Anyone else out there a yard "outsider"?

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HaffiesRock

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I think I am :D

My yard is small. YO's 4 horses, my pony and 2 other liveries. I am the only one on grass livery for a start (My choice) Only one who doesn't rug (I have a fluff bag Haffy) I only feed fast fibre and not buckets of expensive feed and supplements, and I am the only one who rides.

Everyone is so nice and I get on with everyone, but I tend to go up first thing as its easier for me in the week for work and at the weekends I can be home by lunch and spend time with OH. Everyone else on the yard prefers the afternoon and everyone spends a lot of time sitting around drinking coffee (which is great) but my time is limited and id rather use my time to ride than gas :) On the odd occasion I go up in the afternoon, I feel a little rude as ill arrive, chat while grooming and tacking up, head out to ride, then get back have a quick coffee while my pony cools etc, chuck out and leave.

As lovely as everyone is, standing around for hours chatting about stuff just isnt me. I like every minute of my precious time to be spent with my boy and the rest of my spare time with my long suffering pony widow OH :p Most of the time I dont see anyone at all and when I do its all talk of new rugs/supplements etc. Id happily hang around and chat about riding, but nobody does :(

I am very happy where I am, so this isnt a moan at all. Just wondered if there were any other yard loners out there? :D xx
 
I have come to the firm opinion that I don't care if I'm an outsider :) I would much rather follow my own path with my horse than have to try and fit in with others for the sake of appearances.

In the past I have been guilty of changing my routines to make it easier for other people, even though it wasn't appreciated or reciprocated :mad: so I've learnt the hard way, stuff them lol!
 
I used to be!
I never spoke unless someone spoke to me, I ambled along at the back of the ride, tacked up/untacked on my own and did all my jobs alone too.

Since I started riding Ned and got older, I've become 'the cool kid' which I have never been before anywhere! I've noticed some of the kids following my 'trends' haha!!
 
Don't worry OP - you aren't the only one! I frequently feel like the outsider on my yard as it can be very cliquey... Fortunately it seems to come in waves rather than continuosly. I have uni, and work odd shifts including nights and weekends, so I am frequently either in and out quickly or at odd times, and I just don't have hours to sit around having coffee and gossiping - I would rather be riding, or have a mountain of work due - plus I'd rather steer clear of the gossip...

At one point, I was confronted by the YM what my problem was as people thought I was creating an atmosphere and ignoring them...I later found out that it was the coffee drinkers who stirred things up and none of the others even knew about the supposed 'atmosphere'...

My strategy is to keep my head down and crack on, but make a point of always saying hello to everyone, and having a quick chat when I have the time; when I'm in a rush say that I can't be long as I have to be at work in 30 mins etc. They seem to have got the hint! It's nothing personal to them - I just don't have enough hours in the day to chat for 2 of them!
 
I love the time by myself, just me and my boy :O) Really taking to hacking alone now too, dont have to worry about others :p I do sometimes miss being able to gush about my boy when ive had a great hack though, but thats what you guys are for :D xx
 
wouldnt say I was an outsider but I cant be bothered/dont have time to stand around for hours on end chatting at the yard. Wont say Iv never done it but its certainly not something I make a habit of. Im like you, I enjoy riding and the more time you spend gabbing the less you spend riding......also means I can avoid being part of any gossiping which suits me fine :)
 
Not an outsider as such, but I know I raise eyebrows with some of the stuff I do with my boy like teaching him to fetch or do carrot stretches with a tennis ball launcher.

I am happy to gossip or chat with a couple of people on the yard, and there are others that I steer clear of. A fair few on the yard have a more flexible day (well certainly appears that was) so have formed their own little club. And then there is the queen bee....
 
I'm a bit of a loner too, that's the way I like it though. I work at the yard (riding school/livery) full time so when I'm round doing my own horse I don't have time to stand around chatting, I like to just get on with things. I think I probably come across a little rude sometimes when I'm in a rush or stressed at work but I wouldn't say I'm unpopular - I keep myself to myself but when I have time or someone needs a hand I will stop for a chat/help out. There are so many young teens on the livery yard who all just copy each other, it's so nice just to get on and do my own thing :)
 
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