Full Livery

[FMM]

I feel a definite rant coming on. Where are people coming from when they feel that the only way to bond with a horse is to shovel its sh1t? Why do people feel the need to make sarcastic comments such as "try mucking out" if a horse (don't care WHOSE horse it is) is on full livery. Do people not understand what full livery means? It is not PART livery, or DIY. It is a service provided by a yard with staff who are all fully aware of what it means to work on a professional yard.

Proper full livery means that the owner of the horse does not have to lift a single finger in the care of their horse if they don't want to. It does not make them a bad person, it could be for a number of reasons - work, ill health, distance to travel - the assumption that people on full livery are either stupid, lazy or both is an incredibly narrow minded way of looking at it.

Most people who are on full livery have actually done the DIY stuff for many years. However, bear in mind that as you get older you tend to get more responsible jobs, work longer hours and have different values than when you are younger. But it STILL doesn't make you a lazy or stupid person if you decide that you would like your horse on full livery.

How many times do people on here moan like crazy when they have to go up in the dark to bring their horse in, sort out wet rugs and have to scrape of muddy legs? The people on full livery don't say "oh my, how stupid you are, you ought to pay someone to do it for you". No. The people on full livery may think "oh, how lucky am I that I can afford to pay someone to do it for me" or they MAY think "oh my - I wish that was all I had to worry about in my life - muddy legs and dark nights, instead of a high pressure job".

Some of you need to grow up and realise that there are many different ways of keeping horses, and just because someone doesn't choose your way should not mean that it is wrong.

As it happens, I bond with my horses just fine thanks. And when I DO happen to give the yard a hand mucking out, you can be damn sure my horse doesn't feel a single bit closer to me then than he does when I am riding him, grooming him or any of the other things I choose to do with him when I have the time.

 

[madhector]

Well said!!!!

 

[Bossanova]

I dont understand why people are so against it either!
All the horses we have on full adore their owners.
Full livery is the only guarentee of a proper structured routine for every horse, so many horses on DIY appear to have a lack of routine and I never understand people who go up at 5.30 am on a weekday but dont roll up till 8 or 9 at a weekend?!!

 

[kombikids]

Each to their own regardless of livery types wish people realised just how lucky they are to be able to have a horse full stop, doesnt matter who shovels its poo!

 

[TGM]

Agree with you totally! I love doing my horses myself, but when I was commuting to London to work it was much better for me and my horse to take advantage of full livery. Horse wasn't kept waiting if my train was delayed and when I did get to the yard I could spend time grooming and riding my horse, rather than mucking out!

 

[Tia]

I agree. It often crosses my mind that when people make derogatory remarks about people who keep horses on full livery, that they are perhaps envious?

I would however agree with those who say they have a closer bond with their horses if they are on DIY. Of course a horse is going to have a closer bond with the person who does the majority of work for/with the horse. All of my boarders know fine well that their horses know me far better than they know their owners - just a fact of life.

 

[susanjc]

hear hear

 

[mattilda]

Personally I don't have a problem with anybody having their horse on full livery and have several friends who have no option but to do that. Mainly due to work locations and commitments. I don't think it makes any difference to the way they bond with their horse. However, I prefer to do everything myself and always have done. Each to their own in my opinion as long as it doesn't affetc me then what difference does it make. In saying that I also know people who have their horses on full livery and do not bother going to see or ride it from one month to the next and that makes me sad. What is the point, the horse is being wasted.

 

[lucylemon]

well said!

i agree with full liver for people with reasons for putting their horse on full livers, like young children, work, illnesses,lack of time etc.

i just dont agree with some people. like poeple who put their horses on full livery just because they can afford it., or because they cant be bothered to go down every day.

some people rely on full livery to be able to fulfil their dream of owning a horse, but some people abuse it.

 

[LauraBR]

*claps*

Totally agree with every word.

 

[Tia]

[ QUOTE ]
In saying that I also know people who have their horses on full livery and do not bother going to see or ride it from one month to the next and that makes me sad. What is the point, the horse is being wasted.

[/ QUOTE ]

Well I shouldn't worry about that because the horse doesn't. I have loads of boarders who don't come to see their horses for months on end. Their horses are perfectly happy with their life here on my farm.

 

[Tia]

[ QUOTE ]
some people rely on full livery to be able to fulfil their dream of owning a horse, but some people abuse it

[/ QUOTE ]
Eh? Some people abuse what? I'm confused by this comment.

 

[hadfos]

Only alot,lol!!!I have no issues with anyone that keeps their horses on FULL livery,used to have my lad on full livery when my little boy arrived!!Went back diy as it is cheaper!!If i had the cash i would go back full purely because i didnt have to do the shitty jobs, i could go and spend a full 3 hours with my horse which was great!!

 

[hadfos]

[ QUOTE ]
I agree. It often crosses my mind that when people make derogatory remarks about people who keep horses on full livery, that they are perhaps envious?

I would however agree with those who say they have a closer bond with their horses if they are on DIY. Of course a horse is going to have a closer bond with the person who does the majority of work for/with the horse. All of my boarders know fine well that their horses know me far better than they know their owners - just a fact of life.

[/ QUOTE ]
SOOOOO true,and i love that bond i have with my horse which is why even when i was on full livery i was there every day!!!

 

[Marnie]

I agree. My mare is on part livery, I go up in the mornings and muck out, I groom her, ride her and if I am around, turn her out. All feeding, rug changing in the evening etc is done by the yard. With the hours I work it is the only way I can have a horse, and if I didn't work as I do, I wouldn't be able to afford Marnie. I also on occasions put her on full livery, for example when we had an Ofsted inspection at work and I was the key contact, or when I have a big report to do - and of course if I go away. At weekends, I often help the yard owners muck out - it is my relaxation time funnily enough

When I was younger (from age 12 on) and I had a pony / horse, I did everything myself - my parents always told me that the first time they had to do my horse because I couldn't be bothered, that was it, it would go. If I wanted to go away or stay at someones house, I would arrange with another livery to swap duties. It isn't a case therefore of never wanting to muck out!

 

[kombikids]

wish i could afford the full livery with the icey mornings at the mo thats for sure!

 

[LauraBR]

[ QUOTE ]
well said!

i agree with full liver for people with reasons for putting their horse on full livers, like young children, work, illnesses,lack of time etc.

i just dont agree with some people. like poeple who put their horses on full livery just because they can afford it., or because they cant be bothered to go down every day.

some people rely on full livery to be able to fulfil their dream of owning a horse, but some people abuse it.

[/ QUOTE ]

So full livery is acceptable to you provided there is a valid reason why the owner can't physically manage on a DIY basis?

Sorry but that is just ridiculous- we have horses because we enjoy them and they make us happy- if I didn't enjoy mucking out or filling haynets (so potentially 'could not be bothered') and I could afford to pay someone else to do a good reliable job of it then I absolutely would- would that class as 'abusing' full livery services then?

I'm intrigued as to how someone would 'abuse' a full livery service?

Some of the attitudes on here are just hilarious- warped logic and ignorance with a good dose of jealousy in many cases I suspect.

 

[Foxford]

I agree. If I could afford full livery I would certainly go for it. I think people need to cut out the sarky comments, and stop making judgments about people based on the fact they choose to have full livery.

Boss - you're on a very conscientious yard. A lot of DIY owners I know think nothing of turning up at 11/12 on a weekend when their horse is in with no haynet.

 

[lucylemon]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
some people rely on full livery to be able to fulfil their dream of owning a horse, but some people abuse it

[/ QUOTE ]
Eh? Some people abuse what? I'm confused by this comment.

[/ QUOTE ]

hehe sorry came out a bit wrong.

i mean that some people are dependant on the service and some people take for granted the fact that their horse is on full livery and dont bother going to see it that often.

(sorry if anyone though i meant abusing the horse

)

 

[ThomasTank]

I agree with you FMM.
Having a horse on full livery or having children in childcare. Whats the problem !!!

 

[htobago]

I do see your point FMM!

There is a sort of smug, holier-than-thou attitude among a few DIYers (fortunately a small minority, I think) that can be very irritating.

My stallion is on the sort of proper full livery where absolutely everything is done and I don't have to lift a finger. I would dearly love to look after him myself, but I have a severe illness which means I am often not even well enough to visit him, let alone muck out or groom or anything.

The staff and others at the yard never make me feel bad about this - and certainly never tell me that I am not 'bonding' properly with my boy as a result. In fact, quite the opposite - the last time I visited they were all exclaiming over how pleased and happy Tobago always is to see me! (And no, I don't feed him treats - I just play with him and give him lots of fuss and attention and affection, which he loves.)

So please DIYers don't look down on those of us with horses on full livery - there is usually a very good reason for this, and it doesn't mean we are lazy or that we don't bond with our horses!

 

[Tia]

No I didn't think you were talking about abusing the horse LOL!! I just can't see how you can possibly suggest that someone who is on full care livery is abusing anything? They are surely taking advantage of a service, for which they pay?

Certainly the majority of my boarders only see their horses once every couple of months, but I can assure you that their horses don't suffer in the slightest and I really can't see where you are going with this "people abusing the full care option" malarky, LOL!!

 

[aimeerose]

Couldnt have put it better myself!

 

[lucylemon]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
well said!

i agree with full liver for people with reasons for putting their horse on full livers, like young children, work, illnesses,lack of time etc.

i just dont agree with some people. like poeple who put their horses on full livery just because they can afford it., or because they cant be bothered to go down every day.

some people rely on full livery to be able to fulfil their dream of owning a horse, but some people abuse it.

[/ QUOTE ]

So full livery is acceptable to you provided there is a valid reason why the owner can't physically manage on a DIY basis?

Sorry but that is just ridiculous- we have horses because we enjoy them and they make us happy- if I didn't enjoy mucking out or filling haynets (so potentially 'could not be bothered') and I could afford to pay someone else to do a good reliable job of it then I absolutely would- would that class as 'abusing' full livery services then?

I'm intrigued as to how someone would 'abuse' a full livery service?

Some of the attitudes on here are just hilarious- warped logic and ignorance with a good dose of jealousy in many cases I suspect.

[/ QUOTE ]

well when i say abuse it, how about somone putting their horse on full livery and not turning up for months? thats what i mean, but overall i dont have a problem with full livery but wouldnt choose it.

 

[Honeypots]

Agree... darned rude IMO

 

[ThomasTank]

But if it was on full livery, then that would mean it is fed, watered and exercised. So what if the owners dont turn up for months

 

[susan_w]

I appreciate where you are coming from, and tbh there are times in our lives where our horses have to go on full livery. But I'm glad that my daughter looks after them, as it would just be too easy for her to have them on full livery and just turn up and ride. Full livery wouldn't cost me that much more than DIY tbh, so we don't just DIY them because of the cost, but my daughter has shown her commitment and dedication to it, by getting up at 6am every morning to do them before school or work.

 

[mickey]

I have my horse on full livery. However, I did him for many yrs on DIY. I decided to go on full livery because of work commitments, and now I am on full livery because sometimes I cannot get to the yard due to health issues.
From an owners point of view, and a horses, I am sure there are pros and cons to both full livery and DIY. And also, what may suit one horse may not suit another.
I am however, far more hands-on than the other full liveries at my yard. If I am there and my horse does a dropping in his stable, I will pick it up. Similarly if he is short of hay or water I will top them up. I often get my horse in during the afternoons, groom him, rug him up etc. This is my choice. If I feel well and I have time then I enjoy doing these things.
I personally cannot understand the point in having a horse that you rarely see. And as for not recognising your horse, well IMO that is truly shocking! In my view, whatever type of livery one is on, the ultimate responsibility for the horse lies with the owner. And I struggle to comprehend how you can fulfill that responsibility if you never (or rarely) see your horse.

 

[kerrylou123]

totally agree! If these people didnt have their horses on full livery, most grooms would be jobless!
If i could afford to keep mine on full livery i would without a doubt, especially this time of year. im finding it really hard having time to exercise 2, much out, etc etc every night... its even worse now my work hours have changed! I'm not getting home and eating til this time of night (and still not eaten yet)!
I don't have kids, or a high pressure job, but after working on livery yard for a while, i know how these people feel! These people get alot more QUALITY time with their horses!

 

[snurse]

I would have mine on full livery if I could afford it, but I can't. Anyway, I'm retired now, so I've no excuse. As has been said, to each his own. I just find it a little hard to understand those who keep a horse but don't see it for weeks or months at a time. I mean, why?? I also had little understanding of someone who was only interested in hunting, would arrive, get on horse, go out for day, come back late with often a very tired and wet horse, and just chuck him in the stable. I mean, if he'd given you a good day out, wouldn't you WANT to rug him and make him comfortable?