Conference noted::equitation

    It would seem to me that $125 per month is a little steep to lease
    a horse.  I am leasing my mare to someone right now, and charging
    her $35 per month, and she buys the shoes.  It is actually a
    convenience for me because I don't have time for all of my horses,
    and this is a nice mare that enjoys being ridden.  Where is this
    horse located?  Does the owner have other horses, and is the horse
    being boarded at a large stable where the board is high?  Also 
    remember that if you are responsible for the vet bills, and something
    serious happens to the horse, you are talking big $$$ in bills.
    Maybe some other notes have different input.

    
    I agree with Linda in the sense that it depends on what the person
    who owns the horse has to pay for board. I've leased horses in
    the past anywhere from $40 t0 $150 per month, different arrangments
    some included shoes and vet, others did not.... If it were a straight
    lease where your daughter had sole responsibility of the horse,
    you would be looking at full board which would be quite high with
    shoes and vet ontop of that. I think if it's a half lease, then
    half shoes and vet might be appropriate. Be careful about how the
    terms are worded for coverage to the horse. In this case you may
    want to be sure it states an exact figure and that only incase of
    direct negligence.
    
    Good luck.
    Marianne
    

    I think that $125 may be either a good or a bad deal, depending
    on what the circumstances are.  Full board for a horse at a super
    barn can be anywhere from $300-500 per month.  $125 is about what
    it would cost for grain, hay and shavings per month to keep the
    horse in your own barn.  If the price includes a good space to 
    ride, unlimited use of the horse, a well schooled horse, or lessons,
    I think you should consider the option. (Although beware that you
    are definitely going to pay about $40-50 for the farrier atleast
    every other month, and a minimum $100 to the vet for shots and worming
    over the year.)  
    
    You might ask around and see if another barn in your area has a
    lease opportunity and what that costs/includes.  A lease is a good
    way to determine if your daughter really wants a horse, but what
    if she gets attached to this one?  You might also ask if the horse
    would ever be for sale.  Good luck!
       

    
    The guy who runs our stable leases horses out at the outside board
    which is $145.  I am not sure what he does about vet bills and shoes, 
    however I have known others in the past who have made it the leasers
    responsibility for shoes (since she is the one riding it exclusively
    and the horse would not have been shod if he was not being leased)
    and anything above and beyond the normal vet things, say lameness
    or other injuries which could occur due to the riders negligence.
    It really depends on what you and the horse owner work out.
    
    I know of a case where a girl thought she had and exclusive lease
    on a horse, but someone else was riding the horse also.  This went
    on for quite awhile before anyone figured out what was going on.
    It was not intentional, but a misunderstanding between all parties.
    Make sure you get all the details in writing....
    

    I personally have leased horses to people and from people.
    It all depends on the situation...my lease agreement don't include
    a monthly charge, however, you are responsible for the board of
    the horse (usually at your own place) as well as normal vet and
    farrier bills.  If there is a major expense as far as the vet is
    concerned (colic operation, etc.) it is my decision as to whether
    or not I want to foot the bill.  General injuries, however, are
    carried by the leasee.
    If we lease on the farm, it is unsually under the understanding
    that you put shoes on the horse as this would not be a normal bill
    that I would carry if the animal was not being ridden.  Along with
    this we do ask that when we need help we feel free to ask those
    folks leasing horses from us.
    
    It all depends on the situation (which is not that much help in
    your case).  We enjoy having the horses ridden and loved so to us
    that is the biggest part of the lease as we don't have time to ride
    all of them.
    
    If you do decide to lease, have a vet check the animal out first.
     This is an ounce of protection both for yourself as well as the
    owner.  Then be sure everything is written down or you might get
    yourself into a very sticky situation.
    
    By the way, where do you live?  Are you in the Sterling area?
    

    
    Price has to depend on what the horse is being used for. Horsemenship
    and children/jumior hunters are quite expensive. For the barn I'm
    with leases are usually - a flat fee for the lease, then you take
    over all expenses, including board, regular vet, shoeing, etc. Major
    illness (such as colic) depend on the circumstances. If you are
    new to competition leasing is a good alternative when the situation
    is a rapidly improving rider who needs miles on a safe horse. This
    way the rider gets the experience. When the rider surpasses the
    horse in skill level, it is easier to move to a new (supposedly
    better animal). The horse too benefits because it is not asked to
    do more than it is capable of.
    

    Leasing is definitely the way to go at the beginning. You can get a
    feel for what type of horse you want why you're testing out a variety.
    (Boy, that sounds familiar!)
    
    Anyway, (it must be Wednesday) $125 is not that bad. Does the owner
    plan on using the horse for any reason? Will your daughter have
    exclusive rights to the horse? Answers to those questions will
    determine what you should be responsible for. 
    If she has exclusive rights, then you will probably pay for shoeing and
    most likely the board or a large portion of it. I would look into how
    much the board costs.
    
    Like anything else, whether leasing a car or a horse, in most cases
    what you are saving is the cost of a horse or a downpayment on a car.
    In some cases, you are not paying the full board, that depends on the
    owner and how much they will kick in.
    
    My big concern would be liability and vet bills. For instance, the
    common vet bills are shots and wormings. Those are maintenance/fixed
    bills and should be picked up fully/mostly by the leasee. It's the
    other unexpected vet bills I would be concerned with. For instance if
    the horse developed a condition which will cost $$$ to remedy, who's
    going to pay? Who's to say this condition wasn't there prior to you 
    renting/leasing the horse. 
    I think you have to be VERY clear on the vet bills, what you are
    and what the owner is responsible for. In most cases, all we have
    suffered is an occasional visit due to some temporary lameness, ...
    but that will still set you back $40 - $60.
    
    Also make sure whose responsible for liability. Let's say your daughter
    is out riding, she falls, and the horse runs into the road and gets hit
    by a car. Most likely you are responsible (your house insurance usually
    covers incidents like that) since your daughter was the one riding him.
    However, if the horse was in the barn and some neighbors went over and
    by mistake got kicked by the horse and sues - who's to blame? and who's
    going to get sued. Ten years ago or more you wouldn't have had to worry
    about the liability, but nowadays.....
    
    Good luck. Even though you may not be satisfied with the leasing
    requirements for this horse, alot of stables do lease horses including
    mine.
    It's better to lease a horse and find out that your daughter is tired
    of horseback riding, then to have owned it.
    			Cindy
    

    On the subject of liability,  is there some type of policy I could
    take out in case someone got hurt riding my horse?  I know the previous
    reply stated it could come out of your homeowners policy, but that
    wouldn't apply to me since I don't own a home.  Has anyone ever
    done this separate of their homeowners insurance?