feels like the end is nigh

T

Timmys Mum

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So the wife of the owner of my yard is saying I beat my pony. he tried to crush me against a fence so I slapped him on the neck and told him that was unacceptable. Then she comes out and starts saying that she's never seen anything like it and how she's going to have me thrown off the yard. the next day her and her husband come out and start having a go, saying I was punching him, kicking him and hitting him about the head. This is all lies, as proven by the fact my pony is in no way scared or threatened or even wary of me, in fact he casually tried to do it again yesterday. This woman has done this before, she decides she doesn't like a livery then starts a hate campaign to get rid of them, so i'm not totally surprised. But it makes me look bad, and I doubt so many things about how I look after my horses that I really don't need someone making me think i'm being cruel.

the other liveries aren't any better, they gossip behind my back about how I don't rug my ponies (a welsh sec A and a welsh cross) up every time it rains in the summer. they are still bringing theirs in if it gets below 6 at night. None of them ever say anything to my face and one woman in particular does little spiteful things. my friend says that the current rumour is that someone heard someone say I hit my boy with a broom, and I feel really insulted by that sort of thinking.

I'm leaving that yard in a week or so for one 25 minutes away, unless a miracle happens and I find somewhere nearer, i'd rather have the travel than deal with this for any longer. So I guess i'm looking for some reassurance, or advice or just check i'm doing the right thing? My horses are the best thing about my life and there's nothing I love more, and now I feel cruel? or am I being overly sensitive? sorry for the long post.
 
I don't think you are being overly sensitive, i have also been on the receiving end of nasty rumours similar to this. I have just tried to grow a thick skin and smile blandly at people if it has been mentioned and say they are welcome to visit my horse with me to see how content and spoiled he is.

Eventually people will get bored and find some other poor soul to gossip about :)
 
Probably the best thing you have done is decide to leave. Yes, the travelling will be a pain but if you will be able to enjoy your ponies without being nipped at and accused of things then it'll be worth it. Owning horses is supposed to be fun! I don't think you're being over sensitive, you shouldn't have to put up with bullying and it's easier said than done trying to ignore things like this.

I just find it very bizarre though that the owners of the yard are behaving like this :confused: why would they risk losing customers? People can be so strange.
 
Definitely move! I stayed on a yard where I was unhappy for far too long just because it was fairly convenient to get there from home! Nothing as bad as you describe but it was fairly anti-social and cliquey.

I've now moved to a yard that is a 35-40 min drive each way rather than the previous 10-15 mins drive and me and horsey have never been happier :)

I am finally enjoying my horse and enjoying spending time at the yard.
 
You will always get people like this, maybe not to the same extent and you will probably need to get a thicker skin.

If you know your horse is well looked after it doesn't matter what others think/say.

I used to get comments inferring that I never checked on my horse. I work 9-5 half an hour away from the yard. Everyone else either works shifts or doesn't work at all. As a consequence I hardly see the other liveries through the week. I think they thought that if they didn't see me, I obviously didn't go up.

I used to get comments like 'wow, haven't seen you for a while' or 'your horse will die of shock when he sees you' ... I just respond with equally stupid comments like 'I know, has anyone seen him lately, has he still got 4 legs?' People soon get bored.
 
Leave, and you won't look back. Life is too short, and horses are too expensive to not enjoy the yard you're on. I gave notice to leave a yard a while ago and the YO turned from being "one of my best friends" to totally toxic overnight. The lies came thick and fast.

Move to the one 25 minutes away, then if you find it too far, look for another closer at your leisure. Your current YO sounds intolerable.

Good luck.
 
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