HELP - what to do (loan horse coming home problem)

[canteron]

So, the shortest day of the year and the girl who loans my horse is going to sent her back NOW!

She absolutely promised that she wanted her for a least another year, and so I haven't bought enough hay here for the winter and I don't have a stable available. Added to that I have just bought a new (2nd hand) jumping saddle, which is on its way for the horse as we speak, as the girl was going to do more BE this year - so thats another £350 out of pocket. Oh and did I say that I had bought the girl hay for the Winter so that I knew the horse would be fed. I feel really really used.

Its actually rather a nice horse (BE & BSJA points, hates dressage but is rather chunky and can be bargy so needs good home) - all I want these days is to pootle round the village and that bores the horse.

My worry is no one will want a horse until Spring, and in the meantime she will have lost a lot of her fitness and ability and I am not good enough to get her out and about again.

Arghhhhhhh.

So help please, what to do? What a bl**dy awful time to do this, shortest day of the year and 2 days before Christmas. Love the horse and know it would kill her to sit in a field for the rest of her days.

 

[thatsmygirl]

This is why I will never loan again. All mine got sent back in the winter, funny that!!! Never again

 

[Eriskayowner]

Blackjack got sent back to me 2 days before Christmas as well a few years back.

The loaners had changed his saddle "to one that fitted the rider" despite having a brand new one fitted to him only 2 months before and wondered why he was misbehaving. They then put him in a pelham and hung onto the reins so much he started rearing.

So he turned up back at our yard with no notice.

It actually worked well for me as I took him jumping just after Christmas (in the saddle that DID fit and a snaffle he was happy with) and won the 2'9" and 3'0" classes!!!

 

[*hic*]

I had a Section A returned at just this time of year - newly clipped out when I had no rugs for her.

Hmmm, just re-read your post. I'd be telling the girl that you expect the hay returned as well. Cheeky moo.

 

[Boxers]

don't tar all of us loaners with the same brush. i took my boy on for 18months and have now had him 3 years. winter is the best time for us with him, because we want him for my daughter to hunt.

To OP, sorry your horse is being returned. Advertise him stright away and in the meantime can you get someone to come and ride him to keep him busy?

Just wondering if you had a contract with the loaner? I have to give my horse's owner 30 days notice to return him.

 

[AngieandBen]

Not everyone sends them back in winter! I've just driven an eight hour round trip to get my loan pony on Sunday

Nothing like taking your horse out over christmas to get away from family

Stick an ad on Preloved and see how it goes. Lots of people wanting loan horses, but, unlike you most people want them on their own yards

 

[Mince Pie]

I'm with *hic*, get your hay back as well!

 

[little_legs]

I loan my boy, had him 8 years ............His loan agreement runs out September 2012 :-( *sobs*. So if owner takes him back shes taking him back just before the winter, but than she set up the loan agreement...................Not that Im letting her have him back lol !

 

[little_legs]

Ive also noticed on FB a couple of people advertising there horses for loan through the winter ! Bloody cheek ! So some poor sod does the hard work, then they take them back to have fun with through the summer !

 

[wildcard]

I agree i think try be possitive. if he's as lovely as you say he will be snapped up by someone, ready for next seasons eventing.. can you not speak with the current loaner and ask if she can keep him until you have found a replacement home?? When i had my old horse on loan and she had to be returned due to an old recuring injury, i kept her until the owner was ready to take her back. I thought was the least i could after all she was kind enough to let me loan her. Get her advertised and ask friends family etc good luck xx

 

[xspiralx]

She sounds lovely so I'm sure you'll be able to find a good loan home quite quickly.

Its not an ideal time of year but if she is a good BE/BSJA horse someone will bite your hand off - I would if I was in a position to loan right now!

 

[AmyMay]

I guess that's the downfall of loaning (sometimes).

At least the girl can also deliver the hay back that you bought the horse.

 

[annunziata]

I have a mare that is out on loan and last year she came back right after my old horse had died and I had got a new one so no room at the inn at Christmas! I advertised her on Horse Hunter and found her new home and she has been there for a year now. Dont dispare I am sure you will get him homed asap. I had loads of replys!

 

[Megibo]

she sounds very cheeky but not all of us loaners are the same. it is time for our welsh A loan pony to go home but we are waiting until spring to send him as it is downright rude to drop a horse back in winter IMO.

 

[canteron]

Thanks guys. Just checked up on with the loaner and she has BE Foundation points and BSJA novice and discovery winnings, but can be bargy if unconfident, so just need to find the right home.

Good to hear of some happy loaning stories, just have to keep my fingers crossed I can find a lovely home for my girl. Being a field ornament for the rest of her life would drive her (and me) mad.

 

[Clodagh]

Hopefully if she is a competition horse people will be looking come January, to get fit, ready and paired up prior to the eventing season beginning.
Best of luck...let us know if you get your hay back!

 

[Luci07]

Honestly do not think you would have a problem loaning your mare as she has competition history, although not sure why you aren't selling her? Try the BE site and put her on horses for sale - bet she will be snapped up if on loan!

Oh And another one who says make see you get your hay back!

 

[DragonSlayer]

I have an Anglo that 'kept coming home'.....he was a pain in the arse away from home, the minute he arrives, he is an angel, I reckon he knows where his bread is buttered....!

So now he's not going anywhere, will draft him in to so Trec next season.

I'd saying the hay comes back too, to feed him through the winter, it's the least she can do...

 

[LaurenBay]

Please do go and get your hay back!! you paid for it, so it is yours.

Could Horse live out until you find a stable? Advertise straight away. Unfourtantly this isn't the greatest time to advertise.

 

[MrVelvet]

I love how everyone is more bothered about the hay lol!! In all seriousness though, you should get it back

I put a jokey status on facebook saying I wish horses were seasonal and offered him to anyone to take on until May. I got a serious offer to take him too!!! and he's not even broken. Of course I declined I would be pretty peeved if someone sent my loan pony back before Winter, even with 30 days notice!

Hope you find something for her soon, and deserving ponies eat the hay

 

[Jane_Lou]

The previous loaners of my lead rein pony asked me if I could take her back about 4 weeks ago. I must admit I never thought I would find someone to take her so I arranged for her to go out with a friends shetlands for the winter and popped something on facebook anyway just asking of anyone knew someone who may be interested. Within an hour a friend had called, went to see her the next day and she moved to their yard the following week. So it can be done this time of year, I was really suprised how easy it was, mind you she is a complete childs dream so that helps!