Please help me... Anyone can understand my upset... ADVICE!

[hjay]

Ok I need advice...

My beloved chestnut mare, Piper, was sold on without my knowledge in a family feud.

I loved her, and bought her up from a yearling and backed her. I was only young. I fell ill in hospital and my auntie cared for her miles away at her home.

This has only just come to light to me now, being older, that she was sold by my 'auntie' unknowing of me or my father.

This was 5 years ago. I have finally after years of searching found her whereabouts. She has been through 3 homes and a riding school.

I need to know how to go about getting her back. I have her original passport and obviously photographic evidence to back up my claim.

I tried to buy her fairly as I'd pay anything, but now I know she was effectively stolen.

WHAT DO I DO????

 

[Horseyscot]

Sorry, no great advice for you, but surely your best bet would be to go to the Police?

Goodluck x

 

[Cliqmo]

Yup you definitely need to get legal advice on this one!!

One thing is for sure, you will definitely need the support of your Father in this sort of claim. This is because your 'Aunt' could legitimately argue she was legally responsible for the horse as you were only a child- your Dad will have to support your argument that the mare was yours and your Aunt stole her and sold her without either of you consenting.

...be warned proving theft is pretty tricky as your Aunt may honestly believe that having cared for the horse for x amount of time, she took ownership of the horse in lieu of payment.

Good luck and keep us posted

 

[joy]

I don't think theft in lieu of payment will stand up.
Feuding families are pretty tricky and I should know, my niece stole my grandfathers medals, my book collection and several other family items to sell with my mothers compliance after a row.
Stick to your guns and I hope you get your horse back.
(((((((((())))))))))

 

[HazellB]

Theft in lieu of payment sadly will stand up. However, as far as I know it only fully stands up if the horse is sold via a public auction, as this gives the original owner chance to purchase the animal at what it would have cost to pay for it's keep anyway.

Worth checking with a specialist lawyer.

 

[henryhorn]

As you were under age I'm afraid the theft angle probaby won't count.
If I were you I would offer them a sufficiently ridiculous amount for her, and if they still refuse, just bide your time, and keep tabs on where she is.
If it's a riding school I bet they would accept a really good offer...
You could justifiably request the money back from your relatives towards her purchase price now..

 

[hjay]

Thank you for all your time in replying to me and helping...

My dad is in fact, officially the owner. He bought her for me and it was my mothers sister who sold her.

I think it was only kept from me due to my circumstances of the time.

The riding school she was at told me they would sell her back to me, but she was on loan as 'she didn't like' being in a riding school.

He told me a woman named Martine had her on loan, and he would bring her back to sell her to me.

He later phoned me Martine had sold her, which surely defeats the object of 'loan'?

It's frustrating because I would just pay money and they could have that, but it seems I will have to do it this way.

Do you think I'll have any luck? Should I first approach the people?