Horse Ownership

[cocoloco]

I probably don't have a leg to stand on here legally, but please here me out!

I am a horse owner, I have two of my own. 4 years ago, June 2007 my neighbour asked me to look after her horse and newborn foal while she emigrated to America and she told us that it would be three years max.

Four years on, we are still looking after her horse and what is now a four year old gelding. I recieve no money for looking after her horse and we haven't received money for their upkeep in two years. We sent a bill around a month ago for what would really be less than what is owed but it hasn't been paid. I have now got an email (this weekend) from her talking of the possibility of settling in England (we are based in NI) and wants to bring the horses over in September. There is no word of the money we are owed and we have since got another bill in from the farrier.

We are of course, very attached to the both of the horses, but at the same time they belong to her and she is named as owner on their passports (which we have).

What can I do, if anything?

[scotman]

If you have the passports don't give them up until all the bills are paid. Alternatively sell one horse and tell this person it died and was sent to knacker's yard.

[welshlibranr]

I would tell her in no uncetain terms that when she pays her bill for their upkeep the horses will be released into her care, until then, no way!..........

[tamborine]

Send the owner a livery bill for the time you have cared for the horses, include feed/vet/farrier charges. Give owner a set time to settle account or you will consider the horses your property.

[welshlibranr]

tambo is so right!..........if they don't respond and pay up, take possesion of them in lieu of payment for livery and services!..........don't think they'd fight you on this if they can't pay the livery bills!.............

[wildwood]

I'd say you have four legs to stand on. Providing reward for your service was agreed upon before you took the horses into your care, you have every right to keep the animals until full settlement of the account has been made.

If there has been no communication as was expected there is also some law about abandonment of an animal. Not sure but this may enable you to keep both horses.

I can't imagine how hard it would be to give up an animal after three years of care.

[vivandorron]

I also go along with both welsh and tambo. I would set the time factor for 'payment within 28days'. scotman is right about hanging onto the passports.

Ron.

[vivandorron]

Hope I'm being helpful:-

http://www.equinelega...-finders-keepers.html

Ron