maxapple
Well-Known Member
I have had a pony on full loan for 2 1/2 years (and part loan for a few months prior to that)
His owners have let me get on with things totally, and apart from one visit and some emails / texts, I have only seen them once or twice in this time. Last year I took on a youngster for a short period and discussed my loan pony going back to his owners. They were not in a position to take him, so with their agreement, I found him a new loan home. I did all of the advertising / negotiating with the new loaners / visiting his new home etc. He went to his new home but he was too much for them - so after 6 weeks I took him back again (and I was very happy to have him back) He has been with me ever since.
He is not the easiest pony to keep in many ways (he can be hard to handle, weaves when stressed etc) but I love him lots and he is very happy with me and settled. and so much more well behaved than he was a few years ago, and we are doing well together at local dressage comps. He and my other horse are also best friends and pretty inseperable. I have made huge progress with him in many ways (but understand thats the price of loaning!) I do however know he is not mine.
The loan agreement we signed (BHS) 2 years ago has expired long ago so we don't have anything official in place. I know his owner is happy with me keeping him at the moment (her daughter does not ride anymore) but I would like a bit more certainty about the future, because I am very attached to him now and worry about him getting passed around in the future if I didnt have him, and stressed / being unhappy etc (I loaned him initially as my older horse was slowing down and I can never bear to part with them. I thought loaning would be a good option but I have ended up getting just as attached to him as if he were my own, and would keep and look after him even if i was unable to ride him)
My options are:
- Contact the owners and ask what their plans are and if they would be happy to agree on a permanent loan agreement
- Offer to buy him. But this would have to either be for a nominal fee or in instalments? (They know my other horse had a serious injury last year so weve had a year of rehabilitation and vets bills to cover so not in a position to pay out much at the mo. I'm hoping they would take into account all the £ they have saved as a result of me taking care of him for the past 2 years when considering this, and that I love him and look after him really well)
- Continue as we are which is in effect an indefinite loan?
Just wondered what other people thought?
His owners have let me get on with things totally, and apart from one visit and some emails / texts, I have only seen them once or twice in this time. Last year I took on a youngster for a short period and discussed my loan pony going back to his owners. They were not in a position to take him, so with their agreement, I found him a new loan home. I did all of the advertising / negotiating with the new loaners / visiting his new home etc. He went to his new home but he was too much for them - so after 6 weeks I took him back again (and I was very happy to have him back) He has been with me ever since.
He is not the easiest pony to keep in many ways (he can be hard to handle, weaves when stressed etc) but I love him lots and he is very happy with me and settled. and so much more well behaved than he was a few years ago, and we are doing well together at local dressage comps. He and my other horse are also best friends and pretty inseperable. I have made huge progress with him in many ways (but understand thats the price of loaning!) I do however know he is not mine.
The loan agreement we signed (BHS) 2 years ago has expired long ago so we don't have anything official in place. I know his owner is happy with me keeping him at the moment (her daughter does not ride anymore) but I would like a bit more certainty about the future, because I am very attached to him now and worry about him getting passed around in the future if I didnt have him, and stressed / being unhappy etc (I loaned him initially as my older horse was slowing down and I can never bear to part with them. I thought loaning would be a good option but I have ended up getting just as attached to him as if he were my own, and would keep and look after him even if i was unable to ride him)
My options are:
- Contact the owners and ask what their plans are and if they would be happy to agree on a permanent loan agreement
- Offer to buy him. But this would have to either be for a nominal fee or in instalments? (They know my other horse had a serious injury last year so weve had a year of rehabilitation and vets bills to cover so not in a position to pay out much at the mo. I'm hoping they would take into account all the £ they have saved as a result of me taking care of him for the past 2 years when considering this, and that I love him and look after him really well)
- Continue as we are which is in effect an indefinite loan?
Just wondered what other people thought?
