What would you do? Permanent loan dilemma

Cazza525

Cazza525

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I loaned our elderly pony out 6 years ago. My Mum had bred 4 cracking foals from her but she then decided to either loan or sell her as she was still rather sprightly and one hell of a schoolmaster.

Cut a long story short, I found her a super loan home (mare at this time was 18). I went and checked her frequently, had a loan agreement in place and made firm friends with the loaner. She is so lovely and cared for her and enjoyed her massively.

Forward fast 4 years, and I decided to hand the reins over to her totally. I offered her permanent loan. She readily agreed and said that the mare would never be going anywhere. It suited us all.

Now then, I got a phonecall a month ago. She said that she would like mare to come home in the spring. Now, in a perfect world all would be ok, but my Mum passed away a few weeks ago and so she can't come home. She is unable to come to the yard where I keep our one homebred we kept as there is no room. My brother in law does have some land, but it really isn't ideal as there is no stabling and it is very high and exposed (think elderly show pony who is used to being in in the winter.) She cribs and has had 2 bouts of colic, so I'm reluctant to change her lifestyle that dramatically!

I have explained to the loaner that I put her on permanent loan for the reason that my situation has changed and I am unable to have her home. She sounded upset at this, but I was being truthful!

What would anyone else do? Pony is able to still work, but at 25, surely it is too old to be thinking of moving her?
 
Sorry about losing your mum and you having the responsibility of her pony.

However the pony is on loan, permanent or otherwise she is still yours and if the loaners circumstances have changed she can send her back to you. I thought that was the point of loaning rather than selling so that if people can no longer keep them the original owner gets the pony returned not passed on.

If she is still able to be ridden you may be able to loan her again otherwise pts would be the kindest thing, ideally where she is now so she does not have the stress of moving. If the loaner is just trying to pass her on she may have a change of heart if you put this to her, I would be very tactful though.
 
Is she an 'elderley' 25 iyswim as 25 is no age for a pony and if she was a good schoolmistress she probably still would be. Maybe contact local pony club to see if anyone needs a pony for a small person to learn to ride on?
If not then I agree PTS where she is as it's not fair to move her if she couldn't cope.
Good luck whatever you decide.
 
No she is not an elderly 25. She is still sprightly in fact. She has a glint in her eye! She has had 2 bouts of colic though, the last 18 months ago, she pulled through. She also has a bit of a hind leg problem where she slipped in the field a couple of years ago, but causes no lameness or problem, but she wouldn't really be suitable to jump anymore. She is a total schoolmistress in the school, after being well schooled as a youngster and has an armchair canter, She's bomb proof in traffic and can still set up a gear if needed.

She just needs a bit of tlc I spose at her age. I just actually feel guilty at the thought of advertising her at the age of 25! Would someone take one on that old?

I really am reluctant to put her in my brother in laws field. It just wouldn't be fair on her!
 
How big is she, good she not go to a smaller lead rein/ first ridden quieter life type home of full loan so you can still keep an eye on her. People are crying out for those types of ponies and most people looking for that sort of pony understand that good ponies may be of an age.
 
I think it would depend on how quiet she is, if she's very quiet then she would probably be okay for a small child to learn to ride on so no need for jumping. It wouldn't bother me taking on a pony of her age, our Honey was still being ridden by kids and doing gymkhana games (slowly) at 32. The colic could be more of an issue but if it's an experienced home then they should know what to look out for. My mum's shetland is 28 and is still on loan teaching small children to ride.:D
 
The loaner has given you quite a lot of notice - she will keep her through the winter and so you have a good few months to find somewhere she could go, or perhaps build some shelter at your brother's land and find a companion perhaps? It probably all seems too much to think about now, if you've just lost your mum, but the situation isn't the end of the world..

I don't mean this in a "told you so" way, but always better to sell for £1 than permanent loan, which is a wierd phrase anyway..
 
As somebody has said the RDA would be a good option.
But i dont think 13.2 is to big for a first pony not all children learn to ride are tiny 3/4 year olds might take a little longer but some learn to ride slightly later. My friend wanted something similar for her son last year and he was 8 so would have been fine on that size. If shes quiet and easy then you would still have no problems.
 
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