Morality question

blitznbobs

blitznbobs

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Opinions please. We have care of a Shetland who was left to me in a will. Before she died I told the lady involved that the pony would have a home with me for life... and she (the pony ) absolutely does. The pony is a saint (yes and a Shetland unusual I know). My kids are not interested in ponies at all. 2 sisters that live locally who ride at a riding school have been coming every weekend to cuddle, groom and ride the Shetland, which the Shetland obviously loves the extra fuss. The kids mum (a vet) has asked if she can buy pony for her girls (they live on a farm) Now I won't sell the pony but would it be against the spirit of my original agreement to let her go on loan to them so she comes back to me when they have outgrown or got bored with ponies?

Answers on a postcard please...
 
If it would be a good move for the pony then I don't see a problem with it. You will still be responsible for the pony overall and I am sure that the lady who left you the shetland would be pleased to see the pony being enjoyed.
 
blitznbobs said:
Opinions please. We have care of a Shetland who was left to me in a will. Before she died I told the lady involved that the pony would have a home with me for life... and she (the pony ) absolutely does. The pony is a saint (yes and a Shetland unusual I know). My kids are not interested in ponies at all. 2 sisters that live locally who ride at a riding school have been coming every weekend to cuddle, groom and ride the Shetland, which the Shetland obviously loves the extra fuss. The kids mum (a vet) has asked if she can buy pony for her girls (they live on a farm) Now I won't sell the pony but would it be against the spirit of my original agreement to let her go on loan to them so she comes back to me when they have outgrown or got bored with ponies?

Answers on a postcard please...
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Loan no sell yes IMO. How about loan having vetted location being kept and grass management and company, with careful contract and either monthly visits or monthly photos sent.
 
I don't think it would be right to sell but agree a loan could be best for all involved and with regular home checks for peace of mind all round (I would have thought the decreased would rather pony was being actively enjoyed and used with a safe guarantee of a home with you still available)
 
I would loan-if the pony is great with kids then it deserves the opportunity to have little girls love it (I am soft). If you keep an eye on them etc and have final say I don't see the problem.
 
If it were me that had left you the pony there would not be a problem with it being loaned to a good caring home on the proviso that you would have it back and guarantee it a home. I would only be concerned that a horse or pony had a good life and was cared for properly and from your post you are guaranteeing this so for me you would be fine to let the people loan the pony
 
I would think loaning would be OK, as long as you vet the home and visit at least monthly and with unannounced visits as well to keep them on their toes. (Not that I think anything bad would happen, but you do hear horror stories.) Then you can take back the pony if the girls do get fed up and when (inevitably) they get too big for the shetland and you will still be keeping your promise to the person that left him to you. For the pony it will be better to be active and having fun but you'll still have overall control. Make sure you get a written loan agreement too with all the usual stuff about who pays for what, when and under what circumstances and when you will visit and what you expect from them as loaners. Make sure that you write down that the pony must come back to you owing to the terms of the will and your agreement with the previous owner and cannot be sold or loaned to anyone else by them.
 
Echo the loan home option.... and if you wanted to, build into that regular 'visiting rights' (so you can see the pony yourself and make sure you're happy with things and more to the point, the pony is too). I'd be inclined to make sure too that this loan home doesn't use the said pony for all and sundry to have a 'sit on' too....it's for her children to enjoy and not everyone else's that may come a calling with their kids and assume their kids can have a ride...if you get me drift..
 
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I drive past their farm twice a day on the school run... she would be well monitored. I'm thinking of letting her go 'for the summer hols ' and see how they go.
 
I think that would be fine: all ponies deserve a chance to be loved by little kids! And it sounds a great set up.

Plus, even when they outgrow her, they might decide to drive or show or keep as a companion for the inevitable bigger pony while still having Shetland cuddles.

I think she'll be happy and you'll enjoy seeing her be loved and useful and know she can come back when the time is right.
 
I think if it's for good of the pony then you arnt doing anything wrong.

You arnt selling to get rid or make money.

Agreeing to loan out pony with your home ready and waiting for pony to come back to is fulfilling your promise.
The pony will have more fun and lots of attention going out on loan.

So don't feel guilty.
 
As long as you never sell her you have fulfilled your obligation of giving the pony a home for life. The home sounds too good to be true, I would definitely consider letting the Shetland go, with a very strict loan agreement .
 
You knew the lady. Do you think she would have been happy with loaning the pony out ? I personally think loaning the pony sounds like an ideal arrangement, and Im sure the lady would have loved the idea that the pony was bringing happiness to that family. But ultimately, the pony still belongs to you. Winner winner !
 
The lady was weird. The pony in question lived in a stable without going out for 6 months... it was a strange not coping situation - I have no idea what she would want.but a promise is a promise in my book -
 
blitznbobs said:
The lady was weird. The pony in question lived in a stable without going out for 6 months... it was a strange not coping situation - I have no idea what she would want.but a promise is a promise in my book -
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Very admirable, and honourable of you.

I also say that loaning to this home would absolutely be within the spirit of the promise.
 
I agree with what everybody else has said. As long as it's a loan and not a sale, then do what is best for the pony - give her a lovely home with two little girls to love her :)
 
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