At what point do you step in? Advice needed please!

oofadoofa

oofadoofa

Well-Known Member
Joined
10 April 2008
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Location
Somerset
www.mearecourtequestrian.co.uk
I had a girl move her horse onto my yard almost 3 weeks ago now on DIY. When the horse arrived it didn't look too bad, 16.2 warmblood 11 years old, she told me she had owned him 2 months or so and had bought him from a lady who had left him in the field for more or less the last 3 years and only ridden him about twice a year. So he didn't have much muscle, but looked OK, about right really condition wise. Anyway, since he has been at mine, she has kept him stabled most of the time, although I have given her a lovely paddock to turn him out in. He developed a rash which she said she thought was from the flies, but I said it was more likely to be the straw. She's been riding him most days (I think) in the field as he badly needs shoeing - but that's another story!

So she seems to come up daily, although I don't always see her, but I'm never that sure that she's been. His stable always looks dirty and he never seems to have much if any hay. But she's now gone on holiday as of yesterday and her mother-in-law is meant to be looking after him. I went to do my horses after work last night and he was in his stable eating his straw as usual. He didn't have any water, definitely no one had been there all day. So I waited until about 8.30/9 o'clock and then did him myself. I took his rug off and was actually pretty shocked by how thin he looked. I took some pics, but not sure whether to post them on here or not!

I do wonder why some people have horses, I really do. Anyway, when I got to the yard at 7 this morning, someone had definitely been up to do him and given him some hay at least.

Sorry this has turned into a bit of a rant.
 
I think maybe this week you may need to pick up the slack of the woman that has stepped in as cover. When the client returns you would be well within your rights to sit her down and voice your concerns. Personally I would do it in a matter of fact way but perhaps offer your guidance - If she wants this is another story- emphasising that this does NOT mean you will be doing any work for her unless I guess she pays you?
I would be annoyed and worried and I would probably be too forthright in my handling of this!
 
I would be stepping in now. The horse would be turned out, and I would be charging her a daily rate for looking after it.

The farrier would be booked as well.

Upon her return from holiday I would be laying down some very clear guildelines on what standard of care you expect. And informing her that if she can't meet them, she should find somewhere else to keep the horse.
 
If it's you're yard then you can step in if you are not happy with the welfare of the horse. If the owner is a novice she might appreciate the advice and if not then she needs to realise if she wants to stay on your yard her horse has to have water at all times! I don't think it's much to ask for there to be water in the stable, you can't force her to put the horse in the field but if you comment that it would help him put condiiton on.

I wouldn't risk posting pics of him the 'defammatory post police' might start another rant.
 
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I would be stepping in now. The horse would be turned out, and I would be charging her a daily rate for looking after it.

The farrier would be booked as well.

Upon her return from holiday I would be laying down some very clear guildelines on what standard of care you expect. And informing her that if she can't meet them, she should find somewhere else to keep the horse.

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^^^^^^

what she said....
 
Step in and take over - under the Animal Welfare Act you as YO could be held responsible if the animal suffers.
 
Yes, you are right. The farrier is a different story - I posted on here a couple of weeks ago because she asked me to book him in, then didn't leave any money for the shoes and turned the horse out in the field the morning when he was supposed to be coming!!!
 
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Yes, you are right. The farrier is a different story - I posted on here a couple of weeks ago because she asked me to book him in, then didn't leave any money for the shoes and turned the horse out in the field the morning when he was supposed to be coming!!!

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Aha - yes, I remember now!

What a character eh??
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[ QUOTE ]
I would be stepping in now. The horse would be turned out, and I would be charging her a daily rate for looking after it.

The farrier would be booked as well.

Upon her return from holiday I would be laying down some very clear guildelines on what standard of care you expect. And informing her that if she can't meet them, she should find somewhere else to keep the horse.

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couldnt of put it better myself !! totally agree get farrier , fed, turned out and on return have a discusion and if she leaves then you tryed your best and have a clear consience (sp)
you could be liable for welfare as yard owner so step in asap
goodluck
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QR: if it is your yard then step in and do what you feel you have to......... if it is just a yard you keep your horses at ask YO to deal with it, or you could end up very much out of pocket!
 
I would step in to look after the horse in the owners absence but when she returns you need to have a chat with her about her level of care - it's probably down to sheer ignorance rather than intentional neglect. Are you willing to offer her help and advice to get her up to speed with how to take care of her horse if she welcomes that support?
 
Yes, I am the yard owner and I would be more than willing to give advice and support, but I have also felt up to this point that I didn't want to stick my nose in too much. She actually works on an event yard, so she must know how to look after a horse (one would hope). I will definitely be having a chat on her return from holiday.
 
The horses welfare is more important than anything else, its more important than 'sticking your nose in, its more important than putting someone's nose out of joint etc

I would have a friendly chat with the MIL and explain that you have had to 'intervene' as you will not tolorate horses on your yard that are not looked after correctly...and that's the basics ...food/water/hygiene etc. Talk to the owner when they get back in a polite manor, so there is no need for any arguments or for them to take offence, you've done them a favour at end of the day, but yes I'd certainly charge them, let this be a lesson learnt to them without being at the horses expense.

You were right not posting any pics, this would not of been un fare on the owner and would of been unprofessional of you as a yard owner to do this.

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[ QUOTE ]
I would be stepping in now. The horse would be turned out, and I would be charging her a daily rate for looking after it.

The farrier would be booked as well.

Upon her return from holiday I would be laying down some very clear guildelines on what standard of care you expect. And informing her that if she can't meet them, she should find somewhere else to keep the horse.

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Baaaaaaa!
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(eta - sorry to be a sheep but agree 100%)
 
I have a DIY yard but don't do services as most of the liveries work themselves out (and I muck in with them helping each other out). I have one livery who is extremely unreliable and seems to think their horse can be treated like a garaged car. The pony is miserable and the owner just doesn't get it, but it otherwise a lovely person who i think does genuinely love their horse, but has no concept of what is right and wrong for it. What I have now done is I have a list of charges (which are pretty extortionate as I don't have time - I also work FT) which I rarely use (as i said usually we just help each other out). I stipulate on our contract that horses must be seen to before 9.30am and before dark. If this is not done, I will do it - at double the charge on the services list due to inconvenience. This also means that if any of the liveries have an accident or can't get down they know their horses will be cared for and safe (obviously charges may be negotiable depending on the situation). If people can't understand reason in welfare terms, they often do when it hits their pocket. Its a sad situation to have to resort to, but thats the way it is. it has improved the situation but at least now I know when I step in (at 9.30) and that the owner will be made to pay (literally!).
Incidentally we do have a freelance groom who keeps her horses at our yard and she does 'emergency services' if I'm not around, and I pay her what I charge.
Obviously talking it through is a better option, but this is a good backup - and you have peace of mind in that you know the horse has been looked after.
 
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I would be stepping in now. The horse would be turned out, and I would be charging her a daily rate for looking after it.

The farrier would be booked as well.

Upon her return from holiday I would be laying down some very clear guildelines on what standard of care you expect. And informing her that if she can't meet them, she should find somewhere else to keep the horse.

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Exactly that
 
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Step in and take over - under the Animal Welfare Act you as YO could be held responsible if the animal suffers.

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Was just what I was going to say - if someone else sees him and calls RSPCA etc you will get into trouble as well as the owner.
 
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I have a DIY yard but don't do services as most of the liveries work themselves out (and I muck in with them helping each other out). I have one livery who is extremely unreliable and seems to think their horse can be treated like a garaged car. The pony is miserable and the owner just doesn't get it, but it otherwise a lovely person who i think does genuinely love their horse, but has no concept of what is right and wrong for it. What I have now done is I have a list of charges (which are pretty extortionate as I don't have time - I also work FT) which I rarely use (as i said usually we just help each other out). I stipulate on our contract that horses must be seen to before 9.30am and before dark. If this is not done, I will do it - at double the charge on the services list due to inconvenience. This also means that if any of the liveries have an accident or can't get down they know their horses will be cared for and safe (obviously charges may be negotiable depending on the situation). If people can't understand reason in welfare terms, they often do when it hits their pocket. Its a sad situation to have to resort to, but thats the way it is. it has improved the situation but at least now I know when I step in (at 9.30) and that the owner will be made to pay (literally!).
Incidentally we do have a freelance groom who keeps her horses at our yard and she does 'emergency services' if I'm not around, and I pay her what I charge.
Obviously talking it through is a better option, but this is a good backup - and you have peace of mind in that you know the horse has been looked after.

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That's actually a very good idea but it's also sad that you have to resort to these measures to ensure the horses are cared for correctly.
 
If it helps, at our yard we have a contract of livery which clearly states the owner MUST visit daily (unless on full livery or other arrangements are made) the horse must NOT stand without hay for long periods, the horse MUST either be turned out or excersiezed on a daily basis (unless on box rest or something obviously) We have onsite grooms who provide services on an as needed basis but the contract must be adhered to, which is a great way of making sure livery owners are responsible or atleast put their horses on full livery... if that all made sense... our yard owner is fantastic but woe betide anyone who does not look after their horse.
 
We have two people like this at the yard where i livery my horse.
They think horses can be picked up and put down as and when it suits them - grrrrrrrrrrrrr
They take days about to do each others horses and are barley on the yard for 30mins a day. In this time they manage to 'muck out' and do waters hay etc. Grooming or exercise is a rare event and one of there horses once went 16 weeks without seeing the farrier.
Yard owner is at wits end but is also a bit soft so when he decides hes throwing them off they plead with him not to etc and pull there socks up for a few days. Thankfully the horses are turned out in the summer grazing so have their basic needs catered for (food, water, company, exercise and checked twice daily by yard owner).
i dread the winter when they have to bring them in and muck out etc
 
I think it's really terrible that you have let the horse already suffer.
Sorry if that sound harsh but it's your yard and the responsibilty lays with you to make sure all the horses are well looked after. i know it is not your horse but it is unfair to stand by and watch a horse be treated badly!!!
 
When the lady turns up who is supposed to be looking after the horse in her absence, have a little chat with her.

Explain that you are concerned about the lack of care, etc and ask her to call the owner tonight and inform her of the situation.
Don't do anything until she is informed of your intentions. Then let her know your are more than happy to call the farriar, etc but he will have to be paid, as will you if you perform any extra services for her horse.

There may just be a simple miss understanding, and I would contact her ASAP regardless of her being on holiday.
I also feel there is nothing worse than being the last to know, and she may be offended if things are done/said behind her back and without her knowledge.

I am not defending her in anyway but from past experience with liveries I know these things can back fire
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and have a habit of biting you on the ****!

Is the horse on DIY or part livery?
 
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I think it's really terrible that you have let the horse already suffer.
Sorry if that sound harsh but it's your yard and the responsibilty lays with you to make sure all the horses are well looked after. i know it is not your horse but it is unfair to stand by and watch a horse be treated badly!!!

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I think that's a bit rude and I take offence to your comments. I have not sat back and watched a horse suffer. I have been keeping an eye to make sure the horse DOESN'T suffer.
 
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I think it's really terrible that you have let the horse already suffer.
Sorry if that sound harsh but it's your yard and the responsibilty lays with you to make sure all the horses are well looked after. i know it is not your horse but it is unfair to stand by and watch a horse be treated badly!!!

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I think until you know all the facts it is unfair point the finger at anyone, least of all the OP
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Having helped run the family livery yard for the past ten years i have learned that sometimes you have to keep your mouth shut
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Please don't start slagging people off until you know all the facts......
 
no problems, anytime!!
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I just think at this point in time it's important to speak to your livery and sort it with her, remember nobody goes on their holidays without a mobile
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And I would just ignore a certain persons comments.........
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