Finding yards etiquette?

justholdon

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30 October 2014
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I'm currently looking for a yard, and seen as a lot of small yards don't advertise/have phone numbers up visibly I was wondering if it would be rude to turn up and ask to schedule a viewing at a time convenient to both me and the yard owner? I don't know if it's acceptable to just turn up but at the same time don't know another way of finding yards in an area I'm relatively new to.

Any ideas?
 
Hiya!

And no it wouldn't be rude at all! As long as u mention that you didn't no any other way of contacting them. But you would love to have a look at the stables when it's conveniant to them.

I'm sure they would be more than happy as long as you are polite :)
 
I've moved around due to husband's job and I found yards by asking the people helping out at local shows, or by contacting the local riding clubs. Most areas also have a local horsey Facebook page too. Is it worth saying on here which area you are looking for?
 
Just be careful that you are asking at a livery yard not a private house. I am thoroughly fed up with people climbing over my gates or through my fences to wander around my private yard. Telling me you'd love to look at my stables is not going to make it any better! I wouldn't climb into your garden and tell you I'd like to have a look round your shed.

Why not ask on your local FB pages, look in tack shops, check RC and PC web pages?
 
Just be careful that you are asking at a livery yard not a private house. I am thoroughly fed up with people climbing over my gates or through my fences to wander around my private yard. Telling me you'd love to look at my stables is not going to make it any better! I wouldn't climb into your garden and tell you I'd like to have a look round your shed.

Why not ask on your local FB pages, look in tack shops, check RC and PC web pages?

This ^

If I dont have my front gate closed, I have people coming in, usually at weekends asking for livery.
Some open the gate and come in, a few have been very pushy about it too.
One I actually lost it with due to her comments about my 2 or 3 out of 5 empty stables at that time :mad3:

OP, a good way is to take pre-filled postcards with you, with your contact details on & horse info. Much easier intro.
Means if a YO is pretty busy, they dont have to stop but can at least shove a card in their pocket :)
 
One woman who turned up and asked when she could bring her horses and was told "No sorry, I only have my own horses here" came back round and was really arsey when she saw a new pony on the yard. It was one of mine back from loan but she gave me a right mouthful for having told her that I didn't have liveries and then taking one on without giving her first refusal :(
 
I wouldn't...when I was new to an area I found that going to the local tack shop and having a good conversation with the staff was the most helpful. They know all the local yards and which ones were more suitable. We had someone walking through our yard (we are one of a number of yards on a big training centre) despite the big sign saying private yard no entry..and we are off the beaten track. She had just wanted to have a look around and seemed genuinely surprised that we didn't want her to. Security notwithstanding, why do people think that someone else's horses are free entertainment?
 
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