Need help with returning a horse home???

Question

First sorry it's gonna be long....

You see for 8 yrs, my neighbor/friend brings her horse to my place for the summer pasture, and goes home in winter, but this yr she's relocating, and I've already taken one of her dogs, and don't want another Large horse right know, so before (I won't put it past her!) I get "stuck" with her, how can I walk her back home, and say sorry have to cut it short this yr, cause???? Last yr had too, due to lack of rain, can't get away with it this yr, and a few yrs back when my girl was young Chey would pick on her, so it was cut short, this yr, I've said how nice it's been, they get along wonderful, my girls more the boss this time, Chey isn't running through the fence and stays away from it, comes in for feedings, and so on, (wish I wouldn't had said all that) anyways, I want to take her back home before trouble starts. Also I had to bug her to let me put up a add at work on two web sites for horses for sale. I don't know she's a friend but no a best friend, don't mean to sound mean, but it's hard to explain. Let me know what other info I forgot or that might help. Thanks and hope I explain myself correct:)

O and ther is no fee, or contract.

Answer 1

I agree with Solstice and just wanted to add that if that doesn't work for some reason you may have to just suck it up and tell her that her horse is her responsibility and is not welcome at your farm anymore.  It's one thing to be nice and help a friend in need, but it's quite another story when that friend begins to use you as a doormat.  End it!  Even if it means the friendship will be ruined.

Answer 2

firstly tell this person that her horse has to return home due to a change in Your circumstances.  if she asks what, then tell her it is private and that you can't discuss it.  if that doesn't work, then send her a letter giving notice for her to remove her horse from your property. perhaps 7 or 10 days.  failure in removing her horse will lead to the horse being sent to a livery yard at her cost.  this sounds rather drastic but sometimes it is the only way for these people to understand that when you say no,  then it means no.

or ask if she wants to sign ownership to you if she doesn't want the horse.

oh, the joys of some horsey people.   good luck

Answer 3

Well, one excuse would be "I'm sorry, but due to some recent financial struggles, I can't afford to keep your horse on my property anymore. I'm sorry for any trouble this may have caused." and hand the horse over. This will probably upset her if she was planning on leaving her horse with you. After you hand the horse over, I advise that you put locks on all your stalls, paddocks, tack room, gates, etc. That way she won't just put the horse in your property in the middle of the night, and then drive off. :) Good luck!

Answer 4

You really just need to be up front with her! It would not be very nice of her at all to just dump the horse on you... especially since you say she just showed up at your house with her....thats not fair to you!

If you choose to say your getting a new one, you need to mention that you just cannot afford to keep your own plus hers.... in that case, tell her you need money for board.. have a contract signed with a clause (like they normally do) that if she doesnt pay board then you are able to keep the horse until either she pays, or the horse becomes yours..

But honestly I would try to keep this as civil as possible and just tell her your concerns and that you feel its best that she take the horse back (if your scared of her, then get your hubby to do it!!! thats what men are for!! LOL)

Best of Luck with your situation!!

Answer 5

So lemme see if I have this right.

This 'friend' of yours keeps her horse at your place for the summer to take advantage of your offer of good pasture at no cost.  Then in the winter, the horse goes home where the owner feeds her all winter and maintains her.  This 'friend' is moving away and now you're afraid you're going to get stuck with her horse when she leaves without word to you.

Have I got that correct?

1.  Is the horse registered?

2.  Is the horse broke or trained?

Never ever put yourself in a position to allow a relationship without bounds.  You're awfully nice - I mean REALLY nice - to give away the pasture you pay taxes on and the fences and facilities you're paid to erect or purchased with your home to another person for some reason.  You need to think of it this way - you ARE giving away something of value to someone.  You really need to have some sort of agreement with such a person before taking it on - the very least of which includes what happens to the animals were she to ever get in an accident and die or even what would happen if anyone visiting that horse on your property were to get hurt - who's liable.

these are the things responsible horse owners do.  You might THINK you're doing a favor for your friend and she might actually be very nice and thankful for it - but if either of you are responsible, you'll see that all possibilities are covered.

Here's what I'd do, if I ever were un-educated enough to get in such a situation:  I would march straight down to her house, lay it on the line about your fears and ask her how she intends to handle the situation.  Ask her what her timeline is for moving away and what expectations she has for the horse.  You say you've tried to help her advertise the horse for sale?  So what have you done to protect yourself from potential buyers getting injured while on your property viewing the horse?  Do you realize one mis step and you could lose everything - legally?

If she has no answers, has no plan then you tell her in no uncertain terms that her horse will be brought back to her either immediately or at a specified time and you hope she'll understand your fears about being left with this horse or being in the position of possible responsiblity for any part of the sale of the horse or any part in personal injury on your property.

Times are tough, people do things we don't expect them to.  How many people who've been sued for things like injuries involving horses do you think got through it and said "I knew I was going to get sued"?  I'll answer that one for ya - none of them - because if they did, they'd have covered their rears.  People get in situations they don't know how to handle - and they'll take you down with them not even intending to.

Please, you seem like a nice person - get the horse out of your facility/responsibility or make arrangements to take legal possession of it so you can ensure it gets the best chance at a good home.

Check out the Equine Activity laws in your state and consider what the possiblities are and form an action plan to protect yourself from irresponsible, or even unsavory characters who'd set out to gain something from your naivete.