I need a plan

[Minouri]

Ok, Tony just called me. You know his friend Brendan who rides Scooter? He was just offered a TB for free because its present owners are having trouble riding it. He doesn't mind working with a horse.

Brendan asked Tony if he could board the horse here. And Tony called and asked me if I thought we could do it.

Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaang on just one second. Didn't he just decide that we couldn't have a third horse here?

I told Tony that a slightly wild TB would be a bad choice for our little family barn.

I'm thinking about calling Brendan and telling him that if wants a horse...I've heard of some good leases that we could handle here....nice Paso Finos....that he could work with and we could all ride. Maybe we could find one that we'd all like.

I'm excited that Tony even opened the door the possibility again. Maybe that means that he just wasn't too keep about the ones I showed him.

What should I do? Jump on this opportunity? Or wait and bring up a horse again in the spring?

[ErinC]

:shock:

I am going to ZIPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP my lip! ;-)

[Minouri]

Come on. Here I was innocently minding my own business and TONY brought it up this time. It's like he wants me to get a new horse!

[Terri]

It has been my experience that when a horse moves in, it does not move out. Then I find I have no room for the horse I want and opps, I am building again. But that is just my experience. Pssst, there are SIX horses in my little 2 horse barn now.

[dana]

didn't someone post a thread not too long ago on how much a "free" horse really cost? :D
i would just hope any new one doesn't pick on Snowy.

[Minouri]

Dana,

I wouldn't want anything bad happening to Snowy either. We've got a separate paddock in the back that would be where we'd start a third horse until we knew how they all got along.

Not that I've thought this through before....lol

[Carol Nelson]

Oh boy...as one who used to board horses, let's just say I don't do it anymore...nuff said! :roll:

[Minouri]

Carol,

That's why I'm not looking to board for Tony's friend. I'd rather find a horse that he wants to ride but that is actually OURS.

[Linda Y]

I agree with the others. If you let a board horse move in, it will take up the space you had for a horse of your own. Don't do it. AND it could seriously cause bad feelings if one or the other of you weren't totally happy with the arrangement. Don't do it.
Only reason I keep my best friends horses is because we have been friends forever, I like her horses, and she pretty much lets me decide how they should be fed, trimmed, vetted, etc.

[Boyd R]

I let a woman board from me until she felt comfortable with the horse she bought from me. 16 months later she is still here. I am glad at the moment do to round bales just went up to $70 dollers a bale last week. Maybe once the grass starts growing again I will start pushing her down the street again.

And I know two cheap Pasos for sale at the moment. One that he would appreciate over working with that TB and one that momma don't love no more and needs a new home. :( :( :(

[Laura S]

I would say it should be a horse that Tony and his friend could sort of share. You need to be careful that it's a horse that can get along with your others, and with your family. You don't want anybody getting hurt. I think pasos like to hang out with other pasos too! It's amazing how one horse can upset the whole apple cart. Good luck!

[CarolU]

I've had very bad experiences boarding for friends. They get behind on payments, don't buy quality tack that the horse deserves, don't show up for farrier visits or vet calls. You get in an uncomfortable position of having to pester friends for payments...and it's very hard to do.

Also, with the limited amount of space you have, you need that for your other horse. If he gets this horse, then that eleminates the possibility of you getting another Paso for Tony.

[ErinC]

OK OK OK , not always ,,,,
I LOVE my BOARDER, she is the best ever. and you guys just sumed that up!
:shock:
wow!

[Pam M]

I love my boarders - without them, I would have room for a bunch more horses of my own, which I sooooo don't need. In fact, I need new boarders to lease my horses until I'm only down to one so I don't feel guilty about not spending enough time with the others!

Actually, the only bad boarding experience I've really had was when I boarded for a friend. If you do it, make sure you get everything in writing and then make sure you stay on top of it and don't let things slip. I learned some valuable lessons and only barely salvaged the friendship. And I'm STILL waiting for her to replace the six trees that her piggy horse ate!

Seriously, though - get it in writing. It may seem like overkill but it can save your friendship and your sanity to have a good understanding of everyone's expectations.

[jodiTowne]

Minouri....I think what your saying is it is time for the FAMILY to get another gaited horse, one all of you can share including Tony's friend!?? I say go for it but of course take your time finding the right one. There are LOTS of good gaited horses out there as you know. And big enough for Tony to feel comfortable on. Right now is a buyers market....and spring is right around the corner!!

[Terri]

don't worry Jodi, Erin and I are all over this! Ruth's family won't know what hit them.

[Minouri]

:hug

I think I'm wearing Tony down.....lol

[Bonnie M]

I'd be afraid it might cause problems in the relationship Tony and you have with the friend.

I think you found the answer....get a horse you guys want and let him ride it.