keeperscottage
Well-Known Member
I have posted on here before about Benji. In a nutshell (albeit a large nutshell!), I lent my next door neighbour, S, £1,500 to buy this horse from a friend of a friend, M. M had had enough of buying horses from a certain dealer in Pimlico, Hemel Hempstead, (each time she returned an unsuitable horse, the next horse she chose was more expensive) and so she decided to buy an "ordinary" horse from him (£3,500) and sell it immediately, even at a loss, and start afresh out of the clutches of this particular dealer. The horse she bought was Benji. The mutual friend of M and I rang me to see whether I knew anyone who wanted to buy Benji, 12 years old, 15.3hh, well schooled, but cribbed. Novice ride, I was told. I thought he might interest my neighbour, S, a VERY novice rider who wanted something to just plod around on. I told her about Benji and she was interested, subject to selling her existing pony. As we thought Benji would sell quickly, I offered to lend her £1,500 (all M wanted for Benji) to secure him, until she sold existing pony. S went to see Benji, loved him, and he was subsequently delivered to my yard where I handed over S's LOAN to M.
S really liked Benji. However, after several weeks (during which time she bought him a saddle, bridle, head collar, rope, humane anti-crib collar etc) she was unable to sell existing pony so said to me "I can't sell Stan (exisiting pony), so I'll have to give you Benji". Like an idiot, I took him but found him impossible to sell. Autumn came and he was still living out and dropped off despite me rugging him with three rugs and stuffing feed into him, he dropped off; he needed to be stabled and I only had enought stables for my own horses. In November, a good friend took him on whilst she had a free stable, rode him regularly for about 6 -8 weeks until she bought a new horse to fill her previously vacant stable, and therefore handed Benji back to me. Through the horsey "grapevine" I heard of someone local who wanted horses on loan to start a small riding school and I suggested to S (Benji's "owner") this might be suitable for unwanted pony, Stan. She contacted riding school proprietor who took Stan as loan as a riding school person. Also said she'd take Benji.
I told new riding school proprietor that Benji cribbed and had bucked with friend who'd taken him off my hands short term but added she had been stuffing him full of haylege. I told her the truth about Benji.
However, last week, following a series of texts, it appears S (to whom I kindly lent the money for Benji) has been slagging both me and Benji off to the riding school proprietor stating I knew he wasn't safe to be a riding school horse(what???), he cribbed (yes, I told her about this!), and he hadn't been ridden for MONTHS!! In truth, he'd been ridden regularly for about the l;ast 6-8 weeks) and he had a bad back (I was unaware of this). Livid, I contacted S telling her Benji was still her horse and what was she going to do about him. I was met with nothing but abuse and untrurths. Determined not to be drawn into a text slanging match, I aborted my texting at this point. I now have Benji back, I can't sell him, he doesn't have a passport (this is cuirrently a Trading Standard matter involving the dealer and a new passport is being obtained at MY expense....) but I need him gone NOW!! Is there anyone out ther prepared to give this sad, honest horse a home for FREE? I intend pursuing S for what she owes me but I need this horse GONE! I neither want nor can afford another horse (I have five, all of which I adore) but S has told the riding school proprietor that I bought Benji, she tried him, didn't want him and had no intention of buying him....WHAT!!!!.....so why did she buy a saddle, bridle etc?????
Everyone thinks I should have him put down, but I can't do this so if there is anyone out there who wants this horse, please PM me. He's a SAD horse, not a BAD horse! Honest jump, well schooled, he's just fallen onto hard times...PLEASE can someone help him???? Anyone interested, please PM my to discuss - pics available, PLEASE HELP!!
S really liked Benji. However, after several weeks (during which time she bought him a saddle, bridle, head collar, rope, humane anti-crib collar etc) she was unable to sell existing pony so said to me "I can't sell Stan (exisiting pony), so I'll have to give you Benji". Like an idiot, I took him but found him impossible to sell. Autumn came and he was still living out and dropped off despite me rugging him with three rugs and stuffing feed into him, he dropped off; he needed to be stabled and I only had enought stables for my own horses. In November, a good friend took him on whilst she had a free stable, rode him regularly for about 6 -8 weeks until she bought a new horse to fill her previously vacant stable, and therefore handed Benji back to me. Through the horsey "grapevine" I heard of someone local who wanted horses on loan to start a small riding school and I suggested to S (Benji's "owner") this might be suitable for unwanted pony, Stan. She contacted riding school proprietor who took Stan as loan as a riding school person. Also said she'd take Benji.
I told new riding school proprietor that Benji cribbed and had bucked with friend who'd taken him off my hands short term but added she had been stuffing him full of haylege. I told her the truth about Benji.
However, last week, following a series of texts, it appears S (to whom I kindly lent the money for Benji) has been slagging both me and Benji off to the riding school proprietor stating I knew he wasn't safe to be a riding school horse(what???), he cribbed (yes, I told her about this!), and he hadn't been ridden for MONTHS!! In truth, he'd been ridden regularly for about the l;ast 6-8 weeks) and he had a bad back (I was unaware of this). Livid, I contacted S telling her Benji was still her horse and what was she going to do about him. I was met with nothing but abuse and untrurths. Determined not to be drawn into a text slanging match, I aborted my texting at this point. I now have Benji back, I can't sell him, he doesn't have a passport (this is cuirrently a Trading Standard matter involving the dealer and a new passport is being obtained at MY expense....) but I need him gone NOW!! Is there anyone out ther prepared to give this sad, honest horse a home for FREE? I intend pursuing S for what she owes me but I need this horse GONE! I neither want nor can afford another horse (I have five, all of which I adore) but S has told the riding school proprietor that I bought Benji, she tried him, didn't want him and had no intention of buying him....WHAT!!!!.....so why did she buy a saddle, bridle etc?????
Everyone thinks I should have him put down, but I can't do this so if there is anyone out there who wants this horse, please PM me. He's a SAD horse, not a BAD horse! Honest jump, well schooled, he's just fallen onto hard times...PLEASE can someone help him???? Anyone interested, please PM my to discuss - pics available, PLEASE HELP!!
