| ove riding. You spend all your days at the barn | | | | prevent hard feelings down the road. |
| soaking up as much horse as you can. The only | | | | If your skills aren’t quite up to par, consider |
| problem? You don’t have your own horse. | | | | becoming a working student. As a working student, |
| There may be any number of reasons why you | | | | you do chores around the barn like muck stalls, feed |
| haven’t become an official horse owner. | | | | horses, and clean tack in exchange for riding the |
| Perhaps you don’t have the money right now | | | | barn’s horses. Since the best working student |
| for a horse’s purchase and upkeep. Or | | | | opportunities come from riding academies with |
| maybe you lack the facilities. Perhaps you love to ride | | | | seasoned school horses, this is a great options for |
| but have a busy work schedule that makes horse | | | | someone without a ton of experience, but with a lot |
| ownership not the best option. | | | | of passion for horses. |
| Well, relax. You don’t have to own a horse | | | | Loaning and leasing are good options if you |
| to enjoy riding. As a matter of fact, there are lots of | | | | don’t have the lump sum to buy a horse, but |
| great alternatives to horse ownership. | | | | do have enough money for the monthly upkeep of a |
| If money is the issue, there are lots of | | | | horse. How are loaning and leasing different? In a loan |
| low-cost—even free—rides to be had. | | | | situation, the owner is usually looking for someone |
| But be warned. What you lack in cash you’ll | | | | else to take care of the horse—as well as |
| have to make up for in commitment and riding ability. | | | | monthly expenses. No fee is exchanged up front, but |
| Horse owners who don’t have the time to | | | | you are expected to take care of expenses like |
| ride their horses are a dime a dozen. And they are | | | | feed, board, farrier bills, and sometimes even |
| looking for committed, capable riders that will give | | | | veterinary bills. Leasing differs from loaning in that |
| their horse a good work out without working him | | | | you sometimes pay a fee for the use of the horse, |
| over. Your best bet is to make your availability | | | | in addition to paying for its upkeep. Leasing is a great |
| known at shows, riding schools, and boarding facilities. | | | | option for a talented rider who can’t afford a |
| Word of mouth is a great thing, so tell everyone you | | | | fancy horse, as it allows a rider a fairly low-cost way |
| know you are looking to catch a ride. Pinning a flyer | | | | of riding a real contender in serious competition. A |
| on a tack shop bulletin board is also apt to net you | | | | lease usually runs for a set period of |
| lots of calls. Be very realistic about your ability, and | | | | time—months or years—agreed upon in |
| be sure that the horse’s owner has watched | | | | advance by both the lessor and the lessee. |
| you and gotten a recommendation or two regarding | | | | For more great articles and reference materials |
| your skills before you commit. Up-front honesty will | | | | please visit our links in our bio below. |