Damaged fencing

[Abacus]

If I’m honest, I often leave my horse tied up. For example I might be heading off (offsite) to a lesson with my instructor but pop home first to drop off the dogs, and leave the horse tied while I do that (it takes 4 mins). He will be tied to thin string in a closed yard, with hay. It’s a risk - sure - but one I’ll take with a calm horse. He might chew something (although I’ve never seen him do that) and he might break the string (again, he never has). We all make our own subconscious risk assessments all the time and they vary according to the horse and circumstances. This isn’t really related to the original post about paying for damage, but at the same time is about the little decisions we make every day and how we balance safety (and risk of damage) with convenience.

 

[FestiveG]

What people do on their own private yard is very different from what is acceptable on a livery yard. If the op is not happy to discuss the problem, when the yard owner approaches her, then I can see that the yo will not be pleased. If the op had said I'm sorry and I'm running late, can I come and find you later today to arrange/ discuss, then the yo may have been a bit more amenable. It also sounds as if when hay is on the yard that it isn't always cleared up.

 

[SussexbytheXmasTree]

If she didn't see the horse chewing the wood it was obviously left unattended and it's not acceptable to just walk away and leave a horse tied up anywhere, mine are kept at home with little distraction but I still give them a hay net when tied up on the rare occasions they are.

It's common sense!

I’d never leave a horse completely unattended but for example I’ll tie up outside of my stable whilst mucking out so I’m not standing staring at him the entire time. I might even walk the 15 metres to the tack room and get my tack out whilst he is stood there. We secure the yard if tied up outside so they can’t get out even if they got loose. I have plenty of common sense thank you!

 

[HashRouge]

I'm keen to see what damage the horse did! I can't imagine it's much more than a chewed fence post, in which case it should be fairly cheap to replace but obviously should be paid for by OP. I don't like the sound of their yard for various other reasons, but owner definitely responsible if horse damages property.

 

[Barton Bounty]

Thoughts please

My horse has chewed some wood whilst being tied up having a bath. YO said she would send me a bill.

Is this my responsibility or does my monthly livery cover damages? Nothing in contract to say who fixes what.

Irritated me even more as she spoke to me about it first thing in the morning when I'm running around doing jobs and have an office to get to! (Not her problem I guess but gets my back up lol)

Annoying as my friends horse broke her field fence and YO didn't charge her?!?

I would have put my jacket or a rug or something over it if you saw him even slightly chewing the wood or alternatively tied him up tighter so he couldn’t reach.
I am afraid I would expect it repaired or at least the materials replaced. I sincerely hope you didnt just walk away leaving him tied up for a long time ? very dangerous. Accidents happen in a split second.

 

[eggs]

I agree with most of the other comments that you should pay for the repair but it should also be pretty cheap. Sounds like it is just replacing one rail with another.

Having read the article the OP linked to it did seem as though it was written for a novicey owner. In future when you bath your horse pop a Thermatex/fleece type rug on and put back in the stable if you are not turning him/her straight back out.

 

[Deltofe2493]

I'm keen to see what damage the horse did! I can't imagine it's much more than a chewed fence post, in which case it should be fairly cheap to replace but obviously should be paid for by OP. I don't like the sound of their yard for various other reasons, but owner definitely responsible if horse damages property.

Although I actually don't believe this was ALL my horse. I need to be more observant ffs. I also took her for a walk for some grass to avoid boredom whilst drying.

Pros / cons of old & new yard attached. Not sure what to do!

 

[Deltofe2493]

What people do on their own private yard is very different from what is acceptable on a livery yard. If the op is not happy to discuss the problem, when the yard owner approaches her, then I can see that the yo will not be pleased. If the op had said I'm sorry and I'm running late, can I come and find you later today to arrange/ discuss, then the yo may have been a bit more amenable. It also sounds as if when hay is on the yard that it isn't always cleared up.

In YO defense she didn't know I was running late and I didn't show I was annoyed I had the discussion with her but it annoyed me regardless because my world does not revolve around my horse / the yard. She had seen me over the weekend when it would have been a better time to discuss rather than first thing on a Tuesday morning so I just think bad timing on her part.

 

[Errin Paddywack]

A horse can do that sort of damage in a very short space of time as I know from personal experience. Easy enough to replace that rail.

 

[ihatework]

I bet the poor OP is wondering how the hell a bit of chewed wood can cause such response!

Don’t worry OP - offer to repair the damage or let them do it. A bit of wood won’t cost much! Then just keep an eye on jaws in future ?

 

[Deltofe2493]

I bet the poor OP is wondering how the hell a bit of chewed wood can cause such response!

Don’t worry OP - offer to repair the damage or let them do it. A bit of wood won’t cost much! Then just keep an eye on jaws in future ?

literally! Very interesting mixed reviews.

Thank you. OH coming to look over it tonight to see what we can do!

 

[eggs]

It looks like a pretty new rail so maybe that is why the YO is annoyed about it.

The damage isn't that bad and probably doesn't really warrant a new rail - maybe they would be happy with you sanding the torn bits smooth.

 

[FestiveG]

My guess is that indeed the fencing is new an that the yo wouldn't mind wear and tear, but is annoyed that a horse was tied to it and the owner did not prevent damage to new property. If the op rented a house, where pets were allowed, I'm pretty sure that she would expect to replace / pay for repairs to any wood her animals damaged.

 

[elliejhb]

In your situation I would be paying for the repair or repairing/replacing myself.
My boy scratched his bum on the tackroom door and broke the handle off. We fixed it as much as we could immediately, informed the YO and bought and fitted the replacement the next morning.

 

[Flowerofthefen]

See I would have put back but I googled and the advice was never to put back wet horse -https://equimed.com/health-centers/general-care/articles/bathing-your-horse#:~:text=Never%20put%20a%20wet%20horse,that%20it%20will%20be%20chilled

FFS!!

Can't see link. I have had horses for nearly 40 years. If it's warm outside and I'm there to supervise then I will let horse dry outside as it doesn't take long otherwise always put back in stable, it's safer. I guess we all have our ways of doing things and horror stories of horses suffering career ending injuries from tieing up and being left a split second has definitely made me do what I do!!

 

[Dexter]

What people do on their own private yard is very different from what is acceptable on a livery yard. If the op is not happy to discuss the problem, when the yard owner approaches her, then I can see that the yo will not be pleased. If the op had said I'm sorry and I'm running late, can I come and find you later today to arrange/ discuss, then the yo may have been a bit more amenable. It also sounds as if when hay is on the yard that it isn't always cleared up.

I have never ever been on a livery yard where you can't tie your horse up and leave it while you muck out etc. I've been on a fair few yards over the years as well. I'm genuinely stunned that anyone would think leaving a horse tied up is a nono. I don't know anyone on my yard or in my horsey circle that thinks that way either.