Full loan

[kc921]

Hey all,

I put my horse out on full loan last year (October time) as i was out of the area more and more and my horse deserved love full time! In January the loaner called me and asked if they could extend the contract for another year once this years was up, over the phone I said to her I'm in no position to take my horse back at the moment, so at this point yes. There are no documents signed etc it was just over phone

My situation has now changed, I'm moving back into the area of where my horse is and at the end of the contract (October) I want my horse back. Of course I have kinda put my foot in it as over the phone I said they could have him for another year. How would I go about this without causing any rifts between myself and the loaner, my horse is shared between the loaner and her daughter (16) and I know the daughter absolutely adores him, and due to where i'm moving, I may end up staying at the yard he is currently at (If they have any spaces).

Any advice would be great!

 

[scruffyponies]

He's your horse, and you are entitled to take him back, but it is to your credit that you are bothered by potentially breaking your word, however loosely given.

If the horse can stay at the same yard, I would suggest an honest conversation and an offer of a 3 way share. The horse will benefit from extra work and attention.

 

[Leandy]

You are entitled to give notice to terminate the loan in accordance with the notice terms you put in the original agreement (as varied, if it was by whatever was agreed in the subsequent conversation). Most loan agreements provide that the arrangement can be terminated by either party upon say a months' notice. What does yours say? Of course it would be kind to give the loaners as much notice as you can and not just the minimum but you don't have to.

 

[ihatework]

I think it’s just a case of putting your brave pants on and letting them know. At least they will get the summer with him and it’s not just like they have done the winter slog for nothing

 

[kc921]

You are entitled to give notice to terminate the loan in accordance with the notice terms you put in the original agreement (as varied, if it was by whatever was agreed in the subsequent conversation). Most loan agreements provide that the arrangement can be terminated by either party upon say a months' notice. What does yours say? Of course it would be kind to give the loaners as much notice as you can and not just the minimum but you don't have to.

Hello, In the contract the loaner is to give me 2 months notice and i am to give them 1 months notice.
I was thinking about letting them know around July, rather than soon, so they don't have to worry or have anything in the back of their minds

 

[Leandy]

Hello, In the contract the loaner is to give me 2 months notice and i am to give them 1 months notice.
I was thinking about letting them know around July, rather than soon, so they don't have to worry or have anything in the back of their minds

Thats sounds a good plan to me. Just tell them your circumstances have changed. Three months notice seems a perfectly reasonable approach to me.

 

[Michen]

I would tell them sooner rather than later to be completely fair, just in case it changes anything they may plan to do (e.g may pass up on a great opportunity for something else because they think they will have yours for a long while)

 

[AShetlandBitMeOnce]

I agree, I would let them know sooner rather than later - just to be fair.

 

[ownedbyaconnie]

Agree with others. I have let my sharer know now that I will be moving away with my horse later on this year and said I understood if they wanted to give notice now rather than nearer the time. OH thought I had shot myself in the foot and might miss out on having a sharer for the next 6 months but I wanted to manage expectations.

However, can appreciate it's different when you're not in the area and it is a full loan, I would be worried that they will turn around now and give their 2 months notice and then you'll be a bit stuck!

 

[kc921]

Yes exactly, i didn't want to give the notice now, just in case they handed in their notice, as we are moving next Monday and have alot of things to get organised when we get down there! And of course find a yard for him (if the one he is at doesn't have spaces)

 

[Annagain]

I understand why you don't want to give them notice too soon but I would aim to do it as soon as you're in a position to be able to have him back if they give you notice, whenever that may be and certainly by July at the latest.

If it's at all possible, I'd offer them a share arrangement which will soften the blow as well as giving you some flexibility as you settle back into the area. It would also mean that he could definitely stay at that yard as they won't need their stable for a replacement. If the mother and daughter are sharing it might well suit them as they could get another and ride together on days when they have the use of your boy. It could work out well for all of you.

 

[kc921]

Thank you all, I spoke to my other half about it and he said I was being unfair as I had already verbally said 2 months ago they could have him for another year.
I tried to explain yes but our situation has changed and we are moving back down there, but he didn't understand and thinks I am being rude/harsh.

I don't want another year away from my boy, I'm already finding it hard because of lockdown I haven't even been able to go and see him for the past 4 months.

I will definitely offer a share with them for 3 days a week as well

 

[Michen]

Yes exactly, i didn't want to give the notice now, just in case they handed in their notice, as we are moving next Monday and have alot of things to get organised when we get down there! And of course find a yard for him (if the one he is at doesn't have spaces)

I do think that's a *little* selfish tbh. I think it's absolutely fair enough to take him back whatever the verbal agreement, he's your horse and that's the thing with a loan, but I think being honest about your change of thought sooner rather than later is the fairest way. That may cause you some inconvenience with finding a yard that may be further away that the ideal etc... but I think if you ask yourself honestly that's the reason you don't want to let them know, not because (as you stated higher up) you don't want it hanging over them.

They will really appreciate the long notice period and honesty and assuming they've taken great care of your horse I think that's the decent thing to do even if it causes a little hassle for you short term.

 

[kc921]

I do think that's a *little* selfish tbh. I think it's absolutely fair enough to take him back whatever the verbal agreement, he's your horse and that's the thing with a loan, but I think being honest about your change of thought sooner rather than later is the fairest way. That may cause you some inconvenience with finding a yard that may be further away that the ideal etc... but I think if you ask yourself honestly that's the reason you don't want to let them know, not because (as you stated higher up) you don't want it hanging over them.

They will really appreciate the long notice period and honesty and assuming they've taken great care of your horse I think that's the decent thing to do even if it causes a little hassle for you short term.

Thank you
To be honest it is both, I get on with the loaners very well, they have treated him fantastically.
I don't want to cause a rift with them or having it loom over them that I will be taking him in October when they still have the summer months to enjoy him, but also due to myself moving next week.

I think I will get in contact with them and let them know my plans, I have already let them I am moving back into the area this month, so I am hoping they will have somewhat guessed I would want him back come the end of the contract, I will also offer them a share so they can still ride and see him

 

[Michen]

Thank you
To be honest it is both, I get on with the loaners very well, they have treated him fantastically.
I don't want to cause a rift with them or having it loom over them that I will be taking him in October when they still have the summer months to enjoy him, but also due to myself moving next week.

I think I will get in contact with them and let them know my plans, I have already let them I am moving back into the area this month, so I am hoping they will have somewhat guessed I would want him back come the end of the contract, I will also offer them a share so they can still ride and see him

I think that is the right thing to do and you will feel better for it. I have a friend whose about to nearly full loan one of my horses, there's no way I would keep it from her if I knew for certain that my plans were changing.. it would feel cruel.

Hope it works out well for you all, things have a way of working out!

 

[kc921]

Thank you all for your advice, unfortunately the full loaners didn't react well to me not continuing the loan come October and wanted him out asap.
Must admit I am slightly upset the full loaners didn't want to finish the loan as they could have enjoyed him for the summer months.

I am getting him back in less than 2 weeks and to be honest I can't wait!

It's made me realise how much I have missed him!

 

[Stenners]

Thank you all for your advice, unfortunately the full loaners didn't react well to me not continuing the loan come October and wanted him out asap.
Must admit I am slightly upset the full loaners didn't want to finish the loan as they could have enjoyed him for the summer months.

I am getting him back in less than 2 weeks and to be honest I can't wait!

It's made me realise how much I have missed him!

I guess from their point of you you recently said yes they could have him another year and now all of a sudden they can't (I totally get your side of it) so I'm not suprised they have done this to be honest, I think a lot of loaners would have done the same if they got their hopes and though they had another year or more and now only a few months and maybe dont want to get more attached.

Fab news that you get to enjoy your boy again though! Have fun!