Lease a horse

Accomplished (for now). I have leased a little Quarterhorse mare named Rosie. She’s a sweetheart and is stabled at the OSU Equine Facility not far from work. Seems to know basic dressage. I am looking forward to getting to know her. Her owner is going through hard times now so this arrangement is doing us both a favor. However, I found a barn I am very interested in near several miles of state park trails. That would be my dream come true…. If I could find a horse to ride at this barn and be able to ride through the park.

There are several candidates in the running, some even at the same horse farm. I found a place called Stonecrest Farm where I have the option of choosing among several horses to lease as well as take lessons. More importantly, it is only 13 mins from the house. The trainer told me about one horse in particular that I very much liked the sound of—a seven year old gelding Percheron T bred cross.

I’m also checking into three privately owned horses whose owners do not have much time for them and perhaps need a break on their boarding fees. Two are Quarterhorses and one is a Paint. When all is said and done, however, it will be the relationship with the horse that matters most. It’s like dating—some are better matches than others.

I do know, though, that I am missing horse energy a lot right now. It feels so long since I have spent any length of time with a horse!

His name is Casper: he’s a beautiful, grey and sweet ex-race horse. Plus, I’m learning dressage from him and his owner. I can’t imagine why I ever gave up riding. It makes me so happy!

I spent a summer leasing a 4 year old TB from a 13 year-old who had no idea how lucky she was to be able to afford the horse. It was the best thing I ever did! I got to train him, and by the end of the summer he was consistently in frame and jumping 3’9” courses.

...The worst part was having to leave and not being able to take him with me…