HELP - Abandoned Pony

[MrsElle]

Story is this:

Woman contacts someone I know saying she is losing her grazing and needs somewhere to put her colt urgently as she doesn't want to sell him.

Friend says OK, pony gets delivered. Ponies owner says she will be down later to fill in contract etc. That is the last anyone has seen of ponies owner.

So, a month on the pony is at friends but in a stable much of the time as friend has a mare. She does alternate the two between stable and field to give the pony time outside but it is far from ideal. Friend has text and emailed the owner but has got no reply. Rent has not been paid for this pony and it was on a diy field let basis only. Obviously friend is now caring for this pony.

What can be done?

 

[Hippona]

Sell the pony. End of.

 

[ester]

similar happened 3 times with horses put on livery at local RS when I was working there years ago. I was always told (but don't know!) that after 6 months or when money spent on the pony was more than its value that pony would legally become that of the new keeper.

This was before passports though

 

[Cliqmo]

Blimey! Do people really do this? Perhaps she ought to let the police know in the first instance? That way there is at least a paper trail and she can mitigate against repercussions later? They may also be able to advise what to do?

 

[MrsElle]

I suggested emailing and texting the owner saying that in x days the pony would become friends property if nothing was heard from the owner. Obviously there is the issue of the passport but a new one could be applied for as happens at horse sales etc.

They pony is a Section A, grey with black mane and tail and a real sweetie. He is three years old, unbroken and a colt.

 

[tasteofchristmaschaos]

Contact the BHS - if you sell the pony you could be in legal hot water!

 

[cokelly]

I contact some sort of authorities- police or horse welfare charity and the like!

You don't want the woman turning up again and finding that her colt has been sold/gelded etc. If she did she could sue your friend I think...

Then again I'm not an expert on these matters so I'd definitely get legal advice ASAP.

Good luck!

 

[ester]

might be worth talking to welfare section of BHS. They were involved in one of the aforementioned situations. Pone had chronic lamintis, was inadequately cared for, owners were scared of etc etc. They initially got an order that said that she had to be on livery at a yard approved by them. They came down twice then never seen again. As far as I know she then became property of YO and imagine that BHS may have been involved in that bit too.

(She was actually first pone I ever loved, occasionally a bit evil but fab, fast and super jump. Used to remove small children just by snaking her head forward and making them topple over the top)

 

[fatpiggy]

Hmm, couldn't be bothered with the expense of gelding him either eh? I would certainly be contacting the police and animal welfare bods.

 

[Lauraoscardillon]

I would check with the police/BHS before you sell him as if you do you could get into legal trouble if the lady turns up!!

However if you get the go ahead, unless of course either of you fancy a project..i would sell the poor chap!!

 

[LindaW]

Your friend doesn't have title to the pony. She can't sell him. Legal adice would be the best idea as others have said.

 

[_Libby_]

I doubt she could sell the pony as she wont have its passport.

I think maybe contacting the police might be my first idea but no sure tbh in days gone by she could have just claimed the pony but that would get you in hot water now.

 

[Donkeymad]

She must do everything possible to locate the owner by putting up adverts etc. If the owner is not found within 14 days, she is legally allowed to claim the pony and sell it.

 

[welshied]

I know someone that was in this position and she took it to the sales and sold it and then the owner came back and complained and reported her and the person that sold it got into a lot of trouble and had to pay all money back etc. So if i was her i would contact the police and charities etc and get their opinion or maybe try and give it to a charity saying it has been abandoned

 

[the watcher]

I suggest your friend starts with sending a recorded letter to the last known address of this person, if she got it. Then report the pony as abandoned on her land to the Police and local council, whose Environmental Health team might have a policy on this.

She should also keep a careful record of costs incurred and payments made, or not which would then allow her to claim the pony in the small claims court in due course, if the owner doesn't sign it over.

 

[DW Team]

Is there any chance the pony is stolen? Seems a little odd. With out the passport I think I would go to BHS or one of the horse rescue centres and ask there advice. She must be incuring costs in feeding and looking after the colt. She will need to write out when the colt ws drpped off and what she has done so far in looking after it. Good luck to your friend in getting this sorted. Can we have an update at some point.