Giving Notice – Livery

[justine1559]

So I’ve finally found a yard to move to after a tough 6 months at my current yard. The issue is that I really like the owners of the yard (they don’t manage it) and I’m struggling with how to give them notice without going into the real reasons i.e. lack of care/oversight, horse injured due to using a chifney, forget to hay, turned out on a tarmac lane to eat the banks rather than a field etc etc., this is all despite being on full livery, paying £1000. I’m speaking to the owners tonight and just wondering if anyone has any suggestions that won’t cause offence as I’ve failed to come up with any. I’m also only moving 5 minutes away so can’t use distance to the yard as a excuse.

 

[CanteringCarrot]

Tell them the truth. If they're offended, that's on them. Have you spoken to them about any of this before? Since they don't manage it, they might not have a clue. They may be ok with some customer feedback, or they may not be. I would tell them why though.

 

[paddi22]

I don't think you need to justify why you are moving? I'd just say I found a yard thats a better fit for what you need at the moment. if they ask for more detail or feedback just be honest and list what you say above. they mightn't manage the yard, but at the end of the day it's still on them if they don't hire managers that are good enough. livery is a lot of money to be paying and you have a right to expect service you are happy with. I'd just bring a bottle of wine and a thank you card and hope they don't ask!

 

[AShetlandBitMeOnce]

I would just give your notice and say another yard is a better fit and put in 'if you would like any feedback on the yard please just let me know'.

 

[Equi]

As said just honestly say you’ve found somewhere you feel suits you both better. If they don’t manage it maybe they don’t know what’s happening but you’re not obliged to tell them anything anyway.

 

[justine1559]

Thanks paddi22, AShetlandBitMeOnce and CanteringCarrot, great advice and wine is always a good idea! I think saying that I’ve found a yard that’s a better fit is also completely true. For some reason I always find addressing all things yard-related difficult while in my job I’m fairly ruthless!!

 

[justine1559]

As said just honestly say you’ve found somewhere you feel suits you both better. If they don’t manage it maybe they don’t know what’s happening but you’re not obliged to tell them anything anyway.

Thank you, definite consensus on what to say. Can always rely on great advice from the H&Hs.

 

[milliepops]

I left a yard because of many different safety and care concerns, after 14 years and becoming part of the furniture... i chose to keep it brief and vague. it doesn't pay to burn bridges.... just in case. I figured with my old yard, they wouldn't ever change so there was no point telling them all their failings. it would just create bad feeling. Sure enough I nearly needed to move back when I had a relationship breakdown and needed out in a hurry, they'd have put me up without question and it was a case of any port in a storm... i was glad I hadn't told her everything when I left all those years ago

 

[awelshandawarmblood]

No matter how annoyed I am at the yard I'm on & give notice, I never burn my bridges.

I never go into the reasons that may cause offence & just say the others have suggested, that I've found somewhere that is a better fit for me & my horse, thank them for my time there & wish them all the best.

I've been given 3 weeks notice of a yard shutting down I was on before & had to move ASAP, so I know if it happens again that despite bits I didn't like, there's no yard that I've left that wouldn't have me back if needed.

 

[SEL]

I find the horse world is very small so there's never any point in annoying anyone! I've only fallen out with one old YO and that was nothing I said, more the yard gossip doing her worst after I left.

I tend to stick with the vague 'better suited to how I need to manage my horse' type reasons too

 

[dorsetladette]

I'd just be honest - the care provided here isn't a good fit for my horse.

 

[Leandy]

Echo the above although also not sure why, if you really like the owners but not the management, you wouldn't have a quiet word in the owners' ears that all is not as it should be with the management of the yard? I would be inclined to do that, after I had left, on the assumption they are unaware.

 

[Melody Grey]

The yard owners may be completely unaware that there are management issues, so I’d want to tactfully tell them why. They may be thankful of your feedback.

 

[Flicker]

I'd just be honest - the care provided here isn't a good fit for my horse.

To be honest it doesn’t sound like a good fit for anyone’s horse. I agree - just be honest, they clearly need to hear it from someone.

 

[Roasted Chestnuts]

Just say you are moving and thank them for let it g you keep your horse there. A gift is nice but shouldn’t be necessary

 

[MiJodsR2BlinkinTite]

I think you need to be truthful TBH.

The owners SHOULD know what is going on at the yard they own - but not manage.

It sounds like there are a great deal of concerns at this yard which the Owners need to be informed about!!

I think you should come up-front and tell them exactly the reasons why you are leaving.

End of.