Asking for trouble?

[jesterfaerie]

I am looking into loaning another horse out for before I go to university.
In the field next to my own horse is two ponies who used to be stabled there years ago before they were kicked off as their owner was no turning up and never answered her phone. Due to the land changing in ownership they have come back and asked to have the ponies on the land and have been there months yet have not been turning up again. The land is owned by an extreamly nice family but wouldn't know one end of the horse from the other. They do not want to kick the ponies owner off because their children love the ponies (one is a shetland), and think that they will just be abandoned again.....

I have sent a letter to the land owners (to pass on to the horse owner) if and when they see her, asking if she would consider letting me help exercise one of the ponies for her before uni.
The land owners have informed me (as we talk on a regular basis) that the horse owner may consider loaning the horse out (I cannot be certain though).

But if I attempt to take the horse on loan am I just asking for touble? An owner who doesn't turn up for weeks/months at a time. She may probably turn around mid july when the weather is nice and want to ride the horse (granted she would be the owner so has every right to).

Should I just look for another horse, or risk taking on a difficult owner?

It is just convinient if I could loan him, he is next to my horse, big enough, he is a project as he is unfit and very bloshy as the owner lets him get away with murder. But at least if he is ridden on a regular basis he will be quite fit (as his owner used to turn up in the spring summer and take him out galloping through the woods. Straight from the field after having the winter off and no fittening work. - He is a right chunk of a horse and does need fittening work).

Opinions please.
Thanks

note - I would have a loan agreement drawn up, based on the BHS one.

 

[Evil_Cookie]

If your going to draw out a contract could you not put a clause in it that the owner must ring you a few days prior to them wishing to ride there horse? And keep its tack in the car

assuming it comes with tack...
Seems like it could be dodgy, but could be worth a try as its kinda convienient...

 

[filly190]

If you go ahead, get a contract of loan written up, it does not have to be formal, just agreed between the two parties and a couple of witnesses. This way, your hard work from now to summer wont be taken away from you. Say for instance the owner sees how nicely her horse is going and fancies a fair weather ride in the summer, you could agree on perhaps one day a week.

The other thing you could argue to state your case, is that you will be adding value to this horse and making it more saleable/rideable for the owner.

I dont think they will turn down your offer because it is a particularly good one. You gain a project and some fun and they get back a nice horse.

I would stipulate what costs you are willing to pay (exclude vets bills) for this deal. I would approach it as a kind of a business deal where everyone is benefiting.