Formal valuation of my horses re divorce

Wow I am really shocked, shocked that a pet can be considered an asset.

I got divorced last October, we had 3 horses, they were not listed as assets and the lowest value would have been around 1500, the other 2 being worth around 2500 each.
It never occured to either of us, nor did either of our solicitors mention it.

The only conversations we ever had regarding the horses and our dog was who was gonna physically take care of them, who would pay livery etc and who would keep long term - I ended up with all 3 as my ex didn't have time, but he paid livery on the one that was his until she was sold.

My ex was a total P*ick during the divorce, but never once attempted to use pets against me, so I suppose there is some hope for him lol x
 
missyme10 said:
Wow I am really shocked, shocked that a pet can be considered an asset.
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Well, my parents argued in court over my horse :o I was 16 at the time. The horse was of significant value, admittedly(sold 3 years later for £32K), but it was mine:o:mad: It was considered an asset then.

When it comes to credit, however, horses, unlike livestock, are not considered an asset, ie you can't borrow money against the value of a horse.
 
The only one of any value could be the foal but you can go out and buy a nice foal for about a grand. £2000 gives you plenty of choice and £5000 gets this colt -http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/marketplace/classified/4-details-horses-for-sale_254895.htm
Realistically your foal would be advertised at about £1200 and you may get £900.
(Check horse Mart, Horse & Hound, Ad horse)

As an aside - most insurance companies will only insure a foal for the stud fee or half the value of the dam without a vet's certificate so stud fee was £350 and what did you pay for the mare?
Try putting these figures to them but if they want an independent valuation they should pay any fees incurred. Vets can give valuations.
 
He really wants to make you suffer doesn't he. What a ***** hole. Stick to your guns, the mares belong to your mum as does the foal and if the shetlands brought even £50 if they went to market. Men like this need casterating.:mad::mad::mad::mad:
 
crockshard said:
I posted previously and got loads of helpful replies re what people thought my useless herd of neds is worth (ie not much! :) but they are to me...), and am continuing to argue that they were purchased by my mum originally, and ones I have bred, stud fees were paid by her hence not my assets - but ex + solicitor continues to demand valuations of my (only) assets. So now need formal valuations of my 2 mares and one foal. Think the 7 shetlands can reasonably be considered worth less than £500 each and therefore not required to be listed.
Can anyone recommend a dealer or "name", or several, who could give formal valuations of my 2 horses and foal, preferably at the lower end? I'm in Kent, prepared to pay a professional fee for this service if necessary.
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Re the Shetlands were being sold at about £10.00 each the ones taken off Dartmoor:eek:
 
martlin said:
Well, my parents argued in court over my horse :o I was 16 at the time. The horse was of significant value, admittedly(sold 3 years later for £32K), but it was mine:o:mad: It was considered an asset then.

When it comes to credit, however, horses, unlike livestock, are not considered an asset, ie you can't borrow money against the value of a horse.
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Ouch. Hugs for the sixteen year old you :(


OP - when I had to have a valuation for Tiggy, when she was put to sleep, the insurance company wanted a valuation from an instructor, or a farrier, or someone else (I forget whom!). My farrier wrote it. They paid out (and it was 'that' insurance company).
 
can you say they are negative equity?

Value x depreciation at 10% per year after a certain age minus costs of livery/feed/insurance etc.

If he wants half the horse, he should have footed half the bills of keep and you would have evidence to the contrary?
 
s4sugar said:
Try putting these figures to them but if they want an independent valuation they should pay any fees incurred. Vets can give valuations.
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I'd like to see you tell the court that! If the court asks for valuations they must be provided and usually the cost of the valuations would be split between both parties.
 
Could a vet not do it? They would probably be best qualified as they would know the extent of their problems? Also were they insured? If so could you not give a Loss of use valuation as it would seem neither are rideable atm?
 
The court hasn't asked for valuations, nor will there be valuations if I can help it. Spoke to my barrister about it, explained the nature/issues of the horses and that Mum purchased them or paid stud fees - he said it's simple: they belong to your mother. End of. Given that he's after my house, the insignificant values of an aspect of my mother's property is none of his business.
He has a horse himself :) The barrister that is!
Who also thinks my beloved ex is after a meal ticket, should get a job and p*** off back under the stone he crawled from. My sentiments exactly. Ex doesn't want half the horses or the horses themselves- he wants them valued to prove I have assets that could be "Liquidised" (ew! is that even the right word?) to give him cash as I have no other means to give him money if he is awarded any from me.
 
How about paying a couple of dealers eg Dave at Duckhurst to offer you money in writing for them? You'd be lucky to be offered £500 for them all!

Or the auctioneer from Hobbs Parker, ditto the price!

Good luck by the way. It's hell on earth but you will get through it

((((((hugs)))))))
 
Horses ARE livestock and their value as assets CAN be considered when borrowing money (if the lender your dealing with will or not is another matter) but as with most assets securing a loan, they need to be insurred. Our lender would only consider the value of our insured horses, not the rest, and also considered the income the stallions produced from service fees etc...

In the event of a divorce it's only fair to count them in....they may be your hobby, but if the hubby has say, a boat as his plaything, you'd want that counted too...
 
If you owned your house when you married, and continued to pay mortgage etc, or at least a part thereof, he can ask for any contribution he has made to be returned, the horses, it is my understanding, unless it is your profession ie: you are a dealer, or sales agent, would not be considered an asset, and if you owned them before you were married, and he made no contribution towards their up keep, he has no chance, this needs to be pointed out, but be cooperative, it will look better if you are. Good luck, he sounds like a complete Tw*t!:eek:
 
Gekko horses are NOT livestock in the UK & so fall out of both the laws regarding livestock & domestic pets in most cases.

i really feel for you OP, the OH & i had a rough patch a few years back (in a horse free gap) & the heated aguements over the dog were worse than over our son!
i am lucky in that he would never want my little lad as he know the boy is unsellable & damned near unhandleable exept for me & a good friend (& his previous owner)
 
crockshard said:
I posted previously and got loads of helpful replies re what people thought my useless herd of neds is worth (ie not much! :) but they are to me...), and am continuing to argue that they were purchased by my mum originally, and ones I have bred, stud fees were paid by her hence not my assets - but ex + solicitor continues to demand valuations of my (only) assets. So now need formal valuations of my 2 mares and one foal. Think the 7 shetlands can reasonably be considered worth less than £500 each and therefore not required to be listed.
Can anyone recommend a dealer or "name", or several, who could give formal valuations of my 2 horses and foal, preferably at the lower end? I'm in Kent, prepared to pay a professional fee for this service if necessary.
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Sorry don't know any dealers but felt I had to say this:
Do you still have the orginal reciepts of purchase, do they have your mum's name on them? The same goes for the stud fees. We all know that passports are not considered proof of ownership so even if your name is on them it really counts for diddly squat ;) Did your mother pay these fees by cheque, card or cash? If the first two, then proof of her purchase is all that is needed. Don't get valuations, it is tantamount to admitting they are yours, (which technically :P they aren't since she purchased them) stick to your guns that they are NOT your assets. Even if your name is on passport, that would be because your mother has entrusted the guardianship of her horses to you. If you have proof that they were purchased in her name or that she paid for them. What is YOUr solicitor saying?
 
BuBbleMooJim said:
If you owned your house when you married, and continued to pay mortgage etc, or at least a part thereof, he can ask for any contribution he has made to be returned, the horses, it is my understanding, unless it is your profession ie: you are a dealer, or sales agent, would not be considered an asset, and if you owned them before you were married, and he made no contribution towards their up keep, he has no chance, this needs to be pointed out, but be cooperative, it will look better if you are. Good luck, he sounds like a complete Tw*t!:eek:
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Where did these pieces of info come from? What basis do they have in law?
 
crockshard said:
It's difficult to find comparisons though - 8yo 16hh ISH (Grandsire Cruising) mare backed over winter, bred 1 foal, ridden about 10 times ever, had shoulder injury via gatepost and is unlevel in front, for light hacking only, had recurrent mastitis as brood mare, multiple colics due to terrible windsucking and has no front teeth.
3yo 15.1 Hannoverian x ISH - lightly backed this summer ie will walk with rider, parrot mouth, lost part of her tail bone in an accident and has since been "not right" through her back - vet says give her time and physio when she's had more chance to heal - but no idea if she'll come right. (These 2 both had freak accidents - my fields are safe really!!). Quite dozy. Had numerous sarcoids, scars on face and legs still present, removed as a 2yo.

I don't personally know instructors who buy for other people. My coach doesn't do buying and selling!
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Have you paid the bills yet? If not tell them you are happy to view them as your assets, If he wants a pop at their value, you want half the money for the bills!
 
Just to say good luck with all this.. from the perspective of someone with no legal knowledge, I am quite surprised that your ex is pushing the ownership question and asset value. Just that when you read the stolen/missing on loan threads, it seesm to be damm near impossible to prove ownership.

Horses do get get counted as assets though. My (nice) ex went through a divorce before we got together and when the assets were tallied up, his wifes horse was included which suprised him. On the basis that they seemed to have had a fairly amiable divorce it wasn't a big deal but she had been advised to declare her mares value.
 
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