Q to those who loan out ponies/horses

Ravenwood

Ravenwood

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We have taken on loan an elderly pony for my daughter. When we got him about 8 weeks ago he was very unfit and tired looking but a perfect pony to teach daughter to jump. He is now a different pony, alert, lively, full of beans and much fitter.

When we first took him on, the owner told me she wanted him back for a week for her own purposes, this was just one week after we got him. That was fine. She has also told me that she wants it written in our loan agreement that she can have him back periodically with a weeks notice. I asked for 2 weeks notice and some leeway if, for example, there was a pony club rally on. She assured me that she would only want him ocassionally. She is taking him again this weekend but I have only just realised it is half term and I know full well that I will have to collect him when she has finished with him (which irritates OH has I have to use his truck to tow).

So the question to you is (after all that rambling!) those of you who loan out ponies - Do you keep having them back?
 
MMM - I am beginning to think the same - I am also wondering if I should ask her for some contribution towards his shoes, hay, food etc.
 
No and wouldn't dream of asking. Molly has been on loan for 6 weeks now and is in a routine and very happy. I wouldn't want that to be changed, I think it would confuse her and be unsettling to keep changing fields etc. I think you need to tweak your loan agreement tbh
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Good Luck.

Edited to add: Molly is my loaners full responsibility cost wise, she just pays me half her insurance which I have kept up.
 
Not at all no. We have two horses out on loan at the moment. We have given the 'loaners' each a detailed loan agreement that both parties have signed and agreed to.
When each of them were picked up by their 'new mums' i was as upset as if they had been sold because by the nature of the agreement they were now for the loaners use and when i visit them to see if they are settled i will not expect to ride them either.
 
Seems like she may be taking advantage of a you, especially since you've turned the pony round, ie fittened fed etc, obiously now hes allot more appealing and useable, I think its a bit cheeky and could end in tears - I imagine if the situation lasts you'll find he is requested back every holiday and then permanatly over the summer when hes cheap too keep and you've put all that effort work and money into him.

I'd renegotiate the contract if no joy give him back.
 
Am wishing that perhaps I should have bought one afterall - its just that she has such long legs, I was afraid that if I bought a 13.2hh she would outgrow it too quickly and yet she is not ready to take on a 14.2hh, whizzy pony club type, which is what we wanted (something to have fun on). (fourth pic in sig is daughter riding our 15hh at age 10) so I thought the ideal solution would be to loan this schoolmaster.
 
She is a tall girl, your daughter! my daughter is on a 15.3 aged 13 The coloured one in my sig.

She is, admittedly overhorsed so I am currently searching for exactly what you are loaning!

I guess you'll have to have awkward conversation with loaners.
 
And another thing - just before we were to have him, he had gone a bit lame, owner thought it might be a touch of laminitis but said that he had never had it before. (Owner shoes all their own horses - hence the reason I thought he had slightly odd shaped feet!!) When my blacksmith shod him the other day he showed me how badly this pony has suffered with laminitis in the past with very stretched lamini and blood showing - he suspects that his pedal bone would have dropped. He even had it in his back feet - so why lie? Why not tell me this pony is susceptible to Laminitis when I especially pointed out that we have a lot of very rich grass to contend with here.
 
You need to have a talk with the owner & ask them why they keep wanting hiom back. He is either on loan to you ar he is not. If they continue with this I would tell them to take the pony back & seek a pony elsewhere. As someone else has aid it appears that they want someone to look after their pony, get him fir, so they can have him back & ride him when they want. This isn't a loan.... it's a schooling livery!!
 
What you're describing isn't a loan agreement, it's a share, so she should be contributing to costs. To be honest I'd be inclined to say take him and don't bring him back. Maybe if you advertise on the notice boards in local feed rooms etc you will find another loan pony? I can see this ending in tears when one day she thinks the pony is doing so well she'll just keep him
By the way, are they qualified farriers? If not it's illegal for them to be shoeing. (You are in the UK aren't you?).
 
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(Owner shoes all their own horses - hence the reason I thought he had slightly odd shaped feet!!)

[/ QUOTE ]

Only a qualified farrier is legally allowed to shoe horses - you cannot shoe your own horses if you are not a qualified farrier.

If I were you, I would get out of this arrangement and find something else. This is not a loan and you are being taken advantage. of.
 
Why does she keep wanting him back? I keep an eye on my loan pony through txt and have visited him twice and will continue to visit, might even have a sit up on him next time I see him but I wouldn't expect him back like that!
 
No, my boy has gone out on loan and I wouldn't dream of asking for him back periodically. He's at their yard, they do what they like with him (within the bounds of the contract), when they like.

I can't believe she would be wanting the pony back! TBH if it was me I would be thinking about terminating the contract - either the pony is with you on loan or he isn't.
 
Yep, I would ask for contributions towards all of that. I would also ask her to pay your livery for the week(s) she takes him away. Might make her think twice.

If not, I agree with whoever said it sounds like she's trying to take advantage of you.
 
My pony has been out on loan for twelve months now. Much as I would like to occasionally, I would never dream of taking him back when I wanted for a day or week. I do call to arrange a visit sometimes, although I know I don't need to call, I can just visit. I do think this person is taking you for a fool. Don't play along.
 
They are taking the Pee.

Its rude and its not a loan, its a share - i would never dream of 'borrowing' my mare back from her loaner simply 'cos i fancies going out to compete!

Heart-breaking as it will be i would walk away
 
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