Luxury I can't give up easily

miss_spooky

Hi all,

Whilst I've been posting some oter queries and a couple of soa'a that I have had some great advice with. I've had a query niggling at the back of my mind. I would be greatful if anyone could shed any light on the best way "round" this.

Basically I have a horse. She's 27 yrs old and I've had her since she was 3. She costs me approx £120pm during the summer mths, and around £250pm during winter mths. The reason for this is that she is a thoroughbred and can not live out during the winter months as her health will suffer.

I had someone who was sharing costs, but they have had to quit, so I'm having to pay for everything whilst I look around for someone else.

I know this will be looked on as a luxury, but short of having her put down - and the only reason there would be to reduce cost for br, How would this be viewed by or.

In the past I've hidden the costs in housekeeping etc, but as this is all above board and checked with a fine toothcomb I don't think I can hide upto £200. And by not declaring it, will leave us struggling.

What to do?

Rylynn

Oh dear what a dilema Spooky... sorry I really do not know the answer but feel for you as you have had her so long.

Hope someone will help.

RL

lrr_2

Is there not a sanctuary that can take her? Someone would take her.

PSNautical

declare it and pray for the best?

in my eyes its a "dependant"

but i know peopel arnt as animal friendly as i am so i really cannot help

sorry

fiveyearplan

Oh I'm so sorry Miss Spooky. A horse would be seen as an asset and sold with the proceeds to go into your BR. I know it isn't fair but thats the way it is. I'm sure she won't be put down though so I hope you can take comfort from that. If you say there is no trace of her in any of your bank/cc accounts could you find her a new home yourself?

dalip

There was a poster,oh way back when i first came on here. She too had a horse,had had her for years. The only problem she had was with the OR allowing for her keep to come out of her i&e. I am not sure what happened,the last i heard from her she still had the horse. As FYP says though her value may be an issue.Will rack my small brain to see if i can remember her name or find the post for you. It may help.Dx

Neyo

The Horse is part of your family your life it's a living animal it's just like having your own child. Be honest tell the OR there is no way they will take the horse



Good luck.

maxmycardagain

start a little business giving riding lessons, tools of a trade cannot be siezed

Got2change

I feel for you; I too have a 27 year old TB (gelding) who is - as they all are - a labour of love at times.


I have to say that I didn't declare him on any paperwork for the BR - and certainly not as an asset:rotfl: . The problem with doing that is that if you then include any costs regarding the horse in your I&E......
When I (stupidly) did mention him to the OR - when talking about how I had managed to blow my divorce settlement partly on a Shogun and trailer (!!!!) - she got quite shirty and I had my knuckles well and truly rapped for non-disclosure of an asset (oh, that word!)
I keep my horse on a friend's farm at no cost as I help them out a lot but I do buy hard feed and have shoes to pay for (surgical) at £55 every six weeks. Your main issue is of course the £250 that you need to find as there is no way on earth that the OR will see that as an allowable expense. Equally though, they will not expect you to have her destroyed and anyone with half a brain will know that she has no monetary value for liquidation.

Chances are that of course you will be allowed to keep but they will not care how you find the money to do so.....
Could you possibly find somewhere cheaper/more DIY to keep her?
x

chelseabun_3

As she's 27 (fairly elderly for a horse), do you still ride her, or is she now an honourable family member and friend? I don't think they'd sell her as an asset at that age tbh, she's too old to ride or breed and wouldn't make them enough money! (Sorry to be blunt, but it does work in your favour!) As others have said, be honest, put her on the SOA and see what the OR says. They allow for dogs and cats, after all!

Best wishes to you and her! CBx

MrsTinks

Try putting up a notice in your local feed store to see if anyone would take her as a companion to their horses. Offer to pay something towards her keep might help and should be cheaper than £250. Due to her age I hate to point this out but you will potentially face a lot of large vet bills in the near future... I don't even know if you can get insurance for a horse this age? If you can't... then I think you need to think seriously about what you are going to do with her... I'm not trying to be heartless - I love horses and my family has bred horses for 3 generations and one day I will own my own again! But right now you have to be realistic - and would any change to her routine etc be too stressfull for her? Would it be kinder to have her put to sleep now rather than later if you struggle paying vet bills?