On full livery and suddenly told my horse has to drink from automatic water feeder not bucket

I’m another who hates automatic drinkers- I like to know how much my horse is drinking, because that amount changing can indicate an issue.

I was on a DIY yard where they were installed and buckets not to be used under any circumstances. So when asked by vets about their horses drinking habits as part of a diagnosis, an owner was unable to answer and even after asking to be allowed to use buckets temporarily was refused- basically due to water costs/wastage.

Horses who didn’t like them were to be left without water until they used them out of desperation. One horse would drink and run back from his every time. My boy is a big drinker and would get bored waiting for it to refill.

To cut costs, the units fitted were cheap with no bung in the bottom, and you weren’t allowed to turn them off, so to properly empty and clean you had to tie the mechanism up, scoop out then sponge out the remaining water. Then winter hit, they repeatedly froze and the cheap plastic mechanisms broke leading to several flooded stables. YO’s refused to compensate anyone for bedding lost and refused to allow anyone to stop using them.

I would not be happy with being made to use them, as I wasn’t then and would be looking to leave ASAP if the YO refuses to let you use buckets and/or communicate that to staff.
 
Thank goodness I take care of mine myself, my super, super sensitive boy has to have a very fresh, cool bucket of water held for him to sip from several times each day. I'm sure he wouldn't exactly kill himself to avoid a bucket of water that wasn't to his standard but I expect my vet bill would show his contempt. My others would avoid the bucket of fresh water and drink from a muddy puddle in the hope there was some spare grass at the bottom. Horses are weird and we need to understand how to give them the best standard of care that suits their needs.

If it feels wrong it probably is wrong. Hopefully you find something that gives you much better value for money.
 
Gingerwitch said:
Sorry but regardless of how much I pay and how many buckets of water were put in, there is no way I would leave any animal, especially my own horse in a stable with poo in the water drinker day after day. I would have raised it on the day and cleaned it myself.
The only thing being spited here is the animal regardless of if it will drink from the waterer, the smell must be horrid.
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no the horse is all good. And the smell is not horrid. Feel free to ask I would have informed you which way it was.
He would never be left with it like that which is why I’m up there every day checking and sorting it out when it should have been done by those he’s left in care of.
 
Horses_Rule said:
Really sorry that’s the case! I agree it’s not right they are leaving your horse without clean water. Do you have a contract? Usually in the contract of full livery it states that your horse should be provided with fresh clean water at all times? You could go down that road or just talk with your feet. If your YO has that attitude then perhaps the latter is the only option. If there’s somewhere you could move your horse to great or perhaps it’s time to start looking? I feel for you as there’s nothing worse than worrying about your horse when you’re not there, full livery then turns into very expensive DIY and it is really stressful
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Thanks. Will have a look at the contract. Do I need to give the months notice if they haven’t adhered to this? I don’t know how difficult it could have been for the young girl mucking out everyday to check both water feeder and bucket and realise daily it’s not right. Have photo evidence on phone of how I’ve found when gone up on phone.
 
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I suspect they begrudge the money spent on water or are too lazy to clean it. I don't think horses always get the water they need from automatic drinkers. Mine had a bucket as she couldn't understand drinkers and I had similar issues to you though on one yard. Just find somewhere else, water is the one thing I won't compromise on.
 
Bonnie Allie said:
If you dont it like it, move. Don’t whine,or get cross because you are not treated as special. Just move.


if your horse really can’t understand a drinker, and they won’t do buckets then your basic needs have not been met. move. But don’t expect them to change their processes to suit you without charging an additional fee.
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Not whining or expecting any special treatment..
Your missing the point..
When I viewed I informed he is a water bucket user. That wasn’t an issue when viewing. So for one I should not have got the brunt of someone’s bad mood today and also the rule book shouldn’t suddenly change. It’s not wanting special treatment but not disrespecting someone in public like that out of the blue and also going back on what was said when viewing regarding his water needs. There were no stipulations in only water feeder use then.
They have poor communication between the staff generally and this is the result. On top of failing to check the automatic water feeder or keep on top of their very young not too bothered staff to. Is negligence. With not everyone being on the same page or staffs work being checked is poor management.

Will be leaving and moving him. But needed to hear others experiences and views on the matter of the rules changing or them going back on things or just not even ever checking their own water feeders and to vent.
There is the other matter of having to give notice and having to pay for a service that’s not up to standard for the horse that I believed was going to be catered to and leaving early while paying for the notice period. Money doesn’t grow on tree’s and I need to know where I stand on that matter also.
 
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Jules111 said:
Thank goodness I take care of mine myself, my super, super sensitive boy has to have a very fresh, cool bucket of water held for him to sip from several times each day. I'm sure he wouldn't exactly kill himself to avoid a bucket of water that wasn't to his standard but I expect my vet bill would show his contempt. My others would avoid the bucket of fresh water and drink from a muddy puddle in the hope there was some spare grass at the bottom. Horses are weird and we need to understand how to give them the best standard of care that suits their needs.

If it feels wrong it probably is wrong. Hopefully you find something that gives you much better value for money.
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The goal is to move him to DIY when my job allows to move closer to him. Putting the wheels in motion currently. For now will move him to a different yard. It hurts me to have to pay someone else to do it. Not the hard earned money but the extra bonding time I miss out on him by doing it myself. Hoping others will look after him as much as we would. At end of day no one will as much as us. But a little effort to show care would be appreciated. One young girl in charge of his specific barn he’s in made a comment she didn’t realise he was a boy (gelding) ?‍♀️. I was speechless. It’s never about the money. It’s just seeing people actually care and he feels cared for. That I feel he’s cared for. If I put my trust and or money into thinking he is going to be. And he isn’t exactly. It’s disappointing.
I hope so too. Will be moving with him soon.
 
I keep mine at home, but the past 2 years mum has been ill and there have been times I have shipped my horse out to give me some breathing space.

The yard I use belongs to a friend, but the service given is the same for all liveries. Sometimes I have been an infrequent visitor, but whenever I have gone there I have been delighted with the exceptional level of care. Of course, mistakes happen, but on the (rare) occasion something has gone wrong, they have let me know immediately - without me having to 'find out' myself.

The yard is not cheap and, although they do have some student labour, the students are well supervised.

Yards like this do exist. Not cheap but they do exist. I would remove my horse from your yard. Each time you go down you should feel blessed that the horse is being looked after so well. It should feel collaborative. They should be as delighted in your progress as you are.
 
Red-1 said:
Yards like this do exist. Not cheap but they do exist. I would remove my horse from your yard. Each time you go down you should feel blessed that the horse is being looked after so well. It should feel collaborative. They should be as delighted in your progress as you are.
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So agree with this. One yard I worked on the horses all had 2 buckets at all times. These were cleaned and refilled with fresh water every morning. At both lunch and early evening the buckets were topped up and cleaned if necessary. At late night stables they were topped up. I'd have to move my horse from a yard like yours that doesn't care.
 
I would look elsewhere. It is not as easy as it sounds though as I am sure you looked around before you moved to this yard and chose it as the best / most convenient one for you. Finding the right mix of services that suit your horse is not an easy thing (all the ideal yards seem to be in other counties!).
I don't support automatic drinkers as I like to know how much my horse drinks, and the YMs know too and top the bucket up as and when needed. The water bucket is lifted off the ground in one of those triangular shaped buckets, which to me is far better than one on the ground where shavings and hay can get into it. My horse is fussy about her water as she won't drink from it if it has any shavings / hay in it at all.
 
When you viewed the yard who showed you around and detailed the faciilities & services and agreed that your horse could have a water bucket? Have you approached this person, quietly and discussed that you are not happy with the new situation, which I gather was communicated to you by a groom? It is all very well saying that the yard communication is not good but you also have to communicate your feelings to the person in charge. they may not even know that he groom has said this and if you do not tell them they do not even have a chance to rectify it and also to inform the staff that their behaviour is not acceptable. If however, your requirements as agreed on viewing, cannot be offered any more, then ask them if that being the case, they will waive any notice period should you leave.
 
Riding2020 said:
To be honest this place has wound me up a few times without saying anything on the basis the staff aren’t overly friendly. You can walk past staff say hi and get ignored or a rude dismissing final acceptance of your there. I pay a lot to be here. My horse is funny about automatic water feeders. Even the people I bought him off who ran a full livery yard did water buckets for him. I do also since having him. I’m also glad I do, as there’s been horse crap in his automatic water feeder since the first week. Which has never been cleaned out. His water bucket is repeatedly old water with crap in it and a few inches full. I come today to fill it and get shouted at from a distance in front of other people that he’s not to have a bucket. It’s old fashioned. It doesn’t work like that here. He has to learn. Bearing in mind I made it clear when viewing his little quirks.
tbh I think I got the brunt of someone’s bad mood perhaps and I was around to let off steam on. We all have days like that. BUT I’m paying through the nose here. He’s a really well behaved horse. I don’t expect this after also having to suck up the fact the staff are generally dismissive and rude. I’ve lived and helped run in the past a DIY yard and I’m not demanding if anything a bit meek compared to people that just pay for lesser livery at other places. I know for certain when I do move I’ll leave early and would have left over weeks of paid livery given for nothing.
Why is it these people sometimes forget the paying customer in these situations. Sorry had to vent!
is this normal that apparently in 2020 a horse shouldn’t be so old fashioned to prefer a fresh bucket of water a day??!
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I used to hate them, but since we only have one yard tap and its a long way to carry water to furthest stable, I did invest in drinkers, to make my life easier, and all the horses are now used to them. The only one who had an issue was my boy, as he never seen or heard one fill, I put apple juice in it and in time he got used to it and now is not bothered. No excuse to rudeness though, and if they are worried too much water being wasted, then insist on small buckets. ( If the horses are not drinking much)
 
Majority of full livery yards will only use automatic drinkers. Majority of them won’t allow buckets. At my previous year your only allowed buckets if you where DIY . I would move yards if you’re not happy
 
Ish2020 said:
Majority of full livery yards will only use automatic drinkers. Majority of them won’t allow buckets. At my previous year your only allowed buckets if you where DIY . I would move yards if you’re not happy
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The yard is a mix of full livery, a lot of DIY and riding school. Have seen all different types of horse care in place. I think someone just felt like letting off steam and being a moody cow throwing their weight around to be honest and I got the brunt of it out of the blue. That’s why it doesn’t make sense as there’s all different ways done on the yard from what I can see.
I won’t stand for rudeness nor more importantly my horses needs not catered to by a team that aren’t all communicating it seems and making sure my horse has the basic requirement of water when I’m not there to always check. Have messaged I won’t stand for either and will leave soon.
 
Riding2020 said:
The yard is a mix of full livery, a lot of DIY and riding school. Have seen all different types of horse care in place. I think someone just felt like letting off steam and being a moody cow throwing their weight around to be honest and I got the brunt of it out of the blue. That’s why it doesn’t make sense as there’s all different ways done on the yard from what I can see.
I won’t stand for rudeness nor more importantly my horses needs not catered to by a team that aren’t all communicating it seems and making sure my horse has the basic requirement of water when I’m not there to always check. Have messaged I won’t stand for either and will leave soon.
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My previous yard was like that. If the yard owner was in a mood you would literally be called every name under the sun . For no apparent reason.
 
We have auto drinkers, a god send for me after knackering my back on DIY with buckets only. He also is a thug and tips buckets up if not in a tyre so it works for us both. He uses it fine and they get cleaned regularly by the yard staff. I’ve never once had cause for concern about it. But our yard allow buckets too if needed - some horses have ‘dunk’ buckets for hay or apple bobbing to encourage more water intake.
If you can’t trust them to do the basics, move.
 
As you plan on going DIY anyway perhaps you and your horse would be happier at a private yard with a spare stable than at a commercial yard with inflexible regimes? Horses are quirky individuals and catering for a water bucket preference shouldn’t be too much to ask. A card in your local tack shop/feed merchant might lead to a nice little yard with friendly people who help each other out when needed.
 
Sounds like you are having a bad time on that yard - hope that you find a new place soon. If you are a BHS member and a contract, they can advise on best route out of it with least financial loss.

Not all full livery are like that - where my boy is he is treated as one of their own and very well looked after indeed. i don't feel I miss out on bonding time having someone look after his daily needs - I still see him every day, I just do the fun stuff like grooming and riding. Hope you find somewhere that works for you and your boy.
 
sport horse said:
If however, your requirements as agreed on viewing, cannot be offered any more, then ask them if that being the case, they will waive any notice period should you leave.
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OTOH provided you have somewhere to go point out the errors, ask for improvement as they are not providing the service required and if they refuse let them sack you. If you time it right it could avoid you giving notice and having to pay for a notice period.
 
I too won't have automatic waterers. I just can't see how much they have drunk. To avoid carrying buckets of water I have taps in each stable with a drain underneath and a block surround to keep the bucket upright. Changing water is no problem, just tip the bucket and turn the tap on or just turn it on to top up. Only need to lift the bucket out if you want to clean it. Saves lots of time, labour, no heavy lifting and the buckets can be filling whilst you are cleaning the stable or doing other jobs.
 
Absolutely ridiculous. Its your horse. You're paying for a service and if that means you want a bucket full of fresh water then you should get it. I'd have gone straight to the owner and complained about it and also about the person who shouted at you, how rude. To be honest though, Id move elsewhere if the staff are like that. If they're not pleasant around people, they're not going to be very pleasant to the horses either.
 
This thread reminds me of a time when a friend of mine ended up leaving our nice yard because they had installed drinkers and she didn't want to use them for all the good reasons that have already been mentioned, especially not being able to monitor what the horse is drinking. What was worse that this was a DIY yard and she just couldn't understand why, if it was her doing all the work, she couldn't have the choice.
Just be aware though, when fitting them, to take the height into account. All the stables had had them fitted but were all too high for my 13hh ponies! Ok for the 16hh horses ...
 
MagicMelon said:
Absolutely ridiculous. Its your horse. You're paying for a service and if that means you want a bucket full of fresh water then you should get it. I'd have gone straight to the owner and complained about it and also about the person who shouted at you, how rude. To be honest though, Id move elsewhere if the staff are like that. If they're not pleasant around people, they're not going to be very pleasant to the horses either.
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well I’ve seen first hand shouting at horses and some yanking around a lot.
I don’t think I’ve seen anyone go to stroke my boy or another out of love or positivity. Or just acknowledge him if at all really.
everyone’s busy yes, not everyone has time to make some fuss no. But when the young groom in charge of his barn said “oh didn’t realise he was a boy” (gelding) sums it up really. She supposedly cares for him daily?
that’s the close attentive care that’s being given

we’re 100% moving, and very soon!
 
Ish2020 said:
My previous yard was like that. If the yard owner was in a mood you would literally be called every name under the sun . For no apparent reason.
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Sounds like my old YO who died recently. He’d scream and shout at anyone and everyone even if you’d been the one to put something right. Batshit, frankly.
 
It always amazes me that people who work with horses don't seem to like them much.
I used to work on a lot of yards, and we were always fond of our horses, even the naughty/crazy ones. :D We (the yard staff) used to buy our charges little treats, and spend time smooching them. In fact, we were often asked to catch horses for their owners...they would come to us.

Just leave politely having paid your dues, OP - in a yard like that nothing you say will make any difference.
 
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