Horse damages lorry who’s should pay the bill

[Mary3050]

Hi guys ,

So not a great start to the day as I have just been given a £450 bill for damage my horse is supposed to have cause to a horse box 11 months ago. It’s not that straight forward thought or I would be happy to pay the bill.

Basically I used to have my horse schooled by a “professional” who I liveried with she used to compete one of my horses as she didn’t have anything of her own to ride at competitions. She would often not tell me she was taking my horse out which I didn’t like as I like to watch when I could. Anyway a friend of hers who I became friends with after they move the one of there horse on to livery with professional, would often pick my horse up for her to taken them to competitions . Why is beyond me as I had my own box I could have took them in.

This particular time when my horse supposedly damaged the box I wasn’t aware that they was going anywhere. Until I got a call from the professionals friend asking if I could meet them at the competition as professional was waiting for someone to wait for the vet with a horse on the yard after it got injured. They couldn’t manage 3 horse and get mine ready for his class so professional could just turn up and get on . I went up to help


Anyway as the day went on all was fine. I went to the loo and to get a so food all of about 20 minutes after my horse was back on the lorry . When I came back they had moved the horses around due to class times. My horse had traveled on the end near the ramp and was now in the back section. We all then went up to watch the friend jump her class . When my horse came off the friend said that he’s damaged my lorry . I went and looked the seal had come off above his head and one of the boards had been chewed. Although I am not entirely sure he could actually reach it? As the lorry had a lot of head room at only 14’2 he had a lots of room I don’t think he could reach the very top. However the friend had travelled her 16’2 who could reach the roof down on that side. It also had a habit of chewing stuff . I never said anything and just said I could get my husband to take a look if she would like in the week. I took a picture and sent it him whilst I was there asking if he could sort it . He said yes wouldn’t take long.

I asked if he could measure up to get the materials about 6 time . They always made excuses didn’t have keys or time. We left the professional about 5 months ago . All this time the friend never said anything but has kept in contact. This morning she sent a message which said I have had the damage to my lorry that your horse cause it’s £450 that I want you to pay.

I told my husband who about died of shock as he said the seal was £18 and the boarding at the most would be £60. He said it would have to 30 minutes as to line up some holes and drill the boated back on and replace the seal So should have been at the worst £150. So I asked if I could see the bill as I had to ask my husband for the money . She said I didn’t get one as I paid cash.

Anyway now I have massive bill that my horse may have or not caused but what do I do . But should I even pay as technically the professional was competing my horse not told me and arranged transport ?

I don’t really want to fall out with these people but I do feel I am paying for something that may not even be my problem and if I am it’s definitely over inflated price . I have also been told by someone else that the that lorry’s had a load of work done to which they had been told cost £2,500 as they where chatting at a competition on the weekend .

What do I do, am I just being taken for a mug or is it even my problem ?
Thanks guys

 

[Equine_Dream]

Tell them to jog on. They took your horse without your knowledge and have no proof it was your horse that actually caused the damage. It sounds to me like she is just trying it on.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

I think they have tried to be a bit underhanded and for that reason it would put my back up, so I think I would now stamp my feet and pay nothing out of principle.

Firstly it's not 100 percent certain your horse did the damage.

Secondly you offered to repair the damage yourself which was ignored.

 

[TPO]

You don't want to fall out with people who are happy to treat you like this?

I wouldn't be paying it as they havent done anything right from the minute they took your horse to a show without your knowledge. Then 11mths to get back to you.

It reads like they are ripping it out of you. I'd be severing all ties and making sure they were nowhere near my horse going forward

 

[Keith_Beef]

I wouldn't accept responsibility for anything at all that is brought up eleven months after the event!

I think she's trying it on, has a bill of £450 that she can't put off any longer and is looking for some cash.

On a more serious note, I would think that if you put your horse at somebody's disposal for going to an event and either the transport, the horse or its tack suffers any damage, it is the responsibility of the person(s) in charge of the horse at that moment, i.e. this "professional" and her friend.

I would send a reply to the effect of "go forth and multiply".

 

[Kahlua]

No chance I would be paying 11 months later and most definitely not without an itemised receipt. If they wanted you to pay they should have discussed with you prior and then had the bill sent directly to you upon your agreement. This sounds like they’re a bit short on cash and think you’ll be a soft touch to sort them out.

 

[Prancerpoos]

They are trying it on and you should just say no and accept that they are no longer on your friends list - and they are clearly not your friends if they are treating you like this.

 

[Roasted Chestnuts]

Nope wouldn’t pay it. I it had been her giving you a lift to something and your horse damaged her lorry them absolutely you fix it but she took your horse which she was getting to compete along with others so could have been any of the three, also your hubby could have fixed it in no time so no not a penny would I be paying.

 

[TheOldTrout]

Somebody used to take your horse to competitions without telling you? You don't owe them anything!

 

[Bionic Boy]

If you want to keep the friendship that much then I guess you need to say nothing and pay.
However, are they really friends if they are prepared to rip you off like it sounds they are doing?
Personally I wouldn't pay it. It doesn't sound like it was your horse that done the damage, you hadn't given permission for your horse to even be in the lorry so don't really see how they have any come back on you.
And you have left the yard now so won't have to put up with any petty behavior.

 

[holeymoley]

I've only skimmed over the first few paragraphs but if I've picked it up right, this person wants her cake and to eat it too. So she takes YOUR horse out when SHE wants without you knowing, in HER horse box and expects you to pay for damages? I would honestly and truely tell her to do one and take your horse with you too.

 

[ownedbyaconnie]

Don't pay. She's obviously got a mate to fix it for the same kind of money your OH could have done it for and wants the rest as profit.

I think you were jolly nice to offer to fix it in the first place considering she took your horse without your knowledge and had no proof it was your horse that did it.

 

[Mary3050]

Not yet had chance to go through everyone comments yet as just on a work thing but just wanted to clarify. The professional who I will call “A” took my horse competing but her friend “B” took the horse on “A’s” behalf in “B” box hope that helps. Thanks

 

[holeymoley]

Not yet had chance to go through everyone comments yet as just on a work thing but just wanted to clarify. The professional who I will call “A” took my horse competing but her friend “B” took the horse on “A’s” behalf in “B” box hope that helps. Thanks

You've answered that yourself-

 

[Ownedby4horses]

If it is the ”friend” who is chasing you for payment, then just tell them to speak to the professional to get them to pay, as the professional organised the transport.

Then block them, are these the sort of people who you want to remain friend with? They are trying it on!

 

[SpotsandBays]

If it was me I’d tell her to do one. If I was taking someone else’s horse out competing and the horse damaged something, I wouldn’t expect the owner to pay.
If the work was done by a professional, then they could get you a receipt of breakdown regardless of payment method and also get it after the work was done. If they can’t then it was probably done by their next door neighbours, nephews, partners dog - and probably only for £50!

 

[Orangehorse]

Say that it is so long ago you had forgotten it and a. are they certain it was your horse that caused the damage and b. you offered to fix it anyway at the time. Having heard nothing since you thought the matter was closed, so very sorry, no I do not think I should pay.

 

[AmyMay]

Ask her for proof that your horse did the damage…

But seriously tell them to jog on. That’s what (as professionals) they have insurance for.

 

[PurBee]

They take your horse to events without asking you? ?

Ultimately others treat us how we allow ourselves to be treated. You must be what they consider a soft touch if they think its fine to do whatever they like to your horse without asking. The audacity to ask you to pay them money!
If you say no to this ‘bill’ they’re verbally presenting you with, they’ll be so shocked you actually said no to them, youll probably hear nothing more about it.
(Btw paying by cash we still can get a receipt…)

 

[Nari]

They're taking the mick big time. They have no proof it was your horse did the damage. Also you hadn't asked them to take the horse in their lorry so there's no arrangement between the two of you - if they really want to try and claim I would say they take it up with the professional since that's who they were acting for.

If any money changed hands for travelling the horse I hope they have a transporters license, if not they're acting illegally.

 

[Goldenstar]

Don’t pay without a bill .

 

[Nicnac]

Direct her to her insurance company. Nothing to do with you especially as you were unaware of your horse's travel arrangements. They are CF's!

 

[AmyMay]

They're taking the mick big time. They have no proof it was your horse did the damage. Also you hadn't asked them to take the horse in their lorry so there's no arrangement between the two of you - if they really want to try and claim I would say they take it up with the professional since that's who they were acting for.

If any money changed hands for travelling the horse I hope they have a transporters license, if not they're acting illegally.

Highlighted in bold is the most relevant point.

 

[Melody Grey]

They had no expressed permission to travel your horse, no proof your horse did the damage, didn’t accept your offer to fix it at the time, have no receipt to show you for their late and overpriced work.

Not bloomin’ likely!

 

[windand rain]

Do not pay anything at all tell them to take you to court they will then need an itemised bill from a recognised garage and then it will need to be proven if your horse caused the damage then pay what your oh costs it at if you have to.

 

[spotty_pony]

Don't pay it. You owe them nothing and they shouldn't have been taking your horse out without your permission anyway.

 

[planete]

I would have thought that the person in charge of the horse at the time of the so-called damage would be responsible for its actions anyway.

 

[chocolategirl]

Hi guys ,

So not a great start to the day as I have just been given a £450 bill for damage my horse is supposed to have cause to a horse box 11 months ago. It’s not that straight forward thought or I would be happy to pay the bill.

Basically I used to have my horse schooled by a “professional” who I liveried with she used to compete one of my horses as she didn’t have anything of her own to ride at competitions. She would often not tell me she was taking my horse out which I didn’t like as I like to watch when I could. Anyway a friend of hers who I became friends with after they move the one of there horse on to livery with professional, would often pick my horse up for her to taken them to competitions . Why is beyond me as I had my own box I could have took them in.

This particular time when my horse supposedly damaged the box I wasn’t aware that they was going anywhere. Until I got a call from the professionals friend asking if I could meet them at the competition as professional was waiting for someone to wait for the vet with a horse on the yard after it got injured. They couldn’t manage 3 horse and get mine ready for his class so professional could just turn up and get on . I went up to help


Anyway as the day went on all was fine. I went to the loo and to get a so food all of about 20 minutes after my horse was back on the lorry . When I came back they had moved the horses around due to class times. My horse had traveled on the end near the ramp and was now in the back section. We all then went up to watch the friend jump her class . When my horse came off the friend said that he’s damaged my lorry . I went and looked the seal had come off above his head and one of the boards had been chewed. Although I am not entirely sure he could actually reach it? As the lorry had a lot of head room at only 14’2 he had a lots of room I don’t think he could reach the very top. However the friend had travelled her 16’2 who could reach the roof down on that side. It also had a habit of chewing stuff . I never said anything and just said I could get my husband to take a look if she would like in the week. I took a picture and sent it him whilst I was there asking if he could sort it . He said yes wouldn’t take long.

I asked if he could measure up to get the materials about 6 time . They always made excuses didn’t have keys or time. We left the professional about 5 months ago . All this time the friend never said anything but has kept in contact. This morning she sent a message which said I have had the damage to my lorry that your horse cause it’s £450 that I want you to pay.

I told my husband who about died of shock as he said the seal was £18 and the boarding at the most would be £60. He said it would have to 30 minutes as to line up some holes and drill the boated back on and replace the seal So should have been at the worst £150. So I asked if I could see the bill as I had to ask my husband for the money . She said I didn’t get one as I paid cash.

Anyway now I have massive bill that my horse may have or not caused but what do I do . But should I even pay as technically the professional was competing my horse not told me and arranged transport ?

I don’t really want to fall out with these people but I do feel I am paying for something that may not even be my problem and if I am it’s definitely over inflated price . I have also been told by someone else that the that lorry’s had a load of work done to which they had been told cost £2,500 as they where chatting at a competition on the weekend .

What do I do, am I just being taken for a mug or is it even my problem ?
Thanks guys

I call BS, and I don’t mean British Showjumping!!?

 

[Red-1]

I am the only one who would pay something then!

As you allowed the pro to repeatedly take your horse out alone, this became accepted practice.
As you appeared to take responsibility for the damage, it is likely that they believe you accept your horse did it.
As you offered to mend the damage, it is accepted that you were going to put the lorry right.

I think they are taking the P, but I would offer whatever OH would have paid out for the materials to mend it, so maybe £80?

They accepted that he would mend it, but then did not give him chance do so. So, £80 for the materials seems fair.

In future, I would be more assertive over people taking your horse places without your permission or knowledge. I am betting the friend was not even legal, as the horse was being transported in the course of the pro's business, so would have needed an operator's licence if over 7.5 tonnes, and business insurance in any case.

 

[Winters100]

I would just explain that the transport had not been arranged by you, and whilst your husband would have been happy to fix it as a friendly gesture, you are not willing to pay this bill. I assume that you were lending the horse to the pro, rather than paying her to compete on it, so in this case it is her responsibility.

As a comparison I previously had a very good horse who was a bit much for me, but perfect for the pro. He used to compete on him, but I never paid a penny towards anything for this, and most people were amazed that I did not charge him for using the horse.