ADVICE GREATLY NEEDED!

LollyDolly

LollyDolly

Well-Known Member
Joined
13 May 2012
Messages
809
Location
Cheshire
Visit site
I don't know what to think or do at the minute.

When I was 13 I owned a 14.2 cob called Brambles, he is the definition of a saint and is 110% bombproof. However, when I reached 15 I decided that I wanted to jump and compete which wasn't Brambles strongest point so I made the very difficult decision to sell him.

It broke my heart and I regretted it ever since.

I now own a 14.2 Irish x called Sandy, he is a superstar and won't be going anywhere.

Anyway, today I received a message of Brambles' current owners who I sold him to, they have offered me to have him back for free!

Basically they don't have the time for him anymore, and a good home is their top priority for him and they know that he will be well looked after with me.
He has mild arthritis as he is about 18 now (I think!) however it isn't at the stage where veterinary care is needed, just making sure that he gets out a lot and a little bute in winter sorts it.

Now here is where the problem lies.

I live away at uni and my Grandad looks after (and pays) for Sandy whilst I'm gone, I contacted him about it and he said that he doesn't think that he can afford two and he certainly can't look after two.

I can contribute a bit towards them but I cannot pay for Brambles fully if we had him back.

What would you do? He is one SUPERSTAR of a pony and truly one in a million, you can do literally anything safely on him.

I have considered loaning Sandy out for 4/5 days a week which would help with both the costs and the time, but how much would I ask? Would £40/£45 a week be unreasonable? Bear in mind that the yard has excellent facilities!

It feels like a dream come true that I get my old boy back, however it couldn't have come at a worse time :(
 
Well that I don't know, I mean Brambles is very, very safe but I think that he can only do walk, trot and a little canter so he would only really be suited for a hacking home.
Do you reckon that someone would pay to loan a super safe hacking horse?

Our yard has a farm ride so there is an option for loads of off road hacking!
 
Why not take back his ownership and then put him out on full loan (while you're at Uni), there are plenty of people with kids who would love him and his boombroofness just as much as you did and many novices will want to do what is is up to. Once they outgrow him you could find him another suitable loan home.
That way you can check on him regularly and be sure he's in a loving home without costing you/ your family any time/ money.
 
There will be someone out there who would LOVE to share/loan Bramble!! I am a 58 year old with several health problems (another broken leg within a year) and he sounds just what I would love to have to go out with my other "older" friends for a bimble about. I dont want to gallop and jump about and I am sure there are others about like me.!
 
I am CERTAIN you could find someone to loan Brambles. My mum is 61 and a total novice and we would love something for her to hack out with me on!!
 
Does this sound like a good plan to you all?

Loan Sandy for 4 days a week.
Loan Brambles for 2/3 days a week to someone who just wants something super safe and super steady to pootle round the lanes/farm ride.

I mean Brambles is so safe that when I was 13 I took him drag hunting... IN A SNAFFLE! With no martingale or anything, I took him on tons of fun rides too and he has never needed anything more than a snaffle :)

Say if I had someone for 4 days for Sandy at £45 a week and someone for 3 days with Brambles at £35 a week, do you think that'd work?

Do those prices seem reasonable, would people pay them?

Because obviously time is of the essence so the sooner I could find loaners the better!
 
The prices look a little high to me, not sure about Cheshire but Berks and Lincs 3 days a week is about £20 and that's a horse that can do everything and anything including compete.
Wouldn't it be less complicated to keep Sandy as she is and put Bramble on full loan to someone (looks like many people would like something sensible just to hack on full loan)
 
Well the yard I am at has three arenas (two indoor), a local show every month, on site dressage competitions every month, a huge farm ride with full xc fences, excellent road hacking routes and a 5 minute hack from another monthly local show and dressage competition.

So basically the facilities are great, my friend on the yard part loaned her Welsh mare for £15 a day.

As for full loaning Brambles, I am home from May-September over summer, as well as Christmas and Easter so I would like to enjoy him over those periods which I couldn't do if he was on full loan.
 
So explain why now Brambles needs medical attention his current owners are not taking responsibliity?

As harsh at it seems, you have moved on, you cannot afford 2 and Brambles is not your responsibility. Reject the "kind" offer from his current owners.
 
I'm not sure its a great idea to take on a horse knowing you will have to rely on sharers for the financial support, & daily care. Not only could a sharer let you down, but if one or both are injured for any length of time, you can't expect a sharer to continue paying. If the current owners are only struggling for time, could they not retain ownership & continue to contribute to his upkeep whilst you provide the care? Or, find a field or cheap yard to keep both on that you can afford, & find sharers to help with the work. And put the sharer money to one side to pay for a freelance groom or similar if sharers give up & your grandad needs help with the jobs.
 
The person sharing Bramble couldn't use any of those facilities anyway so that might not make too much difference to them.

Only way to find out whether there is enough interest locally for sharers and whether the money you are asking is sensible is to advertise and see who turns up.
 
Hang on, your grandad has said no, he can't afford two. End of discussion, even if you tried to get a sharer it isn't guaranteed. In the meantime your grandad can't afford to pay for him.

I am afraid OP that this isn't your decision. As heartbreaking as it is, your grandad has said no. Your lucky enough hat he pays for one!
 
I'm not sure its a great idea to take on a horse knowing you will have to rely on sharers for the financial support, & daily care. Not only could a sharer let you down, but if one or both are injured for any length of time, you can't expect a sharer to continue paying. If the current owners are only struggling for time, could they not retain ownership & continue to contribute to his upkeep whilst you provide the care? Or, find a field or cheap yard to keep both on that you can afford, & find sharers to help with the work. And put the sharer money to one side to pay for a freelance groom or similar if sharers give up & your grandad needs help with the jobs.
 
As another poster pointed out, nobody wanting to share Bramble would be using the facilities. So why not look for a cheaper yard where you can ask a more reasonable price from a sharer?

Your yard sounds very smart/professional, so I'm not even sure you would get somebody looking to share a quiet, "happy hacker" thinking about applying to that kind of yard.
 
Help the current owners find the right home for Bramble. He's the sort who goes through word of mouth and it will be better for him and you if you all just find him the right people. You should just stick with keeping Sandy IMO.
 
EllenJay said:
So explain why now Brambles needs medical attention his current owners are not taking responsibliity?

As harsh at it seems, you have moved on, you cannot afford 2 and Brambles is not your responsibility. Reject the "kind" offer from his current owners.
Click to expand...

I did consider this, I would want to look into getting him vetted before just taking him back because I am a bit concerned that maybe something has gone awry health-wise and the last thing I want is to be stuck with a huge vets bill.

Littlelegs said:
I'm not sure its a great idea to take on a horse knowing you will have to rely on sharers for the financial support, & daily care. Not only could a sharer let you down, but if one or both are injured for any length of time, you can't expect a sharer to continue paying. If the current owners are only struggling for time, could they not retain ownership & continue to contribute to his upkeep whilst you provide the care? Or, find a field or cheap yard to keep both on that you can afford, & find sharers to help with the work. And put the sharer money to one side to pay for a freelance groom or similar if sharers give up & your grandad needs help with the jobs.
Click to expand...

THIS. My own thoughts exactly!

guido16 said:
Hang on, your grandad has said no, he can't afford two. End of discussion, even if you tried to get a sharer it isn't guaranteed. In the meantime your grandad can't afford to pay for him.

I am afraid OP that this isn't your decision. As heartbreaking as it is, your grandad has said no. Your lucky enough hat he pays for one!
Click to expand...

I do have the money as I work alongside uni, however it's the time factor that is the biggest problem. I know that I am incredibly lucky that he currently pays for Sandy!

In all honesty neither of us want the hassle.

zigzag said:
If you have to part loan both horses to pay for them, how are you going to afford vet fees?
Click to expand...

Very good thought!

I rung up one of my horsey friends and chatted everything over, I've decided to go with my head and not my heart and refuse to take Brambles back as I am in pretty much the worse position to even loan one horse with being at uni, let alone two!!

Thank you so much for the advice everyone, my head feels much clearer now :D
 
As nice as it would be to have your old boy back OP, I do think you are being a little bit selfish. Your grandad has already said no - he can't afford it and won't be able to do provide the care so if I were you I would try and help Brambles' current owners find a loving new home for him. I also don't think that they're being kind by offering him to you for free. I think they want shot quickly and probably know how much you love him so are hoping they'd be able to flog him off on your ASAP.

A lot of people would love a horse like Brambles, including me. What happens to Sandy when you are away at uni? I can only imagine that having one when you're not there is difficult, let alone having two! :eek:

Or as previously said - why don't you try and find a smaller yard where you can afford to keep both? I imagine your Grandad must pay quite a high rate to keep Sandy on a yard like yours. Maybe you could find somewhere which will be the same/cheaper for both?
 
Flame_ said:
Help the current owners find the right home for Bramble. He's the sort who goes through word of mouth and it will be better for him and you if you all just find him the right people. You should just stick with keeping Sandy IMO.
Click to expand...

Good advice. The thing is really if you had spare money or could make it easier for your grandad to afford Sandy, I'd do that, not take on another one. I know its hard but he will find a home easily with your help I'm sure.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top