Full livery expectations

So many yards just don't offer a proper service, its shocking really. I've been at yards where a liveries horse smacked its head on the top of the stable and had blood everywhere which was ignored, I've found poo in haynets and discovered horses were being fed YOs horses left over hay but I've also been at great yards. Current yard is fab and does what I ask, horse looks fab and were both happy. You don't realise how bad it is until you go and then receive fabulous service elsewhere.
 
I'd be out of there too! I'm also in the expensive SE paying 80 for part livery (7 days but no riding/grooming/tack cleaning) and get my rugs changed, the only time they weren't is if they came in wet as, IMO, rugs dry easier whilst still on the horse! Christ even on assisted DIY his rugs were changed at both ends of the day! Where are you based OP?
 
I was on full livery up until last year... I didn't feel I was getting value for money. Simple thing like.... yes they were topping up water everyday but never cleaned the water buckets out. They'd go all scummy and yukky and when it was mentioned to YO the reply would be..... well, clean it out then. :/ I also hate the way a lot of livery yards "Muck out" over winter. Lifting the poop and leaving the wet straw and a "full skip out once a week" bloody pony stood in during winter on it's on wee and then getting moaned at in the evening for lifting out the soddin wet straw.

Wouldn't go back to "Full livery" if I was paid to go.
 
I went to full livery when my husband worked away and it broke my heart , horse was going out at 6am - more like 8am and back in by 1 as it was convenient for the ym who lived on site. They then had a hay net from 1pm till 8am. Started with a lovely thick bed when I went in the summer, by winter it was a square in the corner as horse was wet !!! Funny that when it's stood in over 19 hours. Horse became a bloody nightmare to ride/lead/handle probably because it was going stir crazy in all that time. Waters were never fresh unless I was on the yard, buckets were green by the end of the week. Nothing wrong with the land just my field was halved so ym one of three horses could be closer to the yard and another horse came in at 1 so might as well bring everything else in whilst she had her boots on.
 
That is terrible, what an awful attitude for her to have towards you as well - you are her client! As rug changes are included then what you requested was hardly the end of the world, and to respond like she did is shocking. You're paying a lot of money for what should be a brilliant service, you should be able to leave your horse in their care when you are not able to be there yourself, and be able to do so without worrying.
Honestly, I'd be handing in your notice and going elsewhere sooner rather than later, before the winter gets very bad and your horse may not get the attention he needs - there are so many lovely yards around with caring yard owners & staff who would care for your horse properly - including giving him water! I'm sure if you post your location in the regional sections of the board then there will be members who can point you in the direction of somewhere better. x
 
Totally unacceptable, especially no water which is a very basic thing. Her attitude is a disgrace. I don't how some YOs (not all, sorry not tarnishing you all with with same brush :)!) think this acceptable speaking to clients this way, like they have an upper hand on you as they are looking after your horse(s), YOU are paying her, not the other way round (is it me or is this the case very common in the equine industry? If I spoke to a client at work (not horsey!) I wouldn't have any work coming in ever!) Hand in your notice and get out asap, you and your horse deserve better regardless of money.
 
God lord this sounds like the full livery yard I have just left nr knutsford. I would love to name it as it was so bloody awful, although someone on another thread has already done so, ha ha.
The woman who owns it made all these claims about her experience yet had to ask me if my horses stable bandages needed to be removed before he was turned out. I actually got asked to leave because I was too demanding. Apparently asking that my horse was turned out before 11am, given hay & water & a clean bed was a bit too much to ask.
OP - get out ASAP, it won't get better. People like this are not fit to care for horses.
 
I think the term "full livery" is used far too easily!
I have moved from a yard where if I didn't change my horses rug she stayed in her turnout too. I felt like my horses decisions were not for me to make.
I moved to a well known establishment in Cheshire and I cannot tell you how different it is, I now have a perfect understanding of full livery . My horse gets groomed daily, turned out exactly how I want, has her night rugs put on, fed what I want and she has a wonderful routine. It's expensive but very worth as my mind is at peace.
For the money you pay weekly I would expect along the same lines, the bottom line is if you can't trust them to do it then you are not on the right yard and need to find a new one .... Trust me it's worth it in the end
 
I have never known a yard owner who has had a decent attitude towards a paying customer unfortunately. All of them that i have known have worked people's horses around their life rather than the other way around. It is wrong and I hope things change in the future but i fear not.
 
Goodness thats horrendous! OP where is this yard in Norfolk? Sorry but I'd be out of there in a shot. I was on full livery once a few years back... Until the staff left him in a stable with a chiffney bit on!
 
I think it just depends on the yard and how much you pay as to what is included.
I see rug changing as a basic care!

Plus it was very rude how they responded.

You should check out all details and how they do things before moving to a yard.

I certainly wouldn't like a yard or people like that.
From what stories I've heard a lot of full livery yard managers/owners seems to thing they decide what happens,
Although I know its their yard, you are paying for a service and should get a say in how your horse I'd treated.
 
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I supply full livery for people and anything they say goes really... Unless it's dangerous or unhealthy to which I would kindly offer help if they would accept. I would be very upset if I paid full livery and they couldn't even be bothered to do a neck!

(Not read above messages on OPs opening message)
 
california dreaming said:
I have never known a yard owner who has had a decent attitude towards a paying customer unfortunately. All of them that i have known have worked people's horses around their life rather than the other way around. It is wrong and I hope things change in the future but i fear not.
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You haven't met us then :) I've been threatened with divorce 3 times since opening meet already. Have left being out for dinner to drive 20miles to yard to do last checks and pop back for last course. It's a shame that so many do give us good liveries a bad name but from reading recent posts, it's sad that we're in the minority that put the horses and owners in our care above our own needs.
 
Cava81 said:
Hi I am new to full livery, have always done DIY before but circumstances have changed.
Today I asked the yard owner to make sure my horses neck was put on in the stable as it is now chilled off and he has a clip, the response I got was that I should be lucky he not staying in his turnout rug and not to put any more rugs on him as they won't get done!
am I being over sensitive or is this wrong? I thought as a full livery the horse should be cared for as I ask and not as the yard owner dictates.
opinions wanted.
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I will start off saying im a yard owner , in answer to your question i think that would depend on how much your paying, if they have staff then fair doe's it wouldn't take a minute, but by the same token we don't live in sub zero temps in this country ,i ask all my liveries to rug accordingly in what there happy having there horses in, i dont offer rug changes, unless its a welfare issue ,where by the horse is over rugged or soaked, i suppose like another poster said you can assume anything,
 
california dreaming said:
I have never known a yard owner who has had a decent attitude towards a paying customer unfortunately. All of them that i have known have worked people's horses around their life rather than the other way around. It is wrong and I hope things change in the future but i fear not.
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Well that's a shame, because bad livery yards tarr the good ones.
I'm on an outstanding yard, who always go the extra mile to try and keep their clients and horses happy.
 
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