Help ! Yard politics

M

Michellehenry

Active Member
Joined
23 January 2009
Messages
43
Visit site
I have been at my current yard for over 2 years now. The facilities are excellent and my horse is very happy. The only issue is there are a clique of fairly unpleasant people at the yard. They are not overtly unpleasant most of the time but they are exclusive and back biting. I am a mature woman and thought I could handle this by simply getting on and doing my own thing without drawing attention to myself. It's not an ideal situation but I can tolerate it.

I have now been offered a place at a smaller , friendlier yard with equally good facilties and really friendly people. My horse can take time to settle and I don't know whether to consider this place. I am now quite apprenhensive about how I would get on with people on another yard given my experiences at this one and don't want to unsettle my horse just for my sake if he is happy. He and I will need to get used to different routines as such .

Should I move or am I unsettling my horse for no good reason ?
 
in the end, you are paying decent money to be at this yard. If you are not happy to be there then something has to change. Horses are generally very good at adapting but some do take longer than others. If it means you are not in a pleasurable environment-which is what it should be, this may result in you avoiding being at the yard or not staying up with your horse as long. We had the same problem with bitchy people and made the decision to leave. We are much happier now!! Good luck
 
If you're really unhappy that will affect him too. He will settle in a new yard given time, just might take him a while.
 
I can sympathise with your dilemna.

I think its important you are both happy, horses are a huge investment in time and money and its no fun if the environment isn't welcoming to you. There is no reason to think your boy will not settle at the new place, especially if you feel more comfortable.

It is a hard decision, I don't have anywhere to move unless I go part livery which I don't want to do, I would love a choice of somewhere else to go but would probably still worry about moving!

Good luck whatever your decision
smile.gif
 
if same facilities and you know they are not horrible folk - defo jump yards, as it's means to be a pleasure, owning horses. Not fixing you plate armour before getting to yard!!!
 
I am on a tiny yard, and we all got along great.

Until, a new girl came, she has lied and twisted and for a short while turned everybody against each other.

Fortunately everybody bar one person has seen through her now, but she made things really awful.

I tjhink I am just trying to say, that any yard can turn like this, so if the facilities at the small yard are not good enough, don't go there because the people are nice. It may well not stay that way!
 
Yard politics are a nightmare, your present situation is obviously upsetting you; so move. Your horse will adapt to his new surroundings, and you'll be happier .
My maxim is to treat others as as you'd wish to be treated yourelf, it doesn't always work, some folk are just prickly.

Good luck.
 
Given what you have said I would move. As has already been pointed out, horses are an expensive hobby to have it ruined by some unpleasant people. There is always going to be apprehension when one thinks about moving, but I think you need to move
 
If your yard offers great facilities and your horse is happy, just give it time for the dust to settle before packing your bags and moving to another yard, the old saying is true

''the grass isn't always greener on the otherside....just remember there's sh*t in every field''

Like you say if your a mature lady, you don't get involved in any debates, your pleasant and keep your opinions to yourself then perhaps your under the assumption, they might not be gossiping about you, because they have no dirt to dish on you, maybe their just gossiping about each other....if so let them get on with it, just don't take sides or get involved.

All I'm saying is, apart from that, if the yard is good and suits you and your horses needs, you have some nice people to hang out with,ride with etc then don't let a few fish mongers wives drive you away, because this other yard might not be all sweetness and light neither, if you find that its making you really unhappy and its not a just a case of having a bad month, then yes I'd move.
smile.gif
 
i would say to move...i was on a lovely yard for 5 years, really thought that i'd never move, then it went really bitchy and nasty (new people moved on and the YM was involved too)...i moved in may and its the best decision i ever made, i LOVE my new yard
grin.gif
 
Go and view a few yards, it doesnt mean you have to move just because you're looking elsewhere.
I was on a lovely yard with great facilities. I was there nearly 10 years but the YO moved and the new YO was a complete arse. I sort of had to move but now im so glad that I did. The facilties arent as good but the people are friendly and my horse is so chilled out. I was really worried that she wouldnt settle but she did straight away. It was the best decision I made.

Visit a few yards and get the feel of them. You'll know if its the right decision.
 
Same happened at my yard! A new livery came, befriended all of my mates, and then turned them against eachother! Needless to say, her true colours shone through and she has left. The yard is returning back to normal!
grin.gif


I'm going to sit on the fence with this one. I have two opinions....

Usually trouble makers like that, out stay their welcome and move on. It would be a shame to leave a yard you and your horse are happy with.

BUT.....

I have owned my horse for 13 years. I always assumed he was 'happy'. I was at a previous yard for several years, decided to move somewhere with my friend which offered better facilities, and more liveries to socialise with. I have been at my current yard for 5 years. It is the happiest I have ever known my horse. He has totally changed... for the better! Even his previous weight issues at the old yard AREN'T an issue anymore!

Good luck, whatever you decide, it will be reeeeet as long as your horse still has you xx
grin.gif
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top