If you die, what happens to your horses?

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Penks

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After my mum was recently in hospital we had to make emergency temporary arrangements for looking after her 6 dogs which was not easy at short notice. If god forbid the worst had happened we would have to make some difficult decisions about what would happen to the dogs.

Bit depressing but it got me thinking about what kind of provision do people have in place for if the worst should happen and you were to die, what would happen to your horses? Do you have a plan in action, horse godparents appointed? do people know what you want? Do you have finances set aside?
 
My OH is under instructions to take care of them for life. One he can loan out and the other must stay where he is. I have left money specifically for their care.

If we both die my friend where the horses live will get the money and she will take care of them forever.

The dogs if only I died would stay with my OH. If again we both died my Dad would take them. The rescue ones especially I could not bear to think of going back to kennels.

I have no children so guess I have planned for my animals instead.
 
I have added the details to my Will and these are:

If my pony is still in my daily care then she is to be pts.
(She is 25 with Cushings; laminitis; COPS and had ddft problems!).

If she is in a retirement home then she is to stay there until the end and paid for out of my estate (ie my OH pays!).
 
Both horses PTS (they are retired and I couldn't/wouldn't expect anybody to take them on)

Current dog would go to the rescue he came from - it's part of the T&C of his adoption plus they are a small, local rescue that do a fantastic job. I'm certain that they would be happy to let any friends or family who wanted adopt him do so.
Any other dogs that I have would either go to friends or family or if that wasn't an option at that time, they would go to the above rescue with a large donation...TBF my next dog will more than likely come from that rescue so will be covered by the same T&C as current terriorist!

Not that I over think these things - oh no :D
 
I hadn't thought about this until last week when my MIL asked that if anything happens to her her miniature is to be given to my son. He is not horsey but does love this pony. It is already living with mine here with us so really will make no difference to the pony. She just wanted to make sure he knew the pony was to be his. That got me thinking about mine and I have made it very clear that my old mare (rising 20) is to be PTS, she has a few medical problems and cannot be ridden anymore. My cob could be sold, he is only 10 and a nice horse. The miniatures, three in all, I would hopefully think their breeder would have them back.
 
If it's just me OH will keep if practical or PTS. If both I have details in will but they are a bit out of date now so I need to redo.

Wider family are totally non horsey so realistically PTS the old boy and return companion to charity.
Dogs my family would have - parrot I have offered a lot of £'s in will for whoever in my family will take him !! They are not easy pets.

It's a rare situation but if you don't have horsey family it's worth having a vague plan!
 
If I died I would leave my children+pony and my OH would be their carer then (he's kids dad lol) I know he would look after our pony as he loves him to bits (although would never admit it :p)
If we both died we have a large family on both sides so I know they would all be okay but may need to consider writing a will so if the worst did happen,god forbid,everybody would know where they stood I.e who would have kids+pony as I wouldn't want him sold,I know my mum would have him :)
 
I have my will all sorted but I was very careful to make sure no one has any additional financial or physical responsibility just overseeing their care.
I was left a beautiful young horse in someone's will 15 yrs ago but at the time I had 3 horses and didn't have enough money to take another. He had known I liked the horse but never mentioned leaving him to me even through a long illness. I felt terribly guilty when I couldn't take the horse but I did find it a nice home and stayed in touch until it was pts last year. It's a big responsibility being left a horse as it can be a very long and expensive commitment.
 
LynH said:
I have my will all sorted but I was very careful to make sure no one has any additional financial or physical responsibility just overseeing their care.
I was left a beautiful young horse in someone's will 15 yrs ago but at the time I had 3 horses and didn't have enough money to take another. He had known I liked the horse but never mentioned leaving him to me even through a long illness. I felt terribly guilty when I couldn't take the horse but I did find it a nice home and stayed in touch until it was pts last year. It's a big responsibility being left a horse as it can be a very long and expensive commitment.
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I think you make a really good point here, money and financial provision needs to be left along with the horse, or how can anyone look after it.

Luckily my two ponies would just go back to the charity who own them for rehoming, and rest of the animals family would sort. My Mum had instructions in her will for all her animals, in the event of her death, she is still here but animals had to be sorted when she went to live in a care home - and thats another story.
 
Unfortunately for me, my family aren't horsey and wouldn't stand a cat in hell's chance of handling the appy. I've got clear instructions on what to feed them but I'm afraid they'd probably have to be sold. Thankfully I have a few friends who'll take that responsibility off their hands.
 
My OH will have the horse dog and cats he's good with the horse and knows how much she means to me il leave money aside for her care etc
If we both died dog and cats would prob end up with my parents and horse would ideally be given back to her original owners whom I'm in contact with
 
I have left instructions in my will that horses are to be offered to Redwings with legacy, and dog to local sanctuary (with legacy) . My biggest worry is that I am on my own now with no family and its the time between me popping my clogs and someone actually finding the relevant paperwork.
 
My OH is having first refusal of my boy, I know he'd take care of him for the rest of his days :)
If he couldn't or wouldn't take him (which I doubt) my neice would probably want him and if not he would be sold on to a good home where he could give someone confidence/be a happy hacker with some lovely older lady.
I actually had a conversation about this the other night with my OH :o
 
I'd like him to go to WHW or redwings as part of a legacy, strictly as a non ridden companion only. If nowhere can be found for him, then pts.
 
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Oh god, I've never thought about this! Well I have a bit but not thoroughly.

Not a single member of my family is horsey so I like to think that my youngster would go back to his breeders as they are family friends who still love him to bits. As would my miniature, I know for a fact that my friend would have her now if I ever sold her so I'm sure she'd be more than happy to take her on. My old boy technically belongs to my MIL but she doesn't have a thing to do with him anymore (that's another story) so I'd like to think that she'd step up to the mark and actually take her of her own horse. I personally think that if it came to it she'd have him PTS even though he is a very healthy and happy 24yo.

Lets hope none of this will happen anytime soon though - I'm only 19! :eek::p
 
Spotty lad would go to my younger sister, providing she could take him. If not I'd trust her to find him a perfect home.

Rottiedog would stay with OH, but in the event that something happened to us both she'd probably go to the same sister.
 
My 3 retired horses would be PTS at home and my youngster would go to a friend. I could not cope with knowing that they got shipped around. I've owned the three retired horses for over 10 years. Home is where their hearts are and is where I think they found happiness.
 
If I die before my boy OH will take over and has a few of my friends he can leave his care to as long as he can afford or want to, or PTS. He is never to be passed on as a companion or anything else.
 
alma said:
I have left instructions in my will that horses are to be offered to Redwings with legacy, and dog to local sanctuary (with legacy) . My biggest worry is that I am on my own now with no family and its the time between me popping my clogs and someone actually finding the relevant paperwork.
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Your will and estate can be handled by your solicitor, I used to go to a lady who had a big sign in her kitchen ''IF DEAD PLEASE CALL XXXX SOLICITORS'' :D She was 99 but still had 4 cats, these were left to the CPL with ALL her money, in the thousands I believe, as she had no next of kin.

I'm sure my mum would find somewhere to send Buddy, I would most like him to be offered to my instructor if she had the means to take/use him. And then when the time came to a nice retirement livery.

OH would keep doglet...

Not sure who would keep oh mind... :rolleyes:
 
Quite impressed that lots of people have made provision in their wills.
For those who haven't but have a plan - do the people who will be looking after them, or organising for them to be put to sleep know?

My horse is on loan so thankfully its not something I would have to worry about as his owner would obviously take him back.

Buds_mum said:
Your will and estate can be handled by your solicitor, I used to go to a lady who had a big sign in her kitchen ''IF DEAD PLEASE CALL XXXX SOLICITORS'' :D She was 99 but still had 4 cats, these were left to the CPL with ALL her money, in the thousands I believe, as she had no next of kin.
:
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Oh dear, I could see this being me in the future! (well without all the money)
 
Penks said:
After my mum was recently in hospital we had to make emergency temporary arrangements for looking after her 6 dogs which was not easy at short notice. If god forbid the worst had happened we would have to make some difficult decisions about what would happen to the dogs.

Bit depressing but it got me thinking about what kind of provision do people have in place for if the worst should happen and you were to die, what would happen to your horses? Do you have a plan in action, horse godparents appointed? do people know what you want? Do you have finances set aside?
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My horses are being gifted to WHW


As NO ONE how ever much they want to take them for you , if their situation changes the horses get pushed from pillar to post, just like Black Beauty
 
horserider said:
OH and daughters would take them. There's also a few people who would love to take the cob and spoil him beyond his wildest dreams.
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Yes but if their situation changes and they cannot afford them what then??? What if he meets a new woman and in time doesn't want the horse as your not in his life??? sorry but this happens- seen it before.

Sorry this happened to a friend , she left her horse to her family.

Well the family's money situation changed they could not keep to their daughters wishes. Horse was sold, no one ever knew what happened, poor christine would turn in her grave if she knew her beloved Rolo was out there in an awfull place.

How ever much family and friends say they will take care of your horse it might be their intent- but in this climate only just out resection, their situation would change then they would feel guilty to you for not sticking to their promises.
Remember your horse does not mean the same to them as he did to you.

I would not leave any of my family in that situation - guilty they could not keep mine.


Instead I give to WHW and if any family want to adopt from there they can - that way if family situation does change they go back to WHW and family are not left feeling guilty or distressed.

In My experience well meaning friends and family will promise to care for them.

But in life that is very often not the case as friends/ family.
have not the attachment you have
situations might change and they sell horse on
if vet bills creep up they might not afford to pay as friend not only has to pay horse up keep there is insurance too
might emigrate
start a family
re marry again etc

Then all to often their promise to you goes for a burton.....
 
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Buds_mum said:
used to go to a lady who had a big sign in her kitchen ''IF DEAD PLEASE CALL XXXX SOLICITORS'' :D She was 99 but still had 4 cats,
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Sorry, please don't be mad at me, but that made me laugh! :o For some reason it brought Terry Pratchett's Granny Weatherwax to mind - 'I aten't ded''

I'm more Nanny Ogg - red boots, swilling pints, and jumping on the table to 'sing' inappropriate songs about a wizards staff ;)
 
I cared for both my friend and her aged non ridden mare prior to dear friend passing away. The mare was riddled with navicular and if had been mine would have been PTS a long time before. I was absolutely petrified that she wished mare to be gifted into my care :eek: as it would have put me in a hard position both morally (no quality of life for mare) and financially. Its hard however 'nice' the sentiment. My boy is bequested to a close friend who I also share a little mare with a large financial provision in place though still 'ownership' of my parents.
 
Have made arrangements in my will to leave my horse to two of my friends, who know how to look after him properly, along with a lump sum of money, that can only be used to cover the cost of looking after him for the rest of his life.
 
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