Breeding Loan

[April]

Hi everyone! Hope all is well.. haven't been on here for months as I've been doing my teacher training year and working 20 hour days sitting up til 3/4 in the morning working (ahhh!!).. have since decided teaching isn't for me at this present time in life (I want my life back!!), have deferred the rest of my course until next year and am looking for another job..

As a last resort (if I can't find a job) I might have to consider putting Coral on loan for the time being.. something I really don't want to have to do so hoping it wont come to that!
But as I'm only just starting to break her in I think it would have to be a breeding loan.. something I have no experience of whatsoever!!

Was just wondering if anyone had done this or had any experience/opinions about it?

Thanks!

[maggie]

I'd advise great caution when choosing who you loan her out to, preferably someone you know and trust or who comes recommended. Many breeders (myself included) are cutting back on foal production in the current financial climate. The cost of getting a foal to weaning and doing the job properly is difficult to recoup at the moment. You don't want Coral going to someone who may take short cuts in the care of her and her foal. Maybe Jo Ashby can make some suggestions, she may know someone who would be glad to have Coral's bloodlines in their herd?

If she is going to go on breeding loan for the current year, you need to start looking for a home for her now. I'd like a mare to come in April/May so that she can be settled in, have swab test results back and have, say, 2 coverings, in time for a spring foal next year.

While you're looking for her home, start making a list of the things that you want and don't want to happen to Coral. For instance, you might want her innoculation and worming programme to be kept properly up to date, you might want her only to be covered in-hand and not run with the stallion, you might not want her to be fed barley because it brings her out in lumps and so on. You need to get all these things down in a written loan agreement, signed by both you and the loaner. This is really important, even if Coral goes on loan to a friend.

I should have a copy of a Breeding Loan Agreement, if you pm me with your email address, I'll look it out and email it to you.

Best of luck, hope it all works out for you.