Livery Yard - References?????

Harrie123

Harrie123

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Have you ever been asked for a reference buy the YO when moving to a new yard? Is this common practice? Is it a good idea?

The reason I ask is that a few people I know of go from yard to yard causing trouble (I think they may have a screw loose)
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and the YO doesn't realise for a few months then they get kicked off the yard, then the whole thing starts over somewhere else. Also mud sticks and sometimes the yard gets tarred with a bad reputation
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. So, I was thinking if the YO's asked for references for these people when they came to the yard it may limit the chance of it happening again and again.

So I just wondered if any one else has ever had to give a reference and if you would mind doing it!!!
 
I think that sounds like a perfectly respectable idea.
But just take into consideration that new horse owners will not be bale to get a reference if they have never been at a yard before!
 
having just lost a livery who did a bunk owing over £500 I think its a great idea. If you are renting out a property you normally take references so why not do it with horses.
 
I'm not sure that its a good idea - its perfectly possible to fall out with a YO over something trivial and end up deciding to move - now if YO felt like it they could say all sorts about you and stop you being able to find a place elsewhere. I've seen so many liveries leave yards and very rarely is there no bad feeling between parties IME.

Fair enough if some YOs decide to do it, or check up on new arrivals, but I'd hate to think what it would be like trying to move yards if it were common practise.
 
It seems like a good idea, but not sure how practical it would be. As someone else said, liveries and YOs often have fallings out over trivial things and that would make getting a reference difficult. But having seen some of the complete fruit loops that have been through our yard, I wouldn't blame a YO wanting to get some info. My YO has now given up the livery side of her business purely because of the weird and not so wonderful liveries that have come and gone.
 
seems to me if i was a yard owner and dreaded livery owner was moving and new yard owner rang me up for reference i,d be very inclined to give a glowing one lol , because the alternative is that i,d end up stuck with said person
just glad i never have to be in that position , because my morals would mean telling the truth
 
Also, most people wouldnt want to tip off current YO (if they werent leaving on good terms) and hence would be reluctant to give out details.

Most YOs just ask for a week/month rent as a deposit and the rent to be paid up front. That way you have 2 weeks notice that they arent paying so can take appropriate action.
 
As a YO, i pretty much always do some discrete digging! i also have a list of people to avoid that i have heard about from other YO's etc, I dont tend to ask for references though, i go with my gut feeling when people look around, if i dont think they will fit in - i dont let them on! (it only takes one as we all know to ruin it all!)
i did actually have another yard call me a couple of months back to ask me about one of my liveries who was due to move to hers, she wanted to check they had told me they were leaving, how they looked after the horses etc and if they paid on time. I told her the truth, its had been summer and they had turned them out and i had barely seen them, they had finally settled the bill before leaving etc. now if i had been asked if they were 'great liveries' my answer may have been different, but i answered the questions asked truthfully
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