need non-legal advice about horse/mule - Page 2

Personally, I'd say let the barn owner take it as legally that's his right due to the past due fees.  He seems like a stand up man and he's been taking good care of BC for three months now without being paid, so I'd imagine he'd continue to be good with training, etc.  If he later sells BC to a good home to recoup some of the money he's put in for training, etc., that's certainly his right, logical and a paying (new) owner is probably going to take better care of BC BECAUSE they'll be paying good money to get a well trained and very wanted BC.  (As opposed to the girl who paid $1 - nothing big invested, nothing big to walk away from, you know?  I KNOW you were being super nice, please don't feel I'm picking on you about that, it was very sweet of you.)

If you decide you want BC back and want to take on the training and expenses, the first expense you have to take care of, IMO, would be paying the past due stable fees.  If the BO is willing to let the girl give BC back to you, it's not fair that he lose the money for the three months he's been taking care of BC.

Quote:

Originally Posted by seminolewind I sold BC to her for $1.00, because the situation was good for me as BC would be where I could watch over her

I understand your feelings, but you sold BC. I know you wanted non-legal advice, but I feel compelled to point out that a minor cannot enter into a contract so that part is unenforceable by either party, ergo BC is yours to do with as you please. Let your conscience be your guide. " 'tis a puzzlement."

I would encourage the mother to give the mule to the barn for board. The girl does not have interst in the mule, the mother is unemployed and what is she going to do after catching up on board? wait until another wad of money arrives?  My guess is the barn owner will collect past board and then ask her to move the mule, but that is a guess. The mule in the right hands would be a valuable animal and the barn owner seems to be that kind of person.  Letting go of a baby you raised is tough.

Best horse I ever had cost me a 150.00 board bill.  I hunted with him across the West he would do anything I wanted him to do and go anywhere in the rugged wilderness.

Since the barn owner's contract is with the mom, if he ends up owning the mule because mom doesn't pay the board, then it's his mule to do with as he pleases...including gifting it to you.  

He could sell the mule to you for the board bill or a smaller amount if he wanted to, but it sounds like he'd rather gift it to you (hence, relieving you of any perceived debt to him and clearing the table between you two).  Holding onto some notion of guilt after the owner goes out of his way to try to relieve you of it would be a waste, regardless of whether you decide to keep the mule.         

I agree with Sonoran and OldChick, well thought of about the welfare of BC.

Yep, gaited mules ARE popular around here!

One thing that could be said to the mom is to remind her that her daughter agreed to work at the stables to help pay the cost of boarding.  Yes, she is a minor and cannot legally enter contracts, but the mother DOES have the power to insist that her daughter live up to the obligations that she made.  It will help teach her responsibility to require that she live up to her word; losing interest in an activity does not negate responsibility for caring for your animal or doing what you promised.