What happens to your horses is you die?

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micramadam

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Very rarely comment or post but after reading a few posts with comments on 'horses with us for life' or similar wording, it got me wondering if any of you had made provisions in your will or otherwise as to what would happen to your horses if you suddenly weren't there any more to care for them.
Not the nicest of topics I know but how many of us have actually sorted this out?
I am in the process of re-writing my will to include any pets or future pets and it is proving to be a nightmare as we live in The Netherlands and all my family live in England!
 
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i have bequeathed a substantial sum in my will to WHW to sort out my lot...with stipilation that if any are not rehomeable then they are PTS to free up vital resources for others...

everything is there in black and white
 
Since my life threatening illness at the beginning of the year, I also thought about the same!
So spoke to my family, hubby and eldest daughter to do right by my horses and the youngest girl will look after my dogs, sorted!! Makes me feel better!
 
Mine would all go to the place where I got Roy, and be retired into a 27 acre field with big trees, a stream, and a barn for them to go into for shelter.

All sorted, and contracts signed etc!
 
my fiance (soon to be hubby) will look after her, although novice, she does behave when he rides her. Its so sad, a lady at my old yard had an illness and died and her husband looked after her horse like a child, although he could ride he walked it, and did everything possible he could and asked for help if he wasnt sure, was so sweet
 
I am glad you brought this up and it was me who typed that earlier. It is a wonderful idea to have laid out and legal and we all should be doing it


I do not currently have anything in writing for my animals. I do not have a will at all in fact. Even though I am only 36 I still find that highly irresponsible of me and plan to get it taken care of soon.

It is also good to speak to a legal professional as there may be local laws where it is out of your hands anyway. Like...are your horses considered assets that have to be held and sold as part of your estate if you have debt?..etc All good things that we should know.

I have my idea in my mind of what I want to happen but who knows if it will be a viable option at the time. I'd like my children to keep their pets if they like but what if that is not an option when I am gone? I obviously have to think it all out more.

We really never know where our lives will take us.
 
I had it added to my will about what was to happen to any pets (namely horses and dogs, but covers all types), The person who is left them is aware of my wishes, re childrens pets and at the time my pony, (who is no longer with us so irrelivent(sp) now). Mine was drawen up by a will writer, so I assume is legal!
 
Hmmm. This is something that has popped into my head after having the horse a mere three weeks. Boyfriend, parents and siblings know nothing about horses and don't live near me anyway. Boyfriend does, obviously, but he doesn't have the time anyway, even if he wanted to.

The "brother in law" is managing partner of a UK wide law firm so might pick his brains about it!
 
Mine would go to my daughters, whichever one was in the better position to at the time. Either one to each, or however they'd like to sort it between themselves.

My best friend passed away unexpectedly earlier this year and although she had drawn up a will, it was done before she bought her horse. As she was like a sister to me, her husband asked if I would like to take him on, which I did with no hesitation. Other than that I don't know what he would have done. It's definitely something to consider for all those who don't have plans made ..... :(
 
All sorted. When my solicitor wrote my will I gave him the information that Horseworld gave me. I have left a substantial sum to Horseworld in return for my horses going into their care forever. Dead easy and I know my horses will be cared for if I die, as if hubby had his way, they would be sold straight away to whoever paid the highest price for them, even if it was the meat man.
 
My old horse is to say in the family and live her life being as pampered as she has come to expect.
The others to be sold for someone else to get the pleasure out of them i do and proceeds to pay for the upkeep of the old horse
 
Mine live on parents' land, right outside their house. If I died then the retired/pet neddies - Inca, Cosmo and Cookie would continue to stay there until their time came. Belle would be sold on to a home where she could be used (she is only 8 and a looney but there's nothing technically wrong with her).
 
Mine horses will go to D1, my dogs will go to D2, my cats will go to one each per daughter :)

Given my daughters' ages, there is money set aside to pay for the animals care until such time as daughters can pay for them. There is also a proviso that if they can't/don't want to look after all/any, then the relevant ones are put to sleep.

If we all die, all my hairies will be put to sleep. Again, there are instructions and money set aside to take care of it. My vet knows about it.

Reasons for the put to sleep option are: LL is old and retired now, but looks good so someone would try and ride him, he is a twit under saddle and will hurt a child :(; LC is on field rest and I don't know if he'll come right; Dizzy doesn't cope well with change and has the pelvis issue, which we know about and manage, but she could easily be mistreated without someone realising, then she would break down; the dogs were all rescue dogs and I don't think they could cope with losing us and then new owners; one of the cats is old and has been with us all his life; the other cat is very much 'ours' if that makes sense, he's not so keen on other people.
 
My family would take all mine on. They are all part of the family anyway and it would break everyones hearts if they were sold or PTS before their time.

I inherited a horse at 17. She had actually been given to me years earlier but was still included as an "asset" when the woman died as the will was written before she gave me the horse. She had written in her will that I was to have the horse but the daughters still tried to give her away in case I didn't want her? I had someone walk up to me in the street to tell me that they were picking up my horse at the weekend! Er NO you are not!

Will never forget that. People are very strange after a death. They turn grabbing and try to get everything they can. Its horrible. Very disrespectful.

I have seen old ladies having their fingers stripped of their rings and family members tell them that "they don't need that any more"...
 
I've read this post with interest as it's worried me for some time as to what would happen to Jasper if something happened to me. My family and OH aren't horsey and although I have horsey friends that I could bequeath him to, I'm aware of the financial implication that would leave them with so wasn't sure what to do! After reading this I've contacted WHW for an info pack about leaving him to them in my will. It's put my mind at rest a bit so thanks guys!
 
JustJasper said:
I've read this post with interest as it's worried me for some time as to what would happen to Jasper if something happened to me. My family and OH aren't horsey and although I have horsey friends that I could bequeath him to, I'm aware of the financial implication that would leave them with so wasn't sure what to do! After reading this I've contacted WHW for an info pack about leaving him to them in my will. It's put my mind at rest a bit so thanks guys!
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Really glad to hear you have done this. I know it's not a subject we like to think about, but not everyone lives to a ripe old age and the friend or relative who offers to look after your horse if you die may find themselves out of work or suffering from a terminal illness in the future and no longer able to look after your horse. What happens then? By leaving them to a registered charity you really are safeguarding their future. World Horse Welfare don't only take riding horses either, they also rehome companions. It is very important for your horse that you register it with them so they know it's background. Well done and lucky Jasper to have such a caring Mum as you!
 
Sanolly said:
Martha both of mine can be ridden so the WHW could find loan homes for them. I will donate as much as possible to them for any costs though. Although I'm not well off by any means so would only be about £1500-£2000.
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Thank you. Mine is only eight and can be ridden and I'm not well off either. I will definitely look into it.
 
This is a really good thread, and something that we all should think about. I've had two friends die this year, one of cancer in her 40s, and one suddenly for no reason in her 30s. Both had animals that needed re homing etc. Another consideration is what to do if you get very ill - my friend with cancer went downhill quite quickly, and she took all her family's time up. Luckily friends did the horses for her - but this was for over a year.. Its a big ask really, and you need to know who would do that for you.
 
Mine would be either rehomed with my friend, offered back to one of their previous owners (who I trust) or if neither of those were feasable, then PTS. Never to be sold on.

May I ask those of you who have left horses to family, have you thought for the future? Ie 40 years down the line? What if your families don't have the financial means to keep a horse? What if something happens to that family member after your death? What happens then?
 
JadeWisc said:
I am glad you brought this up and it was me who typed that earlier. It is a wonderful idea to have laid out and legal and we all should be doing it


I do not currently have anything in writing for my animals. I do not have a will at all in fact. Even though I am only 36 I still find that highly irresponsible of me and plan to get it taken care of soon.

It is also good to speak to a legal professional as there may be local laws where it is out of your hands anyway. Like...are your horses considered assets that have to be held and sold as part of your estate if you have debt?..etc All good things that we should know.

I have my idea in my mind of what I want to happen but who knows if it will be a viable option at the time. I'd like my children to keep their pets if they like but what if that is not an option when I am gone? I obviously have to think it all out more.

We really never know where our lives will take us.
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Horses fall under the definition of "Personal chattels" as contained in section 55 (1) (x) Adminstration of Estates Act 1925 ('AEA 1925'), as do cats, dogs and other "tame" animals and would go to whoever you left your personal chattels to. However, if you have a valuable horse and died leaving debts your Executor could sell your horse in order to pay your debts - this may not be what you want for your horse. People's circumstances can change very suddenly: my late husband was diagnosed with bowel cancer in May 2000 and died in December 2002. I never expected to be a widow at 45!
 
I trust my OH completely to find suitable homes for both my horses, where they would be loved, ridden and enjoyed (and the dogs) should he decide he doesnt want to keep them. But I suspect he would keep them...
 
All mine will be left to my son if I die before he reaches the age of 21 then they will go to a friend until he reaches that age he will the have the choice to leave them where they are or look after them himself ever way there is a clause stating that none of them are to be sold but can be put on share or loan to stay at the same yard. If for any reason one or more have to be pts then both my friend son (once old enough) and brother have to agree to it.
With my dogs they will go to another friend and the cats will go to family members.
Think I covered every thing :)
 
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