Advice Needed

Tempi

Tempi

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Hi everyone

I dont very often post stuff about my horses on here, but i really need some advice.

I keep pay a lot of money to keep my horses on part livery at a very nice yard near me. They do everything apart from the riding, so they handle my horses all the time.

Archie (grey in my sig) is my main horse as for those of you who dont know my other horse has just had a foal. Anyways, yesterday in the stable Archie was really jumpy, i went to put his bridle on and he completly freaked out and pulled back and was basically terrified
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He is the easiest horse to handle in the world and is the most gentle horse ive ever handled. Anyone off here who has met him will vouch for that. Recently tho hes been getting really jumpy in the stable. Last night was awful, everything i did he jumped, even when i went to stroke him to calm him down he freaked out
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The other day i went down and his leadrope had snapped, bearing in mind its a stallion chain i use on him as he can get excitable when going to the field - i asked the girls how it had happened and they said he had pulled back. Well he mustve pulled back bl00dy hard to snap the chain. Then last night i saw one of the girls and she was saying about his leadrope and how it was 'just like him' to do something like that. Thing is its not like him, and ive got a feeling they are beating him
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I dont know what to do, im so upset as he was an angel to handle and now hes a nervous wreck
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I am going to talk to the yard manager tonight and also the headgroom as i have my suspicions as to who is doing it to him aswell. Oh, and before anyone asks he has recently had his eyesite checked as part of a routeen checkup so its nothing like that.

Lastly, for those of you who know what yard im on i would very much appreciate if you dont post the name of my yard.

Thankies x
 
Sounds like a horrible experience, I've always been on a private yard so don't have much advice other than speak to the manager as you've suggested.

Also i would say get him checked out encase he's done any damage pulling back that hard, might be partly why he's jumpy if he is in pain. xxx
 
What a horrible situation to be in, its happened to me and my horse and we solved it by leaving ASAP as the YO's just buried their heads in the sand about the whole thing. I do hope yours actually listen to you. I got a phone call one evening saying that my horse had tried to kick one of their grooms in the field, that he was dangerous, must have a brain tumour (oh, and if he was theirs they would have shot him that evening) and the only way he would stay on the yard was if they built him a wooden enclosure in the field that I would have to pay for and they would throw a bucket in to feed him, but he couldnt be trusted with any of the staff. They knew it couldnt be a problem with their staff as they trusted them implicitly!!
It turns out that the groom he tried to kick had been incredibly rough with him, over a period of weeks (one of the other liveries who didnt want to get 'involved' eventually told me) and this was him trying to defend himself. I was so cut up that he had been having an absolutely miserable time. We left 2 days later.
I do hope your situation is resolved and you manage to stay at your otherwise nice yard.
x
 
Tempi how awful!

Well firstly of course you must speak to the Yard Manager and find out what's been going on (which you're doing). Be calm, calm, calm. If there has been a problem ask them why you haven't been told and what exactly the problems have been. Also if they are finding him difficult to handle, why aren't competent staff only dealing with him?

Re: the stallion chain - is it used as a stallion chain (ie over his nose, or under his chin) or in conventional lead rope way? I would suggest that the only way it could have been broken is for him to have stood on it. If that's the case and it was used as a stallion chain proper - then you could have some serious problems, and possible injury to him.

Sounds very unprofessional, and I would be spitting feathers.......
 
From what I have read on here I take it that Archie is big and some people just expect big horses to be difficult, therefore whoever has been handling him has maybe taken a rough approach when it isn't needed. This may have resulted in his behaviour worsening when handled by them and now it has escalated.
I keep mine in livery as well and I would certainly be speaking the the YO/ YM. From what you have said before about the yard I imagine it is well run and therefore something should be done.

I hope so anyway as I can't imagine you would want to move, but if it isn't sorted out then that would be your only option.
 
Oh no
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I hate it when things like this happen. So frustrating to be paying someone to do a job and then to have problems.

I agree with you, speaking to YM and Owner is the best approach. Perhaps the staff percieve him as being difficult. I've had the same prob with Finn in the past, as he is a little quirky, but essentially easy to handle.

I really hope you manage to sort it out. xx
 
What an awful situation to be in, I would be quietly fuming. I think you have the right idea, just discuss all your concerns with the YM and try and work out why he has been behaving this way and when it started. It is difficult when on a yard where they do your horse, but they should be talking to you if they think there is a problem. Also you need to be clear about who you want handling your horse and who you don't want. You are the paying customer and if you are not happy with someone, say so to the yard manager, you don't have to give reasons.

Hope you manage to sort something out and Archie is soon back to his normal self.
Burtie
 
Thats awful
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Definitely sounds like they are doing something to him
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You're doing the right thing though going to the YO. Just make sure something does happen as like you say you are paying for them to care for him, not beat him.

I think you need to move to my yard
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Poor Archie. I think you're doing the right thing by discussing it with the YM, but if they don't take your concerns seriously or try and avoid the issue and you don't get a satisfactory answer/explanation I would be looking for another yard I'm afraid.
 
Poor Archie - does sound like something/someone has happened to make him start becoming like this as it's over a period rather than just one day after something had 'wound him up'

Really hope you get to the bottom of it as I would certainly not be happy if it were mine and I was paying to be on a yard such as the yard you are on (would expect professional treatment from a yard of that level)
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Just to add though - I use a stallion chain on my thug as he is strong to handle - last one snapped while I was there with hardly a pull - must have had a weak point as it was only a few weeks old - I'm not defending them in any way here.

Really hope you get to the bottom of it as Archie needs to feel confident to perform for you - wouldn't want the devils horns reappearing now you've got going so well
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They use it as a stallion chain under his chin to lead him as he can jump around a bit. They told me he had stood on it in the stable and pulled back - but he shouldve been tied up to handle in the first place and not just left with his lead rope dangling for him to stand on
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Thing is i know whos doing it to him, but i feel like i cant say that i dont want her handling him as it will make it really awkward at the yard. The other girls i get on really well with, but her i just dont. Also im quite good friends with one of the girls and shes always moaning about the other one.......
 
You're right, i really dont want to move as i love it there, its perfect apart from this problem.

Im just so worried hes going to be ruined now as hes the most gentle horse ever and now hes like a nervous wreck
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Tempi - vet please. Archi could potentially have his jaw broken or fractured at the very least.

The person who you know has been doing this to him should imo be dismissed. At the very least I would be telling the YM that this person is not to handle my horse again.

They (The Yard) would also be paying my vet fees.

I am furious for you. This is a professional establishment, not some hokey kokey yard - and it should be run better.

They do this to Archie???? What they doing to the bloody baby?

GRRRRRRR Some serious words are needed!!!!!

It doesn't matter how you get on with everyone - whilst that's great, it's not what you're paying for. Bugger if it's awkward for them - they shouldn't hire bloody incompetents.
 
There is really no need for yard staff to behave like this, I have worked in lots of yards, with all kinds of horses, some you are more fond of than others.
Have a word with the YO, but also make them aware that you will not tolerate this treatment of your horse.
Some people are shouty and rough around horses, because thats all they know, its up to the YO to teach them better methods.
 
I know, i dont want him to loose confidence in me
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hes such a cuddly horse and loves loads of fuss and attention. Yes he can get excitable to lead, but hes seriously fit and not a donkey after all!!!
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Sod putting someone's nose out of joint, you tell the YM/YO everything you suspect. If they are any good at their job they will change the care rota and sort this out immediately - it is important that the YO knows the capabilities of her workers.

Hope you get it sorted ASAP and Archie quickly forgets.
 
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Sod putting someone's nose out of joint, you tell the YM/YO everything you suspect. If they are any good at their job they will change the care rota and sort this out immediately - it is important that the YO knows the capabilities of her workers.

Hope you get it sorted ASAP and Archie quickly forgets.

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Echo this.
Im livid reading this, totally unprofessional.
You are paying for a service, you expect them to be cared for not beaten because they *might* be sharp!
You want happy horses not jibbering wrecks!

HUGS hon.
 
I'd be very very angry if this were my horse but I think it's important not to go in all guns blazing. Speak to the Yard Owner and Head Groom together ASAP and see what they have to say. Although unlikely, perhaps he is naughty with the girls as because he is a big chap they are nervous of him and have perhaps become a bit defensive round him - jerking the rope and shouting at him when they think he might do something. You are completely within your right to insist that only designated people handle him.
I don't like to see headshy and frightened horses
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Although unlikely, perhaps he is naughty with the girls as because he is a big chap they are nervous of him and have perhaps become a bit defensive round him - jerking the rope and shouting at him when they think he might do something.

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This is what i was thinking.
 
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Although unlikely, perhaps he is naughty with the girls as because he is a big chap they are nervous of him and have perhaps become a bit defensive round him - jerking the rope and shouting at him when they think he might do something.

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This is what i was thinking.

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The thing is - we know that this is a professional yard - so this sort of thing should not be happening.........
 
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I know, i dont want him to loose confidence in me
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hes such a cuddly horse and loves loads of fuss and attention. Yes he can get excitable to lead, but hes seriously fit and not a donkey after all!!!
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Just as soon as you get this sorted out and whoever is responsible is no longer handling him, with a bit of time and care from you he will return to being your boy again. You just need to get it stopped as soon as possible so that it doesn't become so indented in his memory that he finds it difficult to forget.
 
I would be pretty sure it goes on at most yards at one time or another, all it takes is a groom with a quick temper / impatient streak.

Most of the time horses are saints and would just put up with it but the sensitive ones can react very badly.

Tempi as others have said have a quite and calm word with the YO/YM but be very clear who you wish to handle your horse and who is to stay clear.

It is then in the YM interests to give this information to the staff without bringing you into the equation, I would probably phrase it along the lines of Archie has become quite sensitive and difficult to handle of late and as such they feel it best to assign just 1 or 2 people to handle him so he has a bit of consistency/security

good luck
 
Thanx again for the advice everyone.

i agree with what some of you have said about him being a big horse extra and that they might feel intimidated by him - my mum dosent lead him anywhere as hes too big for her, but she'd handle him happily in the stable. Thing is its not when hes being lead that its the problem, its handling him in the stable that hes suddenly got really nervous about, and there would be no need at all to shout at him in the stable as he just goes to sleep when hes tied up, or chews his leadrope to amuse himself
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I cant see YM tonight as shes not there on tuesdays but am going to talk to the head groom, hopefully she will be around. I am going to text YM in a minute as i need the horses bringing in tomorro for my farrier so i have to let her know, so il mention to her that i want to have a word with her aswell.
 
WE had a problem with the old Appy before we came to our own place, this was as a result of children running round the yard unsupervised. The Appy had a low doorway (which she negotiated fine) but she cracked her poll on the stone lintle (we think) and was awful to lead for a good week. We saw the kids on one occasion running up to her waving their arms about shrieking about going to look at their favourite horse. We spoke severly to them about it, but felt that the YO had a responsibility to stop children running about in this manner. Hope you sort your lad out ok.
 
Sorry to hear this is hapening to you and your horse. There is no excuse for poor handling.
You have said that you think you know who is responsible for your horses change in temprament, but have you any proof? I just ask because you have to be ready for the YM becoming very defensive towards her staff, not liking her, or being suspicious may just get backs up.
Im in no way defending the treatment of your horse, just wanting to warn you to be prepared for a back lash.
Perhaps you shouldn't name names and say you want to limit the number of handlers working with him to see if he calms down to his old self again, then say perhaps just so and so as he seems to like them, rather than say I don't want this person near him cos I I think she is causing the problems.
Yes I feel you are right to sort this sutuation out, but be very clever abut how you word things when talking to the YO.
 
If it is just in the stable he is acting like this could it also be down to the fact he may have scared himself when he stood on his rope and snapped it?
I really do hope you get to the bottom of it and he is ok.
 
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I am going to text YM in a minute as i need the horses bringing in tomorro for my farrier so i have to let her know, so il mention to her that i want to have a word with her aswell.

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In this instance I'd be inclined to ring YM about the farrier so that you can tell her on the phone that you want to chat. You could just talk to her full stop about the whole thing on the phone today come to think of it...
 
sorry can't add to everyone advise, but i am sat here very upset for you.......... as i had sneaky huge cuddle at your 'big event 'and he was a huge teddy bear..........
just hope it's sorted pdq......
 
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