A cautionary post re the french horses

[indibindi]

I am getting a tad concerned that this french rescue is getting a little out of hand. I know everyone is trying to help - but I really think its time to take stock before problems occur.

I am talking about the very kind offers of money to purchase horses that will then go to live with a volunteer rescuer. Things to consider:

1. Who owns the horse?
2. Will it be on loan to the rescuer?
3. What if the money provider needs their money back and asks for the horse to be sold?
4. What if the horse is ill, lame, injured, a nutcase - who will pay for its rehabilitation?
5. What if the rescuer can no longer keep the horse?

I am very sorry to say this - but I think that only those who can buy the horse outright THEMSELVES should enter this - and WITH THEIR EYES FULLY OPEN.

Please, things like this could easily get nasty in the future.

Perhaps those with funds to buy horses but not keep them could donate to EMW or the ILPH?

I don't want to be a killjoy - but please, lets think this though properly.

[kya]

Delighted you posted this Smudge. It's easy to make a mistake in these circumstances, and these horses have suffered enough.

[fin]

Food for thought!

Do we have any lawyers who could draw up agreements regarding the horse/any funds, rights, responsibilities etc? THat way everyone would know what was OK and what wasn't.

[melissa]

think that would be a good plan finn, i dont know anyone, anyone else?

[tia]

Hi Smudge

I have offered to rescue one of these horses (the chestnut 2 yr old, Rose de soir). Anyway I am happy to wait until I have the money, I will have the money in around 4-6 weeks max. Sarahfox has offered to pay for mine until I can pay her back, I think your right in what you say.

Call me gullable, but I thought we were all a trusting bunch of people, and just trying to help a few horses. My reasons for taking on this horse are initally pity, I do feel sorry for the horses, but I am completely aware of what I am taking on. I'm going to keep this horse for life, whatever it needs, medical attention etc etc. If it needs rehabilitated, then thats what it will get, I'm expecting to be out of pocket big time as I dont think that chestnut mare looks like a bundle of health. I dont think anyone on here would be silly enough to do this on a whim without thinking about it.

Anyway now that you have brought this up, I would prefer to wait until I can purchase the horse with my own funds, thank you Sarah so much for your offer but I dont want this to get messy for anyone.

Thanks
Tia (Lisa)

[indibindi]

I have seen so many loaners on here upset that their beloved horse has been whipped from under them, or put up for sale and offered to them for 3 times their worth - to feel obliged to post this.

Circumstances change. We are all a bunch of strangers. Call me cynical - but I wouldn't hand over £1K of my money to anyone I don't know - and probably not some folk that I do know.

Where money is concerned - it brings out the worst in folk. Sad, but true.

[lynn]

I was just thinking among similar lines here.

I mean on the one hand we are now beginning to worry about the cost of feed through the winter with the weather we have been havings, so what is now going to happen with regard to these horses that you have saved.

You may find the cost spiral for the horses that you already own, so please think carefully about what you are doing

[sarahfox]

Well Smudge,perhaps thats true,and perhaps I am naive to believe that there are really caring people out there that will look after the horses,but we all have to trust sometimes and for the horses sake lets hope you're wrong.
I have had a long conversation with Lucy in France and put my name down for 6 horses,so I certainly hope that it all works out otherwise I will have to keep them all myself hehe!!

[jl]

Tia does this mean you cannot take Rose de soir?? i took her off the at threat list and marked safe??? i will have to put her back at risk until i have confirmation from lucy with these horses. good luck to anyone who is trying their hardest here xxx

[indibindi]

sarahfox - its nothing to do with trust circumstances change. what if the interest rates go up again, what if we have a bad forage crises over winter...

I'm not saying don't do it - I am saying get yourselves covered legally so that nothing ever turns nasty. Both parties.

[jl]

yes i agree. but hope all is done to help these horses, im doing as much as i can wish i could do more, if anyone needs help let me know ill stay on this case until the cows come home. xx

[sarahfox]

Smudge,I appreciate what you're saying but isn't that always the case whenever anybody takes on a horse?I'm sure that nobody is doing this lightly and will all do their best,what more can we ask?The plan is that people will make whatever donatio they can towards the horses purchase and they will then own the horse,that way there are no legal issues and it is no different to any other horse purchase except that all these horses have no other future prospect.
Jl,I have just pm'd you re rose!
Regards to all,Sarah.

[milo]

well i'm a trusting soul too, and i'm prepared to take one on and pay for what ever it needs as i would any other horse in my care,

[indibindi]

sarah - what you are doing is commendable, but it has been proven in the past that not everyone on this DG is trustworthy.

For example - imagine you pay £600 for a horse, and then see it on Horsemart 2 weeks later for £2000... only its got problems and someone buys it and then it ends up in a dealers yard and ends up going for meat anyway.

I think that the purchaser has to take responsibility - why not loan the horses out for 12 months, afterwhich ownership transfers to the loanee.

[kya]

Let's not start stamping our feet at Smudge. It's a very well meant piece of advice. Completely sensible and could be easily plumbed into any arrangements. It's not just hurt feelings or lost money we are talking about, it's the welfare and future of these vulnerable horses.