Livery yard woes

[Ample Prosecco]

Just when things seemed settled!

We have restricrted winter turnout. They are allowed out if they are generally settled but if they are out too long both run up and down the fence line which is trashing the field. I have been told if I don't stop them doing that by making sure they are not out longer than they can tolerate or being around all the time so I can bring them in immediately then they need to stay in.

My YO has always offered full/assisted/DIY livery and I use all 3 flexibly.

Long story but I have been fighting to save my business when 2 of my longest term employees set up on their own and tried to take my clients. They failed but have walked off and I am doing 3 people's work. I so have been asking for more help which worked ok. I'd turn out in the morning and YO would bring in a couple of hours later. But my YO has just announced with no notice that she is not offering services anymore. I CANNOT go to the yard 3 times a day and they can't stay out all day. So they are just getting 30 mins out while I muck out and are in the rest of the time. Which is awful but what can I do? They are ridden 6 times a week weather permitting.

She says this is temporary and personal but I have no way of knowing how long. She is not discussing it!

Any bright ideas? Do freelance grooms exist who do such a limited number of hours? Move them? But how in lock down and in the middle of winter. Wait and see - but how long for?

Arggggh!

 

[Equi]

Are you allowed hay in the fields?

 

[Red-1]

If she has cut your services, she may have cut others' too. So, it may be well worth a freelance coming to the yard to pick up everyone's jobs.

Yes a freelance could do the bringing in if it is just yours, but horse for horse it is likely to be more expensive. I would, however, not worry about half an hour turnout a day as long as they are also ridden 6 times a week, as a temporary measure.

 

[Ample Prosecco]

Equi: Yes and mine are always given full fresh nets when they go out. Does not stop them pacing unless it is a really nice warm sunny day. They hate rain, mud and wind!

 

[cauda equina]

Looking at it from the YO's point of view - if it's personal I don't blame her for not wanting to discuss it!

Are your horses easy to bring in? If so might one of the other liveries do it for you?
Or a horsey student/retired type of person - someone confident around horses who might like some extra cash, but not as skilled/expensive as a freelance groom?

 

[Ample Prosecco]

I'm not blaming her at all, I only mentioned that because it means I have no way of knowing how long this might go on for. 6 weeks or 6 months! She has every right to do what she needs to do and keep it private.

 

[McFluff]

Or, if finances allow, getting a freelancer to do the morning muck out and turn out would be more viable for them, and you then pop up to bring in. Which might be easier for you given the extra work you’re having to do just now.
And sorry to hear that your ex-employees have been such d***s.

 

[tristar]

hope you find a way through this, sounds like you have had a tough time

if its same for all on the yard perhaps you could help each other out?

 

[milliepops]

Or, if finances allow, getting a freelancer to do the morning muck out and turn out would be more viable for them, and you then pop up to bring in. Which might be easier for you given the extra work you’re having to do just now.

this might be a better way round if you can get out in the daytime.

Though I also wouldn't be too concerned about a short turnout time temporarily if the horses are settled and exercised, they are the best judge of what they can make do with while everything is in turmoil. I know TO is the holy grail on here but if everything else in their management is generally OK, and they are not complete livewires or medically challenged, they often cope reasonably well if it's limited.

 

[Tiddlypom]

I was on a yard where turnout was year round, which was rare for the area, but only for 1 hr/day in winter and 1.5hrs/day in summer.

The horses were fine and settled on this, and they were all in daily work. It’s not good for older or creaky horses, but for younger working horses, like yours, it’s fine.

 

[Winters100]

Oh poor you - I'm so sorry that you are having such a rotten time.

As a short term measure there was a thread here where people were posting that they were willing to help out if others needed it. Maybe someone is near you and could pop in a couple of days a week to bring them in, then if you can leave them out for longer at weekends they would only be 3 days with 30 mins turnout. I understand how you feel about such short time, and I would feel the same, but you can only do your best and if they are ridden 6 days a week then they will manage. If not could you get together with one of the other owners and agree to share tasks, maybe you can turn out for them and they will pop up later and bring yours in?

Really though if none of that works out then don't beat yourself up, because they are getting at least some turnout, and we all have times when we have to just do our best.

Good luck with everything, and chin up!

 

[Xmasha]

sorry to hear about your ex employees. There is a FB site dedicated to cheshire freelance grooms, you will definitely find someone on there.

McFluffs idea is great, have someone do the morning work, that would make it more appealing to a freelancer.

 

[Austen123]

As you know, my horse hates turnout in winter. she can only tolerate an hour or so.. maybe a few hours on still sunny days. i think 30 mins or so is fine for now. On weekends, could they have a bit longer out while you do other jobs too?

 

[Roxylola]

Honestly if they're out 30 minutes every day they're getting more than we have. They're getting worked if you're otherwise happy and this is temporary (even without a definite time frame) I think they'll be fine

 

[Frumpoon]

Nightmare!!

What is your area like for yards?

I personally couldn't deal with the stress and would have to move asap but you might be more resilient than I am

 

[Jasper151]

It would definitely be worth enquiring to local freelancers. When I was doing a lot of freelance work, there were sometimes days that I would have a gap between doing a yard first thing and then my lunchtime clients so for me picking up a 'gap filler' would always be welcomed. Or as the suggestions above, switch so the freelancer is doing the muck out.

There are also a lot of uni students/people furloughed etc at the moment who may be up for helping you out - just make sure they get insured (which isn't expensive if there is no riding).

 

[CanteringCarrot]

Can another livery help? In a temporary situation such as this, when I have the time (and I/many might with Covid) I have no problem helping out another livery. Or maybe others would like a freelancer too? I'd chat with a few and see.

It's frustrating, and probably for the YO too. She simply might not be able to predict when her personal situation will be resolved. I don't blame her for not discussing it either.

If the freelancer or other livery assistance is a no go then I would just see how the horses do. I really advocate for turnout, but if it were temporary and my horse were in work everyday, it might be alright for a bit.

 

[ihatework]

I wouldn’t make any hasty decisions to move just yet. It’s wet and manky, not uncommon to have restricted turnout, and if yours are pacing they want in anyway. Not ideal but it’s not that far away until better weather.

I’d ask fellow liveries if anyone fancies helping out for cash / swapping favours or if there are others that would chip in for a freelancer if they have had YO services withdrawn too

 

[Leandy]

If you would prefer to get a freelancer to help you then I would look for one and go from there. If the yard owner has generally withdrawn services maybe you can club together with other liveries to make the job more worth their while. In the meantime though, your horses are exercised 6 days a week and are getting a leg stretch also whilst you muck out. They will be absolutely fine on this on a temporary basis whilst the weather and ground are horrible anyway.

 

[Grassy]

Do you have a yard WhatsApp group? Could you post on there & see if anyone wants to swap help?

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

Really the problem is the YO's to solve, she is the one who offered services and can no longer provide them. She is the one who should be paying the freelancer to provide cover, especially as she is the one who has decreed that the horses must come in to preserve her land.
I would NOT be impressed and would, if not actively looking, be keeping my eyes open for an alternative yard.

 

[Annagain]

Are other liveries in the same boat? Could you get a rota together for popping up after a few hours to get them in so you only have to do it once or twice a week or could they turn them out and you pop up a bit later to get them in? It would mean an interruption in your working day but if you could start early you might find you get lots done before you would even have started before.

Sharing a freelancer with others who are in the same position might also work.

 

[Ample Prosecco]

Thanks everyone. I have asked at the yard and one of the liveries is happy to help in the short term as she is furloughed. Sorted I think!! Phew. x

 

[holeymoley]

I think a freelancer could be the answer. I currently have taken up some freelance work for a friend as I am furloughed. It means that she isn't visiting the yard 3 times a day and it gives me extra 'pocket money' too. In terms of covid- I live in the same area and I wear overalls when I get out the car and take them off when I leave. I wear gloves too and have sanitiser. It could be ideal if there are others too that require the extra help perhaps one part of the day.

I do share your pain though, currently mine has 2 hours turnout. Hacking routes have just been restricted to 1 route only, and the arena is not very nice to ride in so feeling very meh at the moment.

 

[ester]

Also don't think you have to have lots of jobs for a freelancer to do, on livery we always had one just to bring in a few horses and at home we only have the 2 and she will come to just bring in if that is all that needs doing.

 

[Polos Mum]

You will find a freelancer to come in to just do a bit - if it's £10 a day to turn out (or bring in which every suits your work) is that feasible or can you speak to others on the yard and find someone who also needs help and 'swap' time with each other?

Presumably the YO will be flexible with people helping each other out and / or freelancers on site given she can't do the work for you anyway.

 

[oldie48]

Pleased that you have it sorted but actually I think your horses would have been fine short term. So many paddocks are under water round here that lots of horses are having to spend longer in a stable than anyone would like but generally as long as they have something to eat and something to look at for mental stimulation they cope. We have sun today and it's warm!

 

[Ample Prosecco]

It's reassuring that so many think that restricted turnout is ok. Riding is 6 times a week 'weather permitting' but the weather hasn't been very permitting recently!! And lockdown means no getting out and about so I do feel guilty that they are bored, understimulated, underexercised. But I can only do what I can do.

On a related note..... Indoor woes! We are extremely lucky and have an indoor but as you can imagine it is very heavily used. Some people book then don't use their time. So here's the question. If someone has it booked for an hour and is not there then would you nab their spot? I was waiting to ride and 20 minutes after the person's 'slot' started I went in. They had not even arrived on the yard at that point. Then she arrived on the yard and was a bit miffed I was using her time. But she wasn't there! It was amicably resolved in the end - I offered to leave immedately and she could have the rest of her time. Or I could finish off and she could go in after me for longer. Which she did. But was I out of order? How do other people work it? So many people book and don't show up, which is quite annoying.

 

[ihatework]

It's reassuring that so many think that restricted turnout is ok. Riding is 6 times a week 'weather permitting' but the weather hasn't been very permitting recently!! And lockdown means no getting out and about so I do feel guilty that they are bored, understimulated, underexercised. But I can only do what I can do.

On a related note..... Indoor woes! We are extremely lucky and have an indoor but as you can imagine it is very heavily used. Some people book then don't use their time. So here's the question. If someone has it booked for an hour and is not there then would you nab their spot? I was waiting to ride and 20 minutes after the person's 'slot' started I went in. They had not even arrived on the yard at that point. Then she arrived on the yard and was a bit miffed I was using her time. But she wasn't there! It was amicably resolved in the end - I offered to leave immedately and she could have the rest of her time. Or I could finish off and she could go in after me for longer. Which she did. But was I out of order? How do other people work it? So many people book and don't show up, which is quite annoying.

That would irritate the BEJESUS out of me and I’d be expecting a YO to step in and manage that kind of thing.

If I ever had a yard, which I won’t because I’d prob end up telling liveries to feck off, it would be shared use in peak times only, and a limit of 1h/horse/week private booking in non-peak times.

But in short - I would without a doubt ride in a booked slot if the rude eejits hadn’t rocked up

 

[Fransurrey]

It's reassuring that so many think that restricted turnout is ok. Riding is 6 times a week 'weather permitting' but the weather hasn't been very permitting recently!! And lockdown means no getting out and about so I do feel guilty that they are bored, understimulated, underexercised. But I can only do what I can do.

On a related note..... Indoor woes! We are extremely lucky and have an indoor but as you can imagine it is very heavily used. Some people book then don't use their time. So here's the question. If someone has it booked for an hour and is not there then would you nab their spot? I was waiting to ride and 20 minutes after the person's 'slot' started I went in. They had not even arrived on the yard at that point. Then she arrived on the yard and was a bit miffed I was using her time. But she wasn't there! It was amicably resolved in the end - I offered to leave immedately and she could have the rest of her time. Or I could finish off and she could go in after me for longer. Which she did. But was I out of order? How do other people work it? So many people book and don't show up, which is quite annoying.

I've done what you've done before and just offered to leave if they turn up. We have to book equipment at work and if the person is 15 minutes late, then they forfeit their booking, as it has a knock on effect.