Help - What would you do?

[tommy122]

all, I’m a regular lurker who has plucked up the courage to post!!

Ok my problem……………

I have had a horse on loan for some time as I retired my own horse, I have decided to end the loan as I just haven’t got the time to do her justice (shes not the easiest of mares but I wont go into that now) and money is really tight at the mo, so as per contract I have given a months notice. Now the owner of the mare doesn’t really want her back and still hasn’t made any plans to come and pick her up. I just want her gone now as shes costing me money and knowing my luck she will get injured in the field or something.

I feel really bad because I have said she must pay for her keep if she stays here any longer than the notice period!! I feel I am being made out to look bad, I don’t wanna be classed as a bad loaner! Ive put a lot of time and money into this horse and I have had nothing back.

What would you do??

 

[Cahill]

i think you are right,after all you have it in writing and you are sticking to your side of it.

 

[chocolate86]

As soon as that month is over the horse is the responsibility of owner i dont think your unreasonable but perhaps they cant afford horse either?? or if shes tricky they may be afraid of her

 

[AmyMay]

I would have done exactly the same as you.

Although of course the easiest solution is just to load her up and take her back to her owner.

 

[RLF]

agree with AmyMay, take her back on last day of loan

 

[Booboos]

Unfortunately owners dumping horses on loanees seems to be a common problem! You are being entirely fair. The whole point of loaning is that you can decide to give the horse up and since you have given notice as per your agreement this is the owner's problem. I would write to the owner explaining that your period of loan has come to the end, after which date the owner becomes liable for all costs and that you have informed your YO of this passing on the owner's details so the YO can issue bills to him/her directly. Sounds harsh, especially if you've had a good relationship with the owner, but you don't really want to be left with bills indefinately for a horse that is not yours. Good luck!

 

[niagaraduval]

[ QUOTE ]
I would have done exactly the same as you.

Although of course the easiest solution is just to load her up and take her back to her owner.

[/ QUOTE ]

I agree. I would do the same. It does sound as though she can't afford the horse either.

Good luck.

 

[saskia295]

[ QUOTE ]
I would have done exactly the same as you.

Although of course the easiest solution is just to load her up and take her back to her owner.

[/ QUOTE ]

I absolutely agree.

If the owner is refusing to come and get her, load her up and take her back. I'm afraid as lovely as the horse may be, after the notice period, she is not your responsibility.

Good luck, it's such a shame when owners are such a*seholes like this

 

[Toby_Zaphod]

Contact the owner & get definate arrangements to remove the horse. If you have it on a livery yard somewhere although technically the owner of the horse will be liable for any rent after the month's notice you actually have the contract with the YO. This could get messy & expensive. You definately need to pressure the horse's owner for a date to collect the horse.
If they complain that they have no where to keep the horse then they can take up the livery at the horse's present yard. The horse is theirs at the end of the day.

 

[tommy122]

Chocolate I think your right.

Its difficult because I want the best for the horse but then after 30 days it shouldnt be my problem, I think th owner is expecting way to much from me.

 

[miller]

I had exactly the same problem and no means of taking horse back as my lorry was off the road.

Owner found numerous reasons not to fetch horse back but I sent a letter recorded delivery clearly stating that if the horse remained after the 30 day notice period then he would be being billed for my time (at my current non horsey work rate), the DIY livery fee and at cost for any bedding/feed/hay the horse ate.

I wouldn't have minded but he got very snotty when I wrote to explain the resons sending horse back - not as described, separation anxiety meaning I couldn't leave horse alone while I rode my other horse (would throw itself on a concrete floor) in case it injured itself. The guy was also completely unrealistic about the level the horse was working at and tbh appeared to basically want the loaner to school the horse on for sale - would have been quite happy to take it for that on those terms!

Strangeley as soon as the letter arrived with him he was on the phone arranging a time to collect

 

[kombikids]

im on the other side - my horse is being returned, altho injured herself just after 30 days notice was given,typical! anyway i have offered to pay the livery if she keeps her longer to try and sell her and give 10% of the sale price as i cant afford her /dont have time or space for 2 at the mo.maybe the girl is in the same situation as me but she needs to make a contingency plan to have her nethertheless!

 

[Natch]

Have you spoken to the owner on the phone? Could you maybe suggust to them some of the suggestions given above like she takes on the livery bill (full) or you could arrange transport (hired, and she pays at the other end?

Hope you can sort it out amicably.

x

 

[mickey]

If you have a contract stating 1 month each side then you are totally in the right in wanting the horse to go back to being the owner's responsibility. I would remind them that a contract could be seen as a legal document. It is sad when the poor animal seemingly has nowhere to go and the owners dont show compassion for their own animal.

I am so soft that this would upset me greatly.

If they could keep the horse on livery at your current yard that might solve some issues, but as owners they (IMO) should get the horse exercised and oversee it's care, in the case of full livery. The other option is that they take it back. I think you have no option but to start getting stern with them, taking the route of saying contract is binding and they MUST do something or you will take it further.

I think you have played the reasonable card, and now you need to present a more serious approach. A Dad always comes in handy too for a stern phonecall.