What would you do

[Finlib]

Tiddlypom how very generous of you.I think I would helped organise rehab care at a specialist yard or vet hospital rather than do it myself though I did wonder if the horse was unsuitable to travel.
I sent this reply .

'Sorry I am very wary as last time I was left as emergency phone number when someone with little experience looked after horses nearby they couldn't poultice a foot or even put a head collar on and the horse ended up at my yard for 4 days in one of our stables and we had to take care of it and poultice twice a day.
I wouldn't be happy calling a vet to someone else's horse given cost implications and wouldn't want to take on full time care of another horse with a very young puppy to accommodate and my own horses to do .It's ok if nothing happens but horses have a habit of throwing a curved ball especially when they are in the care of someone inexperienced.

 

[TPO]

What reply are you expecting? She's reached out for help should an emergency occur and you've refused.

We've no idea why she's away and for all anybody knows she could be very worried sick about leaving the horses. If someone was elderly and frail, I'd be checking in and helping as much as I could regularly, never mind a special situation.

Money is tight for a lot of people in this economy, and freelancers/horse house sitters aren't cheap (not saying that they should be). I don't see the problem being the "In Case of Emergency" after having a frank talk about how she would like emergencies dealt with, also a discussion you could ask that be had by her with the vet regarding bills etc.

So, instead of helping people are happy for this hypothetical emergency to be left with someone less experienced, perhaps to the detriment of the horse

When on livery I was cosntnstly the mug doing favours for nowt in return but at least I had a clear conscious about the animals welfare.

I don't even see the drama about having to poultice while someone was away. No one planned for the horse to have an abscess or what have you. I'd be happy that I was in a position to help however annoying it might have been in the very short term. So instead of being the person that could help should that reoccur you'd rather an inexperienced pet sitter be left to shoulder or the elderly neighbour with a massive vet bill for them doing changes.

In Tiddlypom's shoes you'd have left, or sent away, a horse to die because your wouldn't want the inconvenience?

I'm honestly disgusted by some of the replies.

 

[Finlib]

We choose to have horses and must make sensible arrangements for their care if we are away .I pay for a suitably trained sitter with equestrian experience to live in and care for my animals when I go away .
It's not cheap but the sitter I use has full back up she can call on should anything occur while she is here .It's not cheap but I choose to have animals.
This is not an emergency just a visit to someone abroad .
I sent her multiple agencies with suitable equestrian experience that do horse care and she has dismissed them as too expensive.
I don't know what I would have done in Tiddlypoms shoes but I am no spring chicken and wonder whether I would put myself at risk caring for a horse that could fall on me and crush me I have a close friend now in a wheelchair because a horse fell on her. Her life has been turned upside down
We owe it to our animals to put in suitable experienced care and not just rely on plan B an experienced neighbour who will pick up the pieces.

 

[Widgeon]

We choose to have horses and must make sensible arrangements for their care if we are away .I pay for a suitably trained sitter with equestrian experience to live in and care for my animals when I go away .
It's not cheap but the sitter I use has full back up she can call on should anything occur while she is here .It's not cheap but I choose to have animals.
This is not an emergency just a visit to someone abroad .
I sent her multiple agencies with suitable equestrian experience that do horse care and she has dismissed them as too expensive.
I don't know what I would have done in Tiddlypoms shoes but I am no spring chicken and wonder whether I would put myself at risk caring for a horse that could fall on me and crush me I have a close friend now in a wheelchair because a horse fell in her. Her life has been turned upside down .
We owe it to our animals to put in suitable experienced care and not just rely on plan B an experienced neighbour who will pick up the pieces.

I'm afraid I agree. I don't think it's "disgusting" to be unable to take on the care of seven horses (because this is what the OP strongly suspects will happen) because the owner's going on holiday. There's only so much one person can do in a day, and adding in seven horses to care for isn't just a small thing. If it was one, or two, I guess that might be different, but seven is an awful lot, particularly when OP already knows that some of them won't be caught. If I'm going to be really harsh I would say that if the owner has enough money for a foreign holiday, she should have enough to pay a freelancer to visit once a day. Holiday cover is an unavoidable cost of having animals.

 

[Red-1]

What reply are you expecting? She's reached out for help should an emergency occur and you've refused.

We've no idea why she's away and for all anybody knows she could be very worried sick about leaving the horses. If someone was elderly and frail, I'd be checking in and helping as much as I could regularly, never mind a special situation.

Money is tight for a lot of people in this economy, and freelancers/horse house sitters aren't cheap (not saying that they should be). I don't see the problem being the "In Case of Emergency" after having a frank talk about how she would like emergencies dealt with, also a discussion you could ask that be had by her with the vet regarding bills etc.

So, instead of helping people are happy for this hypothetical emergency to be left with someone less experienced, perhaps to the detriment of the horse

When on livery I was cosntnstly the mug doing favours for nowt in return but at least I had a clear conscious about the animals welfare.

I don't even see the drama about having to poultice while someone was away. No one planned for the horse to have an abscess or what have you. I'd be happy that I was in a position to help however annoying it might have been in the very short term. So instead of being the person that could help should that reoccur you'd rather an inexperienced pet sitter be left to shoulder or the elderly neighbour with a massive vet bill for them doing changes.

In Tiddlypom's shoes you'd have left, or sent away, a horse to die because your wouldn't want the inconvenience?

I'm honestly disgusted by some of the replies.

I must be disgusting then as I would have been an advice person but no, I would not have walked a sick horse to my own stables and kicked my own horse out, then cared for a horse that could have fallen at any time.

I would have asked the vet for what they suggested, other than my stables. If it can walk, I dare say it can be transported, if a specific type of stable is needed.

That is not taking anything away from Tiddlypom, who is magnificent in the face of adversity. I am not, however, a livery yard. I've also had people try to get me to take in stray traveller type horses and have refused them too. Yes, some have been PTS. I am not a livery yard. If I took them all in, I would be a rescue centre, we have a problem round here!

 

[TPO]

No one, other than the pet sitter, has been asked to look after 7 horses. Read OPs post.

None of us as infallible, no matter what precautions are taken, when it comes to having horses. It is disgusting and sad to refuse to help in an emergency, which hopefully won't even happen. The neighbours been hung for crimes she's not even committed, nothing has even happened.

I'm a lot more grateful for my friends and neighbours after the tone of this thread.

 

[PeterNatt]

I think that she should employ someone experienced and reliable to look after her horses while she is away. It is a big responsibility looking after someone elses animals epecially as she has so many.

 

[Finlib]

Yes none of us are infallible but It is beholdent upon us to put suitable care in for our animals, when we go away. Care that can cope with routine problems such as poulticing giving tablets and basic veterinary care.
The agencies I suggested all could do this it is within their remit but were deemed too expensive and they are expensive for a reason in that they have the skills necessary to take care of horses in sickness and in health.
5 of these 7 are very elderly ponies one suffers with choke requiring veterinary intervention on a fairly regular basis .I just feel that is is a greater than 50 50 chance with an inexperienced sitter that I will be call on to step in and I really don't want the extra work I am no youngster.

 

[dogatemysalad]

I'd probably agree to be an emergency back up, because it's my neighbour, and I couldn't watch the sitter struggle or the ponies suffer.
Life isn't perfect, sometimes it's a hassle, but people in rural communities need each other.
Has anyone seen the old stone animal pens in villages ? Loose animals would be safely kept in there with water and hay until the owner was found.

 

[Tiddlypom]

The OP seems to be getting a hard time because a neighbour wants to go on holiday but not to employ proper knowledgeable care for her elderly and frail animals while she is away.

That is a very different scenario to a neighbour being taken ill or being injured and left with no one knowledgeable to care for her horses, I'm sure that the OP would step in to help then.

OP, if you do find yourself stepping in by default, do make sure that your neighbour leaves very tight instructions as to what veterinary and associated costs she will authorise in her absence.

Although my neighbour was very grateful for the care her mare with the fractured pelvis got, and the mare did recover, she did say that if she'd been at home when it happened she'd have had her put down straight away. Mare was quite young, maybe 8yo or so, and in work.

 

[Finlib]

My point is that properly trained animal care service would do the job and wouldn't need in the majority of cases neighbours to step in .
The fact is an inexperienced and novice sitter is much more likely to be calling for help when a properly trained horse sitting service would just take it in their stride.
Yes I would always help anyone in an emergency but knowingly leaving animals with an ill equipped sitter who possibly can't deal with anything other than basic care is not fair on them or me.
I pay dearly to put in care that can cope with all eventualities and do not rely on neighbours to fill in when a non equestrian sitter can't cope.

 

[ycbm]

No one, other than the pet sitter, has been asked to look after 7 horses. Read OPs post.

But the pet sitter isn't competent with horses and the owner freely admits that she is going away on holiday and wants cover without paying for it.

I would be very wary in that situation that the pet sitter will simply not do the work required and the care of 7 additional horses, which includes transporting water, a really heavy task, would fall to me. And then when will the next request be?

I'm afraid since this is purely a matter of spending more money on a holiday, that my answer would be no.

If i thought it was definitely to be no more than an expert on the ground to call in case of emergency, then of course it would be yes.

 

[Michen]

What reply are you expecting? She's reached out for help should an emergency occur and you've refused.

We've no idea why she's away and for all anybody knows she could be very worried sick about leaving the horses. If someone was elderly and frail, I'd be checking in and helping as much as I could regularly, never mind a special situation.

Money is tight for a lot of people in this economy, and freelancers/horse house sitters aren't cheap (not saying that they should be). I don't see the problem being the "In Case of Emergency" after having a frank talk about how she would like emergencies dealt with, also a discussion you could ask that be had by her with the vet regarding bills etc.

So, instead of helping people are happy for this hypothetical emergency to be left with someone less experienced, perhaps to the detriment of the horse

When on livery I was cosntnstly the mug doing favours for nowt in return but at least I had a clear conscious about the animals welfare.

I don't even see the drama about having to poultice while someone was away. No one planned for the horse to have an abscess or what have you. I'd be happy that I was in a position to help however annoying it might have been in the very short term. So instead of being the person that could help should that reoccur you'd rather an inexperienced pet sitter be left to shoulder or the elderly neighbour with a massive vet bill for them doing changes.

In Tiddlypom's shoes you'd have left, or sent away, a horse to die because your wouldn't want the inconvenience?

I'm honestly disgusted by some of the replies.

Well said.

Depressing

I feel like as a society we just think about all the "what ifs" instead of just being willing to help IF needed, and it's only an IF. And for someone elderly too.

 

[TPO]

But the pet sitter isn't competent with horses and the owner freely admits that she is going away on holiday and wants cover without paying for it.

I would be very wary in that situation that the pet sitter will simply not do the work required and the care of 7 additional horses, which includes transporting water, a really heavy task, would fall to me. And then when will the next request be?

I'm afraid since this is purely a matter of spending more money on a holiday, that my answer would be no.

If i thought it was definitely to be no more than an expert on the ground to call in case of emergency, then of course it would be yes.

We don't know any of that.

She's apparently going abroad to see a relative but that doesn't mean its a holiday.

She is getting cover but not experienced horse cover. Of course no one should own a horse without being able to afford any eventuality (& we don't know if this trip was planned) but in the current climate we're living(!) in I'd cut anyone some slack, even more so a pensioner.

OP has a neighbouring horse friends and farmers to call on if stuck according to their 2nd or 3rd post. Why is that OK but neighbour is unreasonable for asking for a bit of back up cover *if needed*.

I'm with DAMS.

No one is saying live there 24/7 & do all the work. It was literally to be back up should th4 paid help need it and more than likely if anything hit the fan back up would be as simple as telling them to call the vet.

An older woman living on her own with no nearby friends or help and she's being judged for going to see a relative (for who knows what reason) one time.

If she were anywhere near I'd do it. I'd help a stranger eith their horses in a pickle at th4 drop of a hat. Never mind needing a thread and sending an unnecessary sharp text.

 

[Finlib]

Yes what is depressing is deliberately putting in inadequate care because it's expensive and just putting responsibility onto a neighbour just because they keep horses its unfair.This is not a one off she has been away 3 times most years and used a different horse savvy sitter this sitter that she has used in the past won't do it anymore.
I am leaving this thread
I will help anyone in a genuine emergency and have done but this is choosing not to pay for adequate care and putting on neighbours to fill the gap .

 

[canteron]

It’s a short life - I would help.

I would ask that in an emergency you
a) have an authorisation letter for the vet
b) ask she has some emergency funds so you can get one of your freelancers in if necessary -
c) maybe suggest a freelancer does an extra check 2 or 3 times a week anyway.

We will all be old and frail one day, some sooner rather than later.

 

[irishdraft]

Well I would be prepared to be the person to help if things go pear shaped, surely it's just being decent & kind. I agree the owner probably should have a more experienced sitter but just cos the sitter is inexperienced with horses dosent mean they carnt hump water about & do the general work. I had a situation where the person looking after my horses panicked when one of them jumped a fence & cut himself. She phoned my backup who came immediately, sorted horse & then came for the next few days to check him for which I was eternally grateful. To me this was a thoroughly decent & kind thing to do & which I would do for a neighbour.

 

[Finlib]

I am leaving this thread no one knows my situation but are happy to commit my time to be back up to an inadequate sitter .could I also mention that I am 5 years OLDER than her myself!
If I can I am leaving the group altogether
The End

 

[Ditchjumper2]

Well said.

Depressing

I feel like as a society we just think about all the "what ifs" instead of just being willing to help IF needed, and it's only an IF. And for someone elderly too.

I agree! If all we ever did was think about the "what ifs" in life none of us would do anything. As an old biddy myself living in a rural location on my own it certainly makes me sad reading some of these comments. All she has asked is that OP be an emergency contact. Emergency only, I don't see the issue with that....the rest is just assumption. We have all been in less that perfect situations, it's what happens in life. I would say am v busy but happy to be an Emergency referral point.

 

[ycbm]

I agree! If all we ever did was think about the "what ifs" in life none of us would do anything. As an old biddy myself living in a rural location on my own it certainly makes me sad reading some of these comments. All she has asked is that OP be an emergency contact. Emergency only, I don't see the issue with that....the rest is just assumption. We have all been in less that perfect situations, it's what happens in life. I would say am v busy but happy to be an Emergency referral point.

The issue is that she is refusing to pay for a sitter who has the skills to do the job required.
.

 

[ycbm]

An older woman living on her own with no nearby friends or help and she's being judged for going to see a relative (for who knows what reason) one time.

No she isn't. She's being criticised for paying for international flights and refusing to pay for a sitter with the right skills and asking a neighbour to take on an unreasonable amount of risk and responsibility.
.

 

[Ditchjumper2]

I get that ybcm totally. But the question asked was would one be an emergency contact... the key point being emergency and what would we do if asked. That's the question to which we are responding. It's easy to say oh she can afford horses, she can afford holiday etc.but appearances are deceptive. I, like others, are expressing what we would do. I respect others rights to disagree.

 

[ycbm]

Well said.

Depressing

I feel like as a society we just think about all the "what ifs" instead of just being willing to help IF needed, and it's only an IF. And for someone elderly too.

But it's a risk with a very predictable and possible worst case, M.

In the absence of any information that there is evidence that the trip is essential and a more experienced house sitter is simply unaffordable, then I side with the HHO member who is being put on the spot by her neighbour and taking a battering on HHO for posting about her problem.
.

 

[Ditchjumper2]

As someone whose personal circumstances have drastically changed in the last 2 years I can totally understand her perspective... and as the saying goes there is no harm in asking

 

[ycbm]

I get that ybcm totally. But the question asked was would one be an emergency contact... the key point being emergency and what would we do if asked. That's the question to which we are responding. It's easy to say oh she can afford horses, she can afford holiday etc.but appearances are deceptive. I, like others, are expressing what we would do. I respect others rights to disagree.

I don't think she is being asked to be an "emergency" backup. She's being asked to back up someone who doesn't have the skills to do the job and might find any part of the care of 7 horses, some very old and regularly ill, too difficult and ask for help at any time.
.

 

[Red-1]

I am leaving this thread no one knows my situation but are happy to commit my time to be back up to an inadequate sitter .could I also mention that I am 5 years OLDER than her myself!
If I can I am leaving the group altogether
The End

No one can commit your time to anything. You asked what other would do. People have said. You are free to do whatever you like. No one here even knows who you are.

To leave this group, if that is what you wish to do, most people just log out and don't come back. It isn't like Facebook where you can delete stuff.

 

[Ditchjumper2]

It's fair to say OP has made her feelings clear to her neighbour. Personally I feel a real time conversation is better in these circumstamces as it enables a tone of voice, an emotion to be conveyed. Ultimately it is the decision of the OP and she has made that, as is her choice.

 

[gallopingby]

Oh dear, l quite see the need to ask other people’s opinions but this seems like throwing the baby out with the bath water. I suspect a lot of people using this forum are over 65 or even 75 which is why there’s a good bank of experience and knowledge for those who seek it, but most people are anonymous and so we take the good with the less good. There have always been different ways of achieving the same object and standards will vary as will people’s ways of doing things. It looks as if there was a request for help if required and several people have run down different rabbit holes. If you don’t want to help then the simple answer us to refuse, that may or may not bring consequences at a later date in a small community.

 

[Sossigpoker]

If you do end up having to intervene in any way , let the lady know before hand that you will charge £X per hour plus any expenses occurred.

 

[Sossigpoker]

Yes what is depressing is deliberately putting in inadequate care because it's expensive and just putting responsibility onto a neighbour just because they keep horses its unfair.This is not a one off she has been away 3 times most years and used a different horse savvy sitter this sitter that she has used in the past won't do it anymore.
I am leaving this thread
I will help anyone in a genuine emergency and have done but this is choosing not to pay for adequate care and putting on neighbours to fill the gap .

I think you're quite right to refuse. The woman has money to go on holiday,.she therefore can pay for a suitable person to check up on the horses.
Why should you work for free?