (which is why he is for sale in the first place). He needs a job and is miserable sitting out in the field when everyone else gets to go do stuff.

[Mamare]

It's such a tough call, but in this market may be necessary. I recently sent my horse on trial for a few days for a possible year lease. Supposedly they loved him, but then wanted "more time". I said no, send him home. In retrospect, it was a good trial for me - I wouldn't have wanted my horse with them for an entire year!

[Lori B]

I think you are covering yourself, but one thing -- do you have a reference for the person who is trying the horse? That makes a big difference to me.

[nightsong]

Not at this price range.

[AllOverFarm]

I wouldn't do any more than a 2 week trial. I would also put in the contract that he needs private turnout. A friends horse got kicked by another horse during turnout while on trial and ended up having to have stall rest for over 3 months.

[rothmpp]

If you do it - outline absolutely everything.

My mother recently let her horse out on a trial from her trainer's barn to another trainer's barn - the trainers are friends and Mom's trainer was comfortable letting the horse go. He colicked the week he was there and ended up in surgery. There was a bit of a skirmish over who covered the surgery as the horse was a cribber and the vets could not definitively say that the condition did not contribute to the colic.

It all worked out in the end - but it was not fun for a while.

[dbts]

I'm with the "don't do it" crowd. Horror stories abound. Research previous discussions on this topic and you will see many trials that have "gone south". As an aside, never accept cashier's checks as they can have a "stop payment" issued on them just like a personal check.