Livery Yard Drama..

[Cinnamontoast]

I'd go nuts if someone rode my horse without permission! What the heck are they playing at?! Don't hold back, move your horse andtell the YO/YM exactly why. Did you go mad at the people who rode him?

 

[mynutmeg]

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

This! You have photographic evidence of them riding your horse without your permission and (from what I can work out) this has made your horse lame therefore they can pay the vets bill and I certainly wouldn't be paying that farrier bill

 

[sunleychops]

I would flip my lid, Refuse to pay the livery bill and be out of there as fast as possible! And probably steal some stuff on the way out lol

 

[ridefast]

I've worked as a groom for 6 years and this is one of the reasons why I will never have my horse on anything other than diy livery. You just can't trust people.

 

[Hexx]

This happened to me, except it was a 12 year old girl on my 16.1 maxi cob who is by no means a safe ride for a child - he's a flipping big horse with a mind of his own - and was taken on one of the busiest roads in the area, I didn't even ride down that road.

How I didn't put the person responsible in hospital, I don't know, I was so livid I could have put her through a wall.

Safe to say I left the following week!

If your horse is now lame, I would be giving them the vet bills!! Hope you get out of there fast.

 

[Patterdale]

Ihotse -

 

[9tails]

Agree with everybody else, riding your horse without your permission is disgraceful as is the lying about being shod. I can't imagine anybody would think this acceptable and you have every right to be extremely cross. You have been let down by a totally unprofessional yard and you have every reason to go immediately, especially as the yard owner knew what was happening and that you didn't want your horse ridden like a free hireling. Also agree that photographic proof is a good idea.

 

[laoscar]

Unfortunately taking my tack home would make no difference because there is a saddle that i was borrowing before getting my own a couple of weeks ago and there is plenty of other bridles that would fit him.
I saved the photo to my phone, keep looking at it and getting so angry! They are all standing there, horses in hand smiling happily on that sunny afternoon while I was sat at home wishing I could be riding! (I don't have a car so rely on my dad taking me up but he's often working, hence the part livery!)
I'm glad everyone agrees that it is a very bad thing to have happened.. was beginning to think i was just being selfish and childish. I would let anyone ride my horse as he's so easy but only when i'm there so I can say 'don't push him too hard'.
I have a horrible feeling that he has been ridden daily, jumped often and galloped a few times when I just trot around the school at the weekends to build him up gently.
Can't wait to be gone - just dreading the confrontation as I think they will get very defensive and say things like 'all the horses were going out and he'd hate being left alone'.. I'll just have to remind them that if she'd had called saying 'everyones going on a hack, please can i take yours' I'd have reluctantly said yes, advising her to go slow, but because I was never asked or told, I dread to think what else I haven't been told! Bet he's been out cubbing and showjumping!!

 

[Pinkatc]

Outrageous behaviour! Agree with the others, bill them for your vet bills and get out of there.

 

[thehorsephotographer]

I think you need to box clever and give them no incline of your intentions since they seem to have no morals I wouldn't want to wind them up only to find they take it out on your horse (just a thought). As others have said remove the tack in the hope that this will stop them trying to ride your horse although as someone else said if they are desperate they will more than likely put it in someone else's tack.

I'd put my grievances in writing to the YM/O along with the photographic evidence. I'd list the vets bill and also probably deduct something from the livery bill for the ensuing lameness when you haven't been able to ride your horse. I'd also list my other grievances. I'd demand "an explaination in writing before I consider what course of action I am going to take...." (that is what I would put in writing to them as I'd want answers as to why this has happened whilst under their supervision).

I'd do it in writing though. All these he said she said scenarios can be denied after the event.

There is no excuse for this maladministration. I'd tell them that also. Also in writing.

 

[FionaM12]

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

This puzzles me, because whether you spoke to the farrier yourself or not, surely it's obvious by looking at his feet that he hadn't been done? I'd have thought it would be clear whether a horse's feet have been trimmed, even if the same shoes have been put back on.

How could the groom think he or she could get way with that?

 

[Gingerwitch]

Never ever feel pressured into letting anyone ride your horse - it they have your horse on livery then it is down to them being paid to look after your horses welfare, and if your horse was going to be left alone to stress then that is also not part of the bargin. At the very least i would have expected him to be brought in, and if he was going to be left completly on his own, expected the top door of his stable to be closed on him to keep him calm, whilst they were away.

I would not be able to go to the yard tomorrow, i would seriously end up being in trouble - fighting and shotgun licences dont really go that well together.

Please please move your pony tomorrow - i feel sick at the thought of what that stupid stupid groom and yard owner have let go on - at the end of the day they could have screwed up your horse big style and you would never ever have known.

 

[AmiRobertson]

OP do you mind me asking how old you are? Just when you mentioned ou rely on your dad to get to the yard suggests to me you maybe quite young (please correct me if I am wrong!!!)

 

[Gingerwitch]

I've worked as a groom for 6 years and this is one of the reasons why I will never have my horse on anything other than diy livery. You just can't trust people.

Why do you say this ? i really hate anyone touching my horses, i am on full livery but turn out and catch in myself - because i really do not like anyone else handling my horses, and i also like to know what time they go out and come in.

I am stressed to death at the moment because i am having to rely on folk to do my horses all day every day - i just hate not being in control of my pets

 

[laoscar]

This puzzles me, because whether you spoke to the farrier yourself or not, surely it's obvious by looking at his feet that he hadn't been done? I'd have thought it would be clear whether a horse's feet have been trimmed, even if the same shoes have been put back on.

How could the groom think he or she could get way with that?

All the farrier said he did was clinch the nails, but no charge for that.. The groom is just making me think he's got a set of new shoes, then I will end up paying £65 to cover her horse!
I might just be paranoid now but I can't trust anyone at that yard, I even asked the woman i've become quite good friends with a few days after they all hacked out if she knew my horse had been ridden (I hadn't seen a photo at this point so didn't know about it but had my suspiscions as I had noticed a flash on his bridle that I borrow and always put back) but she said no.. then when I saw the photo it was clear that she had lied! Urgh!

 

[noodle_]

move....take your horse tomorow and go!


why would you even question about staying with people you cant trust? that ride your horse without permission?

i would lynch anyone who did that to my horse

 

[laoscar]

OP do you mind me asking how old you are? Just when you mentioned ou rely on your dad to get to the yard suggests to me you maybe quite young (please correct me if I am wrong!!!)

I'm 17, and the groom is 18 but because my horse is my first and she's been working on the yard for 4 years now she thinks she knows so much more than me.. which she does, but I know my horse inside out (was riding him for a year before buying him) so i know he's no competition horse, he's more of a happy hacker for me to enjoy as I'm not competitive so I think we suit perfectly. I don't want some super confident girl thinking he can do what her eventer can!

 

[ridefast]

Why do you say this ? i really hate anyone touching my horses, i am on full livery but turn out and catch in myself - because i really do not like anyone else handling my horses, and i also like to know what time they go out and come in.

I am stressed to death at the moment because i am having to rely on folk to do my horses all day every day - i just hate not being in control of my pets

Because I've seen a lot of horses on livery with the owner paying for services that just don't happen. It's always been outside of my control but it just sickens me that the owner is expecting a horse to receive a certain level of care when it's not. Obviously this isn't on every yard, some yards I've been on have provided care over and above what you would expect. I just wouldn't trust a yard anymore unless it was my yard

 

[googol]

I would b furious and would be left long ago. Wouldn't care about the terms I'd left in as would never go back!
I'm another that hates people handling my horse and to think they were riding without me being there never mind my permission..... I feel anxious thinking about it!
Leave and don't look back!

 

[FionaM12]

I'm 17, and the groom is 18 but because my horse is my first and she's been working on the yard for 4 years now she thinks she knows so much more than me.. which she does, but I know my horse inside out (was riding him for a year before buying him) so i know he's no competition horse, he's more of a happy hacker for me to enjoy as I'm not competitive so I think we suit perfectly. I don't want some super confident girl thinking he can do what her eventer can!

You don't have to justify why you don't want your horse ridden.

He's your horse, no-one has any right to ride him without your permission. It doesn't matter if she's older, more experienced etc: he is NOT her horse and if it's not in your livery agreement, she has no right to ride him.

Do you have a contract or written livery agreement?

 

[LollyDolly]

Ok OP let me clear up a few things for you here as I get the impression that you are relatively new to owning horses...

It is totally out of order to ride someone else's horse without the owners permission, regardless.

It just isn't done, nobody ever rides anyone elses horse without consent and usually the presence of the owner.

I can't stress to you enough how out of order they are, even trying to pressure you into giving them consent to ride your horse is wrong.

Your horse is yours and therefore you do with him as you please, he is nobody elses and no one has the right to so much as groom him without you knowing, ok?

Also, if I were you then I would get off that yard tomorrow- not next week!

The lasting damage caused by this hard riding could be very, very severe and I don't think that you quite realise how dangerous it really is. The fact that your horse is already lame is proof enough, do you want them to wreck your horse? And not just physically either, but you really don't want them to screw up his head! It only takes once.

What they have done is a very serious offense, if I were you I would leave that yard tomorrow- first thing in the morning. I would keep the proof, refuse to serve my notice and bill the YO for all vets bills related to my horse's lameness which has been caused by her groom.

Also, as you can probably already tell after the first time it had happened I would have gone ballistic and left, how dare they so much as handle my horse without my consent. He's mine, and at the end of the day it will be me who loses out both emotionally and financially if something were to happen to him or any lasting physical and/or psychological damage was caused.

Leave, tomorrow.

 

[Grinchmass]

I'm 17, and the groom is 18 but because my horse is my first and she's been working on the yard for 4 years now she thinks she knows so much more than me.. which she does, but I know my horse inside out (was riding him for a year before buying him) so i know he's no competition horse, he's more of a happy hacker for me to enjoy as I'm not competitive so I think we suit perfectly. I don't want some super confident girl thinking he can do what her eventer can!

Sorry I'm struggling to see why you have been asked your age. Whether you are 8 or 80 this is not and never will be acceptable behaviour!

If someone rode my horse without my permission I would be livid... To say the least...

 

[charmeroo]

Please move tomorrow even if you have to ride your horse to the new yard!! Get your Dad to then pick you up from the new yard and go back and collect all your stuff so that you have moral support when anyone asks you what you're doing. Do not delay til next weekend. Please.

 

[1Lucie]

Omg!!!! I would be furious! I would be moving, thats awful!

 

[MrVelvet]

Is this for real.......?!

If someone had ridden my horse, I would hit the roof and demand some answers!!! Not ask a forum if it was enough reason to leave...... ?!

Leave now! No question!

 

[MrVelvet]

To add - completely agree with lollydolly!!!!!

 

[zoelouisem]

I'm 17, and the groom is 18 but because my horse is my first and she's been working on the yard for 4 years now she thinks she knows so much more than me.. which she does, but I know my horse inside out (was riding him for a year before buying him) so i know he's no competition horse, he's more of a happy hacker for me to enjoy as I'm not competitive so I think we suit perfectly. I don't want some super confident girl thinking he can do what her eventer can!

No your right just because shes older she still cant just take your horse.
I would be angry if somebody took out my 8 year old daughter pony even if it was an older more experienced rider, Its her pony and she does with it what i see fit end off!!!

Dont feel threatened by these people just because your 17 your still paying for a service. I would say though get your dad involved with this as backup. So these unprofessional people do not bully you!!!

 

[WestCoast]

Prim not actually sure they haven't committed a criminal offence to. E honest. It's the same as driving someone's car without permission legally - and morally a lot worse.

Paula

 

[Copperpot]

Agree with everything Lolly Dolly said! Leave ASAP. I would be furious!!!!

 

[Gingerwitch]

No your right just because shes older she still cant just take your horse.
I would be angry if somebody took out my 8 year old daughter pony even if it was an older more experienced rider, Its her pony and she does with it what i see fit end off!!!

Dont feel threatened by these people just because your 17 your still paying for a service. I would say though get your dad involved with this as backup. So these unprofessional people do not bully you!!!

The question was asked because the op said she had to wait for her dad to take her up, so it does change things of how we answer, cause otherwise we would have been saying turn up un announced.

poor kid, poor horse