How to Loan a Horse in the UK: A Complete 2026 Guide
Everything UK riders need to know about loaning a horse in 2026 — full loan vs share loan, contracts, costs, insurance and how to find the right match.
What does it mean to loan a horse?
Loaning a horse in the UK means taking on the day-to-day care and riding of an owner's horse without buying it. It's one of the most popular routes into ownership because you get the experience — and often the emotional bond — of your own horse, without the up-front purchase price or long-term commitment.
Loans typically fall into three shapes: full loan, part loan (share) and schooling loan. Each has different responsibilities, costs and expectations, and getting the right match is what separates a happy year in the saddle from a stressful, expensive one.
Full loan vs part loan vs share
A full loan usually means the horse moves to your yard (or a yard you choose) and you cover 100% of livery, feed, farrier, dentist, worming and routine vet bills. The owner keeps ownership on paper, but for most practical purposes the horse lives with you.
A part loan or share keeps the horse at its existing yard. You pay an agreed share of costs — commonly 50% — in exchange for a set number of riding days per week. It's the most affordable route and ideal for riders who work full time or aren't ready for sole responsibility.
A schooling loan is more specialist: an owner sends a young or green horse to a more experienced rider to bring on. Fees, insurance and expectations here need to be crystal clear before the horse moves.
What a good UK horse loan agreement covers
Never loan a horse on a handshake. A written agreement protects both parties and, more importantly, protects the horse. A good UK loan agreement should cover:
- Full names and addresses of owner and loaner
- The horse's full description, passport number and microchip
- Location the horse will be kept and any restrictions on moving yards
- Who pays for livery, feed, farrier, dentist, worming, vaccinations and insurance
- What counts as a routine vet bill vs a major vet bill, and who authorises treatment
- Riding disciplines allowed (and any specifically excluded)
- Notice period on both sides and how the horse is returned
- What happens if the horse becomes unrideable or needs retirement
The British Horse Society publishes a free template loan agreement that covers most of these clauses — it's a sensible starting point for a private arrangement.
Typical costs in 2026
Costs vary hugely by region, but as a rough UK guide for 2026:
- Full loan, DIY livery: £250–£500 per month
- Full loan, part livery: £450–£800 per month
- Full loan, full livery: £900–£1,800 per month
- Part loan / share: £120–£300 per month for 2–3 days a week
Insurance is the one line people underestimate. Loaners should take out their own rider public liability cover and consider a loan horse insurance policy that names both owner and loaner.
How to find a horse to loan
Word of mouth at your local yard is still the best way to find a loan, but it's slow and geographically narrow. Marketplaces like Equibase let you filter loans by county, discipline, height and price, and message owners directly.
When you enquire, be specific about your experience, how often you can ride, and what you want to do with the horse. Owners are looking for the right home, not the first reply.
Red flags before you sign
- The owner won't share the horse's passport or vaccination history
- You're not allowed to try the horse more than once
- Pressure to sign quickly or pay a large deposit up front
- Vague answers about vet history, past injuries or behavioural quirks
- No written agreement offered
Ready to start looking?
Browsing loans on Equibase is free, and every listing tells you the horse's height, age, discipline, county and monthly commitment up front.