I can't quite believe it!

YorksG

YorksG

Over the hill and far awa
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14 September 2006
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I received an e-mail today, from the local police, as a result of being a member of a local horsewatch scheme, and being a member of the local bridleways group.
This is the e-mail, with identifiers removed
Hi All

Please excuse the intrusion. I am hoping you can help with something?

Over recent weeks I have been asked to help re-home unwanted / abandoned
horses and ponies. And thankfully, most of the time a home has been found.

However, this time, I have someone asking me if anyone knows of a pony that
needs a new home?

They have bought some land with stables and would like to find a pony in
need of a home and some love and care for their 2 daughters - with a view
to learning to ride it eventually?

Does anyone know of pony in needs of a nice new home?

Does anyone else have that awful sinking feeling, of looking at a disaster waiting to happen?
Why, if they want a pony and know what they are doing, are they not buying or sorting out a proper loan. My guess is that they know very little about the care of a pony and think it would be 'nice' to put one on their land and have visions of said children showing said pony, just like a children's story book.

What do others think?
 
Same sinking feeling I'm afraid. What happened to some riding school lessons, until children either grow out of wanting a pretty petting pony or get keen and have more knowledge - when owning their own might be considered for the lucky few?
 
Your police station must be quiet! I think that it must be a close friend or family member that has asked them to enquire.

I do agree though, it does sound like they have little experience and I would also recommend that they loan first. Or maybe that's what they are asking for but there was confusion between them and the police officer?
 
What's wrong with the usual methods of finding a pony? Sounds well dodgy to me, surely you would try rescue centres etc first? Unless they've been turned down due to lack of knowledge!
 
Well I e-mailed with my concerns, and have received one back saying all concerns have been addressed, with regard to costs, knowledge etc. I hope they have, but it leaves me feeling more than a little uneasy. I must admit the fact that it originated from a police service employee, using official channels, worried me as well, as it suggests that it is sanctioned by them, even if it isn;t. Also if the employee concerned has been trying to re-home unwanted animals, why the need for a request?
 
Just sounds too dodgy to me. What on earth are the police doing being involved with it? Would be annoyed if an employee was just using it as a way of contacting people - hardly what they are paid for, and like you say, gives people the impression the request is 'official'. If it were me I would steer well clear and just recommend some local riding schools.
 
The 'learning to ride it eventually?' puts me off. So they don't already ride? I'm not saying that people who don't ride can't take care of a pony but it does sound like they are total novices who think it would be nice to have a pony like it would be nice to have a guinea pig.
 
I havent seen the email as my blackberry is at work but I agree that it isnt very proffesional and isnt what the scheme was set up for.
It seems to be written in a strange way. I think if it was a normal wanted add it wouldnt look too bad.
 
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