Am I overreacting? Yard Issues.. (Long. Sorry!)

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HayleyDL

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Ok, I moved my horse to a yard about 10 minutes away from me. I chose that one partly because it was convenient, partly because they offered me all day turn out over summer and partly because hay, feed and bedding was all included.

However, I've now been there 6 months and in those 6 months I:

1. Haven't been given the turn out offered (my horse is four and very high energy) if im lucky hes out from 8-4 but they bring in if it rains, if the grass is too good (yes I know the risks of laminitis etc. but were not talking overly good grass here just better then the stuff that grows in winter!), if he runs around and plays with the other horses etc. So, when push comes to shove im lucky if he gets 3 hours a day in summer. in winter, he'll get an hour if im lucky.

In fairness to the yard, they have been turning out more recently so my complaint there has been somewhat invalidated.

2. He's broken out of his stable by simply leaning on the door, the bolt came loose from the wood and he simply pushed the door open! Thankfully he wasn't hurt and there were people down there at the time so he was just rehomed but I don't think I'm being unfair expecting a stable to hold a horse!

3. Their tie rings are VERY loose, my horse will pull back a fair amount but if the tie rings secure, he'll stay tied. However, hes figured out that he can pull back and free himself. Therefore, he does! This isn't just him being a pain, Ive seen another horse do it and just a small amount of pressure from me pulling will pull it out. Because of this I used to use a spare stable when I was mucking out etc. I've been told today I can't anymore as they have more horses coming. Fair enough, its not his stable, but they also refuse to fix the tie rings.

4. I have asked to turn him out when I'm up there just to give him a bit more time out and so he doesn't have to be stabled when I'm mucking out. They've refused this. He's out when the other horses are, no more, no less.

Over the last month or so I've been getting more and more annoyed with this especially when I got a comment today about "tying being a 2 year old thing.. he's now 4. he should tie" yes I'm aware thank you! He does tie if your tie rings were secure. I've had enough and am getting to the point where I just want to move.

Am I overreacting or am I right to be annoyed about all this?

Chocolate Biscuits for anyone who got this far!
 
Just move if you arent happy. If youve mentioned your concerns and they havent been addressed, they probably wont be.
 
I don't think you are over-reacting. You are not getting what you want for your horse and they are being dismissive of your problems instead of finding a solution. Look for another yard and look forward to a chilled 4 year old on lots of turnout :)
 
You have been there 6 months & you are finding that various things you were promised are not happening. Wether you are over reacting or not doesn't matter, you can always move to another yard if you're not happy. Why don't you take a screwdriver down & tighten the screws on the tie rings yourself if they aren't doing it. It would only take a moment. Leaving it insecure & still tying up at it isn't a good thing to do is it?

Basically if you're not happy then move on to another yard.
 
Suspect it's only going to get worse in winter.

Move.

My Tank went through a stage of leaning back and snapping lead rope/twine/headcollar when he was 4.

Just because he could :mad:

I stopped tying him and just had the lead rope loose and brought him calmly back to the ring each time he moved.

It soon lost it's entertainment value :p
 
Toby_Zaphod said:
Why don't you take a screwdriver down & tighten the screws on the tie rings yourself if they aren't doing it. It would only take a moment. Leaving it insecure & still tying up at it isn't a good thing to do is it?
Click to expand...

No, thats exactly why I don't tie him. I won't knowing its insecure and taking a screwdriver down isn't that simple because it's not even a proper tie ring. We're talking eyelet screws screwed into what is effectively plywood. Else I would!
 
As another owner of a young horse i would be really annoyed! Mine live out 24/7 and love it. Personally i would never keep a horse at a yard where they spend so much time in. The cob my youngest rides for someone spends alot of time in in his stable and i feel so sorry for him, he really does look unhappy. I would move if your not happy.
 
1) depends how they worded the turnout. If they said 'all day no matter what' then yes you have a right to be annoyed. If they said 'all day summer turnout except/if/permitting' then no.
2) unless you noticed the door wasn't good enough & asked for it to be repaired then no. I know quite a few horses capable of walking through walls nevermind doors.
3) horses can pull most standard tie rings out if they feel like it, so him learning not to pull back is more of the issue. They shouldn't be loose I agree, but if its cheap diy expect to do small jobs yourself, what you pay won't cover instant repairs that really anyone can do themselves.
4) if they have limited the turnout, then whether or not you are there plays no part in its availability.
I would move because of lack of turnout alone. But how much you pay also has a bearing on whether you have a right to be annoyed. If you are paying top whack for somewhere with acres of land per horse, then turnout shouldn't need restricting much & minor repairs like tie rings should be fixed for you. If you pay a pittance for somewhere with overcrowded fields don't expect loads of turnout & fab maintenance.
Really though if I had a horse pulling back I would prefer the tie ring did come out with a bit of force over the horse injuring itself. Then I would teach the horse to tie up properly.
 
1. I was told "all day no matter what"

2. Fair point. I didnt notice and therefore didn't say anything.

3. We're not talking massive pull back, just throwing head up and leaning over. As I said in a previous reply it's an eyelet screw screwed into plywood. Anything else holds him and it's not pulling back trying to escape, just leaning and a bit of pressure, not force. I'd agree if it took a little bit of force but this literally just slides out.

4. The reason I asked is because, yes, it's cheap for what I get but the reasons they have limited the turn out is what I don't get. They have 18 horses and plenty of grazing. They have 3 rotational fields so 4 in use at any one time, 8 resting so grazing space isn't an issue
 
Move - our horsey hobby takes up so much time, energy, money etc you need to be happy and happy when there not worrying if your alowed to put your horse out or not!
 
Do you belong to a local riding club where you could ask members to recommend a yard? It really is worth asking for honest opinions before moving to a new yard. There is always a compromise to be made wherever you are, but first and foremost must be the horses welfare. Mine is arthritic, and she is better getting out to stretch her legs regardless of weather, but other people prefer their horses not to get wet!!!!
You're obviously not enjoying your horse at your current yard, so take your time, check out a few other yards, ask other peoples opinions and make your move. Even if the rent is a bit more, you'll save money on the amount of hay you must be feeding!!!! Try to leave with a smile on your face and with goodwill on both sides...
 
Thanks :)

No I don't belong to a club but have had a few recommendations from here when I was looking to move before
 
If you moved because the livery was cheap, then you've got what you pay for.

I would sort the tie up ring yourself or add one of the velcro tie ups so your horse breaks free rather than pulling the ring out of the wall every time your horse pulls back.

I assume that the bolt on the stable door was fixed when it broke?

Other than the issue with turnout I think the other issues are generally to be expected on 'cheap' livery yards
 
3 hours turnout in summer is far too little. The other stuff is unfortunate but not a dealbreaker, the turnout definitely is a dealbreaker IMO.
 
your turnout sounds as naff as mine.

If your yard manager isn't going to fix these things (door is ridiculous! Why hasn't that been fixed already?) then I to owould be moving.

I know what you mean about tying up thing- my mare is 14 and if she knew some of the rings were flimsy she would most definitly take herself on a walk!
 
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