Livery yard stresses *sigh*

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Kittykins

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On Saturday we brought the new mare to the new yard. They're really lovely and the facilities are great, but they feed hay first thing in the morning. The last few days I've turned up in the early afternoon and she'd already run out which worried me enough, but yesterday I turned up at 9.30am and she was just finishing off the last few strands (they just dump the hay on the floor). As they go out at about 5.30pm, this means that she's spending 8 hours standing around with no food going through her.

So I rushed out and bought two small holed haynets, filled them both up, hung one in the stable and asked if they could give her the second at around lunch time. They said 'of course, yeah, no problem'

I turned up at around 2.30 today and it was still sitting outside her stable.

She's also got lots of lumps on her, which I assume are from fly bites but unless I come back in the evening and fly spray her, she doesn't get fly sprayed. And I've now realised that she's going to need over-reach boots on in the field but am not sure they'll put them on her.

She's on part livery; the idea being that I can go to work all day and just turn up in the evening to groom and ride her. I'd much rather do it all myself to be honest, but with a commute to London of over an hour, can't possibly manage it. However, if i feel I can't trust them, I'm going to be worrying about her all day.

So now I'm not really sure what to do. I don't want to kick up too much of a fuss and be labelled a pain in the a**e owner, and they have been lovely and helpful (lending me a saddle until I find one to buy, for example), but nor do I want to be sitting at work all day worrying about her. Help!
 
If you are agreeing for something to be done, it should be done. Eating off of the floor isn't an issue as long as the floor is clean - it can be considered more healthy as its more natural.

Its frustrating, but you need to find out why they aren't doing what you have asked, because if it turns out they can't be bothered then it probably isn't imo such a great yard to be at.

Is there any reason why your horse is being kept in on hay, rather than turned out?
 
Dont see why you should feel a pain in the arse owner for wanting basic things done, if they cant be arsed or dont want to do things they should say so.

Oh yea, my horse eats out of a tub which he pulls the hay out of onto the floor, which is clean, this is as I have asked for as I prefer it that way, more natural.

I am really happy where I have moved to, as they do things right, and anything extra or different you ask for gets done as well.
 
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By part livery, do you mean it in the sense that they do everything except ride and groom? (Just wanted to check as the term 'part livery' means different things to different people).

TBH, I was at a totally awful yard for 2 months; they 'forgot' to feed him, didn't put boots on for turnout, gave (literally) a handful of hay, and needed a 'lie in' at the weekend so horses were often not turned out til about 10.30am!

If you have any niggles, TBH I would rather move to somewhere else where they know how to provide part/full livery. You are paying for a service, they should provide it. The yard I was on previously was INCREDIBLE and was excellently run. They are out there, you just have to find them!

HAving said that, if for e.g. I wanted to give my horse and extra feed at lunch time, I would expect them to charge me for it. I know it's only a haynet but think about it, if they had a yard of 50 horses and everyone wanted the same thing done, hanging up 50 haynets would cost them a member of staff to do for a while.
 
Yeah, by part livery I mean they do everything bar groom and ride. As a result, they do have two full time members of staff on the yard all day, and I've seen them doling hay out to the yard owners competition horses at lunch time before.

I have no problem with her eating hay off the floor other than that it's gone within seconds, hence the small holed net. The hay is included in the price, and I'm not asking for her to have extra, just to have it split into two feeds so that she has a morning net and an afternoon net. I've even offered to fill them for them when I come up in the evening so that they're ready for the next day.

I'll have a chat with the yard owner and see if they manage to remember tomorrow, but having only just arrived and the horse settled, I'm not too keen on trying every yard in the area over the next few months.

Oh, and she's only in in the daytime because there's not enough turnout for her to live out 24/7 :(
 
Do you have a signed livery agreement setting out what they will or won't do for part livery? or do they have a price list giving the things they will do and how much they will charge? If not I would have a chat with them explaining that you would like certain things done and would be happy to pay for it if necessary. If you have an agreement and they are not doingwhat you ask then they are in breach of their agreement.
 
So is she out at night, in during day? if so could you absolutely pack her 2 nets and hang them in her stable before you go at night, then when she is taken in through day she would have those two nets? i know you shouldnt have to but at least it may stop you worrying? best of luck.
 
Just keep asking, one conversation is often forgotten so just keep reminding them! You should ask the YO about the things you particularly want anyway!
 
Is it just me, as for the life of me I cannot understand why some livery yards dont want to accomodate their paying liveries.
Surely the only reason for running one is to generate an income so why would you want to run the risk of losing a customer. I just dont get it.
They are being paid to offer a service, so why is the livery yard business different to any other sought of business. To lose a good paying livery surely would be devastating to their livelihood. I may hasten to add that this is not directed at all livery yards.
And yes I would speak up about it...who wants to go to work worrying all day.
Your request is reasonable and for the benefit of the horse...its a no brainer.
 
finkle said:
Is it just me, as for the life of me I cannot understand why some livery yards dont want to accomodate their paying liveries.
Surely the only reason for running one is to generate an income so why would you want to run the risk of losing a customer. I just dont get it.
They are being paid to offer a service, so why is the livery yard business different to any other sought of business. To lose a good paying livery surely would be devastating to their livelihood. I may hasten to add that this is not directed at all livery yards.
And yes I would speak up about it...who wants to go to work worrying all day.
Your request is reasonable and for the benefit of the horse...its a no brainer.
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100% agree with this! I have been on three nightmare yards in the last couple of years. At all three I was made to feel like they were 'doing me a favour' and then when you say you are going (no matter how politely) you get treated like you have the plague! If I treated my customers like that I would be out of business!
 
Its a dilemma I have faced many times - you request in good faith - you pay for the service - and they have the cheek to take your money knowing that they have not fulfilled their end of the bargain - I wish I had the answer?!
 
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And another point...wheres the pride in the job?

Wouldnt you want to be known for a yard that cares, rather than one that just cant be bothered. You'd have a queue of prospective liveries knocking your door down to keep their horses there. Makes you wonder why people keep horses when there is so much hassle and sadness just finding somewhere for your horse to live happily.

I know someone who paid a substantial amount to have a horse on livery and every time she went up it had no water. I mean, the very basic level of care and no-one could be bothered.

They are no longer there and the livery yard has lost a big chunk of income.
 
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