Quietly_Simmering
New User
Last year I put a horse out on full loan for 6 months, horse stayed at yard, conditions of loan were that horse continued with regular farrier and regular diet and not be ranted about. Loaner could only come up once a day and often was away for work and socially so I covered those times, especially in winter.
In that time loaner constantly moaned about cost of farrier and feed, accused me of over-feeding horse and making it hot (horse was on same diet as always Fast Fibre, TopSpec Balancer and chaff) in the end I conceded and took out the balancer and at one stage horse went to 7 week shoeing cycle and is now in remedial shoes as a result. People told me that they spent a lot of time racing horse with their stupid clueless mate across stubble fields but loaner denied it and I gave them the benefit of doubt.
After 6 months we reverted to a part loan, this pleased the loaner, this has been going on for about 8 months now. Horse was much hotter to ride than had been, unlevel in school, rushing at jumps, uncontrollable at competions where previously it had been excellent. Granted, horse has always been excitable out hacking in fast company but had gone from bouncy to well beyond that and was getting steadily worse
Anyway, long story short, horse was bought as a confidence giver but no longer is, offered to sell to loaner as I was told by many at the yard how they love horse and how great team they were blah blah. Loaner told me they didn't really want to buy horse at this time in their life, would like to carry on as is. However, they told everyone else that I had withdrawn the offer after less than 24 hours. This is really not true but explains why I've been getting the cold shoulder at the yard.
So, decided to make a go of it, get everything checked and I implemented a "walk only" hacking regime to try and calm horse down, loaner not happy but complied. I also had teeth and back checked, back was well out and required work, horse is to be walked in hand and lunged for next couple of weeks. Loaner is not happy at all. Loaner is apparently telling people that all this is because we are afraid of riding the horse.
To my face loaner has said that I do not have best interests of horse at heart, I guess because I apparently withdrew the offer of sale, which I did not, I have a Facebook message conversation to prove it, and that they don't understand why horse can't be ridden as is not lame.
I am actually about done being criticised by this person, I have been polite at all times, I have had to bite my tongue at their constant moaning, and smile when others tell me how great loaner is. I have done what I can to support them, I do most of the chores, I have always paid the insurance and vet bills, I organise farrier (who hates them) I have allowed them to take horse out to clinics and comps even when we can't be there and are not invited ourselves and then when we take horse it is truly awful, it has broken my heart.
I am sick of everyone thinking loaner is wonderful and we are horrible. The way I see it is I bought a confidence giving horse, it no longer is, I am not saying its the loaner's sole fault, but its like they don't see how they have any contribution to the problem at all. It's my fault for how I've fed horse, or just how horse is because of their breed, or because they are a superior rider, which may be true, but is not the point.
Loaner tells me they are not short of other horses to ride, I am sure they are not, but I wonder how those owners would feel if their horse was completely blown up as it appears mine has been, I bet none of them would try and work round the problem to the extent that I have.
Obviously, I have only told you my side, I am not saying I am perfect, far from it, but the loaner is not perfect either, and I just wanted to have a rant. I know loaner loves horse, that's great, but I think next time they have a go at me in front of their buddies I am going to tell them that they need to take some responsibility for horse's behaviour too, and if what I am proposing is no fun and they think I am not acting in horse's best interest or doing it out of fear, then maybe they need to re-think having the horse on loan, or straight up buy horse and all the problems they have helped create.
In that time loaner constantly moaned about cost of farrier and feed, accused me of over-feeding horse and making it hot (horse was on same diet as always Fast Fibre, TopSpec Balancer and chaff) in the end I conceded and took out the balancer and at one stage horse went to 7 week shoeing cycle and is now in remedial shoes as a result. People told me that they spent a lot of time racing horse with their stupid clueless mate across stubble fields but loaner denied it and I gave them the benefit of doubt.
After 6 months we reverted to a part loan, this pleased the loaner, this has been going on for about 8 months now. Horse was much hotter to ride than had been, unlevel in school, rushing at jumps, uncontrollable at competions where previously it had been excellent. Granted, horse has always been excitable out hacking in fast company but had gone from bouncy to well beyond that and was getting steadily worse
Anyway, long story short, horse was bought as a confidence giver but no longer is, offered to sell to loaner as I was told by many at the yard how they love horse and how great team they were blah blah. Loaner told me they didn't really want to buy horse at this time in their life, would like to carry on as is. However, they told everyone else that I had withdrawn the offer after less than 24 hours. This is really not true but explains why I've been getting the cold shoulder at the yard.
So, decided to make a go of it, get everything checked and I implemented a "walk only" hacking regime to try and calm horse down, loaner not happy but complied. I also had teeth and back checked, back was well out and required work, horse is to be walked in hand and lunged for next couple of weeks. Loaner is not happy at all. Loaner is apparently telling people that all this is because we are afraid of riding the horse.
To my face loaner has said that I do not have best interests of horse at heart, I guess because I apparently withdrew the offer of sale, which I did not, I have a Facebook message conversation to prove it, and that they don't understand why horse can't be ridden as is not lame.
I am actually about done being criticised by this person, I have been polite at all times, I have had to bite my tongue at their constant moaning, and smile when others tell me how great loaner is. I have done what I can to support them, I do most of the chores, I have always paid the insurance and vet bills, I organise farrier (who hates them) I have allowed them to take horse out to clinics and comps even when we can't be there and are not invited ourselves and then when we take horse it is truly awful, it has broken my heart.
I am sick of everyone thinking loaner is wonderful and we are horrible. The way I see it is I bought a confidence giving horse, it no longer is, I am not saying its the loaner's sole fault, but its like they don't see how they have any contribution to the problem at all. It's my fault for how I've fed horse, or just how horse is because of their breed, or because they are a superior rider, which may be true, but is not the point.
Loaner tells me they are not short of other horses to ride, I am sure they are not, but I wonder how those owners would feel if their horse was completely blown up as it appears mine has been, I bet none of them would try and work round the problem to the extent that I have.
Obviously, I have only told you my side, I am not saying I am perfect, far from it, but the loaner is not perfect either, and I just wanted to have a rant. I know loaner loves horse, that's great, but I think next time they have a go at me in front of their buddies I am going to tell them that they need to take some responsibility for horse's behaviour too, and if what I am proposing is no fun and they think I am not acting in horse's best interest or doing it out of fear, then maybe they need to re-think having the horse on loan, or straight up buy horse and all the problems they have helped create.
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