Bit of a weird one... horses and your will!

[Jango]

I really need to do a will, as I'm 35 own a mortgaged house and haven't got one! The house is easy as I'm leaving that to my niece and nephew. I have 2 horses, one is out on loan. Is it weird to message the loaner and ask if she would want me to leave the horse to her in my will? My other horse is a bit quirky, so I was thinking of leaving her to my friend to sell, along with my lorry so she can keep the money from both for the hassle/paying livery while it's all sorted out.

What has everyone else done? Especially if you're single and your family aren't horsey.

Also god knows who I'd leave my cat too... all my family/close friends are either allergic or have dogs. She's lovely and would be very easy to rehome, but I wouldn't want her to go to a rescue.

I'm currently healthy and not planning on dying, but I guess nobody ever is! I do do a few fairly risky activities so it's better to be safe than sorry I guess!

 

[Prancerpoos]

When I had horses, my will always said they were to be PTS in their field if I died. I have seen a couple of examples where horses have been left to someone that seemed suitable and it has not turned out well for the horse. I would never have sold any of my horses, so selling was never an option for me. There are worse things than PTS and horses are complicated and expensive to keep. I think cats and dogs have a better chance of finding someone lovely to rehome them.

As an aside - I used Guardian Angel for my will. All online, a great service, and free if you leave legacies to certain charities.

 

[Goldenstar]

I would ring the loaner and have a conversation it’s not something you should message about .

 

[SantaVera]

After the sad debarcle with the late Janet George s will I think you are very wise to get your affairs in order. My horses are going to be PTS in their field. Dogs and cat going to the RSPCA.

 

[Peglo]

I think it might be better done by conversation. Meet up for a coffee or go past the yard and ask them then. Make sure they know they don’t need to give an answer straight away and to go away and have a think about it. It’s a kind gesture and hope it works out for you both.

 

[Birker2020]

I really need to do a will, as I'm 35 own a mortgaged house and haven't got one! The house is easy as I'm leaving that to my niece and nephew. I have 2 horses, one is out on loan. Is it weird to message the loaner and ask if she would want me to leave the horse to her in my will? My other horse is a bit quirky, so I was thinking of leaving her to my friend to sell, along with my lorry so she can keep the money from both for the hassle/paying livery while it's all sorted out.

What has everyone else done? Especially if you're single and your family aren't horsey.

Also god knows who I'd leave my cat too... all my family/close friends are either allergic or have dogs. She's lovely and would be very easy to rehome, but I wouldn't want her to go to a rescue.

I'm currently healthy and not planning on dying, but I guess nobody ever is! I do do a few fairly risky activities so it's better to be safe than sorry I guess!

I left Bailey to my YO in my Will along with my savings which were 10K at the time. I was working at a Conveyancing, Probate and Will Solicitors at the time so I got it done for free but she said she appreciated my thoughtful gesture and accepted so I got it done. Horse was doing really well at dressage and jumping at the time so was worth something to someone.

Good job nothing happened to me at the time though, Bailey ended up costing me £35K over the years in vets bills! So I don't think she would have been that happy!

 

[The Xmas Furry]

Please make sure at least 2 other people know what is in your will and any letter of wishes at least with regards to livestock etc.

Sometimes family or friends can act with the best of intentions before any will is retrieved.
The immediate needs or requests about any animals or dependent relatives have sometimes been dealt with - before actual laid out plans are known.

 

[wren123]

Don't reply on people doing what they say they will! My mum's much younger friend encouraged her to get a kitten when one of her 4 cats died saying she'd have it if my mum died, she'd already said she'd have her other cats.

When my mum sadly died at 87, a shock for me but hardly out of the blue she said she could only take 1 cat and left me to find good homes for the other three. She also wanted, in my view, the nicest cat! My mum had already agreed with my sister and I that we give her a sum towards future care, thank goodness this wasn't in the will so we split that between the homes we did find. It added a lot of stress to a difficult time, I did find great homes for all of them through friends and we would have had them if we hadn't.

She said she didn't think my mum would die at that time, that she'd go on for a lot longer!

 

[blodwyn1]

My horses are left to world horse welfare with a sizeable donation.

 

[tda]

I have been named in a friends will, to take care of her horse if anything should happen to her. We had a conversation about it.
I do need to get down in writing exactly what I want doing with my gang

 

[ponynutz]

I would be prepared for her to say no - most people who loan have a reason for not buying. It is an extraordinarly kind gesture however.

 

[Polos Mum]

Speak to a professional (not me!) but I think Wills are relatively expensive to change each time a cat or dog changes in your life. So they recommend you have wording in the Will that effectively says "please see letter"
Then you have a separate letter that is easy to update. A 8 y/o fit competition horse might be worth something but 3 years later after an injury might be a liability to someone !
Sadly cats and dogs in our lives change.

You can then share a copy of that letter with all / lots of relevant people - without sharing full details of your Will with everyone (which might have more personal stuff in it).

I loaned a horse for 10 years, about 6 years in the owner (who'd seen him once in that time) called to tell me her husband had cancer and they were downsizing their farm so "just to be clear I never want him back".
He was the best horse I've every ridden by 1000 x and she would have had to step over my dead body to get him back - so that was all fine in my book ! But things change for loaner / loanee that are often unexpected.

If you want them sold, and you have a suitable horse knowledgeable friend - that works, if not talk to instructor perhaps. My instructor would know exactly who would want my boy in the event of disaster.

Older / even remotely less valuable ones of mine will be PTS - dramatic some will say but I want their future guaranteed and there are just not that many people with resources to take on older / not fit / unridden horses.

Dogs will go with my kids to their aunt.

 

[Micky]

Cats dogs..the cinnamon trust are a good shout to leave your fur babies with..plus a nice donation too..
horses, well I swore I’d have mine pts when I died, as the only person I trusted to look after them has sadly died too. I do trust one other person, but she has so muc( on he4 plate, 8 couldn’t burden her. So pts it is. Harsh but honest.

 

[Birker2020]

Don't reply on people doing what they say they will! My mum's much younger friend encouraged her to get a kitten when one of her 4 cats died saying she'd have it if my mum died, she'd already said she'd have her other cats.

When my mum sadly died at 87, a shock for me but hardly out of the blue she said she could only take 1 cat and left me to find good homes for the other three. She also wanted, in my view, the nicest cat! My mum had already agreed with my sister and I that we give her a sum towards future care, thank goodness this wasn't in the will so we split that between the homes we did find. It added a lot of stress to a difficult time, I did find great homes for all of them through friends and we would have had them if we hadn't.

She said she didn't think my mum would die at that time, that she'd go on for a lot longer!

People are so unreliable and let you down, how awful for you to have to contend with that after losing your Mum. x

 

[Birker2020]

Speak to a professional (not me!) but I think Wills are relatively expensive to change each time a cat or dog changes in your life. So they recommend you have wording in the Will that effectively says "please see letter"
Then you have a separate letter that is easy to update.

Yes that is a Codicil. Still needs signing by a Solicitor though.
I think a Rider is something that is added at a later date in a contract.

 

[The Xmas Furry]

Speak to a professional (not me!) but I think Wills are relatively expensive to change each time a cat or dog changes in your life. So they recommend you have wording in the Will that effectively says "please see letter"
Then you have a separate letter that is easy to update. A 8 y/o fit competition horse might be worth something but 3 years later after an injury might be a liability to someone !
Sadly cats and dogs in our lives change.

You can then share a copy of that letter with all / lots of relevant people - without sharing full details of your Will with everyone (which might have more personal stuff in it).

I loaned a horse for 10 years, about 6 years in the owner (who'd seen him once in that time) called to tell me her husband had cancer and they were downsizing their farm so "just to be clear I never want him back".
He was the best horse I've every ridden by 1000 x and she would have had to step over my dead body to get him back - so that was all fine in my book ! But things change for loaner / loanee that are often unexpected.

If you want them sold, and you have a suitable horse knowledgeable friend - that works, if not talk to instructor perhaps. My instructor would know exactly who would want my boy in the event of disaster.

Older / even remotely less valuable ones of mine will be PTS - dramatic some will say but I want their future guaranteed and there are just not that many people with resources to take on older / not fit / unridden horses.

Dogs will go with my kids to their aunt.

A letter of wishes is what you mean, though it will indicate exactly what you want, executors do not have to follow this.... most will, if they know of it though.

 

[Gloi]

My horses are left to world horse welfare with a sizeable donation.

I have considered doing that.

 

[ILuvCowparsely]

I really need to do a will, as I'm 35 own a mortgaged house and haven't got one! The house is easy as I'm leaving that to my niece and nephew. I have 2 horses, one is out on loan. Is it weird to message the loaner and ask if she would want me to leave the horse to her in my will? My other horse is a bit quirky, so I was thinking of leaving her to my friend to sell, along with my lorry so she can keep the money from both for the hassle/paying livery while it's all sorted out.

What has everyone else done? Especially if you're single and your family aren't horsey.

Also god knows who I'd leave my cat too... all my family/close friends are either allergic or have dogs. She's lovely and would be very easy to rehome, but I wouldn't want her to go to a rescue.

I'm currently healthy and not planning on dying, but I guess nobody ever is! I do do a few fairly risky activities so it's better to be safe than sorry I guess!

I will gift mine in my will to WHW where they can be adopted out, but secure if they need to come back.
I know a couple friends who left them to friends, one ended up being sold to god knows where as b/f of friend made her sell it. The other the girl got into drugs and sold it for them. https://www.worldhorsewelfare.org/support-us/leave-a-legacy/horse-gifting-in-a-will#:~:text=Leaving your horse to World,will always be our priority.


To me if things go pear shaped for the friend who took them on after you die, she would be gutted if her circumstances change and she had to sell, likeways family they would not know what is best for them or their needs, and if a family want to adopt they can through WHW and that way if they cant further down they go back to WHW.

 

[ILuvCowparsely]

My horses are left to world horse welfare with a sizeable donation.

^5 me too

Oh can I mention to you what they said to me. Have a booklets where you write down any injury or meds or special diet they need, that way if the worst happens they have a record of rugs - feed - diet- injury and any other thing they need to know like areas not to touch etc. I have one for each horse note pad that is and add to it when I need too and update it as things happen.

 

[windswoo]

I'm to look after my friend's horse if she dies.
She has left me a "donation" in her will, but to be fair he's been with our two for the last 19 years - she wouldn't even have to ask me to look after him if anything happened to her.
My two would go to OH if just me that's died - if both of us probably PTS.
Really do need to write a will, but keep putting it off.

 

[stormox]

I doubt a vet would PTS a healthy dog or horse just because the deceased owner willed it.
They are more than likely to call in a rescue society.

 

[MagicMelon]

In my will, all my animals are to go to my mum to decide what to do with (she'd likely keep my cat and rehome my horses and dog). I wouldnt say she's horsey as such but she certainly knows enough to look after them and would know how to choose homes for them I would approve of. If she wasnt around, I believe it would fall to my OH's dad who is more horsey and then onto my brother to deal.

 

[Polos Mum]

I doubt a vet would PTS a healthy dog or horse just because the deceased owner willed it.
They are more than likely to call in a rescue society.

A dog perhaps - if it's mid aged and of good health. But nice young healthy dogs are put down by rescue organisations every day because they can't feed them all. If you do a quick google it suggests the RSPCA put down 50% of pet animals coming into their care for non medical reasons. Even if that's an overestimate - it'll still be a lot.

You can't give horses to rescues without effectively prepaying full livery (very meaningful donation)
Rescues are bursting at the seams with older / injured horses that nobody will take on.

My horse wouldn't be PTS by the vet anyway - the knackerman is far more skilled at that very important job (IMHO) and he certainly wouldn't challenge difficult decisions in sad circumstances.

 

[ILuvCowparsely]

A dog perhaps - if it's mid aged and of good health. But nice young healthy dogs are put down by rescue organisations every day because they can't feed them all. If you do a quick google it suggests the RSPCA put down 50% of pet animals coming into their care for non medical reasons. Even if that's an overestimate - it'll still be a lot.

You can't give horses to rescues without effectively prepaying full livery (very meaningful donation)
Rescues are bursting at the seams with older / injured horses that nobody will take on.

My horse wouldn't be PTS by the vet anyway - the knackerman is far more skilled at that very important job (IMHO) and he certainly wouldn't challenge difficult decisions in sad circumstances.

You can with WHW, they have all my horses on their files, they are grateful with any donation going to them with horse and remember they do adopt them out. They told me that when I filled the form in and sent it too them.

 

[Polos Mum]

You can with WHW, they have all my horses on their files, they are grateful with any donation going to them with horse and remember they do adopt them out.

Maybe you have been a regular supporter ? Or you had to apply pre the current crisis? Sadly their own website says they won't take horses from private homes (see the link). I couldn't see how they could possible manage to fund so many retirees and all the facebook "free companion horses" wouldn't exist if you could just drop them off at a charity.

Responsible rehoming of horses - World Horse Welfare

World Horse Welfare and other National Equine Welfare Council (NEWC) members have put together some advice for owners needing to rehome their own horses.

www.worldhorsewelfare.org

 

[Orangehorse]

After the sad debarcle with the late Janet George s will I think you are very wise to get your affairs in order. My horses are going to be PTS in their field. Dogs and cat going to the RSPCA.

I was very sad when Janet George died so unexpectedly. What happened about her Will, I hadn't heard.

 

[Jango]

Thanks everyone! Lots of points to consider. It's not a nice thing to think about but very important. I definitely couldn't have any of mine put to sleep, they are all in the prime of their lives and could have a very happy life with someone else. Obviously with an older horse it's a different decision x

 

[ILuvCowparsely]

Maybe you have been a regular supporter ? Or you had to apply pre the current crisis? Sadly their own website says they won't take horses from private homes (see the link). I couldn't see how they could possible manage to fund so many retirees and all the facebook "free companion horses" wouldn't exist if you could just drop them off at a charity.

Responsible rehoming of horses - World Horse Welfare

World Horse Welfare and other National Equine Welfare Council (NEWC) members have put together some advice for owners needing to rehome their own horses.

www.worldhorsewelfare.org

This is trying to sign your horses over to them, not leaving in your will which is different, you fill in the pack they send you

Responsible rehoming of horses - World Horse Welfare

World Horse Welfare and other National Equine Welfare Council (NEWC) members have put together some advice for owners needing to rehome their own horses.

www.worldhorsewelfare.org

Leaving your horse to charity in your Will​

For horse owners, it can be worrying to think about who will look after your horse in the event of your death. Leaving your horse to World Horse Welfare in your Will is a way that you can ensure they are safeguarded for the rest of their lives. As horse lovers, we know this is a big decision to make and want to reassure you that your horse’s wellbeing will always be our priority.

Our Horse Gifting in a Will scheme* ensures your horse’s continued safety and care, as they will remain in our ownership for the rest of their life.


You will find all the information you need to make an informed decision in our Horse Gifting guide, as well as an Equine Details Form where you can provide us with specific information about your horse’s needs and characteristics.

Please note: As this scheme involves horses coming into one of our four UK-based Rescue and Rehoming Centres, we are only able to accept horses within the United Kingdom.

 

[Ratface]

In the event of my death, Old Horse stays where he is, with his herd, and with his breeder. We have discussed this and she has agreed to this. If she predeceases me, the yard, land, dogs and horses go to the Head Groom. She's a competent horse manager and has her own horses there, so I'm sure that she will cope very well.
Madam Cat will go to Cat's Protection Society with a hefty donation. This has already been agreed with them and a statement to that effect is in the wheelhouse and CPS stickers are in my car.
Everything else goes to my son, to do with as he wishes.

 

[GoldenWillow]

OH and I did our wills last year, in the event of us both dying the ponies go to a charity along with a sizeable donation. I specifically chose a charity that doesn't sign them over to loaner after a period of time so hopefully that is their future safeguarded. Although these will probably be the last ponies I have they were not specifically named and it is worded so that it covers any pony I own at the time of my death.

Eta, the charity has full information of the ponies including management and health so if we are both killed it should be fairly straightforward for executor to implement. A lifelong friend offered to take ponies and I know she would give them fantastic care for the rest of their lives but I thought it was too big a burden.