I need help dealing with the person leasing my horse. Let me explain. So, I do competitive dressage and after years of begging and competing without my own horse my parents bought me a very sweet Friesian who was trained to 4^th level. Because he was a bit over the budget I had to agree to being okay with leasing him out. I was fine with this because I also do skiing and am just overall busy with school so I was happy that he would be getting some more training. I was told that this woman who would be leasing him was a really good horse person and it would basically be a trainer ride for him. I was extremely possessive of him the first month and was dealing with some barn politics because my “friend” at the barn was basically saying that she could ride him better than me. He’s a very sensitive horse and really feeds off his rider so basically when we go for a ride we make each other anxious.

When he got shipped here I didn’t ride him for 2 weeks and just let my trainer ride him. I then found out that my trainer let that women who was going to lease him get on him and warm him up before I even got on my own horse. I was pissed but I brushed it off because my trainer was probably busy and needed help that day. So fast forward and she’s now taking lessons on my horse and I notice that this “experienced horse person” doesn’t pick my horses hooves. I reminded her and she started doing that but still. So fast forward another month and she has a 1/3 lease. We agreed that she would have her lesson and ride Sunday morning. I get to the barn Sunday at 2pm and I’m really busy this month so this was my one day to ride all week and I go to get my horse and he has his blanket on and he’s really hot and sweaty and stressed. I immediately pull the blanket off and get his cooler on and hand walk him in the arena. One of the other people at the barn told me that the leaser had just left 10 minutes ago and she rode him really hard for an hour and just threw his blanket on and left. I am so pissed off, my baby could have been really hurt and I told my trainer and I feel like she’s not taking this seriously. Also I’ve never seen her ride for that long, she’s usually on and off on 20 minutes and it’s difficult to get my horse sweaty. What do I do?

You 100% need a detailed written contract

I've owned horses, but never leased. I 100% agree with RMP & Ambrosia.

Lay out strict boundaries, get everything in a written & signed contract.

And I'd also say trust your gut. If you're getting the sense that something is off or wrong, don't disregard that instinct. In my experience, it's usually right.

Yes, the lessor is wrong for this, but I'm more concerned with the trainer/barn owner that is letting this happen to any horse, let alone one that is being treated this way by somebody that doesn't even own it.

Thanks guys, yeah I deffinitely need to add some stuff to the lease.

You should always have a written contract with anything, period. If you don't, you can let an awful person get away with awful things. It sounds like to me that you need to find a new barn that will prioritize your horses wellbeing, and one that'll keep your mind at ease.

I'd definitely voice it with your parents as well about this if you haven't already, it definitely sounds like the trainer/leaser is taking advantage of you and your horse. Id also if you can find time or someone you trust really well, to check on your horse more often since you've seen a glimpse of what they've been doing with your horse. Overall this is a really sucky situation, I wish the best onwards, hope everything improves.

As a leaser and someone who has leased out I definetly reccomend making a contract and bringing it up with your parents.

I would discuss with your trainer but get a written contract.

I will say, as a leasee, the owner of the horse I leased and I established days as opposed to a Sunday morning.

This way the horse was never overworked. It is very concerning that a horse was put away hot, and I would express tha concern because this happens to be a time you caught it.

I would also ask other people at the barn their opinions if you have any friends about the care and riding they see as well. It could be something you don't continue the lease as well and find someone else.