Horrid weekend need an outlet for a moan, sorry.

Nickles1973

Nickles1973

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I have had a really horrid weekend and at this moment I still feel a bit sick and upset about it. My hubby is very non horsey and my fellow liveries whilst lovely people are not very experienced so I have very few options when I need advice or to vent. I don't feel I can talk to my YO as they are a contributory factor and I don't think they care anyway. So I appologise in advance but just need to vent some of my feelings and on here is hopefully where I'll get straightforward replies.
All started 3 weeks ago when I noticed that my horse was leaning over one of the perimeter fences to eat better grass on the other side. The fencing is post and stock wire so not ideal but usually G respects the boundarys so isn't an issue. This particular piece of fence however is a bit lower due to the post's having been knocked in further and further. I looked at it and reported to the YO that it needed looking at as the more G leant on it the lower it was getting and some of the wire at the bottom was turning in and I felt this could be dangerous. Usual YO response "I'll have a look at it"
I have mentioned it again and suggested that electric tape be used across the top so re-establish G's respect for the fence but again this was ignored.
Jump forward to this Satuday. I was due to hack down to a dressage comp so I arrived at the yard early (7.30). G had been brought in at 7 for his brekka as usual so I started getting everything sorted for plaiting etc then went to get G out of his stable. He stumbled out which was odd but no one had mentioned a problem when bringing him in so I started washing the mud off his hooves. straight away I see that he's hardly weight bearing on his offside front and his shoe is missing. He is a wimpy tb and can be lame when he pulls a shoe but this was extreme even for him. I was furious initially that my YO hadn't noticed him being this lame when they led him in let alone that his shoe was missing but when I found the shoe hanging in the exact bit of wire fencing I had been asking to be repaired I almost exploded internally.
I know I am going to get people on here telling me that I should be looking for a new yard and they will be right. Believe me I would move tomorrow if I could. I have searched and searched for alternatives but so far everywhere else has either no space, no school, unsuitable stabling is too far away or doesn't do diy and is therefore too expensive.
My usual farrier is away on his holiday so I had to call in someone from the register that I didn't know as I knew that at least 70% of G's soreness would be down to the shoe but even when the shoe went back on G was still very lame.
I gave him a couple of bute and kept him in for the day and night which he strongly objected to. He now has a lovley friction burn on his neck from where he has weaved so much. So I have had to turn him out into a small field with an old companion. He still has heat in his leg/hoof though no swelling and I think he's now only the tiniest bit lame but I have this sick feeling that he's done something serious this time.
Not sure what I'm expecting to hear...sorry again :-( Probably just need a kick up the a**e!
 
I would be VERY upset and angry that my hosre had been brought in and they hadnt noticed or told me about it. I would purchase some fencing / electic fencing and make it safter whilst looking for another yard or ask about feeding hay in the field to try and stop the fence leaning whilst YO sort fencing issue out.
 
TBH (and I don't want to upset you) but I do think that the responsibility for this injury is yours as much as the YO's. You had recognised the potential for injury and yet you still put the horse out in this field with the dodgy fencing. If I were you I would purchase some electric fencing myself, so that if the need arises in future you can make some quick repairs without waiting for YO to get his finger out.
I do hope your horse makes a good recovery, what has the vet said?
 
Believe me when I say I am very aware of the fact that if I was a stronger person and had insisted something was done about the fence that this would most likely not have happened. The YO turns her own horses out with my boy and the fence was repaired Saturday afternoon! This is a small scale yard and the grazing is large and divided into only four fields. Two summer, two winter. One for mares one for geldings. So there is little option for moving my horse. Since he has got so much better since having the shoe put back on I have not called the vet as he is a sensitive tb that has been off for a few days when pulling a shoe off before. But I will be giving him a call tomorrow if the heat hasn't subsided a bit more tomorrow. I would ask though if it is usual to have to buy new fencing and repair it yourself when you share a field with your yard owners and pay them for keeping your horse in a safe environment?? I will certainly be more pro-active in future if this is the norm!
 
He's probably bruised his foot which is why there is heat. If it was an abcess or something serious he would be hopping lame. Bruises can take a few days to a week or two to go away completely so don't panic yet :).

Our fencing is shocking at our yard and the YO isn't horsie so it's up to us to mend and repair it, my horses field fence is pretty much held together by bailing twine now! I have electric fencing which I use to block the really bad bits off.
 
TBH and i dont meen to sound harsh but if your horse is leaning over and then gets caught up I dont really see it as the YO fault or responsibility as your horse leaning over the fence would be bending/loosening the fence more.
whilst it may not be usal to do this for the safty of my horse id be more thanhappy to. i guess the other thing that could happen is yo says your horse leans over it has therefore damaged it and you have to pay.

Id suggest you talk to yo and say would they be happy for you to run a strip of electric along said fence line at your own cost.

as for the shoe off etc then yes they should of noticed but it could of been he wasnt that lame at the time of bringing him in.
 
cobmum said:
I would be VERY upset and angry that my hosre had been brought in and they hadnt noticed or told me about it.
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On a previous yard, my horse was brought in with a fractured leg and the member of staff didn't notice!! It was on part livery at the time, so if I hadn't turned up, the horse would have been left overnight without being treated. On another occasion he was brought in with most of the skin down the inside of his back leg hanging off in a huge flap with all the tissues and tendons inside the leg showing - apparently once again they didnt' notice! If the horse had been left much longer, the flap of skin would have shrivelled and died and not be able to be stitched. Needless to say I'm not on that yard any more!

OP, we've had a horse on our yard get it's foot through stock fencing and pull three shoes off in as many weeks. - our fences do have a fencing rail at the top, but horse is a bit of a pawer and had done it like that. We put electric fencing around the two sides of the field where the stock fencing is - about 2 foot in from the fence and turned it on. Horse hasn't done it since! We did part of it ourselves and the farmer has now finished off the rest of it. If I were you, yes I would be angry, but you might have to do something about the issue yourself. Why not suggest to the YO that if they buy the electric fencing posts, tape and battery, you will do the fencing yourself. It doesn't take long and it's easy to do.
 
Holly Hocks said:
On a previous yard, my horse was brought in with a fractured leg and the member of staff didn't notice!! It was on part livery at the time, so if I hadn't turned up, the horse would have been left overnight without being treated. On another occasion he was brought in with most of the skin down the inside of his back leg hanging off in a huge flap with all the tissues and tendons inside the leg showing - apparently once again they didnt' notice! If the horse had been left much longer, the flap of skin would have shrivelled and died and not be able to be stitched. Needless to say I'm not on that yard any more!

OP, we've had a horse on our yard get it's foot through stock fencing and pull three shoes off in as many weeks. - our fences do have a fencing rail at the top, but horse is a bit of a pawer and had done it like that. We put electric fencing around the two sides of the field where the stock fencing is - about 2 foot in from the fence and turned it on. Horse hasn't done it since! We did part of it ourselves and the farmer has now finished off the rest of it. If I were you, yes I would be angry, but you might have to do something about the issue yourself. Why not suggest to the YO that if they buy the electric fencing posts, tape and battery, you will do the fencing yourself. It doesn't take long and it's easy to do.
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Similar thing happened to me about a year ago - TB on full livery came in with a nasty wound to his hock, hopping lame and the staff member hadnt even noticed it. I left the yard very quickly after that and have not looked back since! But getting back to OP's dilemna, yes you have every right to be upset at your request to be falling on deaf ears, perhaps you should take it on yourself to either reinforce the fence or move to a different field
 
I have obviously given the impression of a lazy and inconsiderate livery and horse owner. The fencing in this particular area was originally damaged by a previous livery's horse that leant and rubbed on all the posts and wire, loosening the posts and damaging the wire. They have since left and none of the damage that horse did has ever been properly repaired. My horse is not the only one leaning over to get the better grass. the YO's pony has also been seen doing it too. I have asked to put hay in the field but this was turned down as I would want to use some of their hay which they say they don't want to do, I would therefore be feeding their 2 horses and my one.
I pay my livery bill on time, I help them out with getting horses in and putting out. I am the only livery that defrost's the tap and breaks ice in troughs in the winter. I have mucked out their horses when they have gone to a show to help them out and when the YO's husband was in hospital last xmas. I have never asked for any reduction on my bill or for anything else in return. All I ask is that they provide a safe environment for all the horses. I am obviously unreasonable and ungrateful with an equally delinquent horse.
 
Sorry to hear this op, but it re affirms to me why i am DIY, in the true sense of the phrase, I have 2 people who i trust to bring in my guys for me and failing that id make sure i was there. I always turn out myself and if theyre brought in for me if im working i check them right after work
It sounds like he has probably caught the shoe and been pulling to get away, so may have some bruising and possibly tweaked something.
Arnica and ruta grav tablets orally, cold hose twice a day and arnica gel topically to the hot area around his leg as long as theres no open wound.
Ive spent the morning running electrified tape around the perimeter of the field my boys in due to him hanging over the fence for the longer grass, its a pain in the ass, but id rather that than have him go through the fence.
I do hope your boys alright, let us know how you get on with the vet.
 
I know you pay livery & that should go towards amongst other things fencing repairs, but I would take the view that buying some electric & asking YO if I could put it across as emergency measure is cheaper than a vets bill.

So rather than waiting for YO to fix it be proactive say to YO I have this electric fencing, there's a problem with the wire which knowing my accident prone tb may cause an injury, I appreciate you're busy & may not be able to see to it immediately so would you mind if I put this electric I have up temporarily. Many are busy & may not have time or funds to effect an immediate repair. Most would appreciate the fact you're offering to help with the situation rather just complaining at them. If you say moving is not an option then you have to work constructively with the YO you have.
 
While being sympathetic, your story is mild in comparison to what I've experienced. 2 horses in a week had to be PTS as a result of loose barbed wire fencing at a yard I was at. Upon complaining (had previously) I was told to leave! Did just that and eventually saved enough money/gave up ALL the luxuries in life and bought my own place with just about enough land.Moving house and job to me was worth KNOWING how my horse was being looked after/fed/handled correctly.
Please take 5 minutes to actually work out just how much profit the livery yard makes per week from you.If you add up the costs of hay, bedding, rates etc etc etc then decide if you'd work for the amount per hour you are charged.
Keeping horses at home really doesn't cost that much less than livery if you keep them properly and you are responsible 24/7 plus ...what is a holiday? not had one of those for nearly 20 years. We ALL want the very best for our horses and ponies and the old saying "if you want something doing right, DIY".
 
http://www.newc.co.uk/advice/Codeofpracticeforliveryyards-Sept2006.pdf.pdf
perhaps more yards need to read the above:)
i seem to be in a minority but i think it's the YO's responsibilty to maintain the fencing seeing as it is their land and they are providing a service at a cost :confused: certainly at the yard i was at which was a small private one this was the case, the only fencing i took responsibility for was for our pony who had a small electric fenced turnout area away from the rest of the horses.
where i am now is farm livery so you're given a field to do with as you wish, the farmer will help put in posts etc if he has time but we pay a token rent so i expect to do everything myself.
 
In an ideal world, yes YOs WOULD leap up to repair fencing the minute damage was spotted and reported, all livery yards would have an indoor and outdoor schooling area, suitable stabling for every size of horse, easy access to off-road hacking and flexible arrangements to suit individual owners. But in the absence of that ideal world, horse owners have to make choices about their priorities and do what they can to minimise the effects of the compromises that they have chosen to make.
When we were at livery with 4 horses we often made 'running repairs' to fences, so that the horses were safe until YO could get round to it.
Since we have bought our own place, we sometimes have to put our horses into a different field until we can get the materials & time to mend a fence/wall. Our compromise was that we would buy a house with land and hire a manege when we needed one, as we can't get PP here.
 
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