Other livery’s saying you should do your horse Christmas Day , Boxing Day and Christmas Eve ?

[Mary3050]

Hi guys,

I just wondered what your opinions are as I was unsure what to think after a convo with a friend .

My friend keeps her competition horse on a schooling livery/production yard all year around. There are 7 other owners who have the horse there all year around and approximately between 4 and 6 that come for a few months schooling at any time. Only 3 of the of the all year round owners come up regularly ( more than once a week ). However my friend got a message from one of the other regular full time owners. That said can we sort who’s doing the horses which days over Christmas ( Christmas Eve, Boxing Day , Christmas Day ) as I think it’s only fair the YO gets a Christmas too. However my friend usually goes away each year at Christmas to be with family ( Covid depending this year ). When she got to the yard today she has found this message was only sent to her and non of the other horse owners who have horse all year around.

She pays a lot of money to keep her horse where they are stabled. Last Christmas when family came to them my friend asked if YO wanted any help any of the Christmas days they said they would be fine but asked if she mind that she didn’t muck out Christmas Day . Which friend was happy with. I have heard of full livery yards not doing horse on Christmas but this is in the contract . Where as there isn’t it’s just another owner trying to be a little controlling.

My friend is a little annoyed that it was only her who is being asked to not only do her own horse for 3 days but to help with the other 11+ horse. She thinking of just saying that she will be away at family’s but If Covid stops that she will do her horse. If not a relative will come do them. But she said she a little annoyed she pays £190 a week and is being asked to do her own horse plus other for 3 days over Christmas.

Do you guys think this is normal ? What would you do ?

 

[SusieT]

I would reply and say thanks, I'm continueing with normal cover between me and yo.
Unless yard owner stops care over christmas (which I have always thought is bonkerrs, farmers dont not milk etc over xmas- its part of a livestock job)

 

[SusieT]

ps- I also think not mucking out xmas day is a poor show. Don't ride etc but basic animla husbandry doesnt go by the wayside.

 

[Millie-Rose]

I have full liveries and we do yard as normal on Christmas day. We do as much as possible on Christmas Eve e g make up feeds , nets etc and bring round bedding . We also don't sweep but horses go out, come in and are mucked out like any other day. Occasionally an owner will come and do their own horse which is much appreciated but certainly not expected and would never expect them to do any others!

 

[Squeak]

Helping get the horses done over christmas was always one of my favourite parts of Christmas. A load of liveries would pitch up and help the staff so that they could get away early. There was always a great atmosphere.

I can't remember if it was expected that you would muck your own out, I think it possibly was and the people that couldn't organised other cover.

I can understand being a bit miffed if it's only her that's been asked, is it maybe because she helped last year the other livery assumed she'd like to do it again this year? Could it just have been the other livery trying to do something nice for the YO but phrased it badly in a text?

 

[Gingerwitch]

Text back to say she is taking this up by showing text to the yard owner, as this is not and never has been part of the contract, and it is not up for negotiation.

 

[ihatework]

I would politely tell the other livery to bog off. Unless it’s in the contract I would expect my horse to be done every single day of the year by the YM or someone employed by them.

That said, if I’m around and it suits, I always offer a hand on Christmas Day. But I wouldn’t be emotionally blackmailed into it.

I wonder if this YM even knows what this livery has done, they might be horrified.

 

[Auslander]

I do my lot as normal over the Christma period - and tbh, I'd rather the liveries didn't muck out, as it takes me ages to get the beds back up to how I like them! I'm always very grateful when people fill nets, make up feeds or help with turnouts and bring ins, but I don't expect it.

 

[dogatemysalad]

Tell your friend to speak to the YO directly. Bossy livery isn't running the yard.
On some yards it's a tradition for liveries to turn up at Christmas, mostly as a sign of gratitude for the YO and their family. The atmosphere on our yard is lovely but slightly chaotic as the owners completely upset the YOs very efficient routine. Even so, the bemused YO is appreciative of the good intentions.
Some YOs charge double for those wanting extra services, but keep charges the same for full liveries, who hopefully show their thanks with a filled envelope.

 

[Mary3050]

Hi guys,

I just wondered what your opinions are as I was unsure what to think after a convo with a friend .

My friend keeps her competition horse on a schooling livery/production yard all year around. There are 7 other owners who have the horse there all year around and approximately between 4 and 6 that come for a few months schooling at any time. Only 3 of the of the all year round owners come up regularly ( more than once a week ). However my friend got a message from one of the other regular full time owners. That said can we sort who’s doing the horses which days over Christmas ( Christmas Eve, Boxing Day , Christmas Day ) as I think it’s only fair the YO gets a Christmas too. However my friend usually goes away each year at Christmas to be with family ( Covid depending this year ). When she got to the yard today she has found this message was only sent to her and non of the other horse owners who have horse all year around.

She pays a lot of money to keep her horse where they are stabled. Last Christmas when family came to them my friend asked if YO wanted any help any of the Christmas days they said they would be fine but asked if she mind that she didn’t muck out Christmas Day . Which friend was happy with. I have heard of full livery yards not doing horse on Christmas but this is in the contract . Where as there isn’t it’s just another owner trying to be a little controlling.

My friend is a little annoyed that it was only her who is being asked to not only do her own horse for 3 days but to help with the other 11+ horse. She thinking of just saying that she will be away at family’s but If Covid stops that she will do her horse. If not a relative will come do them. But she said she a little annoyed she pays £190 a week and is being asked to do her own horse plus other for 3 days over Christmas.
My friend do
Do you guys think this is normal ? What would you do ?

Helping get the horses done over christmas was always one of my favourite parts of Christmas. A load of liveries would pitch up and help the staff so that they could get away early. There was always a great atmosphere.

I can't remember if it was expected that you would muck your own out, I think it possibly was and the people that couldn't organised other cover.

I can understand being a bit miffed if it's only her that's been asked, is it maybe because she helped last year the other livery assumed she'd like to do it again this year? Could it just have been the other livery trying to do something nice for the YO but phrased it badly in a text?

I don’t think it’s a load of livery’s it’s one owner, another owner and her daughter and YO. My friend doesn’t get why she should do other people to. I think it’s common on full livery’s but I think when paying £190 a week being expected to do your own horse and other for 3 days if wrong. Other livery is a bit bossy for what I hear. I think will be just doing it for a big show to be like look what I arranged ! X

 

[Mary3050]

I would reply and say thanks, I'm continueing with normal cover between me and yo.
Unless yard owner stops care over christmas (which I have always thought is bonkerrs, farmers dont not milk etc over xmas- its part of a livestock job)

ps- I also think not mucking out xmas day is a poor show. Don't ride etc but basic animla husbandry doesnt go by the wayside.

I also don’t get why they stop care over Christmas your employed To do a job unless you state before hand. Yes I thought that wouldn’t want to muck out loads on Boxing Day. I mean there was a year when I had 11 of my own 7 in. My family member who used to share the horses with me all year around was ill just got out of hospital. So I feed ( pre made up ), turned out ( made sure they had a clean dry turnout on night before ) , skipped out beds , chucked more bedding on top , gave hay/nets which was made up and water, checked on those that where out. Had bit of help from my mum not big on the horse and a relative with learning difficulties ( who said it was the best Christmas ever) Then went back with about 4 members of family to bring in about 3 after dinner. Just gave them extra hay as they would usually get a net late on about 7 and any that didn’t have an automatic watering system got an extra bucket of water. Changed whipped off boots form the 2 that had them on, feed and put there stable rugs on . I know there pampered . I had everything I could ready and it took us about 2 hours in the morning. And just under an hour at night . I checked on the cameras about 6 and 8 and 10 . We just decided if I need to go back up for what ever reason. I could get a taxi .

 

[little_critter]

I'd just keep it short and to the point "sorry I can't help, I'm away over Christmas"

 

[cauda equina]

No one knows what the Covid situation will be once we get to Christmas; non-staff might not be able to access the yard anyway

 

[teddypops]

I would ignore it!

 

[Mary3050]

So just an update I spoke with my friend as I know she was a little put out my the suggestion that she should help with everyone else horses not just her own for 3 days over Christmas. She said she going to message the other owner back . She thinks that the other owner maybe be wanting her to help being. The other owner gets a reduced rate as daughter helps YO out after school at weekend and in holidays. My friend said that she maybe thinks that because my friend will has helped YO out in lockdown and whilst friend is working from home this is the same. My friend says she has been helping YO when she not as busy at work or if it’s a kids birthday, yard owner was ill and my friend helped with the yard etc . So she gonna put
“Hi , regarding the Christmas situation I will be away at families from (dates). However If I am unable to go I will be happy do sort my boy out. I will also make some nets up Christmas Eve and prep anything else I can. I will however be discussing this with the ( Yo name) as i do pay for the Christmas period and will discuss if she wants me to arrange for my grandparents to come and sort my boy out. However, last year I was at home so we did go up to the yard. Usually Yard owner likes to just turn out, feed , put net up and give water. With no muck out . If I do go away depending on Covid I will also make up a load of nets etc before I leave. Thanks and see you soon “

My friend has been there more than a year and bossy owner hasn’t. Additionally my friend has bad arthritis and other health issues of the reason the horse is on schooling livery. So whilst she does help out she is unable to do some tasks i.e. she mucks out but YO has asked her not to go on muck heap especially in winter as she worried she will get hurt. Additionally YO doesn’t like her going to bringing in when winter because it’s get muddy and she worried she Gonna fall. Can’t carry heavy nets or shaving but puts them in barrow. However this particularly bossy owner make comments about my friends as she only in her twenties. Says she pampered as her horse is brought in and turned out for her in winter. That’s it’s not helpful if she mucks out and doesn’t take the borrow etc. So my friend has issues with the women anyway.

 

[Goldenstar]

Personally I would ignore the text from the bossy owner and speak directly to YOer.
Then if bossy owner mentions it put on expression of mild confusion and say Oh gosh I spoke to X a while ago I am not here at Christmas .
I would not be letting another owner start sending me texts requiring me to do things .

 

[teddypops]

So just an update I spoke with my friend as I know she was a little put out my the suggestion that she should help with everyone else horses not just her own for 3 days over Christmas. She said she going to message the other owner back . She thinks that the other owner maybe be wanting her to help being. The other owner gets a reduced rate as daughter helps YO out after school at weekend and in holidays. My friend said that she maybe thinks that because my friend will has helped YO out in lockdown and whilst friend is working from home this is the same. My friend says she has been helping YO when she not as busy at work or if it’s a kids birthday, yard owner was ill and my friend helped with the yard etc . So she gonna put
“Hi , regarding the Christmas situation I will be away at families from (dates). However If I am unable to go I will be happy do sort my boy out. I will also make some nets up Christmas Eve and prep anything else I can. I will however be discussing this with the ( Yo name) as i do pay for the Christmas period and will discuss if she wants me to arrange for my grandparents to come and sort my boy out. However, last year I was at home so we did go up to the yard. Usually Yard owner likes to just turn out, feed , put net up and give water. With no muck out . If I do go away depending on Covid I will also make up a load of nets etc before I leave. Thanks and see you soon “

My friend has been there more than a year and bossy owner hasn’t. Additionally my friend has bad arthritis and other health issues of the reason the horse is on schooling livery. So whilst she does help out she is unable to do some tasks i.e. she mucks out but YO has asked her not to go on muck heap especially in winter as she worried she will get hurt. Additionally YO doesn’t like her going to bringing in when winter because it’s get muddy and she worried she Gonna fall. Can’t carry heavy nets or shaving but puts them in barrow. However this particularly bossy owner make comments about my friends as she only in her twenties. Says she pampered as her horse is brought in and turned out for her in winter. That’s it’s not helpful if she mucks out and doesn’t take the borrow etc. So my friend has issues with the women anyway.

Your friend doesn’t have to answer to or explain anything to the other livery though, so why is she?

 

[jnb]

Every full livery I have ever been on has been DIY Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day (actually come to think of it, one was DIY every Bank Holiday & we didn't get a reduction in livery costs, I'm OK with Christmas and New Year's but used to be a bit miffed for 11 Bank Holidays!)
For those days only, no services were available, it was in the contract up front.
However - in a schooling livery situation where potentially the owners are 100s of miles away I'd say DIY but care available at a premium - I was once offered Christmas Day care by another livery with YO permission at £20 for the day.
I said no as I enjoyed doing my own horse and riding on Christmas Day.
I have my own little yard so it's irrelevant
However OP in this situation I'd be speaking to the YO and asking if this is true and that you're unable to do the whole yard or whatever it is Mrs Bossy Boots wants you to do!

 

[Mary3050]

Every full livery I have ever been on has been DIY Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day (actually come to think of it, one was DIY every Bank Holiday & we didn't get a reduction in livery costs, I'm OK with Christmas and New Year's but used to be a bit miffed for 11 Bank Holidays!)
For those days only, no services were available, it was in the contract up front.
However - in a schooling livery situation where potentially the owners are 100s of miles away I'd say DIY but care available at a premium - I was once offered Christmas Day care by another livery with YO permission at £20 for the day.
I said no as I enjoyed doing my own horse and riding on Christmas Day.
I have my own little yard so it's irrelevant
However OP in this situation I'd be speaking to the YO and asking if this is true and that you're unable to do the whole yard or whatever it is Mrs Bossy Boots wants you to do!

I think if I was in the situation where I essentially £30 a days for the horse to have full livery and be worked 5days a week. I wouldn’t be happy to be doing my horse 3 days over Christmas but still pay £180. For essentially half the service. It’s also how she being asked to do the other owners horse too ! Definitely think she should speak to YO x

 

[wiglet]

I'm on full livery and my horse is done as normal over Christmas and NY. The only concession is that Turnout rugs are left on on overnight on Christmas Eve so they can be turned out quickly in the morning. If you want to go up and help with turnout or mucking out, you are most welcome but, no pressure or expectation is put on you.

I would tell your friend to speak to YO directly and sort it out with her. I imagine the YO is planning on doing the horses as normal and bossy livery is just trying to suck up to her. I would not be justifying my actions or offering any explanation by txt to bossy livery.

 

[JulesRules]

I'm normally away at Christmas so have often paid a premium for my horses to be done. I don't mind that. I so think that if you work with horses there is an expectation that it includes Christmas.

If the nosey livery is trying to help the YO it sounds like she's going the wrong way about it.

I have no idea why your friend felt the need to send such a long explanatory reply. A simple "sorry I'm away" would suffice.

 

[sherry90]

Totally depends on what the yard does and I’d be taking direction from the YO not a livery. I’m on full Mon-Fri and DIY at weekends. We have the option to pay extra for cover on the days we aren’t full if we need cover and as far as I am aware, no different even if Xmas fell on those days.

 

[oldie48]

Recently I was chatting to the owner of the yard that Rose is on about the Xmas holiday. She gives the staff a couple of days off and she and her OH do the yard. If I'm around I'll happily go to do Rose but hopefully I will be away for a few days. I certainly wouldn't expect to have to do it.

 

[dorsetladette]

I would ignore bossy livery. By replying or explaining gives her information which is quite frankly no of her business. If she is already causing your friend issues as you say, I'd be inclined to speak to the YO and get the creases ironed out. I sounds like she is trying to muscle her way in to YO's pocket, but could potentially do YO's business harm in the process. YO probably isn't aware of what's going on, but will hopefully intervene when she does.

Your friend could speak to YO and offer to help if she doesn't get to go to relatives for xmas. That to me would be the proper way of doing it.

 

[Leandy]

So just an update I spoke with my friend as I know she was a little put out my the suggestion that she should help with everyone else horses not just her own for 3 days over Christmas. She said she going to message the other owner back . She thinks that the other owner maybe be wanting her to help being. The other owner gets a reduced rate as daughter helps YO out after school at weekend and in holidays. My friend said that she maybe thinks that because my friend will has helped YO out in lockdown and whilst friend is working from home this is the same. My friend says she has been helping YO when she not as busy at work or if it’s a kids birthday, yard owner was ill and my friend helped with the yard etc . So she gonna put
“Hi , regarding the Christmas situation I will be away at families from (dates). However If I am unable to go I will be happy do sort my boy out. I will also make some nets up Christmas Eve and prep anything else I can. I will however be discussing this with the ( Yo name) as i do pay for the Christmas period and will discuss if she wants me to arrange for my grandparents to come and sort my boy out. However, last year I was at home so we did go up to the yard. Usually Yard owner likes to just turn out, feed , put net up and give water. With no muck out . If I do go away depending on Covid I will also make up a load of nets etc before I leave. Thanks and see you soon “

My friend has been there more than a year and bossy owner hasn’t. Additionally my friend has bad arthritis and other health issues of the reason the horse is on schooling livery. So whilst she does help out she is unable to do some tasks i.e. she mucks out but YO has asked her not to go on muck heap especially in winter as she worried she will get hurt. Additionally YO doesn’t like her going to bringing in when winter because it’s get muddy and she worried she Gonna fall. Can’t carry heavy nets or shaving but puts them in barrow. However this particularly bossy owner make comments about my friends as she only in her twenties. Says she pampered as her horse is brought in and turned out for her in winter. That’s it’s not helpful if she mucks out and doesn’t take the borrow etc. So my friend has issues with the women anyway.

Way too complicated and overthinking. If your friend wants to help the yard owner she should agree it directly with the yard owner. If she can't as she is away or just doesn't want to then she shouldn't and she has already paid for her horse to be done. If I were a yard owner noone would be "helping" unless directly organised with me otherwise I wouldn't know what had been done and what hadn't. As a livery I'd expect the yard and staff to be doing my horse unless I had expressly agreed someone else could.

 

[Pearlsasinger]

I don’t think it’s a load of livery’s it’s one owner, another owner and her daughter and YO. My friend doesn’t get why she should do other people to. I think it’s common on full livery’s but I think when paying £190 a week being expected to do your own horse and other for 3 days if wrong. Other livery is a bit bossy for what I hear. I think will be just doing it for a big show to be like look what I arranged ! X

All your friend needs to say is 'sorry, I have already made my arrangements with YO'. I certainly wouldn't be giving the bossy livery my personal info, or discussing family matters with her.

 

[Gingerwitch]

Speak to yo and ask why you are being put in this position with other livery trying to run the yard.

 

[TreeDog]

My old yard was assisted DIY and Christmas eve, Christmas day, and boxing day were DIY with services provided but 2x cost (same for all bank holidays). I think this is fair, I get 3x pay for bank holiday overtime.

As mentioned above, it's probably not right for you to do other horses anyway, especially on a professional yard as this sounds to be where people are paying a lot for a certain standard of care (not to say your friend would have the same standard, but it's the principle of it for the other owners), and this would probably have insurance implications for yo if something went wrong.

It could just be other livery trying to do something nice for yo and not realising it would come across wrong to put pressure on your friend to help when they hadn't planned to. They may have only messaged the one person for now just to see the general reaction before asking the others. We can never really know the intentions of others! If your friend wants to subtly involve the yo, she could say something to yo like 'other livery has asked me about organising cover for the yard over Christmas, I might be away so just wanted to check whether you were still able to cover mine as usual?'

 

[AUB]

I’ve never heard of something like that. I think it’s a nice thought to want to give YO a little break, but it seems strange if it’s only your friend that’s been asked and not the other horse owners too.

 

[Pinkvboots]

When I worked on a full livery yard horses were skipped out Christmas day and boxing day, some owners would come down and do there own and help out and some didint, it was not expected of them to do so and I certainly don't think it's down to other liveries to be organising other people to go and do there own.

I would ignore the text and speak to the yo you don't have to answer to other liveries.