Who pays

[ester]

I didn't TBF sorry. long day of change moving labs!

I've known that scenario occur though and it's always been a bit fractious, handy to have a vet as a livery but not fair if they get asked to do too many trot ups - those I've known have always put a charge through.

 

[Gypley]

I would take this up with the vets. As far as I'm aware, unless there is an absolutely horrific accident and the owner cannot be contacted, the vet should only act on the request of the owner.
I was on holiday a few years ago when I had a phone call from a friend (who was looking after my horse) telling me she (my mare) had been kicked and required veterinary treatment. She had phoned the vet but they refused to come out until they had my permission. It was a ball ache at the time but I understand why they do it. I now have a couple of people listed on my records whom ive given consent to contact the vet on my behalf.

Failing that, if I were to loan my horse out, Id feel like a situation like that would be my bill to pay and then make sure there were things in place for it to not happen again.

 

[Twinmum]

I would take this up with the vets. As far as I'm aware, unless there is an absolutely horrific accident and the owner cannot be contacted, the vet should only act on the request of the owner.
I was on holiday a few years ago when I had a phone call from a friend (who was looking after my horse) telling me she (my mare) had been kicked and required veterinary treatment. She had phoned the vet but they refused to come out until they had my permission. It was a ball ache at the time but I understand why they do it. I now have a couple of people listed on my records whom ive given consent to contact the vet on my behalf.

Failing that, if I were to loan my horse out, Id feel like a situation like that would be my bill to pay and then make sure there were things in place for it to not happen again.

Thankyou, you have been most helpful.

 

[Twinmum]

Thankyou, that’s really helpful x

 

[meleeka]

I’m not one for arguments, so will probably pay to keep the peace but it’s really put me off loaning.
It had been such a positive experience up until this point, thanks for all your advice I think you have to prepare for every eventuality when loaning x

I don’t think this is about loaning tbh. If the random person had called a vet for a horse you owned and presented you the bill, it would have been the same scenario. They shouldn’t have done it because you were contactable and only minutes away so they should pay.

 

[Twinmum]

I don’t think this is about loaning tbh. If the random person had called a vet for a horse you owned and presented you the bill, it would have been the same scenario. They shouldn’t have done it because you were contactable and only minutes away so they should pay.

Thankyou that’s most helpful x

 

[Landcruiser]

I wonder if the vet is being a bit naughty here, if the livery asked vet to check the horse, as a fellow livery rather than as a vet, if the horse was choking and the livery is inexperienced and didn't recognise it for what it was. Then vet decided to send a bill, possibly because they don't like being 'exploited' for their professional opinion.
OP in this instance I think you will have to pay the bill but leave clear instructions that you are to be contacted in case of emergency. I would have a chat with the livery who asked the vet for a detailed account of what actually happened, as I wouldn't expect your bill to be large.

Why on earth should a vet not send a bill if they have been called out to a horse to give their professional opinion. That's their job, and they absolutely should be paid for it. I don't see anything naughty about that! It's totally irrelevant whether they are a fellow livery or not, although I'm not clear from the OP whether that's the case.

 

[Pearlsasinger]

My point was that the person who asked the vet to have a look could have asked a fellow livery. It sounds as if the person who panicked wasn't very experienced, if by the time the vet got there, the horse had recovered. In that case what exactly would the vet be charging for? Walking across the yard and saying 'I can't see anything wrong'?

 

[ihatework]

My point was that the person who asked the vet to have a look could have asked a fellow livery. It sounds as if the person who panicked wasn't very experienced, if by the time the vet got there, the horse had recovered. In that case what exactly would the vet be charging for? Walking across the yard and saying 'I can't see anything wrong'?

Yup! They are a professional. So it would be a call out and their basic examination fee, to enable them to declare nothing wrong. I’m surprised you can’t see that.

Now the whole shenanigan leading up to that point is a different argument.

 

[The Trooper]

Tricky, In the case of my girls my YO has my proxy to call the vet in an emergency situation (based on her judgement). If someone else called the vet to my horse and there was nothing wrong, I would argue that they are the vets customer and thus liable for the bill and call-out fee as they called the vet out.

There was an incident on the yard a couple of years ago which I witnessed, a horse got its leg stuck between a gate and gate post before forcing it's self free, there was a lot of damage and I thought a broken leg (Fortunately not, all is well now). YO called the vet before the livery and they arrived at the same time.

I know it's not black and white and there are vets/livery/YO relations to consider but ultimately you did not instruct the vet, nor did someone with your consent.

I have mine, my dads, my mothers and my partners contact details on a laminated A4 sheet next to each of our horses stables, one of us is always contactable so I'd hope the above would never happen.