Loan dilemma

[PC Steele]

I have a fabulous Shetland, he is 10 yrs old and a child’s dream. I got him as a companion for my Warmblood who passed away recently. He has been out on loan to a fabulous family but unfortunately they had a horrendous incident happen and had to give the pony back to me less than a year after they took him. I now have 2 options!!! I can put him in a lovely yard where he will be cared for but it is a retirement yard so he will become a field ornament or I have a lady interested in loaning him. I have explained to this lady that I’m a bit reluctant as I do not want him coming back after a year and unsettling things. Her daughter is only 5 months old so not going to outgrow anytime soon and she also said she would take him on permanent loan or buy him as he would also be a companion for her other horse. I just don’t know what to do? I am wary of loans as I know they can go wrong so safe option is the retirement yard but he will be so wasted. He craves human attention and loves being fussed.

 

[paddi22]

I would take the lady's offer, and just put in a clause that you will visit the odd time and check. it sounds like the pony would have a job and be fussed over and loved by a child. it really sounds like a good home.

 

[Barton Bounty]

I think this lady sounds like the perfect home, put him either on permanent loan or sell him to her, her little one is going to have so much fun with him! And he will probably be ridden till the little one grows out of him. Sounds like a perfect loving home for your perfect wee man ?

 

[Peglo]

I understand your reluctance after the first loan ended but he sounds like he could be a little girls best friend and it’s worth the risk for his sake too.

my cousin took a pony on loan, we were offered to buy or loan, the owner didn’t care. My cousin decided loaning as that’s the cheaper option so technically she’s still on loan but she is as much ours as the rest in the field. She won’t go back and as she’s in her mid 20’s I can’t see her owner wanting her. She doesn’t even check in with us which we wouldn’t mind either way. Some loans are forever.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

That looks like a no brainer to me, put him on loan to the lady with the young daughter where he will get the attention he enjoys

 

[wiglet]

I would take the lady's offer, and just put in a clause that you will visit the odd time and check. it sounds like the pony would have a job and be fussed over and loved by a child. it really sounds like a good home.

This - it sounds like a lovely home HOWEVER, I think you'll have to accept that everyone's circumstances change at some point - sometimes suddenly and you can't prepare for the unknown. I would state in your contract you'll need (2-3 months) notice before the loan is terminated.
Best of luck!

 

[gallopingby]

Just make sure you know where he’s going. It does sound as if the home would be suitable but unless you visit and see for yourself you won’t really know what the set up is. Sane and well handled shetlands are worth their weight in gold so could be a great start for a child.

 

[mariew]

I think it depends. If you want control of what happens once the little person has outgrown the pony or some life event happens then loaning is probably be the way to go. But be prepared he might come back to you with any notice at any point.

If you don't mind him being passed on for whatever reason then I would sell. Ultimately Shetlands can live a very long time so it depends on what you want from the future.

10 feels to young to retire if there is another job in a nice home.

 

[scruffyponies]

A shetland pony's best years are after the age of around 15+, when they're not quite so full of themselves.
Get him out there, learning to be a child's best friend, so that he can be the perfect pony for a whole string of little ones for the next 20 odd years.

 

[Leandy]

If you don't actually want him to come back to you then I would sell now whilst she is offering to buy. The cost of retirement livery over the years will be very significant. I would not take that on for a pony which is easily saleable.

 

[JackFrost]

My experience of shetlands is they can live to 40+ years, and lots go on into their 30s. I wouldn't even consider retirement at 10!

 

[Patterdale]

I’d sell him to them.

 

[Snow Falcon]

If he craves human attention and loves being fussed I'd sell him. As she has a young child then isn't that a good solution?

 

[Equi]

What exactly was the horrendous thing that happened?

If the kid is 5 months old you’re talking at least 5 years before the pony will be riding again. Will the loaner really keep them that long? If you don’t want them to come back after a year you might be better selling if they are willing to pay.