What would you do (bit long, sorry!!)

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sueandtoto

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We have one pony who gets shared by my two daughters both do pony club and shows etc , would dearly love another but cant afford it basically, anyway lady on our yard has a pony who her daughter has lost interest in and has tried (unsuccesfully) to put out on loan because of crappy riders etc and has now given up advertising her, she has now asked my eldest daughter if she would like to ride her and ultimatly take her to dressage and pony club along with our pony which is a fab oppertunity and she rode her beautifully today but my thing is do I offer to pay or what would you do? my daughter will muck out and fetch in etc , but do I offer her any payment ?
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I would just have an honest conversation with the owner, at the end of the day you are doing her a favour and she asked your daughter so I don't think you should necessarily pay especially if you are doing the work etc.
 
No, I think you are doing them a favour, if they offer it to you on loan and you are ok with that then yes pay but they may just up and sell it at the moment.You did say you couldn't afford another one and it will be expensive in the winter .Let her ask you then you can decide
 
I wouldn't pay either but would make sure the situation is as clear as possible i.e. it is said (ideally with a witness) that the girl will be riding the pony for that person, the pony will be taken to shows, PC events etc and there will be no fee involved.
 
You really do need to hammer out who will cover insurance, what if pony is ill or injured, what if an accident happens at a show, etc etc etc. You could offer something basic eg offer to cover the cost of shoes? My friend had an arrangement like this that worked ok. Horsey-o was a veteran schoolmaster and owner had moved on to a younger horse. Veteran just standing around unused and a bit low without a purpose in life. So friend rode him occasionally and loved him to bits and bought him odd things. So she was doing the owner a favour but the owner was doing her a favour too as she didn't have a horse of her own. So she paid for the shoes, otherwise he would have been left un-shod! Worked just fine!
 
I have a similar situation with our pony. A friends daughter has started riding her and will hopefully do pony club etc. They are paying to have her shod, and daughter helps poo pick etc., and they have to transport her to rallies ., but that is the only financial input I have asked them for. THis is mainly because I want to keep control of the pony, but when it comes down to it they are doing me a favour riding a pony who would otherwise be standing bored in the field.
 
It sounds like the owner would be grateful of a good jockey on board which will improve the pony and help her sell more easily.

I would offer help and explain that payment is'nt possible and see what she says.
 
I started out just riding a horse, Helping out the owner I even took her to a few shows, when I was 12, Im now 30, I had her for about 8 months before she just asked if I wanted her! I have now had her on permanent loan for 18 years, I have had her longer than her owner did! she only had her for 14 years, The same lady has since given me a beautiful warm blood foal now aged 13 & her old Bedford horse box!

The reason she said is because she knows that I will look after them & they are only 2 villages away, she has never interfered but has always been happy to help, If I have asked for it, she also once said that the money I have put in to them over the years would have easily paid for a horse if I had saved for one! (Yes I do realise how lucky I am)
 
You don't have to pay anything, but it might be a nice gesture to offer something - maybe pay for shoes or something like that? There's always the risk that she might sell or find a loan home for the pony, so I'd be prepared for that as well.
 
Thank you all for your sensible advice , I shall see how daughter and pony go for a bit then have a word with the owner, she has no intention of selling ,she just said my daughter is welcome to ride her when our pony is being ridden by other daughter so they can ride together ect , owner still going to ride her as well so its only going to be a couple of days a week , if I offer to contribute I can always hope she says no its ok !!
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