Am I just a grumpy old woman or do I right to feel put out?

Nickles1973

Nickles1973

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The yard where I keep my horse is small and private and run by a husband and wife that live on site. There is reasonable grazing, all be it muddy, the fencing is sheep wire which is not brilliant and has fallen in to disrepair in places. There is an outdoor school which is ok. Could do with the surface topping up as it freezes solid in frost and is unbearably dusty in the summer) The muck heap can most likey be seen from space and they only do repairs/maintenance as and when totally necessary. On top of this they have no insurance at all. They have 4 horses/ponies and us liveries basically mean that they can keep there own animals. I have in the past had problems with my horse being turned out with their gang on geldings because the two ponies wind him up and nip and bite. I have had a couple of rug rips nasty bites etc to deal with but obviously horses will be horses... However I recently moved him into a field with my friends mare and it's been lovley. He's really settled with her, I've had no pulled shoes as there's been no hooning around and no other injuries. Bliss! Then yesterday I get told (not asked) that a new livery is coming at the weekend and as it's a mare George will have to go back with the hooligans. Ok so it's their yard I know they can do as they like, but I feel I deserve a little consideration. Then to top it off a friend calls me to tell me it's one of her friends that's the new livery, and did I know my livery price is going up???
Even taking all my grumbles into consideration I really like where I am. I accept it warts and all because its close to home and the hacking is pretty good for this area but the going rate for this area basic diy is about £25pw and I would expect more for my money if it was going to be much more than this. A decent fence that my horse could not rip himself to shreds on (as he did last year) for starters would be nice, or the muck heap removed more than once a year (and even then it doesn't all go) or even some liability insurance!!
Do I have the right to moan or am I just a really grumpy old moo that doesn't know when I'm well off?? Sorry for the waffley (sp) moaning post but I'm just feeling a bit wound up and needed to let off steam!!!
 
I would be very concerned about the lack of insurance, and would not be happy at putting an animal back into a field with others which will bully it (been there and have scar to prove it!). Is the field not big enough to have your boy and both mares in together? Or can they not section off a seperate piece of grazing for the new horse.
 
if you dont like it, move, dont moan! or if you like it enough to stay then stop moaning :P :D :D

Okay, thats probably a bit harsh - re the insurance, make sure youre covered, and re the field situation see if you can fence off a bit next to the hooligans. simples! ;)
 
The yard does seem a bit ramshackle but there's a lot to be said for being close to home, good hacking and no yard politics.

I would let things settle down, see how the new livery pans out and let the horses adjust. If things are still not as you wish then move.
 
Thanks for the replies. I've taken the comments on board and it's given me a few things to think about. I know that before my boy arrived there were 3 horses in the field in question so I don't think that'd be a problem if I stand my ground. I'm spoilt in that the yard is so close to home (about a mile) and with my family/home commitments that is very important to me, but there are others around. I am going to make a few quiet enquiries just to see what else might be available and then decide wether to move or to put up and shut up. x
 
Nickles1973 said:
. Then to top it off a friend calls me to tell me it's one of her friends that's the new livery, and did I know my livery price is going up???
Click to expand...

How on earth does your friend know the cost of the livery and whether it's going up or not? I suggest you speak to the YO about costs. If you pay weekly then she should give you no less than a week's notice that the price is changing. At the yard I'm on, even though I pay weekly, they gave me one month's notice of a price increase.

It could well be that the new livery is going to pay a different amount than you. A yard I used to be on kept existing liveries at one price but the price for new people was higher.

I never discuss how much I pay with other liveries, in case they are paying different to me!

Also, be careful about making enquiries about other yards, word soon gets around that you are asking and your current YO may give you notice to leave if she thinks you are going to leave.
 
I was in a similar situation to you. YO wanted my paddock for new girl. I had been on yard for 45 years with previous tenants. He told me that he had put rent up in October(this was February) and that I had not been paying for paddock. Had four horses so was paying him over £300 per month for stable and grass liveries and paddock. In the end moved horses about 4 miles away. Bearing in mind I had moved house to be across road from horses I find it more difficult not having the horses near home. So do think carefully.
 
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