Page 30 - Demo

As a horse owner, leasing your horse can ease the financial pressures associated with its maintenanceand provide an avenue to help keep your horse inshape. As an enthusiast, leasing a horse for personal use or forthe purposes of showing can be an outstanding opportunity toaccess and enjoy equestrian activities at a fraction of the cost ofhorse ownership. But when you engage in a transactionwhereby you will lease and use someone else%u2019s horse as the%u201clessee,%u201d or if you plan to lease your horse to another as the%u201clessor,%u201d a number of potential pitfalls await you if you do notaddress them up front.There are a number of reasons you may want to lease yourhorse. Naturally, most horseman and women will be selectivein who they would choose as a lessee. But proper vetting of alessee requires the lessor to define their motivations for leasingthe horse so as to ensure that the lessee is capable of meetingthose criteria. Some equine professionals may lease horses as abusiness generation tool to help recruit new students or potentialbuyers. Hobbyists with performance horses may lease the animals to ensure they remain fit and engaged in competition. Others may simply be looking for someone to spend time with thehorse or who is willing to share the horse in exchange for covering some portion of the expenses. For professional trainers or boarding facility operators lookingto lease a horse out, the bar may be set very low in terms of experience and ability required of a lessee, since the hope may beto train them up or convert them into an owner. However, if youare seeking to find a lessee who can use and promote your horsein competition, you have to have confidence in their skill levelas well as their dedication to the sport. If one of the motivationsto lease the horse is to help cover the costs associated with itsmaintenance, then naturally the lessee will have to demonstratethat they have the necessary financial means. Once you haveidentified the appropriate criteria for a lessee, you then have toensure you document the particulars of the relationship.From the lessee%u2019s perspective, there are a number of variablesto consider before leasing. Obviously you want to know the horseis a good fit with your skill level and capable of performing inyour areas of interest. Other fundamental areas of concern includethe cost, and, of course, where the horse will be kept. Is the horseto stay at its owner%u2019s resident barn, or as lessee do you get to selectthe stabling facility? Ultimately a convenient location is important. From there, the lessor and the lessee should come to agreement on several other deal points. AVOIDING THE POTENTIAL PITFALLS WHEN LEASING HORSESby Adam Trenk, Esq.30 Arizona Horse Connection June, 2026continued on page 32Pasture Boarding IN Horse Heaven with The qualityCare given to all of our top show horses!%u2022 On Site Residents%u2022 Affordable RatesKaren Stallings %u2022 Skull Valley, AZ %u2022 (520) 548-6732Now offering Equine Rehabilitation using European technology. Call us for more information!Ideal For...%u2022 Retired Horses%u2022 Mares%u2022 Yearlings