Do you think this is a fair Livery Yard rule?

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3BayGeldings

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That your rugs can only be cleaned by the company the yard owner chooses?

DIY yard I used to be on, 50 horses ish, this is the latest rule which has been imposed. The company the YO has chosen is double the price of another one most of the liverys prefer to use, so it is not going down particularly well. He apparently has said that it's because the rug company is "BHS approved" which fits in with his "BHS approved" livery yard :confused: (He is a non-horsey farmer)

Just curious as to your thoughts :)
 
No, I don't! I really don't think YOs should be allowed to dictate the services and products used by liveries of third parties. You wouldn't let a YO tell you what saddle you could ride in on their yard or what type of hard hat you should use, would you? It sounds like he is either rather naive, feeling he has to go with some one who is BHS approved, or he is getting a kick back.
 
You sure he is not getting confused with rug (as in carpet) cleaning ...

As far as I am aware, there is no such thing as a BHS approved rug cleaning service.
 
The BHS approves rug cleaning companies?:confused: Really?:confused:

A nasty, cynical person would suspect the company belongs to the YOs mate, but obviously I am far too lovely and non-cynical to ever have such a scandalous thought;)
 
Can't see how he could possible enforce that, or even know what you are doing with your rugs. All he can do is only allow collections/deliveries and organised bulk orders to be arranged with his "approved" supplier.

Nothing to stop you taking YOUR rugs home for a few months while you aren't using them, for the purposes of storing them away from damp/rodents/theives of course. Will he notice if they return cleaner than they left? If he did how is he to know that you haven't purchased a new/second hand rug which had been cleaned?
 
Suelin said:
Your rugs; get them cleaned where you like. Just ignore it and get on with it I would say.
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Exactly this ^^^
How's he going to know where you get your rugs cleaned?
If he does make a fuss you could always suggest he pays the difference between his choice of cleaner and your cheaper alternative! :D
 
Ridiculous. If you think its going to cause problems, just say you clean & reproof yourself at home. But think I would be looking for other yards, what next, tack only to be bought from someone he gets a cut from?
 
NO, I don't think this is fair. I don't think it fair that any yard dictates who provides services to their client, be it instruction, farriery, vet, dentist, chiro, saddler, clipper never mind bleddy rug washing!! the only things I think are acceptable are hay... and possibly bedding...
 
CBFan said:
NO, I don't think this is fair. I don't think it fair that any yard dictates who provides services to their client, be it instruction, farriery, vet, dentist, chiro, saddler, clipper never mind bleddy rug washing!! the only things I think are acceptable are hay... and possibly bedding...
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Ah, now I won't let unregistered farriers on my yard, but anything else - well you pay your money you take your choice - and rug washing!! never heard anything so ridiculous. And no such thing as BHS approval for rug washing services lol :D
 
3BayGeldings said:
That your rugs can only be cleaned by the company the yard owner chooses?

DIY yard I used to be on, 50 horses ish, this is the latest rule which has been imposed. The company the YO has chosen is double the price of another one most of the liverys prefer to use, so it is not going down particularly well. He apparently has said that it's because the rug company is "BHS approved" which fits in with his "BHS approved" livery yard :confused: (He is a non-horsey farmer)

Just curious as to your thoughts :)
Click to expand...
You will be cheaper buying new rugs
 
Nope slightly confused why he feels the need to decide who cleans your rugs :confused: although the cynic in me would say he is being encouraged in some way to use this company.

Mine all go home when they arnt needed and get washed proofed repaired etc before returning to the yard when they are needed again so no one would know who washed my rugs.
 
My friend is now being charged an extra £2 a week OR will be asked to leave if she keeps using a different rug cleaning company. Apparently she isn't "supporting the yard financially." So ridiculous.

And yes, "BHS approved rug cleaning service! indeed :rolleyes:
 
Yes, it seems that he is getting some sort of kick back.

The liveries already have to buy all the hay, straw, feed and supplements from him which he buys in bulk at a cheaper price and sells on at normal RRP.
 
My rugs wouldnt be getting cleaned. I hose off my outdoor ones anyway, I dont like having them fully washed.
 
This rule would make me believe there is profit in it for the YO. Bulk deal, free rug cleaning etc.
I can't think of any other reason.
Groundless rule that should be ignored.
 
3BayGeldings said:
My friend is now being charged an extra £2 a week OR will be asked to leave if she keeps using a different rug cleaning company. Apparently she isn't "supporting the yard financially." So ridiculous.

And yes, "BHS approved rug cleaning service! indeed :rolleyes:
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does he also charge those who dont use rugs at all on their horses?

with 50+ liveries how the hell does he keep track of who has had a rug cleaned, never mind which company cleaned em?!

if i were your friend id be looking for a new yard. Ridiculous!
 
Totally mad!

I have been on a yard in the past where we did all used to use the same service but that was because we got a bulk discount which is not the case here.

Makes me so glad my YO lets us just get on with it and just provides the storage and bulk orders hay and straw and sells it to you at the bulk price.

Vote with your feet.
 
:eek::mad: Ludicrous. :rolleyes: I hope the facilities are worth it.

Mind, I would stamp my feet and tell him where to shove his feeds and supplements if I had to buy from him too.

My rugs would just go home with me and come back clean, how would he know?

I think I would last about a month on a yard with someone like that in charge, no, I wouldn't even have gone there to start with. Thanks but no thanks. My horse, I will feed what I like thankyou very much.

Out of curiosity, do you have to use YO approved Instructors, Farriers, Vets etc as well? :)

I am a YO, I recommend my own Vet and Farrier because I think that they happen to be very good at what they do, but I don't have a problem with owners employing whomever they like to deal with their own horses.
 
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Does he have a waiting list to move to the yard? If so, it's his business and he can charge what he likes, if people will tolerate it.

If he has no waiting list I'd tell him I did them in the washing machine at home.
 
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