Livery Yard Drama..

[laoscar]

Had my horse nearly 2 months now and keeping him at a private yard about 10 mins from home. Its very small, only 6 liveries so everyone knows everyone and all the horses are very happy there.
I'm keeping my horse on part livery under the agreement that no one is to ride him without my permission.
About a month ago I turned up unexpectedly and went to catch him but was surprised that he was hanging his head instead of pulling me down the field! Then, the groom who is 18 years old and very cocky said 'i rode him earlier, jumps like a stag, needs a stronger bit etc'.. note: my horse hadn't jumped for at least 3 years previous (i was thinking of reschooling him over xmas) and had been lame all summer so i wasn't happy to hear he'd been jumped upto 1m.
So, i spoke to the YO and she said it was a one off. So i forgot about it. Anyway a couple of weeks later i was at home on a saturday that i wasn't going up. The groom rang me and asked if i was going up, i said no and then she said 'oh ok, its because we're rotating fields and some of ours are coming in'. Why would it matter if i was there or not if they're rotating fields?! Didn't say anything but then last weekend I was looking at another girl from the yard's twitter photos and found a photo of everyone from the yard, including the groom on my horse out for a hack. I was livid. Also, my horse was lame when I went to ride him a few days ago. I haven't said anything to them yet but I plan to move yards next weekend to a much bigger, better yard.
Am I being pathetic moving or would you leave asap if someone was riding your horse hard when he's out of condition?
When should i tell them i'm leaving? I know usually it's a months notice but I have a right mind to tell them the day before.
All opinions appreciated!

 

[FfionWinnie]

Part livery, what's that then? Why are they riding your horse at all??

 

[Cath&Vinnie]

I wouldnt be happy either and would be moving.

But prehaps tell them now and not day before just to save yourself any trouble.

Hope you get sorted soon

 

[Spendtoomuch]

I would be out of there the first time it happened, totally unacceptable, esp ringing to check you wouldnt be there so they could ride your horse. Good luck with the move.

 

[lhotse]

I would exchange the horse for a goat, more tasty...

 

[Spendtoomuch]

Also I would tell them after everything inc horse was loaded. They broke your agreement first so I would consider notice not needed!

 

[zoelouisem]

Thats really bad i would be fuming!!! And no i wouldnt give notice i would move mine immediatly telling them exactly why. They have no right riding your horse when youve told them no riding or even if you havnt they shouldnt be just taking him and certinatly not jumping a horse that has an old injury and hasnt jumped for three years. Discracfull!!!!

 

[DragonSlayer]

Tell them from now on no-one rides your horse. Glad you found another place, get outta there! I'd have gone nuclear at them at hearing the groom had ridden him....

 

[Gingerwitch]

I would have left on the first occassion, even if i had had to tether on the traffic island at the bottom of the road - get your tack tomorrow and make it clear that your horse is NOT to be ridden by anyone not even Piggy French !

Take a print out of the photo, speak to the ym and tell him/her you will be taking legal action to recover vet fees from them

 

[111ex111]

I would be furious!

 

[DragonSlayer]

I would have left on the first occassion, even if i had had to tether on the traffic island at the bottom of the road - get your tack tomorrow and make it clear that your horse is NOT to be ridden by anyone not even Piggy French !

Take a print out of the photo, speak to the ym and tell him/her you will be taking legal action to recover vet fees from them

Picture is a good idea!

 

[HaffiesRock]

That is not on at all! Can you take your tack homes so they cant ride your horse?

I would sort out a new yard and then tell the YO you are leaving and more importantly WHY.

I would be FUMING! xx

 

[Slightlyconfused]

I would have gone after the first time.

No one rides my horses with mine or my sisters permission and only a certain type of rider is allowed on them.

 

[kinnygirl1]

Bang out of order of them! Are they even insured if they are riding your horse on the road without your permission??? I would be fuming. Get out of there!

 

[Jingleballs]

I would be out of there the first time it happened, totally unacceptable, esp ringing to check you wouldnt be there so they could ride your horse. Good luck with the move.

^^^ This - I would be leaving now, not paying my notice and telling the Y/O that this would cover the costs of your vet fees to treat your lame horse caused by her yard staff!

 

[jeeve]

Sorry that is not acceptable for a whole lot of reasons, I would put something in writing and move. Technically you should give notice, but given the reason for your move I think they would have a hard time enforcing it. Keep a couple of the photos as proof, maybe include a copy in the letter.

The YO should have ensured that the groom did not ride the horse, esp. after you brought it up with her.

 

[gmw]

Don't know what sort of part livery you have, but someone riding your horse without permission JEEEEZ I would hit the roof with YO and the 18yr old. What the h==l did they think they were up to? Go there and ride all of theirs see the reaction!!! Unbelievable

 

[WestCoast]

Yes take all your tack home to "clean" it and get out ASAP. Do not tell them until you have your horse loaded. This is appalling. Give the YO a bill for the vets bill.

Paula

 

[Flummoxed]

Yes take all your tack home to "clean" it and get out ASAP. Do not tell them until you have your horse loaded. This is appalling. Give the YO a bill for the vets bill.

Paula

Don't hide behind excuses. Tell the YO tomorrow that you are moving and leave her in no doubt as to your reasons. There is absolutely no excuse for their behaviour and you are under no obligation to give them full notice, given that they have already broken the contract.

I would be fuming in your shoes.

 

[laoscar]

Part livery just means that they feed, bring in/turn out etc during the week when I can't get there.. I'd be paying for full livery if I wanted him ridden!
The farrier also came out yesterday and the groom said he was sore standing barefoot between having shoes off and on, but spoke to the farrier in the evening and he said he didn't take any shoes off because his feet hadn't grown so there was no charge for my horse but expecting a £65 farrier bill added to my livery which will be for their horse! Will refuse to pay it! Thanks for your opinions

 

[charlie76]

I am the owner and manager of a full and part livery yard and neither me or my staff would dream of riding some ones horse without permission. Disgraceful!

 

[zaminda]

Bearing in mind I would tear someone limb from limb for riding my horse without permisssion I would have hit the roof the first time round. I agree take a copy of the pic of her riding the horse, then take it up with the YO. Make it clear you know that your horse wasn't shod the other day, and that her groom lied to you. Then get the vet to the horse, and tell her you will be expecting her to pay as the horse has been injured due to her negligence. Glad to hear you have found somewhere to move your horse to.

 

[Horlicks]

That is appalling -I would have left after the first instance. Keep your tack at home and give notice immediately - present the yard owner with the photos and a bill for the ride ! If they were exercising you're horse they would charge you!

Good luck with the move.

 

[Brimful of Asha]

for a start i would be livid that someone has ridden my horse without even telling or consulting me.
I would tell your yard owner that your livid with this and like others have said show her the pictures as evidence, then tell her this has happened twice now and your agreement was not to be ridden without my permission which they never had and because of this you have made the decision to leave.

hope your move goes well and keep us updated!

 

[miss_c]

Disgusting behaviour.

What I would do:

a) Remove horse, tack etc.
b) Take evidence to yard owner to explain why leaving
c) Thank your lucky stars you are out of there

I'm afraid that just removing the tack will not be enough if they are determined to ride him, they will just use another horse's tack.

Definitely do not pay the notice period as they have not upheld their side of the agreement. Double check with farrier that horse was not shod and then refuse to pay of he definitely was not.

I would be getting my horse out of there ASAP, not waiting a week or so.

 

[FfionWinnie]

Part livery just means that they feed, bring in/turn out etc during the week when I can't get there.. I'd be paying for full livery if I wanted him ridden!
The farrier also came out yesterday and the groom said he was sore standing barefoot between having shoes off and on, but spoke to the farrier in the evening and he said he didn't take any shoes off because his feet hadn't grown so there was no charge for my horse but expecting a £65 farrier bill added to my livery which will be for their horse! Will refuse to pay it! Thanks for your opinions

That's what I thought part livery was.

They sound like they are taking you for a ride, not just your horse.

 

[AmiRobertson]

OH MY GOD!!! Just read this thread and can not believe it, that is outrageously bad behavior from the groom lying about the shoes and riding your horse! But what really gets me is the fact they rang you before to make sure you werent coming up!!

Livid wouldn't touch the sides of how I would feel in this situation and agree with advice of being up front with the YO

 

[Bigbenji]

Make sure you print out a copy of the picture of the groom riding your horse to confront them with. Blooming cheek!

I would of done my nut

 

[zoelouisem]

Ive already commented earlier but keep coming back to here as i would be so angry, in fact im angry for you.
What i would be even more concerned about if there riding your horse when you say not to, what else are they/or not doing to your horse.
I think i would be taking your horse tommorow!!!!

 

[smellsofhorse]

how dare they do that!

You are paying them for a service and they should do exactly as you ask.

I think you will be better at a yard that is better managed but you still need to give the current yard notice.
How often do you pay?
weekly give a weeks notice and monthly give a months notice, is how it usually works unless something else is agreed.