What should I do???????????????????

Michelle73

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Hi, I'm new to this forum but I would love your help with the situation that I'm in...

Its an unusual set up, here goes - I look after two driving horses - Hercules and Jenny, they are owned by two men. Basically I have them both pretty much on loan the owners pay for the field rent, shoes, worming and hay, I pay for everything else (they have used Hercules about 6 times in 2 years and not used Jenny at all). I ride Hercules my main priority - he's the love of my life and the most amazing horse I've ever met - so genuine, honest and trustworthy! His wife, Jenny, is the same but working full time I find it hard to keep them both fit, that’s why I focus on Hercules. I've asked around for help with Jenny, and all I get are people who just want to ride once or twice a week with no work and no financial input. I've had a friend riding Jenny since August and she's spent £20 on a fleece after I did all the running around to get Jenny clipped for her so that she could ride through the winter. Sadly my friend has just announced that she only wants to help occasionally. Quite frankly I'm hacked off with her anyway, I've never asked for much in the way of help and she just pitches up to ride as and when it suits her with no financial input or work!!!! Where can I find good help, that will be as committed to Jenny as I am. Is there anyone out there who would feel as lucky and appreciative as I do at having the majority of the costs covered????? I don't feel that my friend has really appreciated how lucky she is to have had free riding for the last few months without much work!!!! On a discussion at the weekend, it seems that she thinks she's been helping me but all this time I thought I was helping her, she wants to ride occasionally AND compete with Jenny at our local livery yard if the opportunity arises (we don’t have any transport). Hello, am I missing something, why do these people want it all on a plate without any work??????? So if you're interested in riding Jenny and live in Swindon, Wilts let me know. There's not much work involved as they live out all year round!!!!!!!! What more could anyone wish for?????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! All I want is someone who knows what they're doing, can ride her and keep her fit, will give to Jenny as much as she gives to whoever is riding her. She really is a fantastic little mare. Whoever takes her on would have to pay for hardfeed (2 sacks Alfa Alfa over the summer!!), fly sheet, garlic powder etc etc, its not all the world, I'd expect help with poo picking which is only 2 wheelbarrows a day, cleaning her tack but more than anything having FUN with her and getting her out to see and do new things and bathing her from time to time over the summer. She's had a hard life until I met her and she also had a terrible accident in a trailer so I think she's amazing to be the mare that she is today!!! She 14.1hh coloured cob, secretly cheeky and she can be your posing “on the bit” horse or a gymkana pony depending on what mood you're in when you ride!!!!! There must be someone out there who wants to be dedicated to her - your own insurance must be provided - its around £60 per year. Like I said, the costs aren't that major. HELP JENNY PLEASE!!!!!!
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jenny sounds lovely and i am sorry for your situation, but i'd have to say that my friend comes and rides my horse sometimes during the week while i'm at work, for this i am very grateful and would never expect any financial help or otherwise, i'm just pleased to have someone trustworthy to take him out (he's a bit green). she sometimes helps with advice or holding for the farrier etc but i'd feel guilty if she offered to do more.
sounds like you really want to sub-loan jenny
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Yes, I suppose it is a sub-loan - I'm on a very low income and would love to have the money to spend on both of them, but I regularly go without so that the horses have what they want. The owners used to leave the horses out on 25 acres all year round - Jenny is prone to laminitas and hasn't had it since I've been looking after her. I don't get any support from the owners at all except the financial side. They don't buy rugs etc etc, they're very old fashioned and treat their horses like machines - they used to pitch up on a Sunday - hammer the crap out of the hores for 20 miles then throw them back out in the field, hosing them down if they were lucky - no anti-inflamatorys, no hardfeed nothing! I just can't afford to pay for everything. I did tell my friend before she started riding that there would need to be a small amount of financial input which equalled some hardfeed, garlic powder, rugs etc.
 
you shouldn't have any problem finding someone to help as summer is coming and jenny sounds like she would suit most people, i'd try to get a semi-formal agreement drawn up this time so it is clear what is required financially. perhaps they could pay you something each week/month (by standing order, which saves people 'forgetting' or 'will pay next week') and for that price you provide food wormer etc?
good luck
 
Do you think I will find someone who is committed though??? Thats where the problem seems to lie and because of the unusual set up with the owners people don't seem to want to get involved. Ho hum!!!
 
hmm
certainly is a tricky one since you dont actually own the ponies. would be best to try and find someone you sort of know already like a friend of a friend type of thing i'd ask around and be upfront about everything with prospective 'hepler/loaners'
 
Its been interesting to read everyone's views. Thank you.

I've decided to advertise locally. Someone must want to ride/semi-loan this delightful mare especially as the owner pays for field rent, shoes, worming and hay that doesn't leave much for someone to pay for! She lives out so there's not that much work. Anyone interested please PM me.
 
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