Access to your horses on a livery yard

[char3479]

At the end of the day, their land, their decision. If the rules/facilities etc are not suitable for you no-one is making you board your horse there! In respects to security, if someone is present on the yard after 9pm our YO knows its someone who shouldn't be there.

No-one makes me board my horse anywhere. The fact is that if you run a business where people spend a load of money, they should get what suits them. I think it's ridiculous and I'm amazed such a business stays open and people use it. I actually think it's more of an imposition to expect the YO to listen out for intruders all night.

 

[ILuvCowparsely]

. A livery yard is a profitable business and the customer's wishes should be accommodated. If you're paying a huge amount to keep your horse there.

You obviously haven't met a Y/O's bank balance Its not profitable that much, there are £100's pounds going out in maintenance

. you should be allowed access whenever you wish, regardless of whether their house is next door.

How selfish can you be ?? would you want every tom dick and harry coming onto your premises every hour of the day and night knocking on your door of an evening when you have settled down for the night, only to be disturbed by a question which is can I have a shavings??

Well we don't this is MY HOME first before the yard business. How can we relax of an evening when horses neighing - door banging - lights coming on after 9pm. We cannot lock up or relax till the last one leaves when ever that would be. My husband works in London has to leave 6.30am has to get up at 5.30am every day, why should he suffer becasue a livery decides to have dinner and watch all their evening programs before coming down at 8- 9pm not leaving till 10pm onwards. Our yard is immediately outside our sitting room window, how are we supposed to know if its a burglar or livery putting all the sensor lights on unless we get up and down like a dam yo yo.

Don't get me wrong if someone has a show and coming back late or needs to get here mega early NO PROBLEM as long as we know so when we hear a lorry start or a horse clip clop or tack room door open we know its ok.

Or if horse ill or preggars or ill or if a livery works in London or has long hours and can't get here till after or just before the kerfew, we agree it with them when they arrive and they lock up so we don't have to.

To say that yards who have a kerfew (albeit respectable hours) not in the case of OP posters who on a Sunday to not allow a livery up is wrong to have a kerfew is very naive.

Sheesh this really bugs me when someone says we are wrong to want privacy in our own home when we spend over XXXXX thousands of pounds buying this place, not to have privacy. If the only option was we had to all follow suit and not have a kerfew, I would close this yard down and rent the stables for storage or caravans where we would make more money out of this place, have no cost or repairs to fencing, jumps, surface, tack room insurance etc etc. Where the average lock up around here is more than double a horse livery is.

I do it not for the money as we barely break even, I do it for the love of horses.


Does that mean all the hops should stay open 24 hours because you want shopping at 11pm, our liveries are really happy with our kerfew and their horses are quiet and and peaceful and that we lock up securely at 8.3opm unless previous arrangement made
If a yard has no restrictions fair enough but how can you slate those who want their yard quiet of an evening after a hard days work.

 

[armchair_rider]

I don't think it's unreasonable for yards to be closed between say 9pm and 7am with allowance for shows and emergencies. I also think shorter on hours on Xmas Day and Boxing Day is fair enough as the staff have their own families to see, cook for etc. But I do think a Sunday afternoon closure is crazy, surely that's a time when most people want to go and see their horses? I also think that any restriction on hours should be disclosed in advance - preferably written into livery contracts - with proviso for any emergencies that may occur.

 

[JFTDWS]

Wouldn't have mine anywhere I didn't have access to them 24/7. They're my horses and I'm damned if I will be confined by someone else's idea of "acceptable times".

However, fortunately there is no law forcing me to stable on such a yard, so I'm quite happy dragging mine in from my field at midnight if it suits me

 

[Spring Feather]

No-one makes me board my horse anywhere. The fact is that if you run a business where people spend a load of money, they should get what suits them. I think it's ridiculous and I'm amazed such a business stays open and people use it. I actually think it's more of an imposition to expect the YO to listen out for intruders all night.

Lol!! So much of what you've written made me laugh out loud :smile3: I've often thought the same of our liquor stores, darn things close at 6pm on a Saturday night. How inconsiderate of them lol!

 

[AmyMay]

No, never.

 

[ILuvCowparsely]

I don't think it's unreasonable for yards to be closed between say 9pm and 7am with allowance for shows and emergencies. I also think shorter on hours on Xmas Day and Boxing Day is fair enough as the staff have their own families to see, cook for etc. But I do think a Sunday afternoon closure is crazy, surely that's a time when most people want to go and see their horses? I also think that any restriction on hours should be disclosed in advance - preferably written into livery contracts - with proviso for any emergencies that may occur.

^5 Like


Maybe also because we have set times, our liveries are happy that everything is safe and secure of an evening and that we are so safety conscious for peoples belongings albeit , trailer, horse, carriage, caravan, old fire-engine, and any other vehicle in storage here.

Also we are very very very clued up on who comes in the yard and no one can worry that we let anyone come in at any time, that "touching wood" despite other yards around here being broken into, in the 18 years we have owned this place we never have. Which a lot is said for our security and rules which has been commented many a time to us that they are happy with the contract knowing FULL well they in an emergency or other reason they need to be here outside our times, they know we will accommodate them .

I have been on many yards prior to being a Y/O where no kerfew was in place and most liveries never paid any attention to other liveries or their guest and trailers were taken under their noses as that livery was so used to everyone coming and going and when one asked about it the thief said "oh its my cousins I am taking it for service" Owner found later their trailer gone .

I for one would not mind a respectful opening times on the previso that in emergency or show I could come up and get ready as long as I notified owner.

 

[Hedge_pig]

*curfew

 

[Piglet]

Nope and I would not go to a yard like that!!!

 

[ILuvCowparsely]

*curfew

sorry I don't apologies for my spelling nor need it pointed out. H & H is not a class room (though it does appear that is is sometimes)

 

[miss_c]

Very glad I rent my own place! The YO's house overlooks it (but is the other side of the 3 1/2 acres!) and I will let her know if I'm going to be there mega early/late just in case she looks out of the window for some reason and sees the lights on. Due to my work hours I have to be off the yard no later than 7.15am in the morning, and I often do not finish until 8.30pm, so many of the above yards would not be suitable for me personally. On competition days I've been on the yard at 4.30am before now!

 

[Spring Feather]

*curfew

I was sitting on my fingers so firmly that I think the blood circulation quit momentarily :smile3:

 

[JFTDWS]

I was sitting on my fingers so firmly that I think the blood circulation quit momentarily :smile3:

I was biting my tongue - and drew blood

 

[tinap]

Our yard owner lives onsite. The gates are unlocked at about 6am, closed at around 10pm but if anyone is out early or home late, we just let them know & they will sort the gates out for us. We've had 5am starts or 11pm finishes before & they don't mind. The only time we don't have access is when they go out for the day together & they lock the yard completely although in the 3yrs we've been here that has only happened twice as the bloke never goes anywhere!! x

 

[MiJodsR2BlinkinTite]

I'm a YO with one livery on a DIY basis and we live on the premises; yard is attached to the house.

Livery is free to do as she pleases; normally she tells me if she's going to be away mega-early for a show etc in case the burglar alarm goes off!!

Likewise if she's going to be here late, say after 10pm then she lets me know.

Having been a "punter" on a yard in the past, I'd be understanding if access were restricted between the hours of say 10pm through to 6.00am.

But if OP is on a yard where there are issues she is not happy with, then personally I would move!

 

[Moggy in Manolos]

There never used to be a restriction at my yard but now there is an alarm set (there was a theft of a horse, and a he was recovered thankfully) and access is restricted from 9pm-5.45am. I have to go at 5.45 am to be able to get to work on time so I am glad it is not later or I would be a bit stuffed, work and the horse are at opposite sides of the city!

 

[charlie76]

I rent a yard and have liveries , part and full. Although we don't have opening times as such i do ask that they respect the people in the house, keep noise to a minimum and come and go quietly. I do also ask that the arena lights are off by eight ish.

 

[charlie76]

Oh and for those who say us yard owners make a profit! Ha ha ha! Hardly! Think it eworks out I get paid about 50p an hour!!

 

[skint1]

I've personally never been on a yard with any restrictions and I don't think I could. I have checked my horses in the middle of the night when they've given me cause for concern so I always try and choose places where there is free access, away from the house of the YO etc. usually farms running livery alongside rather than as their main area of business. Also with my hours I can be often be there late (say 730-8) or early (530) and wouldn't like to think I was bothering anyone

I do know of a yard local to me that is also a RS that also does full livery where the farmer who owns the land is very religious and will not allow the horses ridden on his land on a Sunday, not sure how it works for the RI and their family when they go to comps and stuff but they've been there for years, it's probably quite nice for the RS horses to have some peace one day a week. I think the RI is allowed to see to the horses on the yard on a Sunday but that is about it

 

[char3479]

You obviously haven't met a Y/O's bank balance Its not profitable that much, there are £100's pounds going out in maintenance


How selfish can you be ?? would you want every tom dick and harry coming onto your premises every hour of the day and night knocking on your door of an evening when you have settled down for the night, only to be disturbed by a question which is can I have a shavings??

Well we don't this is MY HOME first before the yard business. How can we relax of an evening when horses neighing - door banging - lights coming on after 9pm. We cannot lock up or relax till the last one leaves when ever that would be. My husband works in London has to leave 6.30am has to get up at 5.30am every day, why should he suffer becasue a livery decides to have dinner and watch all their evening programs before coming down at 8- 9pm not leaving till 10pm onwards. Our yard is immediately outside our sitting room window, how are we supposed to know if its a burglar or livery putting all the sensor lights on unless we get up and down like a dam yo yo.

Don't get me wrong if someone has a show and coming back late or needs to get here mega early NO PROBLEM as long as we know so when we hear a lorry start or a horse clip clop or tack room door open we know its ok.

Or if horse ill or preggars or ill or if a livery works in London or has long hours and can't get here till after or just before the kerfew, we agree it with them when they arrive and they lock up so we don't have to.

To say that yards who have a kerfew (albeit respectable hours) not in the case of OP posters who on a Sunday to not allow a livery up is wrong to have a kerfew is very naive.

Sheesh this really bugs me when someone says we are wrong to want privacy in our own home when we spend over XXXXX thousands of pounds buying this place, not to have privacy. If the only option was we had to all follow suit and not have a kerfew, I would close this yard down and rent the stables for storage or caravans where we would make more money out of this place, have no cost or repairs to fencing, jumps, surface, tack room insurance etc etc. Where the average lock up around here is more than double a horse livery is.

I do it not for the money as we barely break even, I do it for the love of horses.


Does that mean all the hops should stay open 24 hours because you want shopping at 11pm, our liveries are really happy with our kerfew and their horses are quiet and and peaceful and that we lock up securely at 8.3opm unless previous arrangement made
If a yard has no restrictions fair enough but how can you slate those who want their yard quiet of an evening after a hard days work.

Don't think I slated anyone. In fact, you're the one getting personal by calling me selfish. I shall politely ignore it. My point remains - if I pay hundreds of pounds for the upkeep of my horse, I'd fully expect access when I wanted. And shops are open 24/7 - except on Sundays and Bank Holidays. Which is nice because people can have unrestricted access to whatever they want to spend their money on.

 

[Evie91]

I've just left a yard that opening and closing times - which I found perfectly reasonable. Those working there have lives too. Opening at 7am and closing at 8pm in the week or 6pm on weekends. Arrangements made in advance for those competing and never been a problem. Workers deserve some peace and privacy too

 

[mynutmeg]

My current yard (and previous ones) have rough general opening hours of 6 am - 8.30pm but if needed to be earlier or later for illness/shows then just let the yo know and make sure you lock up/switch off after you.
My current yard I've had several occasions to go up middle fot he night to check unwell horses and the yo was fine, we just let them know and kept the noise as minimal as possible. I even camped in the next door stable when my mare was due to foal.

 

[FellOutOfFavour]

I was on a yard at one time which closed at 7pm on weekdays, which I found far too restrictive given that I neither worked or lived particularly near so my evening visits were always rushed. Same yard closed at 5pm at weekends (or it may have been 4pm - it was a long time ago and I can't remember), and was closed on Christmas day, Boxing day, new years day and 2nd Jan. In addition those of us who owned horses who were on working livery were strongly discouraged from visiting on a Saturday unless we had a lesson.

Whilst I can appreciate that it is a YO's right to dictate opening hours I far prefer being on a yard with no such restrictions. It can also work to the advantage of both customer and YO. For example my OH's horse got cast a few weeks ago - luckily a livery was there late and alerted the YO. Additionally having liveries coming and going outside of set hours can act as a deterrent for any would-be thieves who may be watching the yard.

 

[skint1]

I guess I have always been on DIY livery, if I were on full livery I could probably understand the need for opening hours

 

[armchair_rider]

Don't think I slated anyone. In fact, you're the one getting personal by calling me selfish. I shall politely ignore it. My point remains - if I pay hundreds of pounds for the upkeep of my horse, I'd fully expect access when I wanted. And shops are open 24/7 - except on Sundays and Bank Holidays. Which is nice because people can have unrestricted access to whatever they want to spend their money on.

It isn't so nice for the people who have to work anti-social hours (including Christmas Day and Boxing Day in some cases, never mind bank holidays) or the people who have a supermarket built near them and have to put up with the noise and disruption.

 

[Bright_Spark]

My yard doesn't have restrictions, but if we are going to be up at odd times, YM likes to know so she can inform non-horsey YO's who live on site so they do not worry about cars going up the lane (and if its for a poorly horse, if she is not there, she wants regular updates anyway)

 

[char3479]

It isn't so nice for the people who have to work anti-social hours (including Christmas Day and Boxing Day in some cases, never mind bank holidays) or the people who have a supermarket built near them and have to put up with the noise and disruption.

Oh good lord - it was a flippant response to a previous comment - didn't wish to start an entirely separate debate.

 

[ILuvCowparsely]

Don't think I slated anyone. My point remains - if I pay hundreds of pounds for the upkeep of my horse, I'd fully expect access when I wanted.

The difference is you see your yard as a yard and not someones home and livelihood. So obviously when you leave your horse you go home to peace and quiet and relax (kids aside)we as Y/O have to put up with disruption until the last one leaves right into late night which is why we few have a closing time for our yards.

I actually think it's more of an imposition to expect the YO to listen out for intruders all night. ????

Well as Y/O's here on H & H who lives on the premises I bet they don't think its an imposition, to watch over their yard for intruders or such like and the Y/O is vigilant and wont let anything fishy or suspect pass bye without checking it out. (any Y/O) want to comment???

What are we supposed to do when £1000's worth of horse flesh - tack - vehicles are kept here in our care??? I feel its my duty to provide a safe, happy secure place for My liveries to keep their property and outsiders to store classic vehicles with us. They come knocking at our doors as they know we are a safe place for them to store / keep their prize belonging. They can go home knowing we hear any bang - cough / a colic /engine sound / alarm going off. We WILL hear and react to it, whats the point of keeping your property at a yard where you feel its not safe.




As for being selfish, what to you call it when you don't consider that some Y/O's who have worked all day on the yard normally 6.30am ish all day and want a peaceful evening and unwind before it all starts again the following morning, but you feel that all yards should open their doors 24.7 wake up all other livery horses who settled for the night but are disturbed by a few individuals? .

I /WE appreciate that our liveries need access to their horses in an emergency or shows which is why ALL my liveries have keys to the gate and tack room so they can get access under those circumstances. They must notify us before if outside those times so we know who is on our property.

As I said some yards have no opening and closing times, that as I said is fine for those yards its up to that Y/O what they have and have not got in the way of restrictions.

The way you posted it was like we Y/O who have access times are frowned upon for restricting access for our liveries by some saying " oh I would not keep my horse with restriction" blow the fact that it might be becasue we want some privacy in the evening at OUR home.

Well all I can say is we have never once had anyone complaining about access times that to me speaks volumes.

 

[JFTDWS]

The way you posted it was like we Y/O who have access times are frowned upon for restricting access by some saying " oh I would not keep my horse with restriction" blow the fact that it might be becasue we want some privacy in the evening at OUR home.

We-ell, if I chose to run a business from my home, I would expect to either have rules which not everyone will like, or to have my peace disturbed. Just as nobody is forcing us to livery on your yard, you aren't forced to run a yard from your home. It does work both ways and people are entitled to think your rules aren't great, if they choose not to livery with you.

 

[ILuvCowparsely]

I
Whilst I can appreciate that it is a YO's right to dictate opening hours I far prefer being on a yard with no such restrictions. It can also work to the advantage of both customer and YO. For example my OH's horse got cast a few weeks ago - luckily a livery was there late and alerted the YO. Additionally having liveries coming and going outside of set hours can act as a deterrent for any would-be thieves who may be watching the yard.

WE always to 2 late night checks (we are mainly a part livery yard with a couple of DIY's) to make sure all the equines and felines are safe and happy, and on that note I am off to do a nightly check. So nothing goes unchecked before we retire to bed of an evening