Would You Pay this Bill?

Chavhorse

Chavhorse

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A friend of mine has just been handed a bill by his trainer for £385.00 for a replacement pair of glasses frames, turns out he was in the process of mounting friends horse when it lifted its head whacking him on the nose and breaking the frame of his glasses.

My feeling is that this is the kind of thing that ought to be covered by the trainers insurance and at the most friend should be expected to pay either the excess or a token payment as a gesture of goodwill.

He is in a bit of a difficult position obviously but what would your reaction be to receiving a bill like this?
 
No I wouldn't pay! That is like them having a crash on the way to give you a lesson and charging for a new car, these things happen!
 
My feeling is that this is the kind of thing that ought to be covered by the trainers insurance and at the most friend should be expected to pay either the excess or a token payment as a gesture of goodwill
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I agree with this.
 
Why was he wearing such an expensive pair for riding? Replacing a basic pair - ok wouldn't be amused and might look for a new trainer but would probably pay up - however if he chooses to wear expensive frames that's his responsibility - if he needs specialist lens and that's why they are so much then he should know that and insure himself accordingly. (spec savers have frames starting at £25!)
 
If he was being paid to ride the horse then no- he should have the insurance- its a hazard that comes with the job, if on the other hand it was being done as a favour then maybe some money should be given towards the glasses
 
Thanks ladies.....my thoughts exactly but without the "He is taking the P***" comment.

Unfortunately my friend does not like confrontation so I fear he will pay up! Cost of replacement frames only seems excessive to me as well, also payment has been requested in cash only....mmmmmm
 
shadowboy said:
If he was being paid to ride the horse then no- he should have the insurance- its a hazard that comes with the job, if on the other hand it was being done as a favour then maybe some money should be given towards the glasses
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Horse is in training livery so he should indeed be covered.
 
Foxhunter49 said:
Get your friend to tell the trainer that he will pay the bill on receipt from an optician.
Personally I would buy him a tube of super glue and some duct tape!
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He has been given the receipt from the optician:-))) and yes it is indeed for £385.00 Titanium Flexi Frames if you please (obviously not that Flexi!) :-))

Faracat - I have tried to be stern but his lip wobbled :-)) for a 6ft strapping lad is is a total wuss:-)
 
Surely the rider was negligent in mounting leaning so far forward and with such loose reins that the horse was able to smash him in the face as he got on? His technique sounds completely wrong. I think he is at fault and there is no way that your friend should pay for the glasses.
 
If the horse was in training livery, I take it that your friend wasn't actually there when it happened?

IMO I wouldn't pay either, he should be covered, ESP when it was at his yard too.
 
Mucky Shavings said:
If the horse was in training livery, I take it that your friend wasn't actually there when it happened?

IMO I wouldn't pay either, he should be covered, ESP when it was at his yard too.
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Actually he was there when it happened.....trainer was suffering from a bad back at the time (you couldn't make this up could you:-)) ) had to use a mounting block to get on, horse not used to block and ran backwards throwing its head up in the air, friend had to deal with lots of blood.

In my mind if his back was bad he should not have been trying to get on the horse to train it in any case.

I would be saying "no way and moving horse" but my friend though I was being overly harsh! glad to see I am not the only one.....I shall print off this thread and show him :-))
 
Chavhorse said:
Actually he was there when it happened.....trainer was suffering from a bad back at the time (you couldn't make this up could you:-)) ) had to use a mounting block to get on, horse not used to block and ran backwards throwing its head up in the air, friend had to deal with lots of blood.

In my mind if his back was bad he should not have been trying to get on the horse to train it in any case.

I would be saying "no way and moving horse" but my friend though I was being overly harsh! glad to see I am not the only one.....I shall print off this thread and show him :-))
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I agree, the trainer properly shouldnt be ridding if his back was that bad he couldn't react quickly enough to the horse shooting backwards.
 
Many many other questions here! Like - what if the trainer fell off when riding and split his breeches, would he then request payment for a new pair??? He could claim for ANYTHING!!!

Tell your friend to grow a set and tell the trainer to "take a ride" - preferably not on his horse!!! I would not be happy using any trainer who could possibly think about pulling a stunt like this!

Are those frames a like for like replacement or is he just using it as an excuse to get "an upgrade"??

Think the answer is a resounding NO!
 
To help your friend avoid the confrontation he obviously wishes to avoid I would recommend he simply posts the receipt back to the trainer with a letter suggesting it would be appropriate for the trainer to claim on his own insurance as he is not liable for the problem.

Some people are just too cheeky for words!
 
No way would I pay.... And I wear glasses and the ones I wear to ride in I buy of glasses direct . Com for £20 as it's easy to break them around horses ...!!! Tell him to do one... Chancer..!
 
No I wouldn't pay. It's part and parcel of the job hence why the trainer should have insurance. In my opinion though the trainer should have contacted your friend prior to replacing them.
 
Mmm - as someone who runs a training yard - I confess I'd never thought of this as a possibility. So when a breaker throws my rider he should claim for a new hat. And when a horse stomps on my foot and damages my boot, I should claim for a new pair of boots. And of course if the bu**er breaks a head-collar, a brand new English leather headcollar must be purchased as a replacement for the tatty old one!

And then there was that stupid mare who jumped the stable door and turned it to matchsticks! Silly me, I just built a new door (at my expense) and used the old one in the log-burner! I'd guess if this trainer poos his pants when a horse plays up, he'd send the owner the laundy bill too!!

Your friend is MAD if he pays this!! Of course the trainer wants it in cash - so there's no evidence! he'll also claim from his household insurance!!
 
No way would I pay.

Move horse ASAP the trainer sounds like a right chancer.

Most I would do would be to contact my own insurance company, give them the details (stating I did not believe I/my horse was liable), give my insurance companies details to the trainer and wish him luck ;) - Then my insurance company could tell him to do one too. :)
 
No way I would pay either. Occupational hazard! I wear glasses or contacts but luckily my eyesight is not so bad so I don't wear glasses when riding but if I did I would use a cheap pair!
 
piebaldsparkle said:
No way would I pay.

Move horse ASAP the trainer sounds like a right chancer.

Most I would do would be to contact my own insurance company, give them the details (stating I did not believe I/my horse was liable), give my insurance companies details to the trainer and wish him luck ;) - Then my insurance company could tell him to do one too. :)
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My advice too!
 
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