Being given a horse for free??!!

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Scaty_Bird

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Hi all,

I am a bit of a lurker on here but need to talk to someone about this!

I used to have a horse on loan who was returned to his owners as they wanted him back. I had him for about a year and was gutted when he went as he was so genuine and just a sweet horse on the ground.

I have not had him for the past year but have kept in contact with owner asking how he is etc etc.

Well, I can't believe it but they have asked me if I would like him back forever for no charge! : o O

My first thought was 'err of course I want him!' but now my sensible head is on! I had a few issues with my nerves when I had him but none of these were his fault they were from a previous fall off a strange horse so all in my head - just worried these could come back to haunt me. I have his pictures all over my house, my desk and think about him all the time - he was really lovely. Aaaarrrggghhhh - don't know what to do!!! I know that I would need to make it official e.g. change of some kind of money and a contract.


Has anyone been in this situation before? Any advice you can give me? lol
Thanks
x
 
Wow lucky you!!!

I'd guess if they're gifting him to you,then it can just be a £1 handed over and receipt for a full change of ownership.

Being cynical though....what's made them decide this out of the blue?
 
well done you fo rnot making a rash decision with your heart.
you really need time to think about it - the finances, your lifestyle - do you hav etime to spend ona horse.
make a list of all the pros and cons of having him and be very truthful to yourself
if you would have to sacrifice things - eg time and money - to have him - would this really make you happy?
If you do decide to have him you would defintieley need some formal bill of sale - signed by you , teh seller and a witness. Teh money involved is immaterial but a bill of sale is essential - as is gettign his passport of course.
good luck - you seem very sensible so am sure you will make the right decision for you and this horse xxx
 
If your confidence issues are making you worry, then having someone around (like a good ym) and also getting regular lessons can make the world of a difference.
Taking the horse on (regardless of if you like him etc!) unfortunatly comes down to being ale to afford the regular upkeep costs and having the time in your life for one?
 
I think it is entirely normal to have last minute jitters. I am trying to buy a new horse now. As it happen, the horse failed the vet, but on the morning of the vetting I was wracked with nerves asking myself if it was really a good idea to buy it, and was I making the right decision.

As for contract etc, all you need is the passport, the horse and a receipt that says they are transferring ownership to you. If they said it was free, you can state this on the receipt.
 
I nearly had a horse for free but she changed her mind and took him back, because i had no contract i had no case, so defo get one. Also be causious as to why they are giving him away for free, get him vetted. If all is well and they just want a nice home go for it.:)
 
Thanks everyone!

Sorry to hear your horse failed the vetting Tracey01 - has made me think if you should have a 'free' horse vetted!

I know I can afford it as have been putting the livery money aside for the last few months(typically just booked a holiday though as didn't think I'd be getting a horse for another year or two so thought I'd treat myself!).

Gonna really think about and try and be sensible not rash. May go and see him at the weekend and see how I feel around him (couldn't go before as I got too emotional at the thought of when he left!).

Thanks everyone - am now calming down ; o )
 
tinkandlily said:
I nearly had a horse for free but she changed her mind and took him back, because i had no contract i had no case, so defo get one. Also be causious as to why they are giving him away for free, get him vetted. If all is well and they just want a nice home go for it.:)
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sorry replied before reading your reply!

That's very unfair to do that to you - will defo get some kind of agreement and the passport. Will ring them and do some investigating!
 
I'm glad you had the sense to take a step back and think this one through rather than jump in and say yes (as I'd prob of done)!

You say that the horse was good and genuine on the ground, what were the issues you had with him ridden? Was it a problem you have when riding any horse, or was it an issue that, whilst not being his fault, was only when you rode this horse? eg. if you were a nervous rider and this affected him making him a bit spooky??

If it was just your confidence I'd say yes and put time and money aside for regular lessons to help build up my confidence. If it was something that the horse was doing and I couldn't work out a way past it that upset my nerves so much (rearing, napping) I think I'd have to pass..

I'd def go and see him tho, it might be that the owner is having financial problems and knows the horse will be well cared for with you, or it could (being cautious as I am), be that the horse has developed a behavioural problem and really wouldn't be suitable for you in any case!

Is def worth a look tho isn't it! :)
 
Being really cynical I would go see him first to make sure nothing has happened in the last year that has changed his outlook on life. Although he is free, looking after him won't be free, so I would also get him vetted. The vetting will give you an idea of his general state of health and may save you money in the future.

Other than that, you need to think about the cost of owning a horse which can be substantial, but if that seems feasible, go for it!!!! :)
 
It sounds to me as if you should have a good chat and if you would initially feel more comfortable with a loan for a few months so you can convince yourself and them that you can cope and it is the right home for him, then say now. Also, check out what they would feel like if your cimcumstances changed and you had to sell him on?


However, dont be too cynical - it could just be because they believe you would give him a beautiful home. Sometimes people don't particularly need the money and just want to know their horse is going to have a good life and they won't find it in some horrible home in a few years time.
 
Toffee was kinda free. She was a loan who I had for 5 years and her owner gave up horses so handed her over.

Woody was a freebe from a friend because the owner had already sold him once and she felt it was unfair to get more money out of him, three years down the line he had kissing spines :(
 
Agree with all the very sensible advice given above here.

Have a good think about it as you are, work out if you can cope financially with all the extra a horse will cost to keep and then as said, get a contract with just the sum of £1 on it so it is all covered.

Good luck with what ever you decide :)
 
make sure youactually pay for it - even if its just £1 and get a recipt and witness if possible.....!
 
Can I ask why the change of money maybe I am being naive. My girls old owner wrote a letter saying that she was now mine and we both signed it, and I just changed her passport in my name??
 
toffee44 said:
Can I ask why the change of money maybe I am being naive. My girls old owner wrote a letter saying that she was now mine and we both signed it, and I just changed her passport in my name??
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Consideration, ie some sort of benefit (usually money, although doesn't have to be), is required for the contract to be valid.
 
toffee44 said:
Can I ask why the change of money maybe I am being naive. My girls old owner wrote a letter saying that she was now mine and we both signed it, and I just changed her passport in my name??
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It's to do with contract law - there must be an offer, acceptance and some sort of consideration before a contract is valid in law.

So the consideration from the person giving the horse is the horse itself, and the person being given the horse must also provide some sort of consideration in return, e.g. a nominal sum of money.

Otherwise the contract would not hold up in court in the event of any problems further down the line.
 
OK, STOP. I have had two "free" horses. The first one I suspect had navicular. The second a chronic bad back. The saying "Don't look a gift horse in the mouth" is so true. The horse if free because there is probably an underlying issue. My advice to you is, get the horse vetted, even if it is free. Best of luck. xx
 
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