returning a loan :(

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lucky7

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Took pony out on loan 3 months ago for daughter. My dauhhter has lost interest and no longer wants to ride/see him. I dont want to be paying for another through winter thats not being used. Plus pony isntvyhe easiest to maintain and already snapped most of my electric poles and damaged my fencing :(
However I feel very bad about making the call especially with winter on the doorstep plus I know they have taken on another pony.
I need to get myself together and make the call.
Anyone else had to return loan thats not worked out?!
 
Yes! I had one on loan last year.. He was dangerous to the extent my instructor wouldn't even come near him! I had back/teeth everything really, checked - no issues, he was as sweet as pie one day then evil the next (after lengthy and costly investigations/specialists I had to give him back) Did I feel guilty, yes about giving the notice but not when giving him back. My safety and that of my family was of much more importance.

I was a quivering wreck thanks to him! Thankfully I found another horse (well it found me) on loan that has restored my confidence. And our initial year is up but has been extended till next year :). It's not that I'm a novice have owned horses for over 20years and competed for a good few of them. Have backed/brought on inexperienced horses too.

Don't feel guilty. I myself have loaned horses out in the past and having them come home is a risk you have to take.
 
I'm sure the owners would rather have their pony back than leave it with you if it's not being ridden and loved. You need to contact them asap and let them know that you want to return the pony as your daughter has lost interest. Sooner the better for all concerned.
 
I had one that was a 'problem' pony. He improved with us, but not enough for me to want to keep him any longer. We got him riding out well, but unless he was managed very carefully, he was a pain to catch, which is something I just can't stand.

Owner wasn't in a position to take him / didn't want him back, so I found a new loaner and worked with the owner to do the paperwork etc before passing him on.
 
The loan owners for my daughters pony got really funny about me returning him after 2 wonderful years together, I paid a fortune with all the vets bills being 24 he had a few probs. I called them and said we needed to return him daughters outgrown him but no hurry, then after a week they turn up and take him- put me off loaning was really mean thing to do after all that we did for him, was about a month ago and I still feel sad :(
 
HaffiesRock said:
I am sure the owners will happily take the pony back with no hard feelings.
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Not if this forum is anything to go by. How many times do we see on here that someone owns a horse who has been out on loan for however long and the people loaning the horse gives them notice to return the horse, and the answer is more often than not, what are they going to do; they have no stable or no room for the horse to return or they can't afford to have it back. Blows me away tbh.

OP *hopefully* these people love their pony and would rather have him back.
 
minwood said:
The loan owners for my daughters pony got really funny about me returning him after 2 wonderful years together, I paid a fortune with all the vets bills being 24 he had a few probs. I called them and said we needed to return him daughters outgrown him but no hurry, then after a week they turn up and take him- put me off loaning was really mean thing to do after all that we did for him, was about a month ago and I still feel sad :(
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How is that mean? You told them you wanted to return the pony and they collected him promptly. If you'd wanted to keep him longer, you could just have given notice later????
 
Well this is one of those things that occurs when loaning, as an owner you have to be prepared to take the animal back if required. Loaning doesn't mean giving away and forgetting. It might be difficult for them, but they should have factored that into the "loan or sell" decision.
 
Inthemud said:
How is that mean? You told them you wanted to return the pony and they collected him promptly. If you'd wanted to keep him longer, you could just have given notice later????
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Yes that's what a good owner does .
Brings their pony home promptly when the loaner says they wish to end the loan .
I can't understand why that would but anyone off having another loan , be grateful they where not trying to wriggle out of having him back six months later.
 
Yes, I agree with Orangehorse, when loaning horses you have to be aware that they may come back, and usually in winter!

I sent our last loan pony back mid winter. I rang the owner, was honest, said stepson was not getting on with the pony and we had the chance to buy something more placid, so loan pony would have to go back. I gave a month's notice and said that if they wanted, I could make the notice a bit longer if they needed to sort out a stable. The owner was fine, took the pony back a few weeks later, and we are all still on friendly terms five years later.. The pony went to a more suitable rider and my stepson got a more suitable pony. Everyone happy..

Just be honest, fair and give decent notice. Not everyone is a monster, you often only hear about the bad stories on here!
 
minwood said:
The loan owners for my daughters pony got really funny about me returning him after 2 wonderful years together, I paid a fortune with all the vets bills being 24 he had a few probs. I called them and said we needed to return him daughters outgrown him but no hurry, then after a week they turn up and take him- put me off loaning was really mean thing to do after all that we did for him, was about a month ago and I still feel sad :(
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^^^^

What exactly did you expect them to do ? You said you wanted to return him and they came and got him.
 
Bestdogdash said:
^^^^


What exactly did you expect them to do ? You said you wanted to return him and they came and got him.
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I agree, I've read your post & I'm really struggling to understand what was mean about it.
You've already said that the pony had racked you up some hefty vet bills, you could say the owner was just trying to save you the risk of any more.
You told them you wanted to return the pony, they came & collected the pony...why on earth would that put you off loaning <sheeeessh> can't do right for doing wrong springs to mind :D
 
I would just call them and explain, they may be a little peeved that your daughter has only lost interest now winter is upon us but when you loan your horse out you should be prepared that the loaner may want to send it back at any time. I expect your contract will have a notice period so perhaps you could offer to have viewings at the present yard during this time as a goodwill gesture :)
 
Yes I had to return a loan and felt very bad about it at the time, actually still do to be honest. However, I think that just proves that you are a normal person who cares for other peoples feelings!

I would just make the call and explain the situation. Hopefully they'll understand.

When you loan horses out you have to be prepared to take them back.
 
Just stick to your contract.
Give them the correct notice and be honest as to why.

3 months isn't long though.
Why did your daughter loose interest so quickly?

Is it her age or has she been put off for some reason.
 
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