Other owners at your yard

[noobs31]

Due to relocation have moved my two horses to a field owned by a lady with a small herd. Thought oh this is going to be so good, no facilities for the first time but great hacking and after being on big livery yards for years where I find I get frustrated with other owners wanting to chat to me while I just want to spend time with my horses. For instance frequently ending up trapped in stable whilst mucking out cos people come to the door to chat and then I end up feeling awkward about interrupting them to get out the door past them or to just go off mid sentence to empty my muck.

At my last yard in the last weeks I was so pleased I was moving as various other owners would actually follow me round my field as I poo picked or follow me into the haybarn as I loaded haynets. Basically whatever I was doing there was always someone there. Now call me odd the odd convo is fine but I go up to spend time with my HORSES not you!!

Well blow me down been at new yard a few weeks and owner actually even waits around for me to turn up, then she chats and chats and keeps offering to help me, yes I know I sound like a cow I'm really not, but I'd rather just be left to get on as I have a very high pressure job and doing my horses is my down time. Also she has 5 young kids they are lovely but they always want to help me which I think is wonderful for small kids and don't want to discourage them. But I am so fussy about poo picking and sorry a 10 yr old is simply unable to do it properly. I end up saying bye to them finding it now pitch black and jobs not done. As for time with horses, forget it.

Am so frustrated does anyone else feel this way? Do you go to your yard for the social aspect as much as your horses? I love the odd jabber but why not chat to me when I sit down for a breather and a cigarette? I would never in a million years want to follow someone else round while they do their horses, unless I had something I desperately needed to discuss with them. I just don't get it and how do they all even have the time?? So fed up feel like I'm back to arranging my yard visits around times when I think others won't be there and rushing to finish before they get there and I am held up. Going to get up really early tomo so I can ride before anyone gets there, when all I really want and desperately need is a lie in!!!

 

[Ranyhyn]

I'd just say.

I think you'll only have to say politely once and people will get the message. I expect they are just lonely themselves, or chatty (like me) and just don't realise.

I'd say to the mother "Hey XXXX I don't mean to be rude but I'm not really a chit chat person. I don't want to BE rude or to HIDE from you, so I thought I'd just tell you adult-to-adult. Also, I really enjoy doing my chores myself as it helps me unwind, would you mind telling the kids?"

You pay for your horse, its your time, you are not there to make other people feel good (or bad) and the above seems entirely reasonable to me.

Or wear headphones Good luck!!

 

[badgerdog]

I love to do both! I'm pleased if there are people on the yard to speak to, but if they aren't there I enjoy spending quiet time with my horse. I usually know when it's going to be quiet or busy so if I want to spend time with my horse I can go up later than the others do.

I can see where you're coming from though, you just want to enjoy your horses but I think the new YO must be a bit lonely and is pleased that she's got someone to talk to!

Your only solution is to get your own place which I know isn't helpful advice at all.
Hope things improve for you, good luck!

 

[Monkers]

Ah c'mon, don't be grumpy! You must be a really lovely person for everyone to want to chat to you!
Just think how many people on here are moaning about all the biatchy people on their yards, your fellow yard peeps sound lovely.

You have a high pressure job, so maybe chill out a bit, enjoy your horse and enjoy the lovely people on your yard too!