Livery yard politics ... :-\

RainbowDash

RainbowDash

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Hi all,

Unfortunately I'm not in the position to move to DIY or have my own yard etc. I love my yard and keep the boyo on 'full' livery but lately I've felt really uncomfortable and 'piggy in the middle' ...

I have been there for over a year now and in the last couple of months have seen other liveries (also read 'friends') in a new light, old livery/new pony over fed - they used to have an oldie - now a much younger cob (overweight already), another one with lovely new horse but overused and under weight, two others with older very underweight horses still ridden. I like the people but they dont listen to advice or get defensive if the (very knowledgable YO/staff) makes suggestions.

How much do you get involved at your yard? Would you back up the staff if a horses welfare was in doubt? Leave well alone? Would you make the effort to help the owner and nudge them towards the exp. Staff/yo's advice?

Bit of background - 95% of owners came here having never owned before - I have learnt lots and the staff have time to pass on their knowledge etc.

Sorry for a long post. Interested in good/bad stories from your experiences on a part/full livery, opinions as to whether I should drop hints/get involved etc.

{hunts around cupboard/fridge} - oh - a lovely Chardonnay and a square of Dairy Milk on offer for anyone who gets this far xx
 
My OH was looking around a livery yard in Denmark recently. It was very impressive as they have some very sensible laws regarding horse care. When OH asked if they had DIY liveries, she said, oh no, we like the horses to be looked after properly. :D

Unfortunately, on yards in the UK, every one has their own way of doing things and the only way to change things is by being an inspiration to others because your horses are sane, fit and sound.

If I'm asked for an opinion/advice, I'd be diplomatic but truthful. Otherwise I stay friendly but not too involved.
 
horserider said:
My OH was looking around a livery yard in Denmark recently. It was very impressive as they have some very sensible laws regarding horse care. When OH asked if they had DIY liveries, she said, oh no, we like the horses to be looked after properly. :D

Unfortunately, on yards in the UK, every one has their own way of doing things and the only way to change things is by being an inspiration to others because your horses are sane, fit and sound.

If I'm asked for an opinion/advice, I'd be diplomatic but truthful. Otherwise I stay friendly but not too involved.
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Where is the like button?!

Not sure if it is human nature or specific to the horse world but people do seem to have very fixed opinions on the "right" way to keep their horses and not very keen to embrace other ideas.
 
Like others have said keep out of it.
generally people who rug up think those who don t are guilty of neglect. Those who don t rug up think that those who do over rug.
If people hate you they hate your horse, if your horse is an unsociable ****** they hate you.
If you leave your horse out 24/7 you are guilty of the worst type of neglect , and your horse is allways either overweight or underweight...an under weight horse can then become and overweight horse without ever being the correct weight inbetween.
Add this to the fashion bloopers and too much/ too little tack issues and it all becomes a bitchy horrible mess!
 
Criticising someone's horse care seems almost akin to accusing someone of child neglect...people go crazy! As per other advice..offer a tactful but honest view if asked!
 
It's many years since I had horses on DIY , and to survive it you must just be nice to everyone and get on with your own horse .
There's a huge range of ways to care for horses and ways to work them or not and although I would find it impossible to ignore a horse about to founder it sounds like there are staff on the yard to keep an eye .
 
I agree with above advice, i would not be inclined to offer unasked for advice, but i would be tactfully honest if asked what i think. If you are friendly with the other liveries there are ways of supporting the YO and staff without commenting on any specific issue or criticising an individual, for example by mentioning in conversation how lucky you feel to have the advice of such knowledgable people available to you, & how much you have learnt from them whilst keeping your horse there etc etc.
 
Leave well alone. I suspected a proper welfare issue I would mention it to YO or YM! But a good one should know these thinks already. ( you would hope) but I would NOT get involved.
 
My only involvement with yards so far has been through sharing and helping a friend who keeps her horse on a small livery yard. Owner has 4 horse's and then friend's horse plus one other on livery : so 6 horse's in total. So a very small place but the politics there have been horrendous. I don't think I expressed any of my thoughts about how she looks after her horse's but did express concern at times as to their health. ( didn't realise that inquiring about horse's condition would be seen as criticism..:rolleyes:)
I'm very protective of mr Asbo Cob and finding him tied up in the shelter with mouldy hay when I turned up unannounced tends to erode ones politeness! as does catching her zapping him with the electrical tape deliberately to teach him manners.:mad: Anyhow we've fallen out it seems but she won't say anything to my face and there is a bit of an atmosphere, to put it mildly:o
I'm hoping my next experience with yards will be better. Please tell me it will be better.. Please :o
 
I agree about keeping out of it.

But what I will say, is that the YO's have a duty of care. And if the welfare of any animal on their yard is in question then they should step in and take action.
 
Personally, I prefer to stay out of it. I have seen other people on my yard get involved and it never ends well for them - usually resulting in a huge row and people not speaking to eachother for weeks and making a horrible atmopshere on the yard. I would like to say something sometimes as there are a few things that have concerned me with some horses but it is just not worth the hassle and I leave it to the yard manager to sort out.

If there is something the is of serious concern maybe you could have a quiet word with the yard manager and ask that he/she intervenes - obviously ask that your name is kept out of it.
 
horserider said:
My OH was looking around a livery yard in Denmark recently. It was very impressive as they have some very sensible laws regarding horse care. When OH asked if they had DIY liveries, she said, oh no, we like the horses to be looked after properly. :D
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Just to pick up on this -

I used to keep chestnut mare on part livery when I first had her and although the yard had a good reputation, they failed to look after her properly on many levels. From simple things like catching her, right through to calling the Vet when she had a bad accident.

Imagine turning up at the yard and finding your horse covered in wounds and bleeding from it's mouth, being told by the YO that the Vet wasn't needed and then the staff & YO close ranks when I asked what happened (hey, horses do have accidents and I was not aggressive or cross, I just wanted to know so that I could tell the Vet, who of course I did call).

So I moved her to a DIY yard and I will never have a horse on part/full/assisted livery again.

All I'm saying is, just because you are paying a lot of money for care by people with the right qualifications, does not mean that you will get it.

amymay said:
I agree about keeping out of it.

But what I will say, is that the YO's have a duty of care. And if the welfare of any animal on their yard is in question then they should step in and take action.
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This.
 
The more people go round touting advice unwanted, the less seriously that advice is taken each time I think (depending how good the advice is!). It is a very useful skill to be able to pick your battles!

I agree it is up to a YO if there is anything really wrong, liveries dont get paid to get into disputes...
 
Well.....it seems sound advice except in some circumstances!! That yo zapping the horse with the electric fence warranted some strong words!! So it seems the quality of the yard really depends on the yard owner/manager. A good manager will ensure all horses are cared for at least adequately and a bad one....well move on asap!! And how you say something is often more effective than what you say!! Thank goodness I have my own land!!
 
luckyoldme said:
Like others have said keep out of it.
generally people who rug up think those who don t are guilty of neglect. Those who don t rug up think that those who do over rug.
If people hate you they hate your horse, if your horse is an unsociable ****** they hate you.
If you leave your horse out 24/7 you are guilty of the worst type of neglect , and your horse is allways either overweight or underweight...an under weight horse can then become and overweight horse without ever being the correct weight inbetween.
Add this to the fashion bloopers and too much/ too little tack issues and it all becomes a bitchy horrible mess!
Click to expand...


This ^^ (even if it did make my head hurt!)
 
Faracat said:
Just to pick up on this -

I used to keep chestnut mare on part livery when I first had her and although the yard had a good reputation, they failed to look after her properly on many levels. From simple things like catching her, right through to calling the Vet when she had a bad accident.

Imagine turning up at the yard and finding your horse covered in wounds and bleeding from it's mouth, being told by the YO that the Vet wasn't needed and then the staff & YO close ranks when I asked what happened (hey, horses do have accidents and I was not aggressive or cross, I just wanted to know so that I could tell the Vet, who of course I did call).

So I moved her to a DIY yard and I will never have a horse on part/full/assisted livery again.

All I'm saying is, just because you are paying a lot of money for care by people with the right qualifications, does not mean that you will get it.



This.
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^^^^^ this
 
luckyoldme said:
Like others have said keep out of it.
generally people who rug up think those who don t are guilty of neglect. Those who don t rug up think that those who do over rug.
If people hate you they hate your horse, if your horse is an unsociable ****** they hate you.
If you leave your horse out 24/7 you are guilty of the worst type of neglect , and your horse is allways either overweight or underweight...an under weight horse can then become and overweight horse without ever being the correct weight inbetween.
Add this to the fashion bloopers and too much/ too little tack issues and it all becomes a bitchy horrible mess!
Click to expand...

Good points.
 
Can't better the advise already given but thought I would chirp in and say DIY Livery yards are a nightmare (apparently walking round being polite and chatty to everyone means I 'walk round like I own the ********ing place!!!' :confused:

I'm so glad I'm on a private yard with myself, YO and her couple of sharers ;)
 
I'd keep out - stay friendly & civil, but don't get involved in yard politics & focus on enjoying your own horse ... the easiest way to enjoy/survive being on a livery yard :)
 
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