what can she say? any ideas?

Bowen4Horses

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i have a friend at my yard who is looking to rehome her horse. she can't afford to keep him and her other horse, and she feels he's being wasted.

he's well schooled (ex racer, but been completely reschooled) and rideable, but not novice ride. if not regularly ridden, he can have naughty moments. but, on the whole, whilst in work he is usually fab.

now... he has a heart mumour, which doesn't cause him any problems (he was raced with it, and vet has ok'd him to be ridden), but because of this, it makes her extra protective over him, and she doesn't feel she should 'sell' him and profit from him (i presume he wouldn't pass a vetting?). so, she's looking to give him/permanent loan him to a good home.

she's very very worried about finding that 'good' home. what can she say in her ad to make sure she only gets genuine people, and not someone looking for a free horse?!?

can she ask for references? or it that too harsh? can she ask to be updated regularly? she won't want him back, just to know he's not being passed from pillar to post, or sold to a dealer etc...

she's been thinking about this for such a long time, and it's breaking her heart. today she decided finally that she has to let him go.
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can anyone help with how she should word her advert to weed out the free-horse-seekers...?? please?
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p.s. whilst he could go as a companion, it would be a waste as he has STUNNING paces, and could make a fab dressage horse....
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I know of someone who sold a dressage horse with a heart murmour for £1800. He did have a dose of BD points though.

I think if she puts him on permanent loan (but with a contract that says if they need to get rid then he comes back to her) that would be the best way forward. It would also help prevent some of the free horse hunters.

That way references / updates etc shouldn't be a problem.

Good luck
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I know of someone who sold a dressage horse with a heart murmour for £1800. He did have a dose of BD points though.

I think if she puts him on permanent loan (but with a contract that says if they need to get rid then he comes back to her) that would be the best way forward. It would also help prevent some of the free horse hunters.

That way references / updates etc shouldn't be a problem.

Good luck
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i don't think she'd even considered selling him for money... i'll mention it to her...

i think permanent loan is the best idea, cos then people won't be offended when she asks for references etc and at least she can keep track of him. x
 
tbh she would be much better selling him, with a guarantee to buy him back if he does not suit, than giving him away.
some people treat a free horse like a company car - they didn't pay for it, so it is worth nothing to them.... or, even worse, they can make a quick buck out of it.
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A couple of thoughts:

She could talk to WHW or one of the other charities that put their horses out on loan, and see if she could get a copy of their loan agreement, as you can be sure that legally it would be water tight.

Or, she could insist on a compulsory donation of say £1000 to a horse welfare charity, thereby keeping the free horse hunters at bay and also not profiting from the sale of her horse.
 
No idea re advert but best thing would be to browse some sights and see what sounds good. I think the BHS are pretty good at advise on contracts etc.
As for what she can ask for (references etc) nothing is to harsh. If it puts people off then they aren't good enough. I know if I was putting a Horse on loan I'd want references and a signed, witnessed, contract as well as updates once every couple of months. It's not easy to find a good loan Horse.
 
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some people treat a free horse like a company car - they didn't pay for it, so it is worth nothing to them.... or, even worse, they can make a quick buck out of it.
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i think this is her concern. that someone who is just looking for a cheap horse will pounce - and then will find him difficult so ruin him or sell him on.

p.s. i drive my company car like a plonker, i clonk bodywork on speed bumps etc... because i know my work will fix it...
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as above with the lwvtb would be a good idea
our do a yearly rolling contract deal so that should he need to have a new home he is given back to her to rehome or keep that way people after a free horse wont be getting one as they wont be able to selll

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BHS do a loan agreement as said above - a written agreement is essential and she shouldn't part with him until she has the signed one in her hand. She should retain the right to visit unannounced to check his well-being. I think she needs to assess the donation question depending on applicants; some people can't afford that amount up front but would still be a good home.
 
I don't think asking for references is too harsh, and I would say in any ad that all prospective homes will be vetted. I'd also draw up a strict contract stating that she reserves the right to visit the horse at any time and that any change of care etc must be cleared with her first.

I think word of mouth is usually the best way to find this type of arrangement - has she asked around if anyone knows a suitable person?

What a sad position for her to be in, I hope it all works out for her and the horse.
 
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I don't think asking for references is too harsh, and I would say in any ad that all prospective homes will be vetted. I'd also draw up a strict contract stating that she reserves the right to visit the horse at any time and that any change of care etc must be cleared with her first.

I think word of mouth is usually the best way to find this type of arrangement - has she asked around if anyone knows a suitable person?

What a sad position for her to be in, I hope it all works out for her and the horse.

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it is sad, but i think it's positive that she's at least made the decision now. it was the not knowing what to do that was worse. i think she feels like she's letting him down by 'wasting' him, turned out in the field... but like i keep telling her, he probably LOVES it!

she's asking around, but not getting anywhere... perhaps because her heart isn't quite in it enough....?!
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God, I have 2 "wasted" horses lounging about in the field, eating grass - hope nobody tells them they're being wasted?!?!?
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If her heart's not really in it, she'll not part with him and he'll be none the wiser - he'll just keep on enjoying his life.
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