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Discuss horse riding and ownership on our Horse forum.

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Am I being taken for a mug here?

35 replies

stopthelights · 10/11/2013 18:24

My dd has ridden for several years. She is a competent rider but was getting bored with lessons. We asked at the stable she normally rides at if she could part loan a pony so she could learn some stable management and ride a bit more. The stable agreed we could have a pony on part loan. This would allow my daughter to look after the pony and ride on Sunday and one or two other evenings a week as long as the pony was not being used in lessons. The agreement was that we would pay £150 a month plus pay for insurance for the pony so there would be public liability insurance as the pony was being used outside of lessons. My dd would muck out, clean tack, do hay nets etc on the days she rode. We thought it was quite expensive but agreed.

Fast forward a few months and the pony needed a new turn out rug (we bought one), then a new stable rug (which I found on e-bay) but the last straw is my dd came home with two farriers' bills totalling £160 (£80 from September and £80 this month) which we are supposed to stump up for...

I am beginning to think I am being taken for an absolute mug here. I don't mind contributing to the cost of shoes but given that the pony is used in lessons and only ridden by my daughter a maximum of three times a week I think asking us to pay the full cost of shoes is a bit much. However, I am new to this game (and very naive too I can hear you say) so I am willing to be corrected but AIBU to think this is taking the mickey somewhat?

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mistlethrush · 12/11/2013 21:16

I hope you'll take the rugs with you if you do go!!!

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Aeroaddict · 13/11/2013 10:07

You are not a mug! You would be if you just paid up and said nothing though. I hope you manage to get it sorted without your DD being too upset. The YO should be ashamed of herself!

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dappleton · 13/11/2013 10:22

As a YO myself I usually see things from that perspective but this is really not on, in no way can I see how a RS can justify passing those costs onto you for 3 rides a week when your DD is also expected to work on the yard. So glad you are sorting this out. IMO you should be paying a fixed cost - for the actual riding and having the pony 'as yours' - plus half shoes and half vet/dentist etc plus any insurance that you need. Anything else is really pushing it.

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stopthelights · 16/11/2013 12:26

Just a quick update. DH took DD for her lesson and spoke to the YO. YO said that she did indeed expect us to foot the full cost of the shoes and that we were getting a good deal. We asked for a written agreement but she says 'she doesn't do these'. I think it's time to say good bye to this yard. DD very upset but I feel I am being royally screwed over. Going to see another yard this afternoon . Thank you all for your advice and comments.

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Battytwollocks · 16/11/2013 13:11

Such a shame for your DD, however I have recently had a problem with a yard and my DD was soooo in love with the pony there, however I had a long chat with her and told her what was going on and why I thought we shouldn't continue there (she is 8) but that we would find somewhere else ASAP, she took it incredibly well and the move was smooth from her point of view. Hopefully your current YO will realise she can't do this to people and you never know, she may drop the price instantly to what it should be - that said, would you want to stay there if you know they are happy to rip you off so easily? I hope you get everything sorted, it makes me mad that people think they can get away with this - it's emotional blackmail as they know that children fall in love with their ponies and the parents are reluctant to do anything because of the children's feelings!! X