WWYD - Loan pony

R2R

R2R

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A child on my yard has a pony on loan - I told his parents that it was LWVTB and made it clear what this meant however this was the only pony which suited child at the time and they said they would be happy to buy it if child got on with it....anyway....pony's owners have asked me to sell the pony. I offered the pony to child's parents for £1900, and put it up for sale for £2750 which is what she is worth. Child would only get discount rate as has fittened said pony etc over the summer.

Childs parents turned around and said they wont buy pony. It seems they are entirely happy for me to have the responsibility of a horse however dont want it themselves. Vet bills etc were mentioned in a conversation...something in the way of "we dont want to have to pay its vet bills"

So I have no choice but to sell the pony. How do I make this less evil for the child? I am frustrated as childs parents sit in £1.9m house with pool and drive ferarris, child is 100% devoted to pony, yet they wont part with the cash.

I have now got 3 keen buyers trying pony out next week.

Oh help :(
 
It is not your responsibility to ensure the happiness of their child

If it was your own pony I might suggest a share or lease arrangement, however this is not the case and you need to distance yourself from it rather than getting more enmeshed in something that could become very awkward
 
Sell it if the right buyers come along. Don't hesitate. The poor child is stuck with selfish parents, but not your problem. Buy her a small present for fittening the pony if you like. Was in a similar situation with a friend, who backed out after promising all summer to buy my pony for her daughter, and I missed all that time from Easter when i could have been looking for a home.
 
Well thats what I think but I am far to emotional about stuff like this! I feel like I am stealing a childs pony :(

If I get a buyer next week I shall give them one last chance, if not the mare will go off to happy new owners and child shall be left ponyless :(
 
As hard as it is on the child, it's still not your problem. It's the parents at fault, not you. Although, some parents they seem to be! Chances are that they will find a stream of loan ponies for the child, or another treat or toy that'll take their mind off the loss of the pony, so they won't be upset for long!
 
Well, I dont like children (shock horror) so I would probably be quite heartless about it. I would say "sorry but mummy and daddy dont want to buy you said pony so I have to sell it to someone that can afford him. Dont be sad little child but blame your parents not me" Lol!
 
bexwarren24 said:
Well, I dont like children (shock horror) so I would probably be quite heartless about it. I would say "sorry but mummy and daddy dont want to buy you said pony so I have to sell it to someone that can afford him. Dont be sad little child but blame your parents not me" Lol!
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R2R is running a business though, not a playground. So hopefully this is something that would never cross her mind to say:o
 
I do feel for the child but it is really not your responsibility, sell the pony, the parents may think you are bluffing and may change their minds if you have a firm offer.

Poor kid, it is a shame and I understand your feelings, vile parents :mad:
 
I have told the child straight that I have to sell the pony - child obviously upset. I have also told parents the deal, they pay the £££ or someone else will. The fact I have knocked £800 odd quid off the price, having begged and negotiated with the owner, seems to have evaded them - which is a shame, becasue it makes part of me want to sell said pony for the full price and stick two fingers up (which I would do, be it not for said child)
 
I expect the parents thought you wouldn't be able to sell the pony, feel for the poor kid having such crappy parents but at the end of the day its not your problem, maybe you should just say to the parents that you have someone coming to see the pony & if they want the pony its going & they should prepare their child for the worst....might get them to think a bit maybe???
 
R2R said:
If I get a buyer next week I shall give them one last chance, if not the mare will go off to happy new owners and child shall be left ponyless :(
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Would that be fair on your potential buyer? I wouldn't want to look at a child's pony, allow my child to try it out, offer money and hand over a deposit to have that snatched away because you are calling somebody else's bluff..especially if I discovered that it had been sold elsewhere for less money.

You could find yourself in a very difficult position if you don't redraw the boundaries now and end the loan immediately. Where would you stand (from the owner's point of view) if between now and potential viewing dates the pony is injured while being ridden by the loan child?
 
There are plenty of people who wanted their animals in the first place who don't take responsibility for them. I wouldn't encourage anyone who isn't fully committed to the idea of all the future time and money investments to own an animal. Think of it as saving the pony from potential neglect.
 
i agree with tickles, if the parents are not set on buying the pony dont encorage them, they are obversley not looking for a pony to buy but loan only . and to be honest whats to say if they did buy the pony for the sake of there child , that child doesnt have a change of heart 2 -3 yrs done the line ,the parents are stuck with a pony .
i would close the agreement and sell pony , if she wants another loan there is plenty more .and its not like you havnt gave them first refusal
 
This may sound heartless, but the parents sound like Trouble in the longterm to me - you may well get caught between the ponies welfare/parents meaness and have endless problems. And when the child outgrows the pony they will probably be heartless about where it goes, etc.

Therefore, I think on balance I would try and find really nice home for the pony now. The child is rather stuck with its parents and you can't do much about that, but if you like it you will probably be able to encourage it in the future without putting yourself in a vulnerable position!!

Good luck!
 
Oh no :( :(

I would have one last crack at the parents. Tell them people are coming to see the pony for £2750 and it will be sold. If they really won't buy it there's nothing you can do, afterall there is the obligation to the ponys owner and other buyers coming to view pony.

I feel bad as you are stuck in a tricky situation but if the parents are idiots...perhaps what you can do is try and find another pony just on loan for child. One that you know won't be sold but the owners are happy for it to be on loan for a couple of years. This child will forget this pony if he is able to have something else to ride and love.

I really think his parents are mean though, they are really taking advantage of you and the fact you are so generous. I wish they could see that paying for a pony is a good way to keep their child out of trouble!
 
Sounds like the parents want the pony for free. Might be hoping you cant sell the pony and they'll get to keep it on loan for longer.

I really would just take the pony back and ignore them. What cruel parents =[
 
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