New person on yard - grrr!

Nudibranch

Nudibranch

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Oh dear. Been on my present yard 3 years (only been on 3 yards in 22 years!) and it was great, just YO and me. Suppose I got used to having the run of the place. Anyway last night went to fetch in the ponies and there was a black cob fenced off in a tiny starvation paddock next to my gate. Said hello, gave him a pat and caught mine.
Went back up to the yard to fetch something and a man gets out of a van and says "excuse me, were you feeding that horse?". I was a bit surprised and said no, he asked if I had gone near it so I explained yes, I have to pass him to get to my horses. He asked again if I'd fed it and I told him again, no, I don't feed people's horses as mine get laminitis. He then said, "oh that's alright then, so does mine" and walked off.

Slightly taken aback, I then saw his daughter, the cob's owner. She was about 16, and proceeded to tell me my shetland had laminitis. Have posted on here about her before and she has serious arthritis in her hocks along with various internal issues which are stopping her gaining weight. The girl said she'd been feeling her front hooves and couldn't find any heat but she was definitely lame!!! I bit my tongue and explained she has arthritis, in her HIND legs, and is on bute and undergoing veterinary treatment, but definitely doesn't have laminitis. The girl then recommended I put her on devils' claw as bute can damage their livers......(this is a pony who isn't even reacting to a whole sachet of bute at the moment). I then explained she is on bute as she will be PTS in autumn and quite honestly the vet isn't worried about long term damage as there is no long term for her. When I mentioned the other pony having Cushings, she asked what it was.

Now maybe I'm just spitting my dummy out for losing my status as sole yard occupant - but this isn't looking like a good start! It really annoyed me having someone messing about with my horses and telling me what to do, especially when they can't even tell front from hind lameness. Oh, and accusing me of feeding their bloomin' pony. Aaargghhh!!!
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Change is always unsettling. I'm sure they didn't mean to upset you and once they get to know you and your horses they will understand that you are dealing with them competently.

You might even find you like them in the long run
 
I've never been a livery so cant comment on how your feeling. Am suprised tho that the YO didnt bother to mention the arrival to you.

Give it a bit of time, maybe it just struck off the wrong way?
 
Its soooooo annoying when new people arrive and proceed to tell you things about your horse that you already knew, or are negative towards you. It doesnt put them in good stead with you and makes you feel like you've got an invader in your previously comfortable space. I would be exactly the same!! Just take some deep breaths, she obviously has no clue! xx Hope it gets sorted!
 
I can sympathize - especially being told by a 16yr old, when I am guessing you have way more knowledge & experience.
Hopefully now they wont bug you, but maybe put up a dos and donts list about your horses. I mean that girl was in a way nice she was concerned, but brave to go up to a strange pony - and especially without permission considering the way her father reacted about you going up to theirs.
 
That would really p**s me off to be honest. I don't blame you for being annoyed. One more comment like that and I think I would have to politely ask them to keep their views to themselves.
 
Maybe the girl is just trying to be helpful whilst letting you know just how much she knows about horses!? I would give them the benefit of the doubt fro now - you don't knwo what their history is, maybe they've had problems with other liveries on other yards, you just don't know. I know it must ahev been irritating (I hate being told waht's what/lectured by someone younger who really hasn't that much of an idea). I would suggest take a deep breath, be nice and give it time to actually figure out what they are like. The 16 year old for all you know could just be trying to impress you.
 
What can I say - Experts - which is defined as 'unknown factor, drip under pressure!'.

All yards have them, they can't help but think they know everything and know nothing but also can't help but tell people how to do things!

Just keep smiling your time will come when they say or do something completely stupid!!
 
i think its outrageously cheeky to presume to tell you that she's been fiddling around with your pony when her dad is so apparently defensive of anyone touching hers ! If you (editorial you) are the kind of person who is happy to scratch and fuss over all horses and assume that other people will do the same to yours that's one thing, but to question complete strangers about touching your horse and then to admit that you've been feeling their pony's feet is downright cheeky !

I know it was her dad who spoke to you about the cob and not her, but you'd think if he was that funny about touching other people's horses, he'd have told her to leave yours alone.

Well, there's nowt so queer as folk, as they say Oop North. Hopefully things will be better once she settles in a bit and stops trying to be Yard Expert On Everything.
 
Yeah, I'm sort of hoping they slip up somewhere along the line and get a bit of egg on their faces. (Childish of me I know...)

YO thought the dad was a "funny bugger" so who knows, maybe they won't last long. I'm just hoping he hasn't given them a key to the tack room as I can just see all my stuff getting a good rifling through - that will be the final straw!
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oh my goodness, how annoying. Definately would rub me up the wrong way as well.

Sorry that your shetland is going to be PTS, sounds like the right decision though
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