Arghh YO and hunting - rant!

Why is are people acting so silly? Clearly she is un happy about keeping him in and people need to accept that,though I'm sure if you gave him a big hay net and a lick he wouldn't moan :) or if you have a box/lorry couldn't you book the day of work and take him out 0.0? Just some thoughts or join in with the hunt :)
 
Good grief. Having read what has been written since I posted I can't keep quiet!

I have some incredibly valuable horses in my care. I had one last year who was worth more than four times the amount my parents paid for a five bedroomed house. (I have never been more worried about a horse in my life as I was in his first two weeks on my yard... I was out there every five minutes checking him for any hairs out of place!). I also specialise in the rehabilitation of competition and racehorses, so I usually have at least three box rests in ranging from a grand prix dressage horse earlier this year, to said very expensive racehorse, and on to polo ponies, eventers, everything. SO - the horses in my care - particularly the box rests - don't need anything winding them up and causing them to injure themselves, either a new injury or one further to an existing problem.

That said, the Beaufort cross my land at least once a fortnight, and meet at my yard twice a season. I have never had an issue.

My own horses, along with those liveries who are sensible enough to do so, stay out. Some hoon about at the start of the season, but by Christmas none of them can be bothered.

The horses who stay in may box walk a little, and all have eyes trying to pop out of their heads, but none of them are 'nervous' and none of them are stupid enough to run into a wall. If I have anything that is likely to try and clamber out, they get a grille over their top door for the day. None of them are fussed by staying in - even those who usually live out year round.

I don't tend to sit on the yard all day watching horses stand in their boxes when the hounds come through. I take enough precautions to prevent major incidents such as horses flinging themselves over box doors, and to be honest, I'd rather be out hunting or doing my job. There's always tack to cleans, fields to harrow etc.

Even if a horse was stressed, my presence wouldn't do anything other than perhaps cause even more stress. Me flapping about a horse flapping would only serve to cause more flapping.

OP - your horse will be fine in for the day. It's good for them to learn about being in. I had a youngster who had never been stabled and came to me for 4 months box rest. Poor thing was loopy at first because he wasn't used to just standing in for the odd day. In all my life I've never heard of a horse being 'nervous' of the hunt. As Amymay said - they're gagging to join in! YO will have given as much notice as possible - I found out two hours ago that they'll be here tomorrow. I've called the owners who were planning to ride in the morning, and will drag a couple of nags in when I get up. No problems.

Basically, calm down and worry about something truly worth worrying about. Like the fact that I've eaten so much pasta that I'm on the brink of a hideous pasta-induced death.
 
Well, my ex's dad hunted hounds and whipped in for years, and without the consent of landowners, hunting wouldn't be possible. When the hunt is in our local area, he goes around and meets every landowner that they might cross their land. One landowner has lots of tb mares, and lets them cross on the condition that my ex's dad goes over there that morning and puts in all the mares, which he does, and puts them all back out that evening, another tb stud owner, asks him to muck out his stables the morning of the hunt, and he does that too. There is alot of hard work goes in to organising just one meet, and depending on the fox, they mightn't even cross the land. "All in a days work", he says. I know it's a pain in the a*s to have to keep in your horse, but regardless of the fact you pay livery, it's up to the owner of the land to decide whether the hunt crosses the land.
(And hopefully, the land isnt hunted too often, there can be a few packs hunting the same land, no thats a nuissance). x
 
When the hunt used to come over our land they only asked us a few days before - and that was a drag hunt.. They also used to invite us to go too at the same time - probably what has happened with your YO??

At the end of the day, the hunt going past will only last a few minutes at best and probably wouldn't be going that fast... Chuck a bit of new hay in and they probably wouldn't even notice!
 
Starzaan you speak a lot of good sense there! Having had my horse on yards where hunts/shoots come through or hunted myself, I really do not see the problem in having my horse in for the day if I can concerned. I have jumped with the Farmer's Bloodhounds into a field containing broodmares and jumped out the other side (I was brave then!) and that was a biggish stud, they knew the hunt were coming chose to leave their mares out. Nothing bad happened. I like to leave Nickel in as he has hunted a lot in his past and he gets really excited (not frightened) he wants to join in and I am scared that he will! He is far safer in his stable!
 
LollyDolly said:
Someone earlier mentioned about their horse being stressy in a stable, without being awful that just screams mad manners to me although that is my own opinion and I understand that not everyone will agree.
Is it a fear thing? Do people expect their horse to be naughtier, flightier or more energetic because they haven't been out?
Wether my boy has been in 1 hour or 5 days I expect him to behave the same as always, and he does. I've ridden across big open fields even though he's not been out for 5 days and he was a good as ever, no difference whatsoever.

I don't understand what harm the odd day in can do to a horse, not all horses live out 24/7 :rolleyes:

ETA!!:
Just re read this, I don't mean that everyone who keeps their horses out 24/7 is scared of them or whatever! I didn't mean that at all, the whole point of my ramblings is just to mainly ask why do others seem to think that keeping your horse in for one day is one of the deadly sins?
Hope that cleared it up! :D
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I was one of the people who said my horse is stressy if kept in, and I don't understand what you are saying about mad manners (I assume that is a typo and you meant bad manners). What do you propose I do to improve my horses manners while she is alone in the stable? I'd love to know as it would save me a lot in bedding, forage and feed.

For the record, mine doesn't live out all year. She is stabled overnight in winter and copes fine. She doesn't hot up to ride when stabled and I am not scared of her. She copes if she needs to stay in occasionally but I try to avoid this as it stresses her and she wrecks her bed. Therefore if we need to keep the horses in for the hunt I try to get her a bit of turn out before they start or I make sure she gets lots of hay and I ride her to give her exercise. If we need to keep in due to snow and ice she goes out at her usual time in the school for a bit and then she is happier staying in the rest of the day. If she has the vet or the farrier I turn her out anyway then bring her in when required, it means more work for me but a happier horse. I just wouldn't go to a yard that didn't have daily turnout year round though because that would stress her, she needs to be turned out daily at the same time or she starts pacing around. Plenty of people have good reason for wanting maximum turnout and a regular routine for their horses, but I am willing to compromise occasionally for good reason.
 
patterdale said:
Lol Starzaan totally agree.


This threads hilarious and reminds me why I will NEVER have a DIY livery yard :D
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Of the 22 horses I had in on my last yard, 4 were DIYs. Those four caused more stress than all the others put together!

Now that I've closed that yard, and opened a new one, I will never, ever have another DIY. I couldn't be held responsible for my actions.... I'd be bound to shallow grave someone in the muck heap.
 
Starzaan said:
Of the 22 horses I had in on my last yard, 4 were DIYs. Those four caused more stress than all the others put together!

Now that I've closed that yard, and opened a new one, I will never, ever have another DIY. I couldn't be held responsible for my actions.... I'd be bound to shallow grave someone in the muck heap.
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I used in the dim and distant past run a BHS approved school the owners daughter show jumped and had little yard separate with seven boxes the owner decided to fill it with DIY's they where more trouble than running the thirty horse riding school after about three months the owner flipped and gave them all their marching orders good thing too half of them where nuts I felt bad for the nice two though.
He then rented the yard to a young SJ Er who brought on horses who was great except he kept getting involved with the working pupils and causing mayhem that way.
Now I have my own yard and people ask often if I would have them I always say no even if they are good friends .i will never ever have a DIY livery.
 
amymay said:
Again the old DIY's are more trouble than their worth argument - which many of us know to be absolute rubbish.
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I apologise to the original poster that we are going completely off course here......but I do agree with Amymay. There must be a fair few half and full liveries that want their 'pound of flesh' or who complain that they want things done this way or that way.....nightmare I can imagine?
 
I hate this DIYers are all trouble attitude.. I regularly sweep the whole yard, I am the only person who clears snow, my fields and stables are spotless and my horses (in winter) are out and mucked out by 8am quietly & efficiently as the YO's house is a stones throw from my stable.. I repair fencing and whack in posts for other DIY liveries... I pay on time and only ever bother the YO when it's something serious so not all DIYers are lazy dirty good for nothing's. I treat the yard as I would want it treating if I owned it
 
Amymay - as I have said before, I have nothing against DIY liveries, and one of the four I did have was wonderful. However, I need to do full and part livery to make money, and I don't feel that mixed yards work. Especially with people as anal and fussy as me. I've been a DIY, and I know how horrid it is to be thought of as a pain when you're actually considerate and tidy. I just can't offer DIY as well as full and part livery. It isn't feasable on my yard, and I'm not relaxed enough to be able to cope. I like things done a certain way, and I know that will always happen while the horses are all in my care.

It's the same with everything - there are some good, some bad. I had one fabulous DIY, and three shockers, but then I have had several full and part liveries who I have had to give notice to, as they were complete whackjobs.

I think for any yard owner, a mixed yard is a tricky thing to manage, I certainly couldn't do it, but that's just my opinion. I'm sure there are fantastic mixed yards, and dreadful solely DIY or full and part yards. It's always the luck of the draw.
 
Starzaan said:
Amymay - as I have said before, I have nothing against DIY liveries.......
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Ummmm.............. You sure?

Starzaan said:
Of the 22 horses I had in on my last yard, 4 were DIYs. Those four caused more stress than all the others put together!

Now that I've closed that yard, and opened a new one, I will never, ever have another DIY. I couldn't be held responsible for my actions.... I'd be bound to shallow grave someone in the muck heap.
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:D
 
I'm not in a hunting area (wish I was though..I'd love my youngster to experience this ;)).
Last (DIY) yard I was on had our local Common Ride (2-300 + horses & riders) come right through the yard. They had a good old yeeha up the track past the fields before coming back to a walk to pass through the yard. The "principals" come galloping up first, followed by the rest of the 2-300 riders. The horses who were still out didn't even lift their heads, bar one or two who had a trot about when they first saw the ride in the distance.
The ride then passes behind the stable block where my 3yo I had at the time was lying down snoozing. She was a New Forest and had been rounded up in the NF drifts, so the clattering of hundreds of hooves *could have* set her off into flight mode...it didn't.
After passing my sleeping New Forest 3 year old, the ride went along another track just a couple of hundred yards away. Again, they set off in canter in full view of every horse on the yard, and proceeded to canter/gallop off into the distance (NF drift rounded up pony still snoozing). The track is approx 2 miles long. Not one horse on the yard got wound up/worried about having 2-300 horses pass by within a few feet then go galloping off along the next track.
Another time, there was an Endurance competition held at this yard. Some of us had to bring our horses in as our grazing was used for parking competitors trailers. Another part of the grazing was used for the vetting area.
So, field full of trailers and horses/riders, field used for vetting, people going back and forward ALL day as the pleasure ride started at 9am followed by the competitive rides. Who was lying flat out in the next field (adjoining the parking/vetting) ? 2 ARAB geldings !
My own pony was in as her field was the car/trailer park. Again, the riders went up the track (a few feet) behind her stable block then along the 2 mile track going away from the yard. They came back in the same way to complete their ride.
Pony (still 3yo) stood quietly munching on her haynet, and lay down to sleep in the afternoon. I spent the day helping at the vetting area. When most of the riders were out, I took my 3yo round to the Vet check, had her checked over as if she were competing (her heart rate was 46), apart from her age..the vet passed her fit to compete (it was a mock vet check to give my pony the experience).
So, I'm afraid I don't get the problem of having to keep a horse in while something "different" is happening on/around/close to the yard. :)
 
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M_G said:
I hate this DIYers are all trouble attitude.. I regularly sweep the whole yard, I am the only person who clears snow, my fields and stables are spotless and my horses (in winter) are out and mucked out by 8am quietly & efficiently as the YO's house is a stones throw from my stable.. I repair fencing and whack in posts for other DIY liveries... I pay on time and only ever bother the YO when it's something serious so not all DIYers are lazy dirty good for nothing's. I treat the yard as I would want it treating if I owned it
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100% agree. Ditto for me too!
 
I know we have gone off topic but I have to agree with Starzaan on DIY'ers.

I ran a diy yard for 5 yrs from our farm, and it was a nightmare, but not always because of the clients (had a few issues there too but won't go into them now!).

Of course I had a few clients with the attitude of 'Spyda' and would do anything to help them out. However clients like that are sadly few and far between, and would often carry the work load for those less considerate.

The main problem I had was everyone having different routines, and as it was only a small yard, some horses got very stressed if they didn't get 'done' at the same time as their field companions. This resulted in trashed fields and grumpy owners.

I did try to do assisted, but found it too much off a tie for little financial reward - I had clients that expected me to be there at random times, for a matter of a couple of pounds, and just couldn't fit their needs around my horses and family life.

It is a hard job being a YO - often just breaking even, and bl**dy hard work in all weathers.

I think the YO in question acted fairly and responsibly - too many horses are molly coddled and over protected. There is no difference to the hunt going by than keeping a horse on a busy competition yard, and think it is healthy for them to be exposed to all sorts of situations.
 
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I am a yard owner and only have part and full liveries. My main reasons for not doing DIY are financial and due to wanting all the horses to have the same routine. I have been on part livery in the past, but have mainly been a DIYer. I cringe when I think back now to how much I expected in return for the pittance I paid! I had no idea how completely unprofitable DIY liveries are. I just used to think my livery that I handed over every month was 100% profit. I could not have been more wrong.
 
Wagtail said:
I am a yard owner and only have part and full liveries. My main reasons for not doing DIY are financial and due to wanting all the horses to have the same routine. I have been on part livery in the past, but have mainly been a DIYer. I cringe when I think back now to how much I expected in return for the pittance I paid! I had no idea how completely unprofitable DIY liveries are. I just used to think my livery that I handed over every month was 100% profit. I could not have been more wrong.
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Yes I understand what you say on profit when we bought where we live now I completly underestimated what it costs ( in fact I never thought about it ) to maintain a yard and grass and fences and a school etc etc etc I have a friend who has I think it's a twenty box DIY yard if she was taking the maintence costs into account instead of losing it into the farm she would losing money I am sure of it.
And oh yes I hear at the weekend the liverys all had a big fight and some of them where round at my OH's friends farm looking for livery he has two DIY people who know each other well ,been there for ages no trouble he asked me on Sunday if he should take these others I told him he would be mad.
 
Spyda said:
Ummmm.............. You sure?



:D
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Ha! Genius! I couldn't have another DIY on the yard, but to be honest, it's mostly my problem not theirs. All but one of my DIYs actually looked after their horses beautifully, and although they were dreadful for not putting muck onto the muck trailer and just dumping in on floor in front of it for me to clear up, and for leaving lights on etc., once they had had a talking to, they were ok.

The problem I have is that I can't run a mixed yard. I'm SO fussy - all mucking out is done by 7am at the latest, boxes all done a certain way, tack put up a certain way etc etc etc. I'm sure I would kill someone just because I do have severe OCD and an unswept yard gives me the shivers.

I have ridiculously high standards, which work fine for me, but don't tend to work for the average DIY who wants to enjoy their horses, and only has time to turn out before going to work, and so mucks out when they get up to the yard in the evening.

I have nothing against DIYs (again) but DIYs and I don't work together.

ETA - aaaaaaaaand I'm shutting up now. I feel bad for dragging the thread off topic, sorry OP!
 
popeyesno1fan said:
Well, my ex's dad hunted hounds and whipped in for years, and without the consent of landowners, hunting wouldn't be possible. When the hunt is in our local area, he goes around and meets every landowner that they might cross their land. One landowner has lots of tb mares, and lets them cross on the condition that my ex's dad goes over there that morning and puts in all the mares, which he does, and puts them all back out that evening, another tb stud owner, asks him to muck out his stables the morning of the hunt, and he does that too. There is alot of hard work goes in to organising just one meet, and depending on the fox, they mightn't even cross the land. "All in a days work", he says. I know it's a pain in the a*s to have to keep in your horse, but regardless of the fact you pay livery, it's up to the owner of the land to decide whether the hunt crosses the land.
(And hopefully, the land isnt hunted too often, there can be a few packs hunting the same land, no thats a nuissance). x
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We are land owners and have horses. Traditionally FIL has let the master cross the top of our land with the hounds but no field. We are not really for or against but would rather our set aside and recently sowed fields were not trampled up. However it keeps the peace a bit to compromise. my husband now farms it. We have NEVER seen hide nor hair of the master, any courtesy visit, nada. We have horses too. Last year they were over with the whole field three times in a row. I questioned why they would come the same way every time if they were 'trail hunting' and got an earful back and accused of being a hunt monitor because i had my camera with me, funnily enough i was out walking my dogs and quite like taking photos of our fields in winter. lovely. When they realised who I was they said the master would be round on Monday to say sorry. That was over a year ago..he has never been round..

Husband is on the verge of banning altogether....he's a country man through and through, loves his dogs and shooting but I'm afraid the local hunt here have an attitude problem which has put us firmly on the 'anti' side.

Sorry to diverge from the original post but the post above struck a chord regarding the no land owners no hunting bit.
 
Copperpot said:
Starzaan, I am seriously considering getting a new job and relocating my whole life, just so I can keep my horse at your yard. On full livery of course ;)
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Funny you should say that.... a cottage is about to become available on the estate, and we still have two boxes available....
 
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