ImNoAngel
New User
I have recently located to a new area just north of Doncaster and need somewhere to base my much loved equine friend thats not too far away from me, so Ive set about scouring the internet for possibilities
I typed Livery in Doncaster into Google and the first option I was given seemed perfect its less than 5 minutes from where I live and seemed to have everything me and my horse need.
Quotes on the website such as the ones below really whetted my appetite and I promptly arranged a visit, although I would have happily secured a stable based solely on the website details (if my sensible side hadnt kicked in)
There is an extra large size arena, 40m x60m which provides an excellent surface for flatwork or jumping.
A wash-down area is available. This is fully rubber matted for safety, very useful when washing and drying off after a good work out or for that all important competition prep.
All stables will have complete rubber floors to minimise injury but a full bed of shavings is provided for maximum comfort.
Fields are regularly muck cleared and harrowing, rolling, topping, fertilising and spraying are carried out regularly.
All year turnout is available in secure post and rail paddocks.
Top quality hay
I arrived at the yard and was pleased to see a key-pad entry gate (security conscious as ever), I was let in by the yard owner who seemed lovely, I drove through the gate and my hopes of a fantastic yard began to dwindle!! The car park was a rutted, potholed mess with a trench across the middle, the muck heap took up a whole paddock and was basically left to run wild!, the barn where the hay was stored looked like a dump site and the hay was obviously (even from a distance) dry, dusty and some even looked mouldy, bust so as not to seem rude I continued with the tour of the place the Dutch barns housing the stables are indeed light and airy and the stables are really big (plenty big enough for my 15.2) the integrated tack-rooms are an added bonus and a definite plus point. The stables themselves with regard to conditions etc are shocking, they had apparently just been mucked out, however the bedding was extremely minimal and was obviously wet (some was brick red), the rubber mats were filthy and wet also and lifting up at the sides, a couple of the doors didnt fasten securely and one was missing a hinge! The water buckets for the horses in the stables were full but had obviously just been filled up as they were filthy and slimy. The amount of hay given was insufficient even for a rabbit and was, as I suspected extremely poor quality. There was one poor horse in on box rest standing on the filthiest bed Ive seen with NOTHING to eat or drink and looking extremely depressed!! The barn itself was littered with equipment basically just thrown down; the wheelbarrows were full / broken and again just left lying about. I was shown the social area which was above the stables and had a lovely view down over the stables and out over the ménage and fields. It has a table and chairs, sofa, kettle, fridge etc which would be lovely if it was maintained but its covered in dog hair (theres a pack of I think 5 dogs running around) the sofa is chewed, the cups are growing mould and theres flies everywhere!!
Sadly the wash area was none existent and although the ménage was indeed large, I would be reluctant to work my horses in there as again it was full of ruts and holes (nothing a good levelling wouldnt sort out) and there was indeed a couple of jumps laying around
We proceeded to the fields down a stony unlevel track and my heart sank further (if possible) the secure fields are missing fence posts/ panels (just laying where theyve fallen off some with nails sticking out) some of the gates are extremely difficult to open, 1 fell off its hinges when pushed and 1 drops about 6 inches when opened and had to be lifted back up to close!, there was no sign of water anywhere within the fields and a good few hours pooh picking wouldnt go amiss along with some levelling, the grass is minimal / none existent so heaven knows how the horses are surviving, with nothing in the fields and not much to eat when they come in!!
The owners horses are stabled in what I can only describe as cages and were standing hoof deep in faeces on filthy wet bedding with nothing more than concrete underneath or rubber mat tiles that were unlevel with straw / faeces under them, they also had no hay and minimal water that I wouldnt drink anyway.
I couldnt help myself but ask about prices and almost fainted when I was quoted £75:00 for part livery (DIY weekends) and £80 full livery (7 days)
I quickly made my excuses and left I dont think me and my pride and joy will be frequenting this yard
I typed Livery in Doncaster into Google and the first option I was given seemed perfect its less than 5 minutes from where I live and seemed to have everything me and my horse need.
Quotes on the website such as the ones below really whetted my appetite and I promptly arranged a visit, although I would have happily secured a stable based solely on the website details (if my sensible side hadnt kicked in)
There is an extra large size arena, 40m x60m which provides an excellent surface for flatwork or jumping.
A wash-down area is available. This is fully rubber matted for safety, very useful when washing and drying off after a good work out or for that all important competition prep.
All stables will have complete rubber floors to minimise injury but a full bed of shavings is provided for maximum comfort.
Fields are regularly muck cleared and harrowing, rolling, topping, fertilising and spraying are carried out regularly.
All year turnout is available in secure post and rail paddocks.
Top quality hay
I arrived at the yard and was pleased to see a key-pad entry gate (security conscious as ever), I was let in by the yard owner who seemed lovely, I drove through the gate and my hopes of a fantastic yard began to dwindle!! The car park was a rutted, potholed mess with a trench across the middle, the muck heap took up a whole paddock and was basically left to run wild!, the barn where the hay was stored looked like a dump site and the hay was obviously (even from a distance) dry, dusty and some even looked mouldy, bust so as not to seem rude I continued with the tour of the place the Dutch barns housing the stables are indeed light and airy and the stables are really big (plenty big enough for my 15.2) the integrated tack-rooms are an added bonus and a definite plus point. The stables themselves with regard to conditions etc are shocking, they had apparently just been mucked out, however the bedding was extremely minimal and was obviously wet (some was brick red), the rubber mats were filthy and wet also and lifting up at the sides, a couple of the doors didnt fasten securely and one was missing a hinge! The water buckets for the horses in the stables were full but had obviously just been filled up as they were filthy and slimy. The amount of hay given was insufficient even for a rabbit and was, as I suspected extremely poor quality. There was one poor horse in on box rest standing on the filthiest bed Ive seen with NOTHING to eat or drink and looking extremely depressed!! The barn itself was littered with equipment basically just thrown down; the wheelbarrows were full / broken and again just left lying about. I was shown the social area which was above the stables and had a lovely view down over the stables and out over the ménage and fields. It has a table and chairs, sofa, kettle, fridge etc which would be lovely if it was maintained but its covered in dog hair (theres a pack of I think 5 dogs running around) the sofa is chewed, the cups are growing mould and theres flies everywhere!!
Sadly the wash area was none existent and although the ménage was indeed large, I would be reluctant to work my horses in there as again it was full of ruts and holes (nothing a good levelling wouldnt sort out) and there was indeed a couple of jumps laying around
We proceeded to the fields down a stony unlevel track and my heart sank further (if possible) the secure fields are missing fence posts/ panels (just laying where theyve fallen off some with nails sticking out) some of the gates are extremely difficult to open, 1 fell off its hinges when pushed and 1 drops about 6 inches when opened and had to be lifted back up to close!, there was no sign of water anywhere within the fields and a good few hours pooh picking wouldnt go amiss along with some levelling, the grass is minimal / none existent so heaven knows how the horses are surviving, with nothing in the fields and not much to eat when they come in!!
The owners horses are stabled in what I can only describe as cages and were standing hoof deep in faeces on filthy wet bedding with nothing more than concrete underneath or rubber mat tiles that were unlevel with straw / faeces under them, they also had no hay and minimal water that I wouldnt drink anyway.
I couldnt help myself but ask about prices and almost fainted when I was quoted £75:00 for part livery (DIY weekends) and £80 full livery (7 days)
I quickly made my excuses and left I dont think me and my pride and joy will be frequenting this yard
I was buying extra hay and bedding when i was there just to make sure my horses care was at least "acceptable". The field conditions caused injury to my horses (and me) and the menage was indeed unsafe at times... so we left sharpish and when the reasons were pointed out to the YO she didnt take it too well.. took it even less well when she only got the money we owed her in terms of services recieved and in line with the contract... NOT what she thought we should owe her!!