Loan horse...what is the right thing to do

[SFW]

For two years we have loaned a pony for our daughter. It was organised by the owner of the stables where we pay for the livery. At the end of June we decided to buy a horse for our daughter as she was getting too tall and gave 2 months notice that we no longer needed to loan the pony. At the end of June I got a bill from the vet for a sacroiliac injection and when I questioned it the owner of the stable told me the pony was sore after a cross country event my daughter did. Since then I have been told the pony is lame and I have continued to pay for the pony to have injections. The notice period for the loan pony is about to finish and the owner of the stable has now written to me to say that I either pay £1,500 to have an MRI to find out what the real problem is or we put the pony on grass livery for 12 months at £305 per month and farrier cost of £70 per month to see if they pony gets better. If it doesnt get better then apparently the owner might decide to put the pony to sleep and I have to pay £300 for that.
The owner of the stable is saying it is my responsiblity to continue to pay all the bills as I need to return the pony in the same condition. I have asked if I could see a copy of the loan agreement but I dont believe there is one.
I would be grateful if you could let me know if what I am being told is what normally happens in this situation.
Thank you

 

[Equi]

She’s completely trying it on. Say your ending said loan on x date and then take all your stuff and leave on said date.

 

[The Xmas Furry]

You need to see a copy of the contract or agreement, if any.
Who insured the pony? Them, or you?
What agreement was there regarding any medical intervention?

Ask by letter or email that the YO to put everything in writing including the relevant part of the contract/agreement including your dated signature and start date, plus the details from the insurance plan they must have.
Explain that when you have all this to hand, you will then consider your next steps, but will seek legal advice.

Clear your gear out, leave. This needs resolving, but not while you are there.

 

[CobsaGooden]

Completely trying it on!

When my horse was out on full loan I still continued to insure him for vet bills in case something happened. its always a risk with horses and completely the owners problem, assuming you did nothing reckless to cause any injury.

 

[ester]

You shouldn’t even have paid the first bill without it going through you. Do you have a written agreement?

 

[Jambarissa]

If you have a written agreement you do as it says, which would usually be to walk away no matter what has happened with the pony, that's just how loans work.

If no written agreement then leave on the date you've given.

I can't imagine a contract where you'd be responsible for ongoing care.

 

[hollyandivy123]

talk to the vet, it is strange that you were not informed of the injection as you normally will need to treat the pony in a particular way afterwards.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

If you didn't sign a loan agreement there won't be one I would imagine.

It's not your responsibility to pay for vet fees and an mri on a loan pony, I guessing the owner had insurance for the pony?

I would just move yards your not liable to pay them anything.

 

[AShetlandBitMeOnce]

Echo what everyone else has said, also return the pony in the same condition is mental.. it's older and has been out and done things and is a living breathing animal, not a flat you're moving out of!
They're trying it on, you have been plenty generous paying for the injection (whuch was probably historically due anyway and not because of this fabricated lameness).

 

[EventingMum]

Who actually owns the pony? Any loan agreement should be between the owner and the loaner. If the yard owner doesn't own the pony it really isn't anything to do with them as you just contracted them to provide livery services even if they brokered the loan agreement. I assume you didn't sign a loan agreement from your post and while you may have been naive in not doing so equally you have not agreed to fund any veterinary care. If the yard owner continues to pursue you for this I would get some legal advice, a equestrian lawyer may be worth engaging. Going forward, if you buy another pony make sure you have a livery agreement in place which details notifying you of any veterinary input required before it happens except in dire emergencies.

 

[twiggy2]

What does the owner of the horse say? I am wondering if its the owner of the stables rather than the owner of the horse taking advantage.
Wither way no your no liable for vet fees unless stated in your contract.

 

[dorsetladette]

She's trying it on.

Call her bluff and offer to arrange the PTS now on welfare grounds.

Bet she backs down pretty sharpish

 

[Cowpony]

Definitely trying it on. I'd ask to speak to the vet to discuss treatment options. I bet you get a million excuses as to why you can't speak to them. I'd then refuse to pay as you can't discuss the situation. And as others have said, leave asap. And make sure you tell as many people as possible exactly what has happened. You don't want the YO badmouthing you to potential yards for your new pony. Get your side of the story out there first!

 

[9tails]

If you're planning to keep your new horse at this livery yard, I'd rethink that idea pronto. As others have said, I think you're being taken in by an unscrupulous yard owner. You have given notice, your commitment should end on that date.

 

[Melody Grey]

You haven’t authorised treatment, so not your place to pay and shouldn’t be your responsibility anyway. I’d ask for their full ‘claim’ to be put to you in writing so you can ‘consult your solicitor’……neither of which will actually happen! Call their bluff, it’s BS!

 

[ihatework]

You need to ascertain what your loan agreement said. If there isn’t one or if the owner can’t produce it more fool them and you have no obligation. If you did have obligations for vets bills then you should have been advised / taken out insurance.
I think the owner is trying their luck.

 

[SaddlePsych'D]

You haven’t authorised treatment, so not your place to pay and shouldn’t be your responsibility anyway. I’d ask for their full ‘claim’ to be put to you in writing so you can ‘consult your solicitor’……neither of which will actually happen! Call their bluff, it’s BS!

This I think. The last thing I would be doing is paying any of it and I certainly wouldn't be getting in touch with the vet.

 

[Titchy Reindeer]

First of all are the owner of the stables and the owner of the pony the same person?
If not, the stable owner has no business getting the vet out to the pony without your and / or the pony's owners permission.

Have you seen the vet bills / spoken to the vet clinic? Actually been there when the vet came? Is the pony actually lame (as in have you seen that it's lame or anyone but the stable owner said to you that it's lame)? The cynic in me is wondering if you are paying for the treatment of another horse than the pony you loan. You should not be paying for vet bills you have no prior knowledge of or that you have not contractually agreed to pay (as in the loan contract if it exists).

Once you have returned the loan pony, you no longer have any obligation to pay anything and also no more say (which would have been small anyway as you are not the owner) in what happens to the pony. If the pony's owners want to PTS, it is up to them.

Finally, get out of there ASAP.

 

[meleeka]

Please tell me you aren't planning on keeping the new horse there? Echo everyone else, walk away and don't pay a penny more than you've already agreed.

 

[Ample Prosecco]

All kinds of wrong. Pay nothing. State once that you are not responsible for vet bills that you did not authorise while pony was on loan and you have no recollection of agreeing signing a contract agreeing to returning pony in 'same condition' which is not on standard loan agreements because - as we all know - horses do go wrong and loaners cannot be held liable for ongoing veterinary care of horses they are no longer loaning. Then ignore all requests for money. Leave. Let them chase you for breach of contract, which they won't because there isn't one. And DO NOT livery with this chancer.

 

[EventingMum]

Another thought, when your notice period is up contact the vets and tell them you are no longer liable for any further costs.

 

[nagblagger]

I just got so frustrated at reading this, your kind nature has been abused. What vet would inject just because a pony was 'a bit sore' after cross country without a full investigation? At my practice the payer of the bills has to be the one to authorise treatment, I would be talking direct to the vet to get the facts rather than word of mouth from a crook.
As others said, stop paying, stop feeling guilty because he is not your responsibility. Move.

On a lighter note you have broken the main HHO rule, I am surprised you haven't been banned, a new pony and NO PHOTOS !

 

[nutjob]

At my practice the payer of the bills has to be the one to authorise treatment,

Same at mine. I added my partner as someone who could authorise treatment and then a freelancer in case there was an emergency when I was not around, but since I am the registered owner all bills come to me. There's a problem with the vet practice if they are billing someone who is not the horse owner and who also did not call them out.

The yo is just a despicable greedy scammer imo.

 

[maya2008]

Get it all in writing and get legal advice (should be included in your insurance).

Plus…
- ring vets and ask them to take this pony off your account and to confirm in writing you will no longer authorise any treatment or pay for it as pony is no longer on loan to you.
- put new pony/horse at a different yard with different vets.

 

[Ample Prosecco]

I wouldn’t spend any money on lawyers. They are saying you owe them, so it’s up to them to bring a claim. They can send all sorts of letters, even a ‘letter before action’ but until you get an official letter from a solicitor you don’t need to do anything. It’s up to them to prove you owe, not you to prove you don’t. I honestly would just ignore it at the moment. Unless there is a lot of missing info their claim appears to have absolutely no basis in basic reality/common sense, let alone in law.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

I agree with AE. Get out of there as soon as you can, don't put your new horse on livery on that yard. Take absolutely no notice of any requests for payment of vet bills etc. If the vet has been billing you direct which it doesn't sound like, tell the vet that your loan ends on X date and you will no longer have any assiciatio with the pony/yard.
This is a huge try on on the part of the YO, who I'm guessing is also the owner of the pony. If so the pony is her responsibility, ultimately.

 

[Amymay Again]

What name was on the vet bill?!

 

[Gloi]

She's 100% trying it on. You can't return the pony in the same condition anyway, it's two years older.
Get away from there and keep your new pony somewhere else.

 

[Fjord]

They are absolutely taking the piddle. Did you sign a loan agreement? If not, then they absolutely have no leg to stand on. Even if you did, I very much doubt that getting you to pay for ongoing treatment would be enforceable.

Do not pay for any more treatment for this pony. Definitely do not keep your new horse at the same place, find a new yard straight away. You are being taken huge advantage of.

 

[Melody Grey]

OP are you even sure the treatment that you’re supposed to be paying for has actually happened? Could be that the yard owner/ horse owner is lying or exaggerating….which is extortion. Could it be a (rather childish) “you’re ending the loan which doesn’t suit me, therefore here’s a punishment”…?