Injured Horse because of Stupid, Irresponsible Sharer!! *rant*

Wow. Nice people....

This is a horrible situation, and an absolutely classic example of why people turn against the idea of sharing or loaning. I'm a sharer, and stories like this make me feel really awkward inside, in case people think that i am one of "that sort" of sharer (which I am not - i make a terrible fuss over my share horse, and i'd like to think, take very good care of her).

I do think that episodes like this illustrate very clearly why its so important that the PEOPLE in a share agreement are compatible, even more so than the sharer and the horse. You can learn to ride a horse better, you can learn how to care for it properly, but if one of the people (owner or sharer) is nasty, vile and unreasonable, then the arrangement will never work. I'm not a very good rider, but I get on really, really well with the owner of my Share mare, and she tolerates my numptyish-but-slowly-improving riding becasue she knows I think the world of her horse and care for her as if she was my own.

I think if it specifically says in the contract that the horse was not to be jumped, and your friend can produce a witness stating that the horse was jumped, then you can pursue her in the civil court, or the small claims court. It won't be cheap or simple and it will be a faff, but it sounds like it would be worth pursuing from a moral POV.
 
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
tia, she said ringbone or is that not specific enough?

[/ QUOTE ]
No. I was asking what the horse had been diagnosed with when the lameness showed up, not any underlying issues which have been around previously.

[/ QUOTE ]

Sorry, I maybe being thick, here, but how on earth can a vet make a diagnosis of WHY a horse has suddenly become chronically lame, without the use of diagnosic techniques such as x-rays or nerve blocks???

He came out to see a horse that was chronically lame on both front legs when it had been sound the day before - what do you expect him to say "Oh I know what's caused this, its....."

All he could say was there was heat and swelling!
 
In order to prove a legal claim against the sharer you are going to have to prove a) that she did in fact break the contract, for which there is only the word of one witness who was presumably an existing friend of the owner; her taking 2 weeks to come forward with her evidence would likely prejudice the objective viewer against believing this on a balance of probabilities, and b) that the damage done was attributable to the breach of contract, and not to a natural deterioration of the existing condition--as other horses with the same condition are successfully in full work, this is almost certain to require x-rays now, and potentially also comparative x-rays from before the incident. It is therefore likely to be a relatively expensive claim in terms of vets bills (and potentially solicitors costs to plead it properly) with only a moderate chance of success. Unless your friend can afford to pursue it as a point of principle, I would suggest approaching the sharer with an outline of the case, but otherwise I think actually pursuing the case would be prohibitively expensive.
 
Was anything written into the contract about this sort of thing?

Did anyone witness the sharer and her boyfriend ride and jump the horse. How do you know the BF is 16 stone?.

Did your friend have a trial at first to help weed out eejits?.
 
I disagree. there is also the admission of the sharer that she knowing breached the very specific conditions of the contract, which were put in place for a reason. Whilst before and after veterinary opinion would be nice to have there would be a reasonable chance, on the balance of probability, of success in a civil court case, and without the need for expensive representation if adequately prepared. I don't think it is likely though that all related veterinary costs would be recovered.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Sorry, I maybe being thick, here, but how on earth can a vet make a diagnosis of WHY a horse has suddenly become chronically lame, without the use of diagnosic techniques such as x-rays or nerve blocks???

He came out to see a horse that was chronically lame on both front legs when it had been sound the day before - what do you expect him to say "Oh I know what's caused this, its....."


[/ QUOTE ]
I would expect him to find out why the horse is chronically lame! Using xrays, nerve blocks, whatever. Is that not normal where you are, for a vet to find out and correctly diagnose a horse before offering medication or treatment? Most peculiar.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Does the contract say anything about vets costs? In theory she could go after her for the money, but that won't solve the problem

This is one of the many reasons never to loan or share. Whether its a horse or a bit of equipment etc, when people don't have to pay for it, they treat them like sh*t.

[/ QUOTE ]

please don't tar all loaners with the same brush......many years ago, before i could afford a pony of my own i had one on loan, she was looked after as well, if not better than the ones i have now that are my own, as was her tack and equiptment, i actually find your statement a wee bit offensive TBH
mad.gif
There are some wonderful people out there who share/loan other people's horses with no problems at all, it is up to the owner of the animal to get references etc....
 
Read the entire thread - you might find it offensive, but IMHO the majority of people are complete g*ts when they borrow things for free (horses, facilities, equipment)

Finding a good sharer or loan home is like finding hens teeth, never said they didn't exist, but they are RARE not commonplace.
 
gosh how awful
i would be totally li id!
unles the agreement states if the horse is jumped/ridden b y someone else, the loaner is to pay all associated vet costs i would doubt she would legally get anywhere
poor horse and poor owner
what a stupid stupid b***h of a sharer, hope she never gets another one again.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top