Hello,

We have a nice 1D-2D mare that my daughter is not running anymore because she has moved off to college.  We are thinking about possibly leasing her out for a year to help with some college costs.  What are your alls experience with leasing out a horse.  Do we need some sort of contract.  Do you do monthly lease payment or pay the annual cost up front?  Roughly how much do you charge?  We leased a rope horse for a couple years and we paid $100 a month, but paid the entire $1200 up front as that is what the owner wanted.  I would think that maybe a barrel horse would be a little more to lease, I"m just not sure.  Any advice??  Thanks in advance 

My only advice is have EVERYTHING IN WRITING and a very specific contract written up by a lawyer if you decide to lease your horse, an insurance policy on said horse would also be highly recommended. I've heard both good and bad things about leasing horses from both sides. Good luck!

My opinion, would be is that you would probably be better off selling then leasing.. Leasing can sour real fast if not there all the time to keep an eye on your horse.

I would absolutly sell before I would lease.   They make new horses every spring and you could always find a new horse later in life.

My daughters went to college and I kept their horses at home.  They were in their 30's before they had time in their lives to finally come back and ride.

Your horse is the most valuable right now to sell.  5 years from now it will be just a pasture orniment.

What she said............

You would likely not get the same horse back if you leased.  

I agree - leasing is so risky. I couldnt do it, with that said I have heard of people with sucess but more on a local level and usually an on-site lease with someone they have past experiences with.

If you choose to lease, everything in writing... I also suggest requiring the leasor to carry insurance. As far as cost, I only know of people who have dont cheaper leases and they got the cost of care paid for. Essentially took him/her off their checkbook and it was always month to month.

I agree Nobody can take care of your horse the way you do and ride. 

No I wouldn’t. Horse could come back lame, “ruined” especially if they don’t match styles, etc. broodmare leases are one thing (still have the worries though) but I wouldn’t ever want to lease out a nice running horse for fear of what could happen.