Livery- is this ok?


I went to view a local yard and it was excellent (am on the waiting list for one other but thought I'd check this one out) - great facilities hacking etc - couldn't fault it - a really really wonderful yard
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. But they had a lot of rules..I've haven't viewed many yards and wondered if this is the norm nowadays?

*Bond required
*Rent must be paid on day of the month stated or a fee occured for each day it's late.
*Must stay on the yard for minimum 3 months under contract
*horse must be quarantined for 8 days on arrival (no riding)
*no more than 2 rugs in the stable
*£20ph hire for school if you use outside instructor - but they have there own there
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*Horses in by 7pm winter - out no earlier than 7am mornings

Various other rules that you'd expect - no smoking etc
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Is the above reasonable?
 
S

scotsmare

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Seems a bit extreme - how much of a bond are they looking for? what happens if you hate it and have to stay there for 3 whole months? how can you quarantine a horse but not give it somewhere to be exercised?

Have to say I wouldn't be thrilled....
 
They are ridiculous rules, but you just have to decide if they will bother you.

The 8 day quarantine thing is crazy - presumably there are no competition horses on the yard, or do they wear a mask when warming up at shows?

No more than 2 rugs in the stable: does that include the ones the horse is wearing?!

Sadly most YO are complete control freaks and like to impose these petty regulations just to make them feel powerful.

If the facilities are good and you have acquired the art of brown nosing, go for it. For me, it would end in tears
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You've got to wonder what the atmosphere on the yard is like with all those rules? What if you were to accidently leave your headcollar on the floor - would you be forcibly removed?
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Makes me realise just how lucky we are at our farm!!!

We had a few difficulties at the beginning of the year (prem baby, OH self employed) and were told 'pay when you can - don't worry'. Neddy kept going through the fencing into the mares field as he was on his own at that point and got stressed when it went dark. Owners are so nice it's untrue. OH just got his tax rebate so as a thank you we've paid the next couple of months up front.

Someone left the farm in a hurry at the weekend and left 2 dirty stables. I've been and sorted then out this morning & owner tried to pay me!!! I settled for a cup of tea and a kit kat!
 
I'd be terrified of leaving too many rugs in my stable!! Doesn't sound much fun! Is the horse stable bound for the 8 days or does it get a field on its own?
 
oh dear, I did feel quite overwhelmed but put it down to the fact I'd be up since 5am lol. Quarantine would be in a field - I can see her etc but no exercising. If for any reason there was no water liveries have to bring there own water as will.
the facilities were wonderful darn it lol
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Do you have to line up outside your stand outside your stable for a daily inspection? I hope you've polished your wellies...Good Luck!

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Haha exactly what i was thinking! Seems very extreme for DIY!
 
To be honest, I can see where theyre coming from.As a YO and a very laid back one may I add, I can understand that the rules are there to make life easier in that you know before bringing your ned that this is a professionaly run yard and not a 'My Little Pony and lets hope they dont fight too much and pay me on time'. Running a livery yard is a serious thing and sadly when things go wrong its the YO whos neck and insurance is on the line. I dont find it over the top at all! Mairi, YO.
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From a business prospective it makes sense
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the yo has 23 ponies for the riding school so I can understand the quarantine, they also had a pony with strangles that they managed to prevent spreading to any other horses which was great
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That sounds way too extreme! The pay thing would annoy me - they could at least give you a couple of days - what if you weren't paid until a few days later?
Never heard of a bond for a yard before either.
2 rug rule is ridiculous, as is the amount of days quarantined. The 7-7 rule in the winter is a bit difficult for some people who are working.
But is it worth putting up with the above? Would you be able to cope with that? If the answer is yes then go for it. Out of iterest, where is the yard? I think you'er in the same area as me (Cardiff/Caerphilly) Tell me to bog off if I'm being too nosy
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I have to say although the rules seem slighlty strict (rugs in stables) my YO has no rules and it is at times terrible!
I end up poo picking for all 5 horses that go out with my mare because no one else poo picks as it isn't compulsory.
One women hasn't been down to see her horse for a month- its head collar (non field safe/ not leather) was digging into its face!!
I wish YO was stricter!
Rules are good as long as your not going to be put off by them!
Its nice to have some flexibility- and not live in fear of having too many rugs in your stable but the YO needs enough power to ensure the liveries respect and look after the place and their horses!
 
I think that all sounds very reasonable actually.

I would expect to pay a bond.
I would expect to pay my livery on the day it was required and by Direct Debit.
I would be happy to only have 2 rugs in the stable - nothing worse than dusty rugs piling up.
It's very reasonable to have bring in and turn out times in the winter (imo yards are remiss in not insisting on this)

All sounds great.

However, the 8 day quarantine without exercise is a bit excessive - and would prevent my from moving my horse there. (He would be a basket case!)
 
We had to pay a bond and think it is a good idea, as how many times do you hear of people leaving without paying. Personnally I wouldnt leave any rugs in my stable, I have a tack room for that and my horse would pull them down poo on them and finally rip them to shreds.
 
My yard charges £200 bond ea! She does return minus any damage though. School is free at all times but there are restricitions on it due to planning regs eg no lessons on a Sunday
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so i end up going elsewhere so I can keep my instructor (only teaches on a Sun). £20/h is steep an hours hire is uaully £10
I agree with a fine if bills not paid on time, but this is usually a 7 day thing not the day after.Mind we have to pay for the DIY on standing order. Staying on yard 3 months is stupid, nodody would dictate that to me, if I hated it, i'd be off!
We have a 7 day quarentine, which isn't really that strict - no turnout, but can ride. Are they expecting you to lock the pony up for 7 days - get them to ride him for the first time after quarentine
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The 7-7 rule makes sense. My old yard had an 8-5 rule. Horses fussing round gates can really mud them up and if one gets left out alone.....I'd like them all in too if it were mine.
As for rugs, I have about 50 per horse! and I don't want them in my house, so that really wouldn't work!
Rules are important and somebody does need to be in charge, but its DIY they can't have it all. If they want to run a tight ship they should just take in part/full liveries.
 
Some of those rules seem fine, some of these seem more like rules for the sake of rules.

The financial ones, with the bond and the livery being paid on a set day by DD seem very sensible to me. Its a business, the YO has her own bills to pay, so its only reasonable that her income arrives on a set day as well. At least if you have to pay by Direct Debit, you don't have to wander around looking for the YO with a pocketful of cash or whatever, and the YO doesn't have to hunt down the liveries.

Presumably if they say no more than 2 rugs in the stable, that there are adequate storage facilities elsewhere for people to store their rugs.

The only thing that really bothers me is the quarantine period - i wouldn't be very happy about not being allowed to ride my own horse for 8 days after moving there.
 
sounds too extreme!
As a YO - we have a set of rules, 3 sides of A4 to be precise BUT... its all common sense like, shut gates, leave your headcollar outside stable when horse is in (in case of emergency) etc as we found that a few horses dont have much common sense! so if its all written down then at least they know! No-one in all of the years has ever been against any of our rules, yeah, they get broken, but thats life, its no huge big deal if one day someone forgets to remove a dropping from the indoor etc. as we all have bad days.
TBH - this yard sounds like it could be stressful to be stabled on! i wonder if they make you stay 3 months as otherwise you would be gone in a week??
 
our yard has similar rules on quarrentine , horses are kep in a field separate from others for 5 days , they can be ridden but not mixed with other horses and not brought into yard to tack up etc its not perfect but its the best yard owner can do to protect other liveries horses
other rules are
worming on arrival ,
mares and gedings separate
poo picking compulsary by rota
booking school in advance if having a lesson
picking up poo if left on main yard or in school ( you,d be amazed how many people have tried to wriggle out of that one!
bills to be paid one week in advance , no bond and yard owner is very reasonable if someone has a reasonable reason for delaying payment
think thats itr except keeping own space tidy etc oh and forking muck onto muckheap neatly instead of dumping it at base and expecting it to materialise onto heap by magic!
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Some of the rules do seem a bit extreme, but at least you know what they are up front, so then it's up to you to decide if it will work for you.

IMO its worse when there are no written rules, but lots of unwritten ones which you find out about as you go along.
 
i do actually know of another yard which is veryyyy strict and they are always full! its a full livery yard though, apparently they take your horse to the paddock, you ride and they collect it, and you are not actually allowed on the yard to see your horse, one lady was asked to leave as she insisted on going onto the yard to give her horse some treats!
You could always try it - whats 3 months? and then if you didnt like it, maybe there would be space at the other yard you have your name down at ?
 
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its a full livery yard though, apparently they take your horse to the paddock, you ride and they collect it, and you are not actually allowed on the yard to see your horse, one lady was asked to leave as she insisted on going onto the yard to give her horse some treats!

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Seriously??! That is just flat out WEIRD, but i guess it must work for some people if the yard is always full. I quite like footling around with the Moose, while its nice to have other people to do the dirty work, its odd in the extreme if you are not actually allowed to see to your own horse. I would be worried that they were hiding something, to be honest.
 
I dont think its too bad; two points:

1) Are you sure you like their instructor? Could get expensive if you find out you would rather be taught by someone else.

2) the 7-7 rule for DIY. In the summer my share horse is in during day and out at night to avoid the flies and sun burn. Also depends on what your job is whether it fits in with your daily routine. Is there someone to bring in/turn out if you need them??
 
Sounds to me that they've had a few problems in the past especially with regards to money. Think the school hire bit sounds a bit odd though, surely that's included in the cost of the livery and it's up to you who you get to teach you, you shouldn't have to pay extra for the school just cos you have another instructor should you? You already have to pay for the instructor so makes it rather expensive. Sounds like a way of basically making sure everyone uses the yards own instructor! Have no idea of livery yards as never been on one so not sure if this is the norm.
 
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