What does permanent loan mean to you? Owner wants back 4 winter?

Where are you Chrissy? I have two ex riding school ponies here that have nowhere to go and I only want one. I promise the owner wouldn't take them back. I am Essex.
 
I would also start looking for another companion pony but don't tell her. When you have found one then I would send hers back. Your son will be ok he will enjoy helping you search for another one which will be his forever.

The mere fact that she didn't tell you the important factor re his cheeks kind of explains the person she is - would have thought something as important as that would/should been mentioned along with ways you have to do it.

Also you must have explained when you took out the loan he would be out during the winter so why didn't she explain then that he can't be left out instead of telling you she might extend contract? Totally unacceptable and untrustworthy if you ask me.

Good luck in the search for another pony let us know how you get on.
 
Unfortunately there is no such thing as a permanent loan you are always reliant on the owners wishes.

It works both ways though too, sometimes the loaner gives the horse back too! I have one of my horses out on permanent loan and it means just that, I wouldn't take him back unless I had actual welfare concerns (the reason I took him back from the previous loaner...) or if the loaner didn't want him anymore. OP, all you can do is ask her and say you're very shocked considering it was meant to be a long term thing (although is it still within the 6 month "trial" period).
 
I'd take the pony back now TBH; sounds like the owner, or owner's son, is getting precious over it and if they want it back I'd chuck it back at them TBH.

Don't like the way the owner's done this tho' - that's really nasty letting you find out about it rather than them having the B@lls to tell you straight out to your face.

For that reason, and that reason alone, I'd return the pony to them PDQ and let them get on with it. If they want it, let them have it, and keep the blimmin thing for the winter with all the extra expense etc.

As others have suggested, there are plenty of lovely ponies available for rehoming from rescues so let owner have her precious pony back and get one from a rescue centre - where you at least have some certainty attached to the "loan" period.
 
Yes which did say loan is for 6 months and at the end if we were both happy it would be extended. I presumed she would be happy with me caring for him. She already made up her mind on facebook he was going back home for winter without even telling me. I would of never took on a loan as a companion for only 6 months not really much point in that as my mare will be on her own for another 6 months in winter?

The loan agreement was for six months and then extension IF both parties were happy so OP, there was always a chance pony would be going back with this agreement. I know you assumed it would just extend but as you have learnt, assumption doesn't mean it will be so! I feel for you as the owner obviously has not been completely honest and upfront with you and hasn't even had the manners to speak to you first before posting on Facebook! I would contact a charity and see if you can loan from them as they are far less likely to just change their minds on a whim and send her pony back to her asap.
 
Just contact her and say you what to return him pronto and start looking for another
Rotten luck .

Don't do this!

Experience has shown that when the person knows the pony is coming back they come up with every excuse under the sun as to why they can't take it back at the moment. No grazing, can't afford, yard full......

Arrive with the pony and if she's not there put pony in a safe place, paddock/stable with food and water and leave. Phone on the way home.
 
Sounds like some horrible luck! And it does sound like she never intended to let you have the pony on permanent loan.
Just going to echo the others and say, start looking for a new one ASAP and give the pony back as soon as you can, then she can deal with it, as she doesn't sound too honest and trustworthy anyway.
I'd definitely go down the charity route, there are so many lovely horses and ponies in rescue homes which will be perfect!

This is why I'm always so wary of loans. I've loaned my mare out once, and I'd be cautious doing it again. She went to what I thought was a lovely well off PC home. 6 months later they wanted to send her back, skinny (she's an extremely good doer!), unridden for months and rug rubs all over where they hadn't touched her for ages!
 
speak to her


Agreed. Speak to her (not FB, not txt) and ask her (nicely) to confirm whether what you suspect to be the case is true - that she has already decided that she def wants the pony back for winter. If it is true, then explain why that doesnt really work for you, and say that when you have found another you will be terminating the loan. Unfortunate, but entirely possible to move on without a big trauma and resorting to dumping the pony back at hers.
 
Agreed. Speak to her (not FB, not txt) and ask her (nicely) to confirm whether what you suspect to be the case is true - that she has already decided that she def wants the pony back for winter. If it is true, then explain why that doesnt really work for you, and say that when you have found another you will be terminating the loan. Unfortunate, but entirely possible to move on without a big trauma and resorting to dumping the pony back at hers.

Totally agree, more adult approach than some on this thread.
 
Don't do this!

Experience has shown that when the person knows the pony is coming back they come up with every excuse under the sun as to why they can't take it back at the moment. No grazing, can't afford, yard full......

Arrive with the pony and if she's not there put pony in a safe place, paddock/stable with food and water and leave. Phone on the way home.

Which is generally why most loan contracts have a notice period, so that the owner can make arrangements.
To defend the owner here the contract said 6 months, they haven't broken it (although sounds like they may have been a bit sneaky about it).
I would never just dump a pony unannounced, how irresponsible.
OP - give owner whatever notice period is in the contract, then start your search for a new pony. You should easily find something suitable in the timeframe of your notice period.
 
Send him back now before your son gets to attached and go down the re-homing route through a charity. I am sure you will find something suitable and you will have support from them and a pony you can keep. The fact she is already messing you around doesn't bode well for the future.
 
Which is generally why most loan contracts have a notice period, so that the owner can make arrangements.
To defend the owner here the contract said 6 months, they haven't broken it (although sounds like they may have been a bit sneaky about it).
I would never just dump a pony unannounced, how irresponsible.
OP - give owner whatever notice period is in the contract, then start your search for a new pony. You should easily find something suitable in the timeframe of your notice period.

We used to get a lot of ponies given/loaned to us for the riding school, my boss learnt early on that it was better to just appear with the pony being returned as they had often been basically dumped on us. He found that on many occasions he would be met with many excuses as to why they couldn't have the pony back.

If a pony was found to be unsuitable for the school it was returned.
 
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