Free horse with strings attached

[JanM]

I agree, this needs to end before something happens that ruins you financially, or legally. The parents dump their kid on you, what happens when she gets injured, or you have a personal emergency and have to leave home, and kid is left alone by parents at your place? I know OP doesn’t want to hurt a kid, but the parents already gave the horse they owned away. Either stop the kid coming over, no matter how sorry you feel for her, even if that means giving the horse back to the parents, or demand one of the parents stay there the entire time. My guess is the parents will refuse to stay around, and will demand the horse back. Give the horse back, it’s not worth a court case. . They weren’t making a gift to OP, they were hiring a nanny for a kid they don’t have time for. OP can’t fix the situation, just be a nanny and have tons of legal liability.

I wouldn’t be surprised to have the kid have another meltdown if the horse visits to OP’s house end, and to have all kinds of accusations happen. Ending the situation is necessary, and it’s not OP’s fault that the parent broke their kid’s heart.

I bet the parents will never agree to stay with the kid, because they just want a babysitter, and won’t stay with their daughter. It may take giving the horse back to stop the problem. Don’t let your heart, and your compassion for the kid expose you to all kinds of danger. You can lose everything with one false allegation. I know of three people in my area who had false allegations against them, all three were exonerated, the accuser admitted they lied, and all three people lost their careers, and have many people who will never believe that they are innocent.

[Mondo]

@Bluey

Those horse papers still show forever in the registry’s books as the last owner of record, but not necessarily the current owner.

Yes, but the OP specifically stated, more than once, that they not only gave her the papers, but signed the transfer document which she filed with the registry and the papers now show her name as the registered owner. Short of Jockey Club papers, I can’t think of too many registries that don’t have the owner’s name on them unless they were never transferred.
Also, IANAL, but as far as consideration on the bill of sale, I have seen the phrase, “Good and Valued Consideration,” on a bill of sale several times and that consideration is never specified. IMO, OP has paid for the horse by entertaining the kid 3 or 4 times already at great inconvenience. It’s her horse and at this point, she needs to kick dysfunctional family to the curb. I’ve never heard of such entitlement and unmitigated gall as these people have displayed. But then, unlike the OP, I am not confrontation averse. If somebody sh*ts on me, I’ll come back with cannons blazing.

[TBROCKS]

I haven’t read every response, but what if you met with or spoke to the parents, told them you cannot fulfill this part of what you didn’t know was the “bargain” and request that they take their horse back? If they balk, set new guidelines for keeping it, starting with “Susie only visits when I invite her”.

[TheJenners]

@Mondo

OP has paid for the horse by entertaining the kid 3 or 4 times already at great inconvenience

At current babysitting rates, she’s probably paid for the horse already. Involuntary babysitting rates may be higher

[OverandOnward]

@Mondo

But then, unlike the OP, I am not confrontation averse. If somebody sh*ts on me, I’ll come back with cannons blazing.

And this couple would not have chosen you as their horse-keeper and babysitter, because they would have read your personality, and steered clear!