Long one! Warning!
Right, from the beginning.....
In Feb a girl turned up at my yard (not big just me, the owners and one other) - she had bought a cob colt of her friend (colt was already here). She is 18. She arrived and talked a good talk, we all thought she was legit.
Roll on a few weeks and we all suss that she does indeed talk a good talk but thats as far as it goes - she locked this poor colt in the stable , top door shut as well and left him to it. He climbed the walls until the owners decided enough was enough and let him back out. I will add here that this colt has been abused, has a fear of men, and was pretty much un-handled.
After this main incident said colt was left to his own devices in the field...I think he scared her and she had no idea what to do with him.
In April she turns up with a ex-racehorse. 
Beautiful boy, 5yo, out of racing for a month or two.
She has sold her colt to her 'friend' sugardaddy and paid £300 upfront for him with a agreement to pay £100 every month until he's paid up (£850 in total) .
And then the drama starts...
Her first issue was getting on - she couldn't.
Her non horsey bf was trying to give her a leg up but rather than jump on she seemed to just hang off the side for a few seconds before she dropped down. She did this a number of times. She said that he ran off or bucked when she got on.
The occasion that I witnessed was her trying this in a small yard - she hung about 5 times - horse walked forwards and got very confused. I told her to stop messing about and if she was going to get on then get on. I legged her up - something happened and she ended up standing on the floor whilst the horse ended up side down on the floor. I swear she kicked him forwards into the wall to prove a point and got off before he fell!
Second issue - she slaps him. We have nicknamed her 'slapper'. Its been heard the other side of the yard. I am going to stress - he is not a fizzy horse on the ground - he is incredibly gentle and loves a cuddle. He turned his nose to her once and she slapped him away. He moves his leg and slap.
Third issue - this is what started the current events.
A week ago Friday she bought him into his stable - her reasons were that the buttercups were irritating him. The owner topped the buttercups in his paddock that day and raked them up for her. He spent from Friday until sunday eve in his stable without any hay from her and without any water. Between us all we kept him going with hay and water as best we could. She didn't show her face at all during this time.
He was weaving at the back of his stable - legs were going aswell. He was biting his tongue. His weight (which was not the best anyway) dropped dramatically. I have never in my life seen a horse so stressed in a stable - especially one who is used to being in. He went out into a bigger paddock with lots of buttercups in the end
In the last week I have completely fallen in love with him - I should have stayed detached the bloody thing crept up on me and I am hooked!! Also in the last week I have been taking a proper look at him. His feet are in a awful state - he is underweight (which is impressive considering the time of year, the fact he is out mostly 24/7, and has hardly any exercise) . She had the farrier out 4 weeks ago and all he did was take off his back shoes ... when I looked last week it was blatantly obvious to me he was very sore on these feet and his front feet needed some attention - one front shoe was very loose. She put his rug on in the middle of the week - a turnout rug in the heat!!! He was drenched in sweat. She hasn't been down all weekend again.... I would dread to think how he will be in winter if he is like this now.
I could go on but I am hoping you get the jist....
On Friday I contacted the woman who had sold him to her and informed her of what was going on - she wasn't best pleased and met with me down the on Monday without this girl knowing. I told her I was very interested in taking him on, let her see him for herself. Her words were 'thats not the horse I sold a few months ago' . By the time she left I am confident she would be happy for me to buy him providing she could sort the issue out with money.
Turns out the girl has paid up £500 - owner has said she came down for a spot check and said his condition was poor and his feet were a mess. Girl said that she wasn't struggling and the farrier is due.
She came to the yard this morning and despite the fact that he has no back shoes and a loose front shoe - proceeded to lunge him. I left not long after she started - didn't trust my tongue. I get a call 20mins later from the yard owners oh saying that he twisted his loose shoe off and managed to puncture his hoof with a nail, she was sure there was a hole and it was bleeding.
Girl had a hissy fit, cried, said the owner was going to take him off her, and then left without treating his foot.
I called the owner and informed her of what had happened and have since sent her photo's. She asked me to pop a poultice on which I couldn't manage in the end as sods law - I get a phone call from the school saying my son had fallen over and needed to be seen. I will do it first thing if its still not been done.
So, here's my dilemma: (Big 'ol applaud if you have got this far!)
What do I do now?
Yard owner isn't best pleased because if all the drama but he did seem to be on my side, but I repeat not best pleased - either way I don't think this girl will be allowed to stay for much longer.
Girl is a twat.
Horse is a love but very un-happy and not being treated well. I could make him well and then start with some decent schooling and training as oppose to her 'lets canter round and round the fields for no reason' approach
Do I step back? I did wonder today if I was pushing it a bit too much..I haven't spoken to the girl but I have stated a serious interest to the owner. I am guessing the girl may have realized i want him by now. Do I leave it now and wait it out? Owner has said that she will let me know by the end of the week- did I do the right thing calling her today when he punctured his foot?
I may want him but ultimately I want him to be well looked after and happy - if the girl gave him this there wouldn't be a issue, likewise if the owner took him back - i'd be a bit gutted but its life...as long as he is safe and well. He deserves a ton more than he is getting now!
I have wondered about speaking to the girl and seeing if I can be logical to her (she isn't logical - complete drama queen but I can but try??) . I would happily offer her and shortfall that the owner offered on a buy back (owner mentioned that she would offer £300 back taking £200 for getting him up together). I can keep a level temper and hopefully make her realize that she is out of her depth - or is that just rude?
I would have to contact her somehow to make sure she was there at the same time as I was...
Can I do anything else?
Any advice good or bad taken on board - I am getting confused in my own head wondering if I am doing the right thing .