loan trouble - advice appreciated

[Torryvald]

I loaned my best friend's mum's horse for a year during which time I gave her a substantial amount of money every month, plus did all the usual chores required (the horse stayed in the field with the rest of their horses). Plus bought her all the necessary extras -e.g dentist and back specialists, new tack etc. The situation since bought my own horse is another friend 'loans' this lovely horse but pays less than half what I did (but has fancy car, big house, lovely clothes etc..)and does NO chores whatsso ever (this is not an exageration!!). I keep my new horse with my friend's horses and we all chip in, so needless to say I am still caring for this horse. Today was the final straw as I had spent four hours at said field, and had been offered a ride of this horse (I can't ride my unbacked horse at the moment), only for said girl to breeze to field, ride the horse then leave(she was clean of course because she'doesn't have 'time' to do any chores..)whilst i stand up to my eye balls in hay nets and s**t and still haven't had breakfast.

I have talked to me friend about it, but i now feel very used and wish i had been a cheeky sod last year and pretended I could only pay a small amount and 'couldn't do chores'. Saying that it is my belief that part of riding is the work and I wouldn't be without it (plus it stops me getting fat!)

I am wrong to be upset by this??? I have been shocked at how upset I have felt! I feel that the only option is for me to find new grazing, or just try and turn a blind eye. It would be easy for me to turn aound and refuse to do my friend's hay and water in the evenings, but I don't want the horses to suffer and I don't want to fall out with my friend.

 

[spike123]

I can understand how you feel.I wouldn't be too impressed either if someone else came along paying half of what I had and doing no chores either for the privelege but what is the situation with your youngster.Do you get free or very cheap keep in return for your help or are you still paying a normal amount of livery to keep him/her there.If you are paying the standard amount I suggest you either ask for a discount/free livery in order to continue with the help you are giving or else consider moving elsewhere.It sounds like they are taking full advantage of you tbh.

 

[pagancluf]

You sound just like me!! (the word doormat comes to mind) I am the first to be called when "I can't get down to the yard, could you just...." I would say that your money situ has changed and even though you would love to carry on paying £xx, you can now only afford £xx, and see what happens.

Sed the pot calling the kettle black!! Good luck you may inspire me to be harder!

 

[Torryvald]

We have two fields wich we rent for next to nothing (100 per horse per year!!) very cheap, but it means we do everything ourselves -fencing, poo picking, shelter building, arena building, plus we have to carry buckets from the river or bring water from our houses to water the horses!! Hence my irritation at this girl doing nothing. I am a door mat and I know you are right. It is more the fact that I am decent and hard working and so I am taken advantage of!! The friend in question rencetly paid to get the horses back checked! She is too nice for her own good too, but I hope I don;t see the girl in question in the next couple of days as she make get growled at.
Thanks for nice words... I had a good day in that my youngster is being a star, but I hate fall outs!!

 

[pagancluf]

Hi Torryvald - just made me think - to get our yard ship shape we have poo-picking pizza parties?? - We all gather together say Sat pm and get jobs done (8 of us) like mending fencing, harrowing the mange, poo-picking etc and with us all being there it is a laugh them we bring a bottle - order a pizza or two and sit on hay bales at the stables and get merry! Done this twice this year (admitedly when it was warmer - but cud go to the pub?) and with ALL of us being there it is good fun. Hope this helps??