Dilema - loan pony/livery child hell

R2R

R2R

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I have an amazing child on my yard, who for one reason or another lost confidence. Child has had a super loan pony who has taken him from nervous bag of nerves to confident child. He is a good little pilot who now needs to move on to something that will jump, as loan pony is a non jumping anglo arab. I am only asking for something that will trit trot round a 2”6 course and do a prelim dressage test. I am not asking for a super doper POYS pony.

I have spoken to said child’s parents and explained the situation. I suggested that they invest in a pony for child, as he has done such a good job with loan pony. In frankness, they are NFI in child, childs riding or pony. They have not once been to pony club, little shows, to the yard to watch child ride. I forgive them this as child is so wonderfully committed.

Parents will not invest in a pony, because of bad pony buying experience before (they got well and truly done over, resulting in child loosing confidence etc). They also tell me it is becasue Child has got GCSE’s, also is growing at a fast rate (though he is never going to be that tall)

I need to find child a loan pony. This is fine, but not that easy. I have had an ad up at the pony club for 2 months...nothing. I have done a wanted ad...nothing. PLEASE HELP ME!!! I have found a pony two and a half hours drive away, but do I really want to be giving up my weekend to drive someone else’s child a 5 hour round trip for no £££? I will put myself out, but not that much!

I know many of you will say it is not my problem, but I don’t want to see the child heartbroken and ponyless. They also pay livery..so it is in my interest to have said child as a livery!! What shall I do?
 
Unfortunately I don't have any ideas but just wanted to say that the child is lucky to have you looking out for him, I really hope you find him something & good luck xxx
 
Do you get the Ad mag where you live? They have tones of horses/ponies for sale and loan local to the area. I know Notts has one :)
 
Tbh-it's between the parent and child, it is absoloutely no business of yours unless the parents ask you to be involved.
 
really don't see that it's your business. if the parent's dont want to buy their child a pony (and quite honestly, why should they have to, perhaps they can't afford to and yes GCSE's are quite important) then...it's tough I'm afraid.
 
I'm sure you have probably thought of this, but I would be very careful in trying to find a new loan pony for the child in question (a minor as under 18.) Especially with non-horsey parents. If you ended up getting a loan pony for the child and the child had an accident it could end up getting very messy. I don't know what the legal ins and outs would be but you could potentially end up being responsible for any injuries/ costs/ etc. (Parents may accuse you of find an unsuitable horse - not sure how a court would look at it?) That could result in loss of your business/ £/ who knows.

A lot of people may not be prepared to have their pony out on loan to child where the parents do not have a clue as it would be them who would be responsible for the ponys welfare. I wouldn't. I don't know your set up, but unless you are a riding school and you take the pony on loan with a view to use it for the school and therefore be responsible for all costs, you may not be onto a winner.

Personally, I would rather deal with an unhappy child than the legal system..........but then I'm used to saying no to my kids!!! It doesn't kill them!
 
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