Pony on loan advice

[Horses24-7]

Hi all

I put my daughter first pony out on loan to a family when my daughter outgrew him for there 2 children.

The marriage of the family has broken down and the wife has moved out and took the children with her. My pony has stayed at the farm as the dad wanted them to still have him when they came for the weekends- he's a cattle farmer.

Went to see my pony yesterday and he's living out (which isn't a prob really it's just he was extremely spoilt with us as a shettie!) but when he went they said they were keeping him in at night to keep his weight good.

He looked a healthy weight etc but his feet did look long which I said and he said he was getting the farrier soon.

He basically looked like he wasn't coming in from this field, very ungroomed etc and I made me wonder actually how often the children actually do anything with him?

He went on loan as he's such a lovely pony and I didn't want him wasted with us when he could make some other children happy

I'm now worrying, I know his basic needs are being met (apart from he needing the farrier!) but im now doubting he's getting any attention.

Is it me being over protective?

What would you do ?

 

[Cop-Pop]

I'd sit down with one of them and find out whats going on If they don't want to give him up and the children aren't seeing the pony often then they might consider sharing him with another child who can see him during the week?

 

[Spiritedly]

I'd give it a couple of weeks then go and see him again. The weather is a bit naff at the moment and if he only sees his children every other weekend then they may not have had a chance to do anything on their last visit. Waiting for a couple of weeks will at least give you chance to see if his feet are done.

 

[rubysmum]

it may be that the father "needs" the pony more than the children - sometimes visiting rights & access can take a while to settle down which may explain why the pony has not been having all the attention it might - if the pony is well & you are generally happy with the state of care [ assuming that the farrier is booked] - it might be good [ for the children involvef] to leave the pone where it is - to loose their father & home is tough for small children - to loose their pet as well might add to their distress

 

[Littlelegs]

Depends what your primary reason for loaning is. I had one on loan for daughter as it needed exercise & owners have no jockey, if that's the case then yes no point. If its rather than selling then provided he's cared for I very much doubt the pony minds. Personally, from what you've said I'd give it some time, separating, a farm & kids must be a struggle for them at first.

 

[Horses24-7]

Thanks for the good advice

I did think i was being slightly OTT :

I'm going to give it a couple of weeks then pop back to check farrier been. I think it was just a shock as he was such a pampered pony with me and he looked like a wild pony

He went on loan instead of selling, he doesn't need work he's just a big my little pony really. I'm just not sure I would have let them have him on loan if I knew he was only going to get a fuss once a fortnight? But like you have said he probably doesn't care as long as he's getting food!