Advice please re:extra shavings bill from livery yard

[Dusty85]

Hi there, Im just after peoples opinions after being a bit miffed when receiving a bill on top of livery fees for extra bales of shavings used!

So, my full livery fees include 2 bales of shavings per week. (i have rubber mats too). recently, our YM said that as some horses were routinely using more than two bales of shavings per week they would start keeping a diary, and those that used extra would be charged an additional £7. my horse doesnt usually use more, but i was fine with that.

So, I had noticed that some weeks my horse was actually only using one some weeks, and two some other weeks. Anyway, last week he used ONE extra for the first time (and i mean that, one week only). yesterday I found a bill for the extra shavings bale!!

Now, im a little miffed. its only £7, but thats not the point. Maybe I should mention to them that actually im owed money back for the weeks that he didn't get two bales! Also- the only reason he used an extra one, was because the weather was really bad so they had decided to keep them in for a couple of days therefore they needed more bedding!

What are your opinions?

Sorry its a bit of an essay!

 

[Elsiecat]

I think I'd let it slip this time as you may be wrong and horse may have used 3! If it became a reoccurring matter and I was still sure that my horse wasn't using the amount stated then I'd say something.

What brand of shavings are they? Presuming horse is only in overnight then 3 a week is a lot in my eyes!

 

[sandi_84]

I'd say that if you paid for two and only used one you're due one so I'd contest the extra charge

 

[carthorse]

I don't know how you manage on one bale a week. Make sure you use two bales each week then you wont need a top up of an extra bale.

 

[Oscar]

I can see it from both sides but they are being a bit cheeky if you sometimes only get 1 bale a week. I wold pay it on this occasion but I would also ask that if needed or not 2 bales are put in weekly & if not really needed your banks are made bigger. Then if an occasion arises they can use the big banks.

 

[Dusty85]

I think I'd let it slip this time as you may be wrong and horse may have used 3!

I know for a fact he wasnt using two some weeks as i had a look in the 'shavings diary'

I have no control how many he gets as they just top him up as and when needed. I have decent mats and yes he's only in a night.

I think I will from now on make sure that he gets two per week whether he needs them or not!

 

[TandD]

i was on a yard that did this.....couldnt get the money back, so instead we put the bale in at the end of the week if it hadnt been used. you pay for it so put it in!

 

[Dusty85]

i was on a yard that did this.....couldnt get the money back, so instead we put the bale in at the end of the week if it hadnt been used. you pay for it so put it in!

I think youre right and this is the way forwards!!! -i can imagine their faces now! hahaha

 

[natalia]

Depends on the brand of shavings! My lot only get one a week but we use hunters and they do cover a much larger area, I tend to split a bale between two twice a week. Even so these are nearly £10 a bale now so if liveries want extra they do have to pay for it! If you use something like bedmax you will find you go through a lot more, it just won't go as far and isn't as absorbant.