Am i the only one who thinks this is really cheeky?

[TheQueenOfDiamonds]

People who put ads up wanting a cracking pony for free.. Am i the only one who wants to ring them up and abuse them?

Responding the FTGH ads, Yes do that, It's being offered and if you can offer it a good home go for it. Offering to take in unwanted/problem animals, Fine.

Loans.. again different.. But seriously, Do people really expect to get a 100% bombproof pony with tack (Oh and delivery too as no transport!) GIVEN to them for nothing?

Am i being snobbish?

[SaggyOldClothCatPuss]

No you aren't. Nobody ever wants a project horse, 'don't mind if it's got three legs, as long as its breathing'. They want 'must be 100% in every way.'
Sadly, I'm sure they after get what they want. The people who have perfect animals don't want to sell them on, and the people with the projects just want rid. I know far too many useless people who have been given cracking ponies on loan and are slowly messing them up.

[AlpinePony]

Don't even go there. Two pregnancies now and I've not been able to get anyone to ride for FREE, I've even tried paying people in the past and they still wouldn't do it!

Whatever happened to the hoardes of teens desperate for free rides?

Actually, a woman I knew who owned a riding school told me they were a horror for getting texts at 10am on a saturday morning and fucking off in to town to "hang out" around the shops instead.

There also seems to be a prevailing attitude of "oh I'm really good me, tonnes of experience"... and we all know how that ends!

[SaggyOldClothCatPuss]

OOH YES! It usually means 'I've sat on a horse once and I want to have a go on yours!'


The only time I loaned a pony out, I told the woman she WAS NOT to feed the Shetland NO MATTER WHAT! I even made her sign a contract to that effect!
I got 'But it's only a handful of Chaff and a few nuts'! and a pile of hay in the field at night It was like a fucking zeppelin when I took it back!

[AllPastYears]

I don't understand these ads at all... I think, if you can't afford to buy a horse, you can't afford to keep one. And if you just don't have the ready cash right now, put aside the money you'd need to keep it and after a while (not very long in my pony's case, ha ha) you'd have the money to buy one.

[rosettes]

I did exactly this. Got an amazing pony on loan which my dd is thoroughly enjoying. He is youngish (6) and she is really helping to bring him on. Sorry if you think it was cheeky although I don't really care as we got an amazing pony out of it - we pay for everything for him while we have him and are keeping him ticking over for his owner until her own dd is big enough for him. The loaner is thrilled with the care that we are giving. Not sure what your problem is with any of it to be honest!

[rosettes]

"I think, if you can't afford to buy a horse, you can't afford to keep one. "

That is a ridiculous statement. I don't have a ready 3,500k but I do have a steady income for farrier, food etc. Our paddock is free!

[rosettes]

And sorry, but you do sound snobby! As do the women at pony club who constantly refer to him as a 'loan pony'! We don't care - we love him and we look after him really well and that's what matters!

[SaggyOldClothCatPuss]

Because, Rosettes, most people who apply are idiots/joyriders/chancers! You'd be amazed at some of the people who apply!

[rosettes]

I think that is the same if you are selling too though.

[SaggyOldClothCatPuss]

P.s. I don't do Pony Club! I'm not posh at all!

[SaggyOldClothCatPuss]

Oh yes. Selling is just as bad.

[Mirage]

We've just taken a 100% bombproof [so far,anyway] pony on loan,he was delivered to us [I didn't ask for him to be delivered,but didn't argue] with made to measure tack and if he doesn't suit,his owner will come and collect him again.He isn't a free ride as I've just rung to insure him and nearly fainted,he also has special food which isn't cheap.

I didn't want to buy,because in a year to 18 months DD2 will have outgrown him and I have no smaller jockey to move onto him.His owner is happy because he was sitting in a field doing nothing and as he has had EMS needs to be exercised.Our loan pony belongs to a Pony Club mum and she is looking forward to seeing DD2 at PC on him.By next year,DD2 will have moved onto dpony and I'll be looking for a bigger pony for DD1,who I will probably buy.

The good thing is,him being on loan,gives me a valid reason for not letting all and sundry pop around so their kids can have a free ride.I plan to say that due to the agreement I signed,ony my DDs are permitted to ride him.

[OrmIrian]

"Whatever happened to the hoardes of teens desperate for free rides?"

Well i've got one! She'd give her eye teeth for a pony loan. But can't find any in the area.

[mistlethrush]

I would be very up for holiday care and the odd weekend here and there in exchange for being able to teach DS to ride on a pony (many years riding for a friend in exchange for contribution towards shoeing and insurance and similar care during holidays etc)

[OrmIrian]

The riders wanted/pony share ads in this area are really expensive. I could afford lessons for DD or a pony share - not both. What is the normal arrangement?

[mistlethrush]

I can't even afford lessons OrmIrian - £25 for 30 mins here, although you do get a 'free' lesson if you book 4 so £20 for 30 mins overall. And by the sound of it, that's not even 25 mins riding either.

[OrmIrian]

It's that much here for a private one-to-one lesson. DD now goes to group lessons - £20 for 45 mins. But she can only go once a fortnight. I wish I could afford more.

[mistlethrush]

That's the price for a group lesson here

I'm sure that there must be someone around who would think its a great idea - but they're probably not advertising as they don't want to get someone that will take them for a ride [pun intended] and make do with other assistance when they're away.

[TheQueenOfDiamonds]

I don't understand these ads at all... I think, if you can't afford to buy a horse, you can't afford to keep one. And if you just don't have the ready cash right now, put aside the money you'd need to keep it and after a while (not very long in my pony's case, ha ha) you'd have the money to buy one.

THIS Is exactly what i think. Its sooo much common sense as you'll also find out weather you can manage with the cost of keeping them.

rosettes That's not wanting a cracking pony GIVEN you for free though. What you've done is different as i said in my OP.

I don't know why people are mentioning loaning. Looking for a pony on loan and specifying what you'd like is completely different from wanting to be GIVEN a brilliant horse for nothing.

[TheQueenOfDiamonds]

And i don't do pony club either, And i wouldn't be so rude as to constantly refer to your pony as 'loan pony'. I have had ponies on loan. I've nothing whatsoever against that.

[SaggyOldClothCatPuss]

The thing is, everyone needs lessons. Especially kids with loan ponies. It's not good for a novice to just get a pony and potter about.

[horseylady]

Agree!! My ponies on loan to a teenager. But shes with me. No way would I ever sell her. But I do plan on her being loaned for the future. They're doing well. I wouldnt write a free ad I wouldn't respond to a free ad either!! Everyone who sells something does so for a reason!

[rosettes]

I really don't understand what your problem is.

If people aren't looking to loan with the ads but just be given a pony I can't imagine that they get any replies, so really not an issue.

[TheQueenOfDiamonds]

Rosettes - I just think its a bit cheeky, And get annoyed when browsing ads to see umpteen 'Wanted free to good home must be 100% this and that' ads. And as you say it's not likely to get replies so why clog up pages with it? Especially when they purposely put it in the wrong category to get it noticed more.

[rosettes]

Yes it is cheeky. But if they get a pony through it, then so what?