Livery Rights Question

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Silvermaneuk

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Hi there,

I moved to a new yard 6 months ago and t start with everything went well. Really loved it there. One of the liverys who had been there 2 years left under a strange cloud, almost did a moonlight flit, and before she left she tried to warn me about the YO, but she seemed perfectly nice, so I thought it was just sour grapes.

However I was very wrong, the YO is like Jekyll and Hyde and you never know which one your going to meet, the lovely 'have a cup of tea' or the angry hen pecking bully. Unfortunately I have been having to deal with the latter a lot. She literally had me in tears. Belittled my disability, and humiliated me in front of other Liverys. She constantly picks on me (and other liverys), to the point you literally cannot do anything right. She never apolgises. Although I loved the yard, I just couldn't cope anymore as was making me really anxious, and stressed out to the point I dreaded going to the yard.

So I said I was leaving. My livery runs from the 12th-12th, but my new yard runs from the 1st, so I said I was leaving the 31st, but paid upt the 12th April. I very delicately told her why I was leaving as she seemed mystified. Its like she cannot see her behaviour at all.

Anyway today, she launched at me verbally screaming at me over dregs of hay, I was following her rules to the letter, regarding the hay, but for some reason, she went postal...even though its her rules...and i pointed this out to her, and it just made her worse and I said I think your making a mountain out of a molehill...and she agreed...but carried on shouting at me. I was shaking. Then I just thought, I really have to get to work so rather than keep arguing I just said whatever...and then she HIT me with her gloves! She told me to piss off and get off her yard. I said I couldn't afford to leave earlier, that if she refunded my livery I would. She said no I HAVE to give 4 weeks notice (I have no contract and no notice has ever been mentioned).

I cant decide whether to take this further with the police because of the assault but my mum paid for me to leave as I was in a terrible state. Can I pursue her for the livery...taking into account her behaviour, the assault, her telling me to get off the property? Not sure where I stand.
 
I would seriously consider reporting the physical assault even if it is just to put in on record in case anyone else suffers similar, then probably take a deep breath and be thankful you could get out today, trying to recover any money will be more trouble and stress than it is worth although morally you probably should take it further maybe her getting a visit from the police will be enough to make you feel better.

As a YO I do find this whole notice period very odd when the YO is the one breaking a contract/ behaving appallingly etc that they think you owe them a months notice if you decide to get out, it is not surprising that people do do moonlight flits when you hear about situations like this, we are not all mad!!
 
You have the right to report the physical assault to the Police. It is definitely a criminal offence.

You have the right to sue her in the small claims court for your double paid livery after being told to leave by her. It's cheap and easy, you can do it online for about £25, here:

https://www.gov.uk/make-court-claim-for-money

You should write her a letter first, recorded delivery, asking for your money back and giving her one week to answer. Then raise a claim of she doesn't pay.

I hope your new place is better!
 
be positive said:
I would seriously consider reporting the physical assault even if it is just to put in on record in case anyone else suffers similar, then probably take a deep breath and be thankful you could get out today, trying to recover any money will be more trouble and stress than it is worth although morally you probably should take it further maybe her getting a visit from the police will be enough to make you feel better.

As a YO I do find this whole notice period very odd when the YO is the one breaking a contract/ behaving appallingly etc that they think you owe them a months notice if you decide to get out, it is not surprising that people do do moonlight flits when you hear about situations like this, we are not all mad!!
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I so agree with this ^^

Some of the stories on here about leaving yards/wanting to leave yards and worried about the responses you may get are horrifying. This shouting and hitting you with her gloves is like a child having a temper tantrum and smacks of I, me and myself syndrome, then to try and extract money out of you and tell you to leave her yard is just nonsensical to me - its like controlling behaviour or rather uncontrolled behaviour, it totally confuses me and I wasn't there so not sure how it effected you

Whatever the outcome I hope your new yard will be peaceful, calm and enjoyable
 
Personally, I would report the assault. If nothing else it will make her think twice before doing it again. It may be very minor but its not appropriate behaviour.
I'd have not told her the reasons before my horse was safely moved but here's a lesson learned!
 
I've been beaten up by a previous yard owner so I'd definitely recommend reporting to the police

The police investigated but due to a lack of evidence the CPS wouldn't prosecute but it felt good to be taken seriously
 
Blimey, how old is this woman?? She sounds like a temper tantrum teenager who doesn’t like not getting her own way!

Please report her for assault. If nothing else, it might make her stop and realise that she actually can’t treat people like that. She sounds vile.
Hope you have better luck at your new yard x
 
OP you are describing a YO who sounds exactly like one I was unfortunate to be a livery of.
It’s just awful that you’ve had to go through this. She is way out of line and you should definitely report her to the police.
I would also pursue your money through the small claims as advised above. Seems cheap and easy to do, she cannot be allowed to get away with her behaviour.
Good luck at your new place.
 
She assaulted and you paid for a service which she refused to provide, so yes you are entitled to a refund. If she was willing to provide and you chose to leave early, then no refund. The only point will be proving she told you to leave.
 
I also would report to the police. Additionally, if the cost is as cheap as the poster above stated, go for the claim to: with the idea of being as big a stressor to her as she was to you. I have had to deal with some weirdos, but not like that! Hope you and your horse enjoy your new place.
 
I managed to move him now, and he settled really well at the new yard, I am starting to hear loads of storys about her now, other people coming out of the woodwork, saying she was similar. Unbelievably she is in her 60's!

I am going to log it with the police tomorrow, because she has young kids on there. I will pursue the livery out of principle.

Whilst ot was happening, I was thinking OMG what s wrong with this woman? I was mystified, she was going mad over the most rediculous thing.

She asked me about what hay I put into the woodland (as my pony has lami so been staying in there) and I said I just filled the 3 empty nets, and put them back in, and I carried on poo picking. I was just putting wheelbarrow back and she came out and asked me what the pile of hay was in the woodland. There was a tiny pile of hay.

I said it’s the dregs from the nets. So she started yelling at me, well then they weren’t EMPTY then we’re they, emphasising the word empty very aggressively. Then I said well they had the dregs in the bottom , and you (as in the YO) have always said don’t put new hay, on top of old, and empty the dregs out so they can eat them.

Which I did, in a neat pile. So then she shouted again, so they weren’t EMPTY then, as you said they were EMPTY!!! She was doing this weird thing were her hands, making the word empty more aggressive, and was beetroot at this point.

I said I am a bit unsure why your building this into a drama, as you have specifically told me not to put new hay on old hay, and ypu have told me to always empty the dregs out, and so I just did what you said, and put the dregs onto one pile so they weren't all over the place and then she kinda went postal. But they weren’t EMPTY!! You said they were EMPTY, and they werent EMPTY.

At this point I am like WTF is wrong with her???? I said I think your making a mountain out of a molehill, and she shouted. I probably am!????? Started yelling at me that she wants me to p*** off, and leave, and I said if you refund my livery I can go, she said (even though it don’t actually have a contract) that I have to pay 4 weeks so she won’t. So I said I don’t know what you expect me to do then.

Then she started saying all the mums are keeping their kids away from me because I am depressive apparently?? Which is weird cos I had a cup of tea with them yesterday, and gifted them some horse books. So I said really? Whatever, then she hit me with her gloves. After that I said that’s assault I should report you and she said, do it.

I managed to get to the car and then I ended up sobbing in the car. Just was so shaken up. But this behaviour is the worst she has been. She picks on you. I have a disability and she told me I was using it as an excuse, when I struggled. Then after making me do the hay for the whole herd, every morning for a week, when I asked for a break on my day off work, she humiliated me in front of all the liverys, saying I was being over dramatic, and we all have busy lives, yet she didn't expect the other liveries to do the mornings. I mean the list goes on of her behaviour. So I am well out of there. Just feel she shouldnt be allowed to get away with it.
 
speak to the police that is assault. she needs to be made aware that that is not acceptable behaviour. it is the worst type of bullying with or without having a disability she can't behave like that. have you moved your horse? if you haven't don't do anything until you are both off the yard
Silvermaneuk said:
Hi there,

I moved to a new yard 6 months ago and t start with everything went well. Really loved it there. One of the liverys who had been there 2 years left under a strange cloud, almost did a moonlight flit, and before she left she tried to warn me about the YO, but she seemed perfectly nice, so I thought it was just sour grapes.

However I was very wrong, the YO is like Jekyll and Hyde and you never know which one your going to meet, the lovely 'have a cup of tea' or the angry hen pecking bully. Unfortunately I have been having to deal with the latter a lot. She literally had me in tears. Belittled my disability, and humiliated me in front of other Liverys. She constantly picks on me (and other liverys), to the point you literally cannot do anything right. She never apolgises. Although I loved the yard, I just couldn't cope anymore as was making me really anxious, and stressed out to the point I dreaded going to the yard.

So I said I was leaving. My livery runs from the 12th-12th, but my new yard runs from the 1st, so I said I was leaving the 31st, but paid upt the 12th April. I very delicately told her why I was leaving as she seemed mystified. Its like she cannot see her behaviour at all.

Anyway today, she launched at me verbally screaming at me over dregs of hay, I was following her rules to the letter, regarding the hay, but for some reason, she went postal...even though its her rules...and i pointed this out to her, and it just made her worse and I said I think your making a mountain out of a molehill...and she agreed...but carried on shouting at me. I was shaking. Then I just thought, I really have to get to work so rather than keep arguing I just said whatever...and then she HIT me with her gloves! She told me to piss off and get off her yard. I said I couldn't afford to leave earlier, that if she refunded my livery I would. She said no I HAVE to give 4 weeks notice (I have no contract and no notice has ever been mentioned).

I cant decide whether to take this further with the police because of the assault but my mum paid for me to leave as I was in a terrible state. Can I pursue her for the livery...taking into account her behaviour, the assault, her telling me to get off the property? Not sure where I stand.
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I don't understand what you mean by the 'made you do the hay every morning for a week', how can she make you do something? You may need to stand up to people at your new yard, or in other aspects of your life, so you do need to learn to become more assertive.
However, she assaulted you and that should definitely be reported to the police. I would pursue the small claims claim, too. Some people think that they can does they like, until someone stands up to them. She really does sound crazy!
 
How awful. I hope you are ok OP. Big hug for you.

Get the assault reported, it is an assault & I think I spotted that your horse is moved, glad to read that.
 
Frumpoon said:
I've been beaten up by a previous yard owner so I'd definitely recommend reporting to the police

The police investigated but due to a lack of evidence the CPS wouldn't prosecute but it felt good to be taken seriously
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Likewise.

Please report this.
 
I've also gone through the court process to get Livery money refunded after being told to leave

It's very easy and all the costs incurred get added onto the claim so you are not left out of pocket

The court day itself was stressful but a relatively open and shut case so went in my favour

They paid up but if they hadn't they would have had a CCJ against them which makes life difficult
 
ycbm said:
You have the right to report the physical assault to the Police. It is definitely a criminal offence.

You have the right to sue her in the small claims court for your double paid livery after being told to leave by her. It's cheap and easy, you can do it online for about £25, here:

https://www.gov.uk/make-court-claim-for-money

You should write her a letter first, recorded delivery, asking for your money back and giving her one week to answer. Then raise a claim of she doesn't pay.

I hope your new place is better!
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Do what ycbm advises.

Not only is it a way for you to get some redress; you now know that this YO has been intimidating and possibly physically assaulting others for years.

It's a civic duty to help to put a stop to her bevaviour before an argument and mild physical assault like being hit with a pair of gloves turns into something worse.

What's going to happen if she loses her temper while holding a girth or a stirrup leather (even without the stirrup attached) or a hay fork?
 
What an awful experience. So glad you are out of there and settled. Definitely report and seek a refund. People behave like that because no-one ever dares hold them accountable for their appalling behaviour. Please let us know how you get on.
 
That’s an appalling experiance yes on balance I would go to the police however sometimes life is just too short .
Your out of there now so just take a deep breath and move on .
If it where me I would have to talk to the other livery that left just to see what happened there.
Just another bat **** crazy yard owner to add to the long list .
 
Glad you're taking action. I've been there with a similar experience and never did and kind of wish I had. But once we'd escaped the bullying, controlling behaviour and the threats of violence (although mine never crossed the line) we just wanted done with it. We ended up having to pack up and leave the yard in 3 hours as as soon as she found out were planning on leaving in a week she told us to leave immediately. By that point we were worried for our horses if we stayed so we did it. Fortunately the yard we were moving to could take us in early. It was all so needlessly stressful and dramatic! There seems to be lots of these type of manipulative, bullying people about and by chance or because they are drawn to it they do pop up as yard owners/managers from time to time.

I'm very glad you're out of there and think you are very brave for taking her on. Good luck at your new yard, I hope it is as lovely as my new yard has been.
 
Definetly report her...might actually do her good. Sounds like she has bi-polar or something and it might be the push for her to get some help for her mental health. You might actually be doing her a favour (in a round-about way!).
 
Definitely report her, she assaulted you. It sounds as though she might be ill? I'm not excusing her, but being that irrational, and you mentioned doing odd things with her hands, plus focussing on " empty" suggests all is not well in her head.
 
You poor thing. What an awful experience. Let us know how you get on with the police.

Although, likewise, a bit puzzled as to how she could have made you do all the hay in the morning....??
 
I find that these type of people don’t have much of a home life and they take their frustrations out on other people. Often those that they think are more vulnerable. Good luck at your new livery yard
 
It always worries me when I hear of scenarios like this, if somebody thinks its alright to attack or abuse a disabled person, just how do they treat the animals in their care? No horse can tell its owner what has gone on when they are not on site.
Please OP pursue the woman, I suspect it won't get to court but helping her curb her disgraceful behaviour would be worthwhile on so many levels.
 
Do report this, even if the police don't take action now it could help in future if her behaviour escalates. Take this seriously. I have come across a situation where a Livery Yard owner deliberately ran over a client in similar circumstances, some of them are nutters (not my yard owner - she's lovely!)
 
Kat said:
Do report this, even if the police don't take action now it could help in future if her behaviour escalates. Take this seriously. I have come across a situation where a Livery Yard owner deliberately ran over a client in similar circumstances, some of them are nutters (not my yard owner - she's lovely!)
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If I saw something like that happen, I hope I'd be able to stay calm enough to simply report a case of attempted murder...
 
dominobrown said:
Definetly report her...might actually do her good. Sounds like she has bi-polar or something and it might be the push for her to get some help for her mental health. You might actually be doing her a favour (in a round-about way!).
Click to expand...

Ouch! :D I know you meant this to help the OP, but I just wanted to kindly/gently mention that it's challenging enough to live with bipolar and peoples assumptions, without folk implying that that irrational, inconsistent and violent behaviour automatically = bipolar. Some people are just ****holes. Some people are mentally ill. Then there's the people who live in a grey area in between... I always say I reserve the right to be an ****hole all on my own, without any assistance from my disorder... :P

OP, definitely report this - it'll go on record, and may help someone who has issues with her in the future. I sincerely hope your new yard is everything you want it to be.
 
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