How do I say "No Thanks" to a Gift Horse

[WileyCoyote]

When we bought this place, the owner really didn't want to sell, but had to (divorce). She had the sweetest blue roan that she had placed for $30 a month on another farm - a little old lady horse of 26 years - and the horse simply wasn't getting enogh to eat. Well, I told her that her horse could stay here, rent-free, if she would provide any feed, medications, etc that she felt were necessary. The owner didn't want to put her down, because she meant so much to her family.

The owner hasn't been to see the horse since she put it here. She rarely provides feed. We like the old girl so we feed her in the AM, curry her, even buy her her favorite Oreos. She follows us around and nuzzles us when she thinks about it, but otherwise just hangs out in the pasture grazing.

Because she is 26 YOA, I wouldn't think of putting her under the saddle again. Her joints creak and groan in the AM, much like mine. I worry that she might not last the winter. I am planning on getting my own horse eventually; one that I can gentle to my specifications, habits, etc. This horse is ok, not a problem, but then I am not taking any responsibility for her. She is set in her ways, and very smart - used to be a barrel champ - but now she just wants to chill and I don't blame her. I also don't want to pay to have her put down or - eventually - hauled off.

But I just got a long chatty email today from the previous owner; now she wants to sign her over to me! Eeeek. How do I say 'no' without being offensive? Should I just invite her to move the horse closer to her current home (in town) to get out from under this? How can I tell this person that I really don't want that responsibility - especially since it will be an expense to have her hauled off when she passes? I liked the idea of the horse retiring here, just chilling and having the right to be old without problems, but I do not want to own a horse that might last another 4-5 years or only six more months, or that I would feel guilty about riding or putting to work. Which to me is what horses are FOR - not decoration of a corral or pasture.

I am not good at this. Please help me see things clearly.

[rockymtngirl]

Well, if it were me I would simply tell her you are just not in a position (financially, time wise) to continue to care for this horse. SEems like she really doesn't want the cost of caring for the horse, but hey - she needs to take responsibility at this point. Is there a horse rescue or similar place in your area that would be a possibility?

[patriotchick]

I would just simply say no thanks, you dont owe her a reason or any explanation, you have been more than generous..I hate it when people pass off responsibility of elderly animals to someone else. That said I had a 30 year old morgan that I leased to a friend for a companion to her single horse, she is still alive and kicking 2 years later, I also rode her right up till the day she left here, short rides down the dirt road and back, she loved it and it kept her in better shape. When the time comes we agreed that we would split the cost of putting her down.

[WileyCoyote]

Thanks for ya'll's help!
Patriotchick, if the sweet old lady still was healthy I might consider it, but she creaks and groans in her joints worse than I do in the morning! ;) She doesn't really want to do anything but hang out, be petted and curried, and graze. She has had a lot of injuries in her past - a large part of her right front shoulder had to be removed due to a bad fence injury - and she limps pretty badly on these cooler mornings. She does, however, like to 'trap' the other horses in the barn stalls while they eat; once she finishes her breakfast she goes over and stands in the doorway so that they can't get by, and nips them if they try. We have to lead her away so they can 'escape! She is such a spoiled and righteous thing, and knows who runs the corral!

I told the owner that we simply couldn't afford the time or fiscal responsibility at this point in time, and she doesn't seem too happy but did say she was bringing hay by this month... we'll see.

[silvergramma]

hey there ,, look for someone nearby who does horse rescue.. go into chat rooms.. i come from aol horse chat and maybe can find someone local there to take her.. i have a 22 year old stallion that had a hard time last year with the winter but we have him on senior pellets and lots of supplements.. older horses really arent that hard to care for if they are easy keepers.. might be a rescue organization near you ... can also call local spca see if they have anyone interested in taking the horse or maybe local family would love to have a lawn ornament,,.. good luck placing her..

[backlash]

Horses seem to be getting to be a real problem for people.
Craigslist has ads for free horses all the time.
The cost of feeding them is getting out of hand.
A guy went to the cattle auction and when he wasn't looking someone loaded 3 horses into his trailer.
He unloaded them as fast as he could and let the auction house deal with them.
I heard there are a lot of "wild horses" in the hills. Complete with trimmed manes and shoes. Some still wearing their halters.
Sad situation.
I would tell her to come and get HER horse or you will be stuck with the bills.
backlash