How do I stand?

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NatalieS

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Hi guys,

I got 'Honey' on loan last september and we have just been hacking out since. Last week I tacked her up and she went mad and rolled with her tack on, so my instant thought was back problem. Anyway the vet came on friday and she does have a bad back, so she is on bute twice a day and an Avacado supplement, the physio came yesterday and spent an hour working on her which I must say was really interesting. She thinks the saddle doesn't fit, so next step is to get a saddle fitter and then physio again in 10 days time. Her previous owner hasn't had her saddle checked for 6 years!

As you can imagine the cost is climbing all the time but 'Honey' is more important than money, because I don't think she has had a particuarly good life. Costs are as follows:

Vet £120
2 Physio visits £130
Saddle fitted To Be Confirmed im guessing £50

Im happy to pay vet and physio fees because it states in my loan agreement that I will cover veterinary fees. But how do I stand with the saddle issue because to be honest I think the saddle was a problem before I had her, so can I ask her owner to pay for the saddle fitter? Does that seem fair?

Any advice appreciated?
 
horses change shape all the time, i really dont think you can even ask the owner to pay. imo you take a horse on loan and you are 100% responsible for all fees/bills whilst you have the horse.
 
You have to pay the saddle fitter cos shes been with you nearly 9 months without any saddle issue being raised and its a normal thing to need saddles checking once a year anyway.

But if she needs a whole new saddle then maybe either you buy it and keep it when she returns to owner, or you could maybe split the cost and she buy your half at the end, or she pays for it. That is unless the contract specifies anything different.
 
Thank you for your replies, I was thinking I was responsible for the cost but just thought I would ask. Hopefully it won't be a new saddle :(

Now I need to find a saddle fitter!! They arn't easy to come across thats for sure
 
It says that I will cover veterinary costs, which I guess means saddle fitter etc etc. Its the BHS agreement.
 
Nothing to stop you contacting the owner and asking them whether they would be prepared to pay or split the cost as it seems to have been a pre-existing problem.

You probably can't actually make them help with the costs but it is worth an ask, they may just feel guilty (or worried you might return her) and agree to chip in.

As the others said if the saddle can't be adjusted buy a second hand one yourself and sell it on when the loan ends.
 
I agree you can ask them whether they will contribute to the saddle fitting - if the loan arrangement is that the owner is to provide the horse with (well fitting) tack then I would consider saddle fitting part of the tack related costs/responsibility, not a vet cost.
 
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