Livery problems

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Bellalily

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I am looking for some advice, as I seem to have moved my horses to a difficult yard. I've had a look at some of the posts on here regarding problems at livery yards, but I seem to have a new problem.
Following an advertisement on facebook a couple of weeks ago, I made enquiries as to whether it would be suitable for my horses as one of them is a laminitic and I also asked whether they would be able to either bring in or turn out most days as I do shift work. The yard owner confirmed that this would be fine and yes the grazing would be fine too. I visited it and the field she thought I would have was currently being grazed, which was fine as I don't need a lot of grass. She assured me that she would move hers out in good time and would clean the field prior to my arrival.
When I arrived a week ago, the horses were still in the field and the field was full, and properly full, of droppings. She moved the horses out and said she would clear the field very soon.
A week on and as she had made no attempt to clear the field, I have been taking out extra barrow loads every day and it is looking a lot better now.
On Wednesday I asked her if she could turn them out on Thursday morning for me. She said no as she was going out for the day and couldn't do it. She suggested I give them enough hay to last 24 hours until I can come up :( As I didn't want mine in full time, I had to drive out to bring them in myself in between visits, not ideal as I have to be scrupulously clean for my job and I never go to a client directly after being involved with my horses due to the risk of infection. I was also late for all the remaining clients that morning, so I wasn't popular at all and I felt let down. When I got to the yard to turn out, she was still at home in any case, so she could have done it for me.
Anyway, I asked her if she could bring in this morning and she said she might be able to, she wasn't sure what she was doing. I desperately need a reliable person and can't do this might or might not.
They are currently out 24/7, as I am working stupid hours to cover sickness and holidays and I have already committed myself to working every day until Monday week. I had a visit cancelled this morning, so I have squeezed in the time to scribble this out to you.
I have just received a text message from her asking me to bring my horses in for the next few days as the field is too bald for this weather and she doesn't want it destroyed any further. Apparently once the hay has been brought in, they will be going on to new fields. :( No good for my laminitic.
It's unreal. The field is fine, there is plenty of grass out there for them, they are not losing weight or having hay to supplement their forage intake. I cannot bring them in 24/7 as I am not leaving them for 24 hours in a dirty stable, and the hay is so dusty that I am having to soak it for them, and I can't do that in advance.
There is one other livery who is in a different field and is extremely fat. If mine are moved off the field onto a new one, they will definitely not be able to be out 24/7 as the laminitic chap will not cope, plus I can't do it without assistance, but she is basically refusing to help.
She left me my contract last night, but wasn't around when I was there. There was a bit of an abrupt note left on top, which I thought was unnecessary, and I haven't signed it yet.
On the positive side, after the debacle on Thursday morning, I made enquiries about another yard and although she said she was full, she suggested I pop over for a coffee and a chat. After seeing the place, and having a look round and a natter, she said she would ask two of the girls who were moving in soon, whether they would be happier with grass livery if she put up a field shelter for them and they agreed. So she very kindly has made room for me and I can move across whenever I want.
So how do I get out of the present place without it turning nasty? I have a feeling she's going to react badly if I just pay for the time I was there and move out. Any thoughts?
 
It already has turned nasty, she promised you a clean field, it was not. She said no problem to turn out and fetch in, it is not true, there is a problem. So, I would pay for the time I was there as I packed my horse into the lorry. I would not give any particular reason, just that it was not working for me, thank you for the time I was here and here is your money.
 
I think this is one of those situations where you are just going to have to do it and not worry about how the present YO reacts.

When you have a laminitic you have to do what you have to do to be able to manage them appropriately. Your present YO made promises that, for whatever reason, she hasn't been able to keep so absolutely move. You haven't yet signed a contract so you've nothing to worry about on that front.

Someone more articulate than me can help you with what to actually say but I often find a bottle of wine helps smooth the way!
 
What does the contract say and have you got messages about her turning out and bringing in? The woman sounds batty and although I wouldn't usually I would be loading up and going immediately as it is not as described. Being told I had to leave in 24/7 would be an absolute no no for me and I would have flipped big time.
Out of interest did you tell new yard where you are moving from? They may have dealt with this before!
 
Just thank her for letting you move on but that you don’t think it’s going to work out for you here and you have somewhere else to go. Then pay her and leave.
If you want to keep the peace and avoid aggro, you could take a (cheap!) bottle of wine as a token ‘thank you’. Though you really haven’t got anything to thank her for by the sounds of it!
 
Keep it about the issues, not the person, and you’re on safer ground to have that chat. Something along the lines of:
‘Following our initial discussion, I was expecting a clean field when I arrived and a turn out and bring in service. When I arrived, the field was full of droppings and the turn out / bring in service was not available. This means that the yard does not suit my requirements and I shall be moving my horses on x date’.
Livery yards seem to be the one service that, when they don’t meet the needs of the customer, make the customer feel guilty for taking their business elsewhere. If you negotiated with a builder to build you an extension with a door and a window, and he or she pitched up and said ‘I’m building the extension but without the door or window’, you’d have no qualms telling them to hoof off and finding someone else to do the job.
 
Bellalily said:
I'm such a wimp :(
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Well don’t be ,she is someone you bought a service from and it’s not worked out there’s no need for fuss or great explanations you organise yourself pay her what you owe her and leave don’t engage in silliness if the YOer does just go .
Things don’t always work out that’s just life even if she goes crazy it’s not your problem she’s not a friend or family member .
 
Flicker said:
Keep it about the issues, not the person, and you’re on safer ground to have that chat. Something along the lines of:
‘Following our initial discussion, I was expecting a clean field when I arrived and a turn out and bring in service. When I arrived, the field was full of droppings and the turn out / bring in service was not available. This means that the yard does not suit my requirements and I shall be moving my horses on x date’.
Livery yards seem to be the one service that, when they don’t meet the needs of the customer, make the customer feel guilty for taking their business elsewhere. If you negotiated with a builder to build you an extension with a door and a window, and he or she pitched up and said ‘I’m building the extension but without the door or window’, you’d have no qualms telling them to hoof off and finding someone else to do the job.
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To be honest I would even avoid this unless OP has to she does not need to explain herself .
She bought a service did not like it and is moving on she not trying to fix the service .
 
Bellalily said:
I'm such a wimp :(
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In that case "Can I have a word? You promised XY and Z when I came to view and you haven't done any of it. Unless you can arrange to have it as we agreed by (date three days ahead) I'm afraid I will have to find somewhere else"
Don't tell her but you won't be obliged to give any notice, she made a contract (verbally) and has failed to keep to it.
You can make it in as reasonable a tone as you like, just don't agree to anything else, and be assertive.
 
I'm going to drop her a quick text to let her know I can't keep them in 24/7 due to work commitments. See what she says.
 
Simply organise your stuff to move, load the horse, if the new place isn't near enough to hack to, give current YO envelope containing a cheque for outstanding livery, along with a letter saying that this is your last day.
If the new place is near enough to hack to, I would leave the yard as if on a hack, make sure that your car is loaded with all your belongings and hand the envelope to the YO once your horse is safely off the yard. You do not owe the YO an explanation, so don't offer one. There is no need for confrontation, in fact, in this instance my advice is to avoid it.
 
How about "thanks for letting me know about the fields. Obviously that doesn't work for my laminitic one, so I've had to find a plan B. I'm moving the horses today". & if you're a real wimp then send it when you're loading up!!
 
When are you paid up until? I would leave as soon as I could you don't need to explain just turn up and say your going if she kicks off or asks why tell her she hasn't fulfilled her part of the livery agreement
 
I would just be honest and say unfortunately it's not working out and if she asks why be honest with her. I wouldn't take it personally if she doesn't react well, at the end of the day she offered a service and can't fulfill it.
 
Bellalily said:
I'm going to drop her a quick text to let her know I can't keep them in 24/7 due to work commitments. See what she says.
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You have an alternative so as GS says just go quickly. Get organised so all possessions will fit in your vehicle and organise horses and go. Easier if you happen to have your own transport. Thank her and pay her. She may react badly but this is not something that you can control. As for being a wimp - I fully get that - my way round my wimpishness is to know that my horses depend on me to act for them. And I keep telling myself that until I've dealt with the problem. Sometimes it's bigger like your current situation and harder. You just have to do it. It's one unsuitable thing after another at this yard and you still have the moving fields situation ahead.
 
I would just say whatever you feel comfortable with and move on, with no guilt. She hasn't done what she said and asking you to keep the horses in is unreasonable, no need for you to feel bad at all. From experience, she probably won't take it as hard as you think, she must be quite a tough old boot to have treated you and your horse the way she has, blatantly not delivering her promises. You sound like a polite and considerate person, she has blown it and will know why without you having to say much.
 
Quietly remove gear over the next few visits, and then pick up horse - and pay what you owe, including, if you feel inclined, notice. If you want to inform her of your issues, I'd do that by email after the horse has been moved.
 
You have texted her to see what she says but what is to say she doesn't say she'll x, y and z and then when push comes to shove she still doesn't do what you need? She's shown she's not reliable.
You have a new YO who has shown she will help you out.
I'd be doing anything I could to move to the new yard.
 
Personally I would pay anything outstanding and just go. ASAP. I'd hire a van to take my stuff if it didn't all fit in a car so it could all go at once.

You haven't been given the service she outlined when you wanted to move there, so it's a pretty simple explanation if you feel the need to give one. I wouldn't bother unless asked for one - I'd just say it wasn't working out and I've found a more suitable alternative.
 
many years ago i was told by the YO that i had to move stables to one without electric light as she had someone who wanted full livery and i was diy. i explained that i needed lights as i worked full time and couldnt come up during the day..she said she didnt care as she need my stable so i asked around and there was a space at a friends yard so i packed all my stuff into my car, tacked my horse up and rode to the other yard. friend dropped me back so i could collect my car and i didnt bother to tell the YO anything. she would have known why i left anyway and i was paid up till that weekend and as far as i was concerned she was the one who broke the agreement so i didnt need to give notice. if i was you i would do the same and dont even speak or text her, just go as soon as you can get all of your stuff away....
 
Im a wimp too and have just given notice on where I am and its daft really but I was dreading it. She wasnt bothered at all, she has wanted liveries rather than DIY which is what I am, so in my case shes probably pleased lol. In your position though Id be tempted to start to move as much as your stuff now as descreetly as you can, then when you know you can get the last bits shifted in a day, I'd just say I was sorry but it really isnt working out and that you are struggling, so you will be moving off. If she then has a hissy fit and tells you to go straightaway you can as youve moved the majority of your stuff anyway, and if shes fine you can go asap anyway.
Good Luck
 
Well I've had a reply, to the effect that "they are going to have to for a few days" which means she wants them in until Monday week cos that's when they are planning to bale their hay. That much I do know. I can't really move stuff discreetly as it's all big stuff and her office is right next to where I keep all my feed and bits n bobs. Transport is booked for Monday evening which was the easy part. I'm going over to new yard tomorrow after work to put beds down etc. I texted her back to ask for a compromise and the reply I have just received is "I have compromised, you wanted it grazed down as they were lamenitic and you were only going to turn them out for a few hours and wanted a bale of hay in for this. They are now out full time, we have a bale that is going to waste, a drought and bald field that needs the horses off. The bale also need using up. It is short term til the hay is on and filming complete then all will be on new pasture" I give up, I really do. The appalling spelling isn't mine by the way :)
 
I would move everything with the transporter, the fact that they are there may improve how she reacts. If you explain to them and pay for everything to be moved in one go then that will ease it. I would pay for the hay, but if it is hay it won't spoil. Or if there is little enough left then get loads of nets and take it with you!
 
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