Livery Yard Issues - Help

[honetpot]

I would by some good straw, put the whole small bale in a small holed haynet, I think the Shires largest one would fit if its not a huge bale, and see if they are banging because they are hungry or expecting to be fed. Or a pile of clean straw for them to pick over. I feed straw most of the time and it stops all the hangrey stress. I used to have a stable big enough for a round bale, which they would self regulate, the waste went in the bed. The only pony that would binge on it would leave the hay to eat it, he had EMS but had no symptoms.
I have had to keep my horse in places with not turnout over winter, they didn't seem to have problems but its not ideal and basically they had as much as they could eat. If you are worried about calories its straw or late cut hay.
I do not know if I could be on a yard with that amount of horses and rules. Never get the rug change bit, if its a good rug it should stay put and dry on. I never use stable rugs. If I want them clean I have a under and outer rug, the out is one size up and you just slide out the under rug.

 

[SaddlePsych'D]

This sounds like a YO not charging enough for livery services and trying to make it work by overstocking.

I would be moving them. The business management should not be your problem and it should certainly not be the problem of your horses' welfare.

I feel for you OP as it sounds like you have had lots of stress and upheaval as it is.

 

[Chianti]

They both have big trugs of zero chaff, morning and night, so already doing this. I would love to use hay pillows but both are shod.

I haven't even thought ahead to how they will manage bring-ins - just trying to get to the point where they actually go out again, hopefully before I lose my mind.

It's such a shame as it's a beautiful yard with so many wonderful people.

Being honest I don't really think that matters. They've been in since the autumn and if we get a wet spring it could still be some weeks before they go out. When I was desperate to move yards I spent my evenings on local Facebook pages doing searches for livery in the local area. I joined local village groups on there and posted that I was looking for livery. I got a good response from individuals and yards that I didn't know existed.

 

[Bobthecob15]

Being honest I don't really think that matters. They've been in since the autumn and if we get a wet spring it could still be some weeks before they go out. When I was desperate to move yards I spent my evenings on local Facebook pages doing searches for livery in the local area. I joined local village groups on there and posted that I was looking for livery. I got a good response from individuals and yards that I didn't know existed.

Doesn’t always work though, 3 yards have closed in the past year near me, the future for liveries is very bleak indeed which is why I’m hoping to get my own place in the future…or just not have horses.

If you live in an area where the majority of horse owners have their own private yard or farm it’s very very difficult, it’s actually worse in very rural areas than if you are near a town in my experience x

 

[maya2008]

I agree with the suggestion above of buy clean straw and add as free choice - either in a net or on the floor.

 

[Umpy22]

Have you tried asking on local facebook groups for something to privately rent? Near to you? This is something I have been considering as the yard options for me are rubbish. Perhaps something local will come up?

What area of the country are you in? Perhaps someone on here can help?

I’ve just sold my boy who has had ulcers in the past as the lack of turnout/no grass situation was totally stressing me out and one of the reasons I sold him. Which is bonkers really, but when you have no other yard options I had to consider his needs and felt he’ll be better in a home when he can go out daily all year round. The Welsh pony we have left will be ok on less grass I think (she was fine last summer there)

I have searched a little but no joy thus far. I'm Cheshire way.

 

[Umpy22]

I think I would be pointing out that as your contract says turn out and bring in daily which means you are entitled to turn out that the door kicking is due to the horses being kept in and this aspect of your contract failing so you are unable to do much about the door kicking. Ask what are their suggestions?

I don't think you are being a drama queen. I think you are trying to do your best. It may be a nice yard for people but it doesn't appear to be for your stressed horses. I think you have to put up with it for the moment and find a way of moving before next winter.

Somewhere, can't remember where, I think you said you had a laminitic, EMS, overweight or whatever horse. Is this yard going to have suitable facilities for spring and summer grazing if it has to be restricted which I guess it will?

Yes, it worked well regarding restricting turnout in the spring and summer. It will be the same this year.....when they eventually go out.

 

[Umpy22]

It would definitely be cheap if it’s for two. My 5-day part livery has been on average £700 a month over winter I pay £535 for stable and service Mon-Fri plus hay and bedding on top which I have to buy from the yard and parking for my horsebox. Hard feed I buy separately and I have to do him at weekends and also do all poo-picking.

£675 per horse per month. Hay included.

 

[Umpy22]

Just to clarify, is it £675 per month per horse, or £675 in total for both horses?

£675 per month per horse.

 

[Umpy22]

You can use straw chop and you can put it in a big bowl or if that’s not allowed put it on the floor that’s what I do.
You could even put it in at night

I use zero chaff at the moment and have big trug tubs of it in each stable, overnight and during the day.

 

[Umpy22]

I agree with the suggestion above of buy clean straw and add as free choice - either in a net or on the floor.

There is no storage for hay/straw/bedding for liveries, unfortunately, so buying in straw isn't an option.

 

[Umpy22]

I would by some good straw, put the whole small bale in a small holed haynet, I think the Shires largest one would fit if its not a huge bale, and see if they are banging because they are hungry or expecting to be fed. Or a pile of clean straw for them to pick over. I feed straw most of the time and it stops all the hangrey stress. I used to have a stable big enough for a round bale, which they would self regulate, the waste went in the bed. The only pony that would binge on it would leave the hay to eat it, he had EMS but had no symptoms.
I have had to keep my horse in places with not turnout over winter, they didn't seem to have problems but its not ideal and basically they had as much as they could eat. If you are worried about calories its straw or late cut hay.
I do not know if I could be on a yard with that amount of horses and rules. Never get the rug change bit, if its a good rug it should stay put and dry on. I never use stable rugs. If I want them clean I have a under and outer rug, the out is one size up and you just slide out the under rug.

This is a great idea, thank you. Unfortunately, there is no no storage for hay/straw/bedding for liveries, so I can't do this.

 

[Umpy22]

Being honest I don't really think that matters. They've been in since the autumn and if we get a wet spring it could still be some weeks before they go out. When I was desperate to move yards I spent my evenings on local Facebook pages doing searches for livery in the local area. I joined local village groups on there and posted that I was looking for livery. I got a good response from individuals and yards that I didn't know existed.

Thank you, that's a great idea.

 

[honetpot]

This is a great idea, thank you. Unfortunately, there is no no storage for hay/straw/bedding for liveries, so I can't do this.

That is what your car is for. Not joking. I used to rent fields, as well as have a livery space so everything was in the back of my car. That is why said net a whole bale.

 

[Umpy22]

That is what your car is for. Not joking. I used to rent fields, as well as have a livery space so everything was in the back of my car. That is why said net a whole bale.

I'd have to get a mini bale, I have a stupid teapot car. Thanks so much for your help.

 

[maya2008]

Buy one bale, pop into a long plastic bag on each end so no shedding, back seats down in the car and off you go. On arrival, split half for each stable. You can arrange the slices along the wall on the banks if you have them. We could fit a bale in a fiesta…

Anyway… you need them to put in haynets and they won’t. For various reasons you cannot use any of the other solutions that would work. At this point you are going to have to move yards.

 

[Umpy22]

I just wanted to say a huge thank you to everyone who has taken the time to read my post and offer great advice. It is very much appreciated.

I'm feeling much less alone and have a plan of action, starting with a Google Maps stalk of every field, and buildings with fields, within a 30 mile radius, as well as joining more local and horsey groups.

Thank you again.

 

[Umpy22]

Buy one bale, pop into a long plastic bag on each end so no shedding, back seats down in the car and off you go. On arrival, split half for each stable. You can arrange the slices along the wall on the banks if you have them. We could fit a bale in a fiesta…

Anyway… you need them to put in haynets and they won’t. For various reasons you cannot use any of the other solutions that would work. At this point you are going to have to move yards.

Thank you.

 

[honetpot]

I'd have to get a mini bale, I have a stupid teapot car. Thanks so much for your help.

I over the years have had very small cars. I forgo seats for storage.

 

[SaddlePsych'D]

£675 per month per horse.

Hmm okay I take back what I said about undercharging. I maintain the rest though.

 

[LadyGascoyne]

What sort of area are you in OP?

I'm about 15 miles / 35-45 min from the centre of Oxford and I pay £850 per horse on one yard (eventing yard) and £1050 per horse for the other (dressage).

Yard 1: Full care, including organising farrier and vet, piles of hay, nice quality feed, on the walker daily, lunge pen, school with jumps, grass arena with jumps, nice hacking. Ridden exercise available but extra. Coaching from 4* rider available.

Yard 2: Full care, all the bells and whistles, solarium, specialist nutrition, exercised a few times a week, on the walker daily, beautiful indoor school with bar and seating, clinics and lectures extra. Coaching from GP rider available.

Yard 1 turns out as much as possible, at least a few hours a day unless it's frozen or truly miserable.

Yard 2 turns out during summer and provides access to sand runs and hard standing during winter with proper turnout on grass when the ground isn't too saturated. Horses can be hand grazed by staff too.

For what you are paying, I think I'd expect more.

ETA, I prefer more turnout for my horses so they come home for a winter holiday between October and January, and only spend mid-Jan to March with restricted turnout but I appreciate I'm lucky to have that option.

 

[Apercrumbie]

OP I'm so sorry for your situation, I can see how stressful it is for you and I would feel the same. It is definitely time to move however. I think village facebook groups will be your friend - check google maps to find every village within an X mile radius (alter for your own comfort levels) and make a post asking for what you need. I bet you'll have a few offers within a couple of weeks.

 

[neddy man]

These may help you, w w w . l i v e r y l i s t . c o . u k and w w w . l i v e r y y a r d s . c o m sorry about the spacing.

 

[dougpeg]

Its these types of situations which has led me to give up horses. Just too many compromises for me to be comfortable with.

It sounds like you're stuck between a rock and a hard place. It sounds reasonable for nets to be given in leiu of bringing in. I don't know what to suggest if moving isn't an option. For your horses welfare I hope you manage to find a way forward.

 

[dottylottie]

can you put them on soaked hay? i found it lasted mine aaaages in comparison, probably because it wasn’t yummy enough to eat for the sake of it

 

[Kirstineridesagain]

Reading this I’m so glad my horse lives out. Unfortunately this situation sounds like horse abuse to me. Horses need to be in a herd, and to have space to move freely. This is solitary confinement and no exercise. I pay £260 for full grass livery (huge field) and I’m starting to think I’ve got a very, very good deal. My horse is allowed to be a horse, and I’m not out of pocket.

You need to find grass livery for your horses.

 

[Bobthecob15]

Good luck OP, I hope you find something for your boys asap. And don’t feel guilty in the meantime, you are doing the best you can given the circumstances! It’s so difficult when you have no other options x

 

[ester]

Reading this I’m so glad my horse lives out. Unfortunately this situation sounds like horse abuse to me. Horses need to be in a herd, and to have space to move freely. This is solitary confinement and no exercise. I pay £260 for full grass livery (huge field) and I’m starting to think I’ve got a very, very good deal. My horse is allowed to be a horse, and I’m not out of pocket.

You need to find grass livery for your horses.

one of them is metabolic which most grass livery is not going to cater for.

 

[I'm Dun]

Doesn’t always work though, 3 yards have closed in the past year near me, the future for liveries is very bleak indeed which is why I’m hoping to get my own place in the future…or just not have horses.

If you live in an area where the majority of horse owners have their own private yard or farm it’s very very difficult, it’s actually worse in very rural areas than if you are near a town in my experience x

Well thats the thing isnt it. I don't have certain pet because I cant provide a suitable environment for them. A retired horse with no turnout is awful. And both horses are unhappy, banging doors and standing hours with nothing to eat.

There are plenty of retirement places that can cope with EMS.

Something needs to be done about livery yards with no turnout in this country.

 

[Jellymoon]

Services/turnout/money issues aside I’m wondering if you are almost getting worked up over something that isn’t an issue (in terms of forage).

The horses are overweight, they have trugs of low cal chaff and presumably bedded on straw. Therefore they are not without forage if they have eaten their haynet.

I was thinking this too, and was also going to suggest bedding on straw if you are not already.