Loan duration

[scotslass]

Hi. Just wanted to ask your opinions on the matter. I am going to America in June and I've decided to put my pony Muffin on loan while I'm away. The conditions of the loan will be that the person will pay for his livery, but are free to decide work load etc. However, when I come back from America I may spend the rest of my holidays (July-September) in N.Ireland to work with a friend's horse due to her being ill. If I was to go, Muffin would have to stay on loan for another 3 months. If I stick to my original plans Muffin will go on loan for 1 month, then come back to my house until plans are finalised for the rest of the summer. But if I do decide to go, he will then have to move back to the other stables and this could unsettle him. Do you think it would be fairer on Muffin to simply put him up for a 4 month loan just in case I do go to N.Ireland? If I don't go then I will still be able to see him, but I'm trying to think of what's best for him. Moving him about so much may hype him up even more or upset him and I don't want that. Suppose the question is, do I put him on loan for 1 month, then decide my plans or do i put him on loan for 4 months so that he won't have to be moved about if i do go?
Any thoughts are much appreciated as I am quite nervous about him going on loan, but still want what's best for him. Thanx, Alison and Wee Muffin Man. :)

[liz--y]

i would put him on loan for 4 months, he wouldnt have long to settle in a month before moving again or loan him from his current yard so he doesnt have to move, also not may people would want to loan a pony for 4 weeks, you may have to put him on full livery

[Em 1]

or loan him from his current yard so he doesnt have to move, also not may people would want to loan a pony for 4 weeks

I agree with Liz--y - not many people would want to loan for four weeks but you might want to get a sharer. Get to know them before you go, ask them to pay the majority of the livery fees whilst you are away but pay a small chunk as a sort of 'retainer'. Then when you come back from America or N.Ireland you could maybe keep the sharer on for a small contribution - might be nicer for Muffin if he gets used to someone new with you still around. It's certainly something I would be interested in but it's a bit far from North Wales to you!