i am over-reacting......right?

benson21

benson21

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Went to the yard yesterday to find another horse out in donovans field with him.
I know a couple of weeks ago I had said I would like Donovan to have a friend out there as he is tucked away on his own, but feel slightly peeved that it has been done with no definate discussion.
But Donovan is fine, doesnt seem to worry him, so its just me its bothering.
 
I think that owners should always be present when a new horse is turned out with theirs. Possibly not on full livery though, is Donovan on full livery?
 
I think I would be irritated, but actually, when you think about it, if it means he can have company from now on and will be happier, then no harm is done.

Perhaps mention gently that you would have liked to have been there incase your horse was hurt in the meeting, and suggest that if they introduce any more they let you know first?
 
No, he is DIY and the other one is part DIY.

Maisy, thats what my sensible side is telling me, donovan is happy, does it really matter.
 
I'd be put out too. Its not good practice for your yard to do this without your knowledge just in case things get excited. Although if you have a good YO who was keeping an eye on things, I guess its not so bad, but a phone/text would have been nice.
Glad your horse is chilled about it though, makes life easier.
 
OK - nothing happened and it is great he has a friend.... BUT it would have been better to warn you so that you could have been there and also perhaps put some protective boots on for the first day or so.

This happens at our yard all the time - bloody irritating!
 
That used to bug me at liveries as well. I think the YO should tell both parties in advance and give them the opportunity to be around the first time the horses are introduced to each other so they can intervene and sort out any problems if necessary. Really glad D is chilled about it all but I would not be happy and would ask that this was not done again without arranging with you directly first.
 
I would be angry....but I have a horse that can be a total bully in the field...with a horse or horses he gets on with he's lovely, but if he takes exception, then it's a mess.

I'd never let anyone turn out with him unless I was there
 
I would be very annoyed. A few years ago at our old yard, Dolly was turned out with another mare without me knowing anything about it until I got to the yard at lunchtime, and found Dolly with a huge lump on her hind quarters where she had been cornered and bitten. I was not happy at all.
 
I'd be happy that my YO cared enough to find a resolution to my lonely pony.
I am on part livery though and know for a fact that YO puts much thought into who would be suited to who when sorting turnout.

If I was on DIY, I'd take a whole different view.
 
I think you are right to be concerned, even if things went smoothly. You need to have a polite chat with the yard owner/manager so that they know how you feel without things getting heated. I have seen the damage that can be done when horses clash, and it can be expensive and sometimes fatal so from everyones point of view it is wise to have horse owners around when introducing a new one into a field, or at least keep them informed.
 
I had a blow up a few months ago over something similar!! This time it was 5 new horses being thrown into our field in the dark...with the field a skating rink with ice and snow!!!! :mad: I made damn sure they knew I wasn't impressed and no new horses to be put in with mine unless I'm around. My horse is usually totally friendly and chilled BUT I've seen him attack a new addition before now and I do not want it to happen again, I know my horse well enough to read him and will know what he reaction is to be so mainly for other horses well being I will not have it.

You are quiet right to be p'ed off..yes it's great he has a friend but a bit of consideration would have been nice.
 
Im on DIY and have to admit I would be furious if this happened without at least being given the opportunity to be there and take any precautions I thought necessary. I own a TB who is turned out alone but right next to others and admit Im a bit of a worrier, but even when we rotate fields or any of his neighbours change I like to boot him up, even if its just for the first hour. Small knocks and bumps can and do turn more serious! I would be having a quiet word, explain that youre really happy Donovan has a new field buddy, but in future could they please give you notice if things are about to change.
 
I would be very upset. OK in this instance it all seems to have worked out, but you (and the YO and the owner of the other horse) weren't to know that.

I'd have word with the YO and say next time, could she let you know before as you'd want to be present.
 
benson21 said:
Went to the yard yesterday to find another horse out in donovans field with him.
I know a couple of weeks ago I had said I would like Donovan to have a friend out there as he is tucked away on his own, but feel slightly peeved that it has been done with no definate discussion.
But Donovan is fine, doesnt seem to worry him, so its just me its bothering.
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As a yard owner, if someone said they would like some company for their horse, I would immediately oblige, although I would discuss it with them first and introduce the companion by means of an ajoining paddock for a few days first. All our horses have company though. I would let it drop if I were you. You have a happy horse afte all. :)
 
exactly wagtail, like I say its only me that it has bothered, not donovan, and he is what is important! I trust the YO absolutely, and I am sure if she thought there would of been a problem it wouldnt of happened. I think I just feel put out because I wasnt told. But feel much better now I have written it down. Thanks everyone! xx
 
No, I don't think you're over reacting. It has worked well so not worth making a huge fuss, but I would make your point and say that if in the future they wish to introduce a companion/field sharer, whatever that you insist on being there.

I guess YO thought he/she was doing the best to get company for your boy and some may think that they can make a decent match BUT, my boy went on livery locally whilst I was on holiday and the YO commented on how polite, lovely and well mannered he was with all the other horses including the mares (he was turned out seperately in a paddock but he could see and talk to the others over the fence), the one pony he couldn't stand and who couldn't stand him was one I used to ride for the owner a few years back, who made it very clear he didn't like me - years before I got my boy - spooky huh? My point being, you just can't tell if they'll get on or not
 
No you are definately not over reacting. Inthis instance the YO is lucky that all went smoothly, but so often that is not the case!

We keep our horses at home and I have never nor would I dream of just sticking a newcomer out with any of them, until they became accustomed accross a fence first etc.

Very poor practice of the yard if the horses have never shared a paddock before and even if they had met via adjoining paddocks you should have had the choice to be there to observe what went on and break it up if there was a problem.
 
they had been in adjoining paddocks for a few days, and yes I would of liked to of been there when they went in together, but thats not I am peeved about, because I know they were kept an eye on. Its just I wasnt told. I just walked out there yesterday and there she was. But then I suppose I did say I would like for him to have a friend, ....
 
That would annoy me too.

Yes you sad you wanted him to have company but is should have been discussed properly with a definite horse and date decided, then owners would have the option to be present during the introduction.
 
benson21 said:
exactly wagtail, like I say its only me that it has bothered, not donovan, and he is what is important! I trust the YO absolutely, and I am sure if she thought there would of been a problem it wouldnt of happened. I think I just feel put out because I wasnt told. But feel much better now I have written it down. Thanks everyone! xx
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Yup, benson you are over reacting, much more things to worry about without getting bent out of shape about such a tiny tiny thing, as you say he is fine. Dont become over protective, he is not made out of glass, and if you trust your YO.......... why get all jobs worthy!!! Her yard and her decisions.
 
I think I would have been a bit miffed not to have been told beforehand. I wouldn't have wanted to be there particularly (my horse behaves FAR better with the YO than me) but would have liked to have known it was going to happen.
 
I would trust the YO's judgement if she knows both horses individually, but even so I would have expected a call/text at the very minimum, giving me the chance to be there just in case. You're lucky there wasn't an issue, but the YO is extremely lucky there wasn't, otherwise there would have been two mighty cheesed off owners to deal with.

So no, in a nutshell, I don't believe you were over-reacting!
 
I think its out of order, what if you'd been called to say your horse had a major injury? Did they not consider their liability? Unfortunately animals aren't predictable and it could have been the one time that he reacted to a new horse. Glad he's ok though and they are settled well :) Some notice is nice if anything is changed with your horses field/stable arrangements.

Luckily we have our own yard but even with a new horse they are put beside the others for at least a week (or in my ponies case, until he jumped in with the others) just to get them used to each other.
 
If you are DIY then I think it would have been polite at least to let you know this was happening. One of the advantages of being DIY is having control over these things (I am a control freak:D) so whilst it is nice he has a friend, it would have been nice to have been consulted on the matter. Hope it all works out well for them both.
 
I would want to know when a new horse was going to be introduced into our boys field. Mainly just so I can put some protective boots on him for a couple of days until everything has settled down. But if the YO knows the horse that is being turned out and knows it's temperament, then I would trust their judgement.
If your horse isn't injured and is happy, then no point worrying now!
 
I think your being quite level headed about it to be honest and are obviously thinking whats best for Donnovan over yourself. YES i would be very peeved but as you said Donnovan is ok. I would just mention in a polite way that you would have liked to have been there just to make sure everything was ok but i wouldnt make a big deal about it. last thing you want if Donnovan is happy is for her to take the pony back out again!
 
benson21 said:
Went to the yard yesterday to find another horse out in donovans field with him.
I know a couple of weeks ago I had said I would like Donovan to have a friend out there as he is tucked away on his own, but feel slightly peeved that it has been done with no definate discussion.
But Donovan is fine, doesnt seem to worry him, so its just me its bothering.
Click to expand...

I would be peeved. Ok, they are getting on but what if they hadn't? Communication is the key and your YM has failed. You are the paying client, it should have been passed by you in the first instance.
 
Happens on my yard all the time. YM would never let anything get out of hand, and I trust her - it has never caused a problem and has probably happened with mine at least a dozen times.
 
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