Do you think i'm being unreasonable? (may be long)

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Kal

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At my livery yard there are 2 horses per field. Far enough. When i moved there, 2 weeks later a new girl moves in and i have to share a field with her.

I started having trouble catching mine because the other horse won't let mine anywhere near the gate, and he kept coming in with large bite marks.

She then moved field so i was on my own most of last summer. I finally managed to get mine near the gate and was quite happy being caught again, after a few months.

I keep my in all winter to make sure i have grass for spring and summer (as we are supposed to have one field). I let her turn her horse out in my field when i wasn't using it because there are rabbit holes in hers. Now she has bloody left her horse out day and night.

I have asked the livery owner if she could tell this girl to move back to her own field. 1. because she is eating all my grass. 2. because i won't be able to catch mine again. 3. if i did turn mine out with hers agian i'd more than likely get a vets bill. But the owner hasn't done anything yet.

I have got the other people moaning because i have a field by myself (although i did say i'd fence it off and i don't mine sharing, just not with this one). And they want to change fields because there's hasn't got any grass in it (well they shouldn't have turned them out all winter then).

So i'm paying for a field which i can not use. Do you think i'm being unreasonable to not share with her?

I'm sorry about ranting on
frown.gif
 
I dont think you are being unreasonable at all, I would feel exactly the same. Its the sort of thing that would happen to me. Its difficult though as at the end of the day if the YO wants to swap horses arround or let this persons horse graze with yours or give you a bald paddock in exchange then she can regardless of the fact you have been sensible and saved yours for now. Id be fuming but sadly theres not a lot you can do about it. Did YO say she would have a word with this person, cos if she has, I'd have to ask again.
 
She said she would. But the other people down there said, they have tried to do similar in the past and she has told them to lump it. So either they won't like it if i get what i want, or the YO will tell me to put up with it or leave. And i suppose i'd have to leave, cos the welfare of my horse comes first.
 
A bit scary but if your prepared to leave anyway I would ask her again and see what happens. Id make sure I had somewhere to go first though just incase.
If anyone moans that you have a field full of grass then tough its there own faults that they have turned out all winter. Couldnt people share a turnout paddock or two over winter and save the rest for now?
Or maybe they tried the same as you in the past and ended up in the same position as you now so thought sod it.
I hope you get something sorted.
 
I'll ask if i can fence half off, even if it means lugging water up or putting fence up myself.

May well have to start looking for somewhere else.

Thank you for your replies. I'll have another word tomorrow, and see what happens.
 
OK im going to throw another perspective on this.
1) you had only been there 2 weeks prior to new horse moving in, so therfore your horse wasnt settled properly and was greatfull for company - hence non catching.
2) you probably cant catch him due to the other horse being posessive as there is only one other horse there and you are taking away his friend.
3) they havent had enough time to settle down and sort out the pecking order - hence the bites
4) it is not a good idea to keep a horse by itself.
5) it is very difficult to YO to ask other person to move- why should you have field to yourself? even though you have said you dont mind sharing, the other horses will have settled down in their groups, this horse is the "best" candidate.
6) Although i wouldnt say your being unreasonable, you are asking something that most YO cant give. you'd find it difficult to find a similar set up wher you may have to share with more than 1 other horse, also your horse will go through the pecking order arguments, so may get kicked / bitten anyway. so i dont think moving is the answer.
7) is your horse in 24/7 during winter? if so dont worry about mud and no grass, you dont want him stressed as he aint going out. it will make the non catching and field behavour worse. turn him out during the day - everyday unless field is underwater.

Ask to put up fencing. Just dont molly cuddle the horse too much, you may not like him gettting bitten but its natural and most of the time doesnt do that much harm.
 
I don't think you're being unreasonable, but why can't YOU just ask her to move? I'm always a big fan of them having company so it would be nice if your horse could go out with another but I understand your concerns about the other horse bullying yours.

You have to remember on a yard that the YO/TM can't keep everyone happy all of the time so there will have to be some compromise.
 
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