Hawthorn
New User
Hello All. This is my first post although I have been a lurker for a while
. A friend who uses this forum regularly suggested I ask for advice on a problem I have at the moment. I apologise in advance for the length of this post but would be truly grateful if anyone has the time to read it and advise.
6 years ago I met Janice when she came to my yard looking for livery. We very quickly became very close friends ( I thought). She kept her horse with me for about 3 years. About a year in she had a lot of problems with money due to her ex husband who had left her with huge debts. I helped her out both by lending her money and by keeping her horse for next to nothing. Eventually she sold the horse, became very depressed and left the yard. We remained in close touch and she always promised to pay me back as soon as she could.
Fast forward to a year ago.. Bear in mind I still have no money back from her. She's one of those people who seem to limp from one crisis to another but she had recently begun another relationship and things began to look up. She felt she wanted to get another horse to bring on and sell for a profit so that she could give me the profit. New partner lent her the money and new mare arrived. I, again, kept her for next to nothing knowing I'd get something out of it in the end.
The last few weeks she has been to the yard less and less and said horse is actually getting worse rather than improving. Last night Janice phoned me to say she wanted me to take over ownership of the horse as she felt she did not have time. I have not agreed to this yet as I'm not sure what to do. Mare is beyond my confidence abilities, she has a really sharp streak in her, bucks and rears often despite all checks being done. As it stands I think she is probably worth less than when she bought her and probably not even what it has cost to keep her. I could not afford to send her to a professional and would hate for her to go through the sales as I feel she is likely to end up being PTS or going for meat if she ends up in the wrong hands.
About me, I run this yard for a friend and keep my elderly cob there free of charge. Other than that I don't work as I retired due to ill health after a back injury. The money I loaned her was compensation I recieved after the injury and there is nothing left. I feel very stupid, and used. I trusted her 100% and cannot believe she would do this to me but I guess I've just been 'had'.
So basically my questions are:
1 What do I do with her horse? (If she is adamant I take her off her hands). Although the money is obviously a concern, my major worry is the future of this horse.
2 Does anyone know where I stand legally regarding the rest of the money? (This amounts to several thousand pounds now and yes I know I was mad to do it but that doesn't help me now!) I do have proof that she had most of this money.
I better leave it at this, quite long enough already.
Thasnk you very much for reading, any advice will be gratefully received.
6 years ago I met Janice when she came to my yard looking for livery. We very quickly became very close friends ( I thought). She kept her horse with me for about 3 years. About a year in she had a lot of problems with money due to her ex husband who had left her with huge debts. I helped her out both by lending her money and by keeping her horse for next to nothing. Eventually she sold the horse, became very depressed and left the yard. We remained in close touch and she always promised to pay me back as soon as she could.
Fast forward to a year ago.. Bear in mind I still have no money back from her. She's one of those people who seem to limp from one crisis to another but she had recently begun another relationship and things began to look up. She felt she wanted to get another horse to bring on and sell for a profit so that she could give me the profit. New partner lent her the money and new mare arrived. I, again, kept her for next to nothing knowing I'd get something out of it in the end.
The last few weeks she has been to the yard less and less and said horse is actually getting worse rather than improving. Last night Janice phoned me to say she wanted me to take over ownership of the horse as she felt she did not have time. I have not agreed to this yet as I'm not sure what to do. Mare is beyond my confidence abilities, she has a really sharp streak in her, bucks and rears often despite all checks being done. As it stands I think she is probably worth less than when she bought her and probably not even what it has cost to keep her. I could not afford to send her to a professional and would hate for her to go through the sales as I feel she is likely to end up being PTS or going for meat if she ends up in the wrong hands.
About me, I run this yard for a friend and keep my elderly cob there free of charge. Other than that I don't work as I retired due to ill health after a back injury. The money I loaned her was compensation I recieved after the injury and there is nothing left. I feel very stupid, and used. I trusted her 100% and cannot believe she would do this to me but I guess I've just been 'had'.
So basically my questions are:
1 What do I do with her horse? (If she is adamant I take her off her hands). Although the money is obviously a concern, my major worry is the future of this horse.
2 Does anyone know where I stand legally regarding the rest of the money? (This amounts to several thousand pounds now and yes I know I was mad to do it but that doesn't help me now!) I do have proof that she had most of this money.
I better leave it at this, quite long enough already.
Thasnk you very much for reading, any advice will be gratefully received.
