Who is to blame?

Damnation

Damnation

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My friend sold her horse a while back, due to her injury, he is far too wide for her now.

Hes started bucking, handstand bucks and she feels really bad.

I can attest that this is completely out of character for this horse, I rode him for about a year and he had his moments but once he knew you meant business he was fine.

He always had a bit of a buck in him but it was never more then a foot, he was too lazy.

Shes had the new owner on the phone saying hes started bucking, had her off and her sister off (who by all accounts is a very good rider).

I would go a ride him myself but I live in a differant country now!!

Friend feels like the blame is being put onto her, however 6 months down the line, surely it can't be her fault? She just wants some reassurance really. Hes been foot perfect up until now.

She is in no position to buy him back or ride him through it due to her injury. She told them to get everything checked as due to his shape his saddle has never fitted great (and she told them this when they bought him that she would reccoment a new saddle for him, which they said would be fine but could they take the old one to ride him in in the meantime as it wasn't a horrible fit, just uncomfortable for the person on board! And it slid around a bit, however this horse has NO withers and is like a table top)

She feels a bit stuck between a rock and a hard place and has given the owner the best advice she can.

What would you do?
 
God God almighty, how on earth do the new owners presume its the old owners fault? In six months ANYTHING could have happened. Tell your buddy to get tough and not to be soft with these people.
Presumably they had the animal vetted (or if they didnt thats their problem). Horses are real live breathing objects. If it had stuck its foot down a bunny hole would they hold her responsible for that too?
Its absolutely NOT her problem.
 
frozzy said:
God God almighty, how on earth do the new owners presume its the old owners fault? In six months ANYTHING could have happened. Tell your buddy to get tough and not to be soft with these people.
Presumably they had the animal vetted (or if they didnt thats their problem). Horses are real live breathing objects. If it had stuck its foot down a bunny hole would they hold her responsible for that too?
Its absolutely NOT her problem.
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That is what I am telling her. I wrote the advert for her, I know the horse as well as she does and I told her its not her fault and its completely our of character!
She just wants some reassurance because she is feeling guilty.
She was completely honest with them when they bought him and they didn't have him Vetted.
But to be honest hes a proper sturdy type cob, hes never been lame sick or sorry a day in his life!
 
After 6 months,any problems should have arisen before, therefore I don't feel it is your friends responsibility. However, if it was my horse, I'd be wanting to help them find out what the problem is. Just because they are sold, for me, it doesn't mean their welbeing isn't important anymore. With your friend's indepth knowledge of him, a visit could enable her to offer advice that could make a difference.
 
If this behaviour has only started recently then the new owners can't do anything. I feel for them but your friend has no obligation to buy him back. As horrible as it sounds, she needs to remain strong and not let them guilt-trip or bully her into submission.
 
Are the new owners too heavy for him? Are they still using the same saddle? We had a cob here that started to develop kissing spine, but a change in saddle and his owner starting to work him properly over his back and his problems have gone. Two years later he is still fine. His symptoms were bucking and irritation at being tacked up and mounted.
 
They are using the same saddle and they are no heavier then me or her.
He always has a bit of a buck/plunge/nap in him but easy enough to sort.
I suspect its a case of alot of grass, too much feed and no work..
 
This is the advice that I was given by the BHS legal team in a similar situation:

Tell your friend to stop talking to the newish owners in case she inadvertently says something that they can interpret as accepting responsibility. Don't respond to any emails, letters or phone calls.

This is NOT her responsibility but the only way that she can manage the situation is to refuse to engage in a pointless discussion.
 
Damnation said:
I would have too but my friend is worried and is trying to help them. Put them in touch with an instructor who has ridden him etc. Hopefully it will sort itself out!
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I think I'd give them the phone number of the instructor but make it clear there's nothing more I could do. Then stick to that.

For the good of the horse, I could see it would be tempting to go and visit and advise as another poster said, but surely this could be seen as an admission of rewponsibility?

After all, she advised them to get another saddle, and they didn't. So they don't seem keen to take advice from her.
 
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