Finding the perfect loan home-how?

[Ranyhyn]

I had a nice lady loaning my lovely mare. Sadly she came back just two weeks later because the lady's fencing was being trashed by her other horse and she was worried for mine.
Anyway, I like to give people a trial period, during which time I keep an eye etc and part of this is only fair that they can give the horse back.
However, in doing so am I setting myself up for this frequently? Can you ask for a notice period even on a trial?
It's not so much bad for me, that the horse comes hone but it's not really great for my lovely mare to be passed from pillar to post.
Any suggestions would be great, I know perhaps this is exceptional circumstances, but I want to protect the horse for the future.

 

[Polos Mum]

Hmm not nice for her I agree. Certainly no harm in asking them for a months notice but I'd always worry if they weren't getting on or there was a problem she might not be in the best place for that month.

I think I'd expect horses to be a little unsettled in a new home and if her existing horse was on it's own before or not used to change I guess that could be unsettling but introducing them over a fence sounds like a sensible idea - difficult to know how bad it must have been for her to return her.

Hopefully knowledgeable horsey people will know they need to give your mare a little time to settle and not send her back after the first minor niggle.

 

[Ranyhyn]

Sorry it wasn't my horse trashing the fence, they were in the same field, her horse was just going through the fence, looking for something tasty presumably!
It's hard to strike a balance I think, trial period plus trying to make sure she doesn't get mucked about.