A horse lease contract works like any other type of lease and offers many of the benefits of ownership, without some of the hassles.

Finding a Horse to Lease

Tack shops, riding schools, local classified ads and the Internet are good places to look to lease horses. Sometimes it is even worthwhile approaching an owner at a familiar stable. Often, owners are open to the possibility of a shared lease since it helps cut down on boarding costs and allows the horse to get more exercise.

"The advantage of leasing a horse is that you're getting to ride an animal you probably couldn't afford to buy," says Tempe Bennett, Equestrian Director of Yonahlossee Saddle Club, Inc. in Greensboro, North Carolina. "The disadvantage is that you're putting time and training into an animal that you don't own, but it can be worth it, depending on the situation."