Many riders do not want the responsibility of owning a horse and they instead opt for a lease. A horse lease is different from a car lease in a number of ways. Horses can be leased both from individuals and stables. Individual owners may lease a horse to share the expense of board or vet bills, or they may lease a horse becuase they no longer have the time it takes to ride regularly. Stables may lease lesson horses or other horses as an additional way to earn revenue.

Many stables offer both a half horse lease or a full lease option. With a half lease your riding availability may be reduced. With a full lease you get full riding privileges of your leased horse.

A free lease is when you are simply sharing the costs of board and possibly the farrier and vet. There is no "additional" fee for using the horse, you are merely sharing the horses bills with the owner.

Most barns, take the position that any leasing of boarders' horses is between the boarder and lessee. It will not affect their care of the horse, and they have no interest in collecting money from both parties. That is somehting that needs to be worked out be the lessee and the leaser.

A lease is also a good way to introduce a child or family to responsibility without taking on horse ownership. Like it or not horses require a lot of attention, and care. Leasing a horse shows a child what the commitment will be and will help make the decision as to whether horse ownership is something they want.

If you are considering a lease it is important that horse being leased is matched to the riders abilities. The horse should also, preferably, be 'vetted' which means the horse will undergo a scrutinous veterinary examination. If you are signing a lease you are going to be responsible for the upkeep and possibly a portion of the horses medical bills and supplements so it is important that a horse be fit before you commit to their care.

Some horse owners leasing their horse require that a horse stay at a specific barn throughout the duration of the lease, so it is also important that you feel comfortable at a specific barn. It is important to pick horseback riding stables that meet your needs and is accessbile. In most cases the leaser would have the right to ride at horse shows. It is important that this is negotiated prior to leasing. In some cases the horse owner will require the leaser to purchase insurance to cover the horse while being transported.

Leasing a horse should not be at the expense of lessons, while the cost of horseback riding lessons can be very high it is still important that riders maintain lessons when leasing a horse. Without lessons bad habits can be introduced, to both the horse and rider.

Rob Daniels has been an equestrian rider for 25 years. He has studied various disciplines additional articles are available at: Riding Stable - http://www.riding-stable.com and Horse Stall http://www.horse-stall.net