I am a socially awkward penguin and I need help giving my 30 days to the people who own the horse I lease

[Foxtail]

After much ruminating, I’ve decided that leasing isn’t a good fit for me right now. I’ve got a 70 minute commute to work, and on top of that I’m going back to school full time. And they just moved the horse a bit further away from me. So no matter how I arrange my schedule, I can only manage to get out to the barn once a week. And if I’m stuck only being to ride once a week, I’d rather be taking lessons on a schoolmaster instead.

The rub is, of course, that the people who own the horse are fantastic, upstanding people, and I don’t want to accidentally insiuate that I don’t like them or their horse. If my situation changes down the line I’d be willing to reach out again to see if re-leasing would be in the cards even. They’ve become good friends of mine and I don’t want to accidentally sour that.

Gah. My mind is spinning like a gerbil on a wheel. Help me find the right words!

[Alex_and_Bodie_s_Mom]

I think you’re most of the way there now!

“Thank you so much for allowing me to lease your fantastic horse. I’ve enjoyed Dobbin and love riding him. However, since I’m going back to school, I’m not going to have enough time to ride more than once a week. For now, continuing to lease Dobbin is not in the cards for me, so I have to give you my thirty days’ notice.”

Really, you just need to state your facts - which are that your life has changed a bit, and you don’t have the time to devote to Dobbin that you used to.

[Guilherme]

Yeah, what Mom said!!!

Being straight with folks is almost always the best way to go. Thank them, maybe send them something nice like a box of candy or bottle of wine, make sure your last check in on time, and move on down the road.

Good luck as you go forward.

G.

[KBC]

Dear Socially Awkward Penguin…remember what the power of positive thought can achieve.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9dfWzp7rYR4

:lol::lol::lol::lol:

as to what to say Mom has it covered.

[cuatx55]

People do this all the time, Just be open and business like!

[CHT]

You have good reasons for ending the lease. It’s not as if you are switching to a different lease horse. They will understand, just be sure to give whatever notice you agreed upon!

[WildLittleWren]

Just tell them your reason, be super nice, offer a kind gesture/gift and tell them how much you have enjoyed their horse, in order to leave the door open to lease in the future when it becomes more feasible for you

[Edre]

"Hi (Soandso)

I want to start off by thanking you for giving me the opportunity to lease (soandso). He’s a fantastic horse and I’ve really enjoyed being able to work with him. Thank you so much! Unfortunately, with going back to school full time, I’m not going to have the ability to get out often enough to fulfill my lease commitment. I wanted to give you my 30 days notice that I won’t be able to renew the lease starting (DATE). Thank you so much for giving me the chance to ride such an incredible horse! I’ll really miss him.

Best,
(soandso)"

[Groom_amp_Taxi]

Great script from Edre - modify as needed to make it you. I always like for a parting gift to be something the horse can use going forward - maybe a sheet, boots for daily riding, grooming tools.

[IronwoodFarm]

If you follow the agreed termination requirements on notice, then there shouldn’t be any problem. Situations change in life. Nobody should expect a horse lease or a boarding contract to go on forever. And being nice and upbeat about the opportunity and the horse is perfect.

You really can’t control what other people think and feel. If these folks are fantastic and understanding friends, they would wish you nothing but the best in your future endeavors.

[BeeHoney]

Totally agree with others…you’ll be fine.

“Thank you so much for generously allowing me to lease Dobbin. I have really enjoyed riding him, he’s a wonderful horse. You may not know but I’ve decided to go back to school, and with that plus my long commute to work, it’s going to be very difficult for me to get out to ride him. I’m really torn because he’s such a great horse and I feel so lucky to have both been able to lease him and also to get to know you guys. But, on a practical level, I need to give you 30 day notice to end the lease. I want you to know how much I have appreciated this lease and I hope that we will keep in touch and perhaps once I finish my classes, leasing Dobbin might once again be a possibility.”

People can be sensitive, so in a case like this where it genuinely is a schedule/life issue, I think that it pays to be a little nicer than you have to be–such as including a parting gift for Dobbin, even something simple like a bag of treats.

[2DogsFarm]

@Foxtail You pretty much laid it out nicely in your post.

Sounds good to me & I would not be offended if I was the lessor.
As long as you are giving notice according to the lease terms, owners should understand why you are not renewing.

[Magicboy]

You can’t control their reaction, but you can control your own actions and behavior. Just tell them the way you would want to hear it from someone leasing your horse

[chaserider]

When I ended my last lease, I gave 30 days notice (if not more), and gave the owner a gift bag with a card saying how much I had enjoyed riding Dobbin, hoped I could possible be considered to lease him again in the future if possible, added a gift card to the local tack shop, and a bag of Dobbin’s favorite peppermints. Easy peasy.

[blitzkrieg]

I would think they would also appreciate the fact that you’re informing them of this in the spring because people are getting ready to start riding again now that the weather’s turning. I’ve been screwed over by enough college kids ending leases in the fall, just as bad weather starts - I’d LOVE it if someone ended the lease in the spring! It’s the easiest time to find another rider!

Really, don’t feel bad. If the facility is okay and the horse is sound and quality, they’ll probably find someone else quick. Plus they decided to move the horse further from you, heightening the risk of this very situation.

[Ladylexie]

Penguin? I’m not understanding something.

[teamfire]

@Ladylexie

Penguin? I’m not understanding something.

It’s referring an old meme.

http://knowyourmeme.com/memes/socially-awkward-penguin

[ThreeFigs]

Thank you, teamfire, I didn’t get it either!

[Pennywell_Bay]

As an owner, I had a client who called me and had what she thought would be an uncomfortable conversation. She’s a busy doctor, she has 5 kids and only 1 (not the rider) drives. She admitted the drive was killing her as was scheduling.

Not a problem. I actually referred her to a barn closer that could be more flexible. We still text, they invited me for Christmas. Hell they let me release my barn racoon on their property.

Just be honest and say what you said in your post. I told them if their schedule ever opens up to contact me and if a horse was available they are welcome to try it.

I appreciated the honesty. They appreciated no drama.

[BeeHoney]

^^ Yup, this is how many people do business. Except for the part about giving departing customers a raccoon!!