Would you expect to pay for a retired companion pony?

[Melandmary]

So I have decided that my companion pony needs a companion and I have been tentatively looking for a retired pony to join my pair. I have put ads on local horsey fb pages, looked on preloved. Aplied to blue Cross to adopt. I have had a few replies of unsuitable ponies but the biggest surprise is that people seem to want paying forme to loan and look after their pony. Is this the norm? I thought the fact that I was offering a good, loving home would be enough to take on someone's retired/u ridden pony?

 

[HorseyTee]

If you'd be full loaning the horse then usually you don't pay the owner as you cover all fees for caring for the horse yourself and the owner wouldn't have any costs.

 

[Melandmary]

That's what I thought but the preloved adverts appear to be wanting to be payed for the companion loans. There are also alot of wanted ads on there looking for companions so I wondered if it the need for them was creating a market. I always thought people struggled to "off load" old ponies and that people would jump at the chance of having their pony see out its days being well cared for at no further cost to themselves.

 

[HorseyTee]

I mean these are crazy times we are in so anything is possible.
But it's not the norm. Could you look for a cheap companion to buy? A small pony or Shetland?
Also you mentioned a Blue Cross pony, I have one and it's been great so definitely look into that more. They've always been very helpful so give them a call.

 

[Melandmary]

Thankyou I have applied so fingers crossed they will get back to me soon. The price of shetlands on preloved is about 600 quid ?. I guess I am out of touch, or the prices have rocketed!

 

[Melody Grey]

How times have changed! I’d have thought offering a companion pony a home could do someone a great favour.

 

[Floofball]

No

 

[cauda equina]

I paid £600 for my Shetland 3 years ago; but I needed a pony urgently and so many people post For Sale ads and then don't answer when you contact them
For a pony just down the road and a seller who was straightfoward to deal with, he was worth the money

I suppose it depends what sort of companion you are after; something small and cute will probably be easier to rehome (and therefore more expensive) than a bigger pony
I've seen ads for free, unrideable horses too, which could make good companions depending on your set up

 

[PSD]

Have a look at world horse welfare too. They have a lot of companions needing homes and they are a only small fee ( around £50)

 

[Cocorules]

Like you I had thought about having an extra companion pony, but taking on another one around the same height, type, gender and age as my current two so as to have similar dietary requirements seem expensive to buy.

I have been looking at ads for the past two years but not seen any to loan or buy that are not expensive. Although I could offer free livery I want a pony that would be managed alongside my two, my way, which rather precludes that.

There are few charities near me and they tend not to have ponies similar to my own.

 

[ihatework]

The registered charities, yes I’d expect to pay a rehoming fee.

Private horse then absolutely not - loan or £1.

There are a lot of dodgy people about doing dodgy selling. I’d urge you not to hand over any £££ for a retired companion unless it comes from a well recognised charity.

 

[QuantockHills]

£20 from World Horse Welfare..... and you get £30 off your insurance every year!

 

[PapaverFollis]

I'd pay a rehoming fee to a charity but for taking a privately owned pony on loan?... er, nope! When I was looking I'd have bought one for a couple of hundred quid but found a loan in the end. It's mutually beneficial! I pay for the pony's upkeep and give her more attention than she was getting at home, so owner benefits. I have a companion pony so I can take my horses out individually, so I benefit. No need for money to change hands.

 

[oldie48]

No, I've never paid and tbh I've had my pick. I have put a post on my fb account and also with my RC. I think if people know you they realise you are genuine and also know that you will look after a pony well. I loan with the agreement that I will pay for all the usual vet fees, have teeth and feet done regularly and they are treated as if they are mine. However, any long term or expensive treatment is the responsibility of the owner. As these are older usually retired or semi retired, this has always been acceptable.

 

[Mule]

I'd just get one from a charity. You won't have to buy the horse and you'd be freeing up a place for other rescue animals.

 

[Polos Mum]

Charity is def the way forward - Bransby Horses, Redwings - stick to the big registered ones (looking at problems people have had on here with want to be local charities!)

Blue cross I think contribute to ongoing care - vacs, worming etc so a really good option. It's a good deal for them as it frees up a space for a more needy case.

 

[meleeka]

I’ve had one free and paid for one. It does depend on how badly I wanted it. The one I paid for was because I could see where he’d end up and couldn’t stand it. I didn’t actually want that one!
The one I have for free, I was definitely doing the owner a favour so I would have declined if they expected money.

 

[Littlebear]

I know people locally that offer retirement livery on the same basis as you and get paid a decent amount to keep a horse at their home/property for them to use as companions. You could cash in here with a different approach.

 

[Kaylum]

We charge a rehoming fee but for that they have been passported, chipped. Quarantined with teeth, back, farrier, vet bloods taken and strangles tested. Castration if needed. Full assessment and only when they are ready will they be rehomed but then there is the application process and finding the right home. Takes a lot of time and money.

 

[Esmae]

I have never paid for a companion loan. I have always done private loans though. I do understand that charities need to charge a fee though.

 

[HollyWoozle]

I'm really surprised if you are struggling to find a loan pony for free to be honest. We advertised recently on Facebook for a mini to join our mini (who has EMS and has to stay in small paddock, so we asked for a little pony with similar needs) and we had lots of replies from people with lovely little ponies. Try again!

 

[milliepops]

I actually would pay something for one that was super duper, like doesn't get laminitis or need tons of feed, doesn't get anxious if left alone etc. Those types are really useful.
That said I have got one from a charity for £25/year (don't need her any more but she's here til the end of her days ?) and I wouldn't generally expect to have to pay a lot privately.

 

[HorseyTee]

Charity is def the way forward - Bransby Horses, Redwings - stick to the big registered ones (looking at problems people have had on here with want to be local charities!)

Blue cross I think contribute to ongoing care - vacs, worming etc so a really good option. It's a good deal for them as it frees up a space for a more needy case.

Just want to clarify the BC do NOT cover costs, unless the horse is already on medication for a chronic issue, all costs are covered by yourself.

 

[kathantoinette]

No, I got my current companion pony from a wanted advert on FB. A livery yard local to me got in touch as they had a pony who had been abandoned ? I took her home and she’s the perfect companion pony for my ridden horse.

 

[Shysmum]

I live in France. Pepsi was then 26, a shettie, ex riding school pony. He cost me €50. Since then he's cost me €2k in vet Bill's, but I wouldn't swap him for the world.Hes now 31 and I simply adore him. Get a vetting done , not that I'd have said no to Pepsi x I would suggest getting a companion vetted x

 

[Flyermc]

Maybe its stop people taking them on and then selling them as 'ridden' horses?

If someone is happy to pay £100/200 it could be reassurance of a good home?

 

[Shysmum]

Maybe its stop people taking them on and then selling them as 'ridden' horses?

If someone is happy to pay £100/200 it could be reassurance of a good home?

I insisted on buying Pepsi outright, with a receipt, so that he stayed with me.

 

[Winters100]

I would not expect to pay and 'real' amount for something that would be unridden. There used to be a fb page called something like 'retired and ex-polo ponies'. I don't use fb anymore, but my friend got one from there for free, she is lovely, and can actually be ridden just for gentle hacking. My friend uses her to accompany her kids and ponies around their farm.

ETA that the agreement was that she was given as a gentle hack, not given as unridden and my friend just decided to ride her.

 

[cauda equina]

There's someone on my local fb (Norfolk) looking for a companion home/retirement livery for a 22yo 13 2

 

[katastrophykat]

I’m potentially looking for a companion home for an older small pony, but I have huge trust issues with who has him and would want to retain ownership solely to give him a certain future- I wouldn’t expect to lease him though! ?? it’s enough that I don’t have to pay livery for him!