How annoyed would you be? rather long

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darksecret99

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My horse is at a livery yard, but I do DIY - the only thing the yard staff do is bring him in from the field each day.... the guy that brings him (and all the other horses) in had an accident a few years ago and is now mentally handicapped.

My horse goes out in a field with 5 others (each seperate paddocks), 4 of them are brought in by their owners (cos they are on school holidays), and the guy gets mine and one other in (cos we are at work).

On wednesday, for some reason the kids got all theirs in earlier than normal, leaving mine and the other one out, whcih was fine until the guy got the other one in, so mine was left on his own and he went loopy for 5 mins or so until the guy came back for him.

I lunged on Wednesday night and he was lame and later on his hock swelled up and is still swollen and lame today.

I'm so annoyed! I told the YO and she also feels really bad (she was teaching at the time), and has had a word with all the kids and the guy etc, but she cant watch everyone all the time.

All it would have taken was for the guy to ask if someone could bring mine in at the same time as he got the other one, but because he's not all there in the head, that didn't occur to him (even though one of the only yard rules is never leave one horse out alone)!!!

What can I do? I dont want to cause a scene and I fully appreciate that accidents do happen, but in my eyes, this was totally avoidable!!! I know whats done cant be undone, and the YO has apologised etc, but she seems to be taking the attitude that its not the guys fault, he cant help being the way he is.... which I appreciate, but if he cant be trusted not to make cock ups like that (which could have ended up with a much more serious accident than a swollen hock, whcih should hopefully be fine in a few days), then surely he should be supervised at all times, or they should employ someone else.

This isnt the only time things like this have happened, but luckily in the past, no harm has been done...

I'm looking around for other places, but I really like the yard, the people etc and my horse is settled there... what would you do? I'm not sure if I'm over reacting! Am also now really worried about putting my horse on livery if I go on holiday!!!

If they had a proper yard manager to supervise, or replace him, then then there would be no problem, but I know that mony is tight and doubt that will be an option....
 
What a nightmare. Could you speak to the other owners and tell them what happened, and suggest if they bring theirs in again, to bring yours in too, so that he isn't left alone. If you speak to everyone and tell them what happened, it might make them all feel a bit guilty and think twice next time. Hope it works out.
 
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so mine was left on his own and he went loopy for 5 mins or so until the guy came back for him.


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Was it the man who saw him going loopy or someone else?
 
I think you shouldnt be so hard on this man he is obviously good at waht he does otherwise he would be allowed to do it. And who saw your horse going loopy?
 
Its a hard one but I think that I would have a word with the other liverys and ask them to make sure that no horses are left out alone again. The YO obviously is apologetic and sorry for what has happened and I have to agree with her that its probably not his fault. Does he know that your horse is now lame? Maybe you could have a nice word with him and just ask him to make sure that he does not leave him out on his own again as he has hurt his hock? The guy must be able to understand this or he would not be able to deal with the horses.

Don't be too hard on the guy I'm sure it was not done with intent. But if there is a person on the yard with difficulties then they should be supported and not left to get on with things themselves (dig at YO not you
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Hope he gets better quickly
 
The YO saw and hear him from the school where she was teaching, but by the time she could do anything, the guy was on his way already...

I'm trying not to be too hard on him, but its difficult when my horse has been injured as a result of his actions!!

The government pays his wages, so essentially he is free labour, thats why he is still employed there, not because he is good at what he does!
 
No I wouldn't be annoyed to be honest. Sometimes it is innevitable that a horse may be left on it's own for a short time. Your YO's insurance will not cover anyone else bringing your horse in for you at her request.

If your horse wont tollerate being on its own then you need to make that clear to the YO so that she can ensure that it is always brought in first.
 
It is one of the yard rules that no horses get left out on their own precicely to prevent things like this happening - the guy is well aware of that and has been told many times, but still does things like this on a regular basis and it does not seem to register when you explain to him the dangers.

Dont get me wrong, I dont blame him.... I just worry that something more serious could happen, when it could easily have been avoided!
 
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The government pays his wages, so essentially he is free labour, thats why he is still employed there, not because he is good at what he does!

[/ QUOTE ] The fact that he is not paid out of the takings from the yard will make prices there cheaper. If you are really annoyed and concerned I suggest you pay extra for someone else to bring your horse in.
 
Oh dear - I am sorry your horse has hurt himself and hopes he is ok soon!

However - the blame can NO WAY be put on this guy - its the YO's responsiblity to make sure your horse is safe and not his - you shouldnt be mad at him - you should be annoyed at the fact that he was the only person on the yard to bring your horse in. At least he went straight back for it.

I am on a yard where there are three slightly handicapped people who work on the yard and they are never relied upon to go fetch horses on their own - they are well supervised and if the yard is busy they are under the instrution to stay on the premises and are always given jobs to do like tack cleaning or leading in a lesson, something that YO can keep an eye on them to make sure they are safe.

The yard owner has apologised at least - but I can only suggest that you leave the yard if you feel that you horse isnt being cared for correctly.

This incident has nothing to do with the lad being disabled - its about your yard not having enough staff to keep the yard running properly.

I am very sympathetic towards you but my last yard didnt give two hoots if they left your horse on its own - but in fairness - my pony couldnt care if she was on her own anyway!
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How can that be possible though when they are all turned out separately?

Sorry, but it is bound to happen sometimes. At my previous yard it was our policy also - but it did sometimes occur - even if was only for 5 mins.

And I think that it's unrealistic to think that it will never happen.
 
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It is one of the yard rules that no horses get left out on their own precicely to prevent things like this happening - the guy is well aware of that and has been told many times, but still does things like this on a regular basis and it does not seem to register when you explain to him the dangers.

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So does he usually bring two in at once or does someone else do it with him? Do you know exactly what he has been told to do or is this just an unusual occasion when the YO was doing something else so there was nobody else to help?
 
I agree Amymay, this could have happened whether he was on his own or not. Horses like people will over do it and hurt themselves, and the running round might not have been the problem. My friends horse which only ever goes on walking hacks recently did a small spook and did a suspensory ligament!!!!!!!!!
 
He has a list of things to do, but he does everything in a different order every day - it drives me mad, not to mention the livery horses who are contantly door banging etc cos they have no regular routine!

It was unusual in that the other horses are usually still out when he gets mine and the other one in, so neither would be left alone.

All too complicated!! but the YO is unwilling to reprimand him cos she doesnt want to loose her free labour (and cant do everyhting herself)....
 
Well to be honest then your YO is seriously at fault here.If theres no-one else to help him how does she expect that no horses will be left on there own at all.Feel quite sorry for guy.Cheap labour for her then if gov pays his wages eh!
Just wondering if this is how the guy with brain damage usually takes the horses in (one at a time for safety reasons) and this time its your horse thats been unlucky to be left.We used to have this rule at old yard but occasionaly it did happen usually through other liveries so will happen. oohh please don't say 'not all there in the head',there for the grace etc sure guy would just love that and haven't heard term mentally handicapped for over 20yrs I've worked in this area,
 
Don't be too hard on him - he didn't really leave your horse out on it's own - he came straight back 5 mins later, and it sounds like the YO is being understanding.

Obviously, if you're personally not happy with the way your horse ie being looked after that's the most important thing and you should move, or arrange for someone else to bring your horse in, but I really don't think this guy was negligent at all.
 
I really think that you are being to hard on this poor man! Does it matter he doesnt follow a routine if he gets all the jobs done? Its upto YO to get proper supervision for him if he is left on his own but surely the YO is responsible enough to see that this man is cabaple just beacuse he is handicapped doesnt mean he is unable to do things and know what he is doing! He may have worked with horses all his life! Fair enough your horse sholdnt have been left on its own but im afraid it happens in some cases e.g the other day i had two horses to bring in but together they are horrible to each other so i brought the one i knew would be fine on its own for 5 mins whilst i took the other in.
 
Well if the yard is that bad and you are not happy - you need to move - you have the responsibility to make sure the yard is looking after your horse so if you dont think they are - leave.

Hope it works out :-)
 
I probably havent explained very well!! sorry if I have offended anyone with my language... It is the YO I hold fully responsible... she should ensure he is supervised etc

I think perhaps I should speak to her again because I would like to stay there, but unless she properly surpervises this guy, I cant trust them with my horse...

(I am looking for other places already)

Its difficult - too many other things to explain!
 
Thanks for you views though... I wasnt sure if I was over reacting by thinking about leaving (due to the poor management)... hopefully we can sort something out, but I suspect they are going to try and give me a sob story about not having time to supervise him and not being able to afford anyone else etc etc... (And bearing in mind I pay £60 a week for DIY livery, and there are lots of full liveries paying even more......that doesnt really wash!)

I dont want anyone to think I'm going to be horrid to the guy - not at all... if I cant resolve thing with the YO, I will just quietly find somewhere else...
 
I would be annoyed, because when my horse gets injured I get annoyed, mostly with myself! Guilt etc.

However, isn't it the case that there will always be one horse left in the field on its own for five minutes at the beginning and end of every day? I guess the YO and the helper should be instructed not to make that horse yours.

Alternatively, you could help your horse to overcome the 'being left on their own' issue. One of my mares is quite happy on her own and I am encouraging the other one to be more relaxed about it. This is no mean feat.
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Or you have to live with the fact that horses are barking mad and will do the most ridiculous things whether you set up rules and regulations and routines or not.
 
There was this rule on the last yard I was at and it does annoy me as it means that someone ends up bringing in 2 horses at once or trying to find someone to bring in the other one. What if there is no one around, does that mean you can't get your horse in?
 
I think you're over reacting.
Like everyone else had said there will always be one left in the field whilst he takes one in and comes back for it.The only way to avoid the situation you were in would be for him to bring in both horses at the same time, but this would be even more dangerous.
I think you need to let it go, if you dont like the way the yard is run then move.
 
Thanks for all your views! They are helping me see all sides...

All the kids usually bring theirs in together later on, so no one is ever left alone.

I guess my real worry is that I dont think this will be a one off.... Gates get left open, horses get teased or forgotten completely sometimes, the guy drinks at work (and leaves the empty cans in the horses fields!!!).... I avoid most of it by DIYing.... and thought that since all they had to do each day was bring my horse in, they couldnt really go wrong with that....

The main reason I'm dithering about moving is because the facilities are not as good at any of the local yards...

Sorry for ranting... its just so infuriating that my horse is out of action again... I've had so many problems with him already and we were finally starting to get somewhere....

Anyway, thanks again for your views... they have been helpful!
 
I agree - you are seriously overreacting - because you horse is injured. What is the proof that he did this injury in the 5 mins he was on his own? He could have done it anytime.
I am a yard owner, I turn out all the livery horses in the morning and one will always be on it's own. Are you saying that as long as it's not yours that is OK? If not then you need to buy yourself a companion horse that is a total sweetie and will happily come in alongside your horse safely, because in theory if he was bringing in two horses the likelihood of stupidity happening increases dramatically and you would then complain that the reason one was injured was because he brought two in together. I don't think this will ever be resolved to everyone's satisfaction. if you can ensure he is never the last one in then you do so to the detriment of another horse. I know yours is the most important - to you, but everyone thinks like that.

I also don't agree that routine is vital for horses, I personally think that getting horses into a routine makes them institutionalised and creates a rod for your own back. Mine get fed when it's convenient. In the morning I turn out all horses who don't have breakfasts, then go back and do feeds for the others, then turn those out. Some will stay out, some will come in to work - or to stop them stuffing their faces. At night they may stay out, or come in depending on weather and circumstances. I also turn out in different order. As a result we have no door banging, no weaving and horses that are just chilled. And we have 16 horses. We have a rule that no horse is left on it's own, if it can be avoided. but some owners are happy , some horses are happy.

Every horse and situation is an individual I think you need to step back and think a little more about how you would do it differently - but not solely for your own benefit, I think you would then come to the conclusion that it cannot be sorted to everyone's satisfaction because circumstances happen
 
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