Horse out on loan

[ExmoorEm]

so, I have put my horse out on lwvtb. He's an ex racehorse retired last year. The girl was to have him for 1 month trial then discuss payment. I told her he thinks he's on holiday so leave him to settle. He also has trust issues so will take him time. She agreed.,all good. Well she rde him 3 times in first week then couldn't catch hom. I told her to back off and just get to know him on the ground. I gave her 2 more weeks on the trial. She is now saying as she hasn't ridden him she would want a bit more time. I said 2 more weeks. I've told her to be honest and if he's not right for her I will have him back. I am itching to go get him but will honour the 2 weeks. I think she is stalling to pay. Any advice appreciated

 

[PSD]

So she will have had him for 8 weeks in total? I think she may be taking you for a bit of a ride. She should know by now if she wants him or not, I’d be getting the horse back before she spoils him.

 

[ExmoorEm]

pretty much what I think. I gave her a bit of grace as he has been a twit to catch. I tried to explain that race horses go out for summer and he won't want to know you. She has rushed him. She has ridden him so should know if he's right for her. Going to be a long 2 weeks! Thanks

 

[Melody Grey]

Sorry- can’t tell how long she’s had him now?

 

[PSD]

pretty much what I think. I gave her a bit of grace as he has been a twit to catch. I tried to explain that race horses go out for summer and he won't want to know you. She has rushed him. She has ridden him so should know if he's right for her. Going to be a long 2 weeks! Thanks

I knew instantly when I viewed my horse that he was the one for me. I took him on a weeks trial knowing I would be buying him anyway. But the previous owner wanted to make sure I was dead certain as he’d been returned a few times from loan (no idea why, he is literally amazing!)

 

[AmyMay]

If I’d had a horse on loan with a view to buy I would have cracked on immediately. Either give her the extra two weeks or just get him back and chalk it up to experience.

 

[ExmoorEm]

She has had him for 6 weeks I'm giving her 2 more weeks so making it 8 weeks. I had him straight off track unseen with tendon injury. He is super laid back and obviously couldn't be ridden for months. I eventually got on and off we went, not a bother. I have to honour the 2 weeks but gut feeling is shouting at me to go get him. Surely she would know by now I think she is putting off payment.

 

[Melody Grey]

If I’d had a horse on loan with a view to buy I would have cracked on immediately. Either give her the extra two weeks or just get him back and chalk it up to experience.

That’s what confused me (easy done!)- seems a bit contradictory to ask the loaner to take her time with him on the ground, but then say she has rushed him?

 

[nagblagger]

Sorry, she's taking the p#ss and getting a free horse to ride, potentially spoil, for the holidays. i would be firm and say you want your horse back or money by the end of the week.
She's changed the goal posts, so you can to !

 

[ExmoorEm]

I told her to take her time with him. He has big trust issues and is a bit head shy..all disclosed. Within 2 days she had him out of field and was riding. I showed how to play with him in the field to gain his trust and she seemed on board with it. She did not do any of it. She promised to back off and is doing well with trust.

 

[ponynutz]

So she hasn't ridden him yet? (Aside from when she jumped on all guns blazing)

 

[Melody Grey]

If she’s following your advice and there are big trust issues, I wouldn’t have said 8 weeks is too long tbh. In a ‘normal’ LWVTB, yes though this sounds a more sensitive situation?

 

[ExmoorEm]

she has ridden him, several times. Then he said " sod off I'm on holiday" she couldn't get near him for a week. I showed her how to go about gaining his trust and it worked. She knew all this stuff when I let her have him. She seemed to really get it. But clearly not. I'll have to wait and see.

 

[AmyMay]

I’m not sure what she’s supposed to have done wrong?

 

[ExmoorEm]

shes complaining she can't catch him,although she can now. I told her 2 days was not enough time to gain his trust. She rushed him to start with and he isn't sure of her. That has improved and she seems happy. We were supposed to discuss payment yesterday but she is still unsure. Although she loves him apparently. She wants to make sure it's right just think she's fobbing me off a bit. If she gad done what I said in the first place she would not have had a problem.

 

[ponynutz]

It's a tricky one.

On one side I don't think her riding him 3x a week in the first week is dreadful, if someone told me to take it slow that would be what I would do too, especially with a horse I'd want to ride 6/7 days a week once I got to know them. I can also see why she might want more time to get to know him, he sounds a bit tricky bless him.

On the other hand 8 weeks is a long time for someone to have your horse without paying you.

I'd stick with the extra two weeks but ask for a discounted fee from now onwards if she wishes to continue with the trial. If she's not sure after two weeks take him back.

 

[ihatework]

To be honest it just sounds like she is trying to do what you wanted her to do.
Starts riding - gets told too soon and to take time
Takes her time - gets seen as a time waster

I can promise there will not be a queue for a tb with tendon injury not yet proven to stay sound.

In your shoes I’d go for a friendly visit/check up - if all ok give the two weeks you have stated.

If not ok bring him home.

 

[ycbm]

.

I tried to explain that race horses go out for summer and he won't want to know you. She has rushed him.

I've had a lot of ex racers, got one now, and I've never known one which was difficult to catch. I don't really blame her for wanting more time, I'm afraid. Personally, nothing in handling drives me more mad than a horse who won't be caught.