Grump, grump, grump

*hic*

*hic*

village idiot :D
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3 March 2007
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A couple of weeks ago I did a post about "on loan to stay at current yard" saying that I have a family using my Section A for their child and currently not paying anything but keeping on talking about "what does it cost to have a pony on loan etc". After some discussion on here on costs etc and hearing that they were really getting a very good deal - free riding and free transport to subsidised lessons - I decided to be brave and give them a breakdown of costs with a suggestion that as it was costing me £29.50 on feed, bedding, farrier, supplements, worming a week through the winter and it would cost them at least that on DIY livery that they might like to pay me £25 per week for field, stable and exclusive use of pony,effectively on full livery. They have no experience of keeping horses and she runs to fat and possibly laminitis very easily so careful grazing / management is an issue. They also seem to have a bit of an issue with turning up when it is raining and so they'd presumably have to pay a YO to help out if they did go DIY.

I've just heard back from them to the tune of "That was very useful and it will help us if we get a pony in the future but we're happy to stay as we are for now!"


Grump grump - I obviously didn't quite get the message across that I'm feeling rather used at the moment.

I hate facing up to people but I really think I'm going to have to at least get them to pay something towards her keep - they were happy to pay about £35 a week for a 45 minute lesson before they were riding my pony - which because they're now using my instructor has come down to £10! I've already kept her stabled rather than out all over the winter so that it was easier for them to ride her.
 
People who have never owned their own horse really don't seem to understand just how much it costs do they.

I think you are just going to have to be brave and ask them outright. I have been in situations like this and even dropping massive hints like you have done doesn't seem to get through.

Good luck!
 
I have to say I'd no idea what it was costing until they appeared to be pushing me for the info. I've had four horses in over the winter, the Section A, a 15.1 Welsh and a 16.2 warmblood and a 16.2 TBXShire both on box rest. I don't like to break down what each of them has been costing but I sure it's more than £29.50 *gulps*
 
Hi,
I'm in a very similar situation with my pony but who is on livery. I have two girls who ride her - who agreed when they first started riding that they'd pay £10 a week each - Nothing happened for several months and after the YO nagging me to sort out I said something to them - but somehow ended up with them mucking out my field twice a week which takes 5mins between the two of them a fact they are very proud of.
I know how difficult it is to discuss money you don't want to lose the rider etc but... Maybe just sit them down and clarify the situation and tell them in very simple terms (I still think at £25 they're getting a great deal0
 
Some people are very thick skinned / tight when it comes to money. I had a similar experience - paid for groom to do the horse so was effectively full livery for free. Rider wouldn't even pick up the odd poo or wipe the tack over..luckily found a better solution for the horse concerned but can't believe how much some people can ponce off others with no side effect to their conscience it seems.
 
how bout you tell them that you have been researching and there is a lot more to them riding your pony from a legal and insurance point of view than you realised, so you think it would be necessary to formalise arrangements, by way of a contract. they should have their own pl insurance, which they can get through the bhs. you can 'review' the costs at the same time?
 
Sounds like my neighbours who shared one of out ponies.

For £50 a month they thought they should get a full livery service with all bills paid!

Their daughter couldn't possibly come and get pony in if it was raining - so it's not raining here then? my field adjoins their garden, but it's ok for my to get wet because I had to get wet anyway to get the others in!
 
I had 2 sharers up here in Aberdeen for a horse on full livery and I didn't charge them anything - it was free! All I said was could you clean my tack once a fortnight. One of them did it once and then never again, the other never bothered. They both drifted off after a few months never to be heard of again.
 
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