Part liveries 'ignorant' - discuss...

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Switchthehorse

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So i have just read a couple of posts on here about various topics but several posters made comments about people on full/part livery, and essentially either their ignorance or the fact that they 'don't want to know about their horses wellbeing'.

Its intrigued me. I used to be DIY but now am on 7 day part livery. Mainly because I work a busy job that takes me all over the country and all over the world, and i can't guarantee that I will be around to do my horses. Fortunately financially part livery is an option, so rather than mess yard managers around with random part days here and there, and to ensure consistency for my horses, i opted for part livery. Part livery as in no schooling/riding - the basic care only.

HOWEVER i strongly resent the suggestion that because i am a part livery and not a DIY-er it somehow suggests that I 'don't care' about my horses, or am ignorant, or wouldn't notice if they had been injured etc.

I fully expect my YM to let me know about ANYTHING that happens with my horse. Unless impossible i will ALWAYS be there for the vet/dentist/farrier etc. When I am physically able I go to the yard every day at least once to check their wellbeing even if not riding. I ALWAYS check them over when i am there. I control their feed, their rugging, their supplements etc.

Just because i don't bring them in and turn them out and muck them out and do their hay nets it does NOT mean i am a complete numpty!!!

I know there are plenty of ignoramuses out there (love that word) but seriously stop with the sweeping generalisations everyone!!!!

Rant over.. and breathe.
 
I shouldn't let it get to you - and it works both ways - plenty of threads on here suggesting that all DIY's are rude, tardy, disrespectful etc.
Frankly I'm at a yard with a complete mix of DIY's, Part and Full liveries and as far as I can see there are several in each category that I wouldn't let lose with a rocking horse let alone a live one ;-)
 
Yes there are people like you!

However there are the other type too!

Equally some of the worst numpties I have ever met in the horse world were DIY!
 
People are most likely stereotyping based on what they see going on in their yard. I haven't read the posts you're talking about but I can tell you on my full livery yard there are literally a very small handful of people who ask about their horses, some don't even recognise their horses when they visit! Different culture I accept.
 
People generally stereotype to make themselves feel better.

I have know part/full liveries that haven't got a clue about how to look after a horse.
I have known DIYs that also wouldn't have a clue how to look after a horse.

I'm that part livery that see's their horse virtually every day, whether I'm riding or not, and often at 7/8pm can be found skipping out before I leave the yard.
 
I have noticed the same thing. People are on part livery for many reasons - for me, because of children and running a business - I can't look after my horse well and what time I do have, would rather spend grooming and riding than mucking out. I'm sure he doesn't care who mucks him out. I'd love to do it all myself and am capable, but have to make compromises.

In fact, isn't it better that someone who doesn't know it all should be on part livery where they have the support they need? And even perhaps those people around them could try to help, rather than sneering about their idiocy on forums. The worst situation is someone who doesn't admit to being out of their depth and is on DIY.
 
If I had bags of cash I'd pay someone to work for me full time to look after my horses :p I love them like they are my children but you are always happy when mum offers to babysit the kids for the day ;)
 
I think that there are probably people who "don't care" on full livery, part livery and DIY; in terms of those on DIY some spend the bare minimum time they can at the yard when they're not palming it off onto someone else, and in the summer when their horses are living out 24/7 they hardly ever see them! However on my yard there aren't any people on part livery who don't care about their horses' wellbeing, as the OP said they are all on part livery because they have busy jobs with unpredictable working hours who can't guarantee being there every day. I am on DIY and go early every morning before work, and most of the people who are exercising their horses at that time (6.30, 7am) are those on part livery. At the weekends they spend most of their day at the yard and they seem to really cherish being able to do so. Others muck out a few times a week if they have time and are there before the yard staff, and still pay part livery prices. I think the bottom line is that those who have a job that necessitates part livery for their horse generally earn enough to afford it as a result of that job. They have their horse on part livery to ensure it is in a stable routine and they can focus on exercising their horse and their career/family/whatever.

I think it is really lovely that on my yard there is no division/tension between part livery and those on DIY, everyone gets on really well and we all just enjoy being able to spend time with our horses. At the moment I am on DIY but I guess in a way it is assisted; I do a friend's horse in the morning and she does mine in the evening, with my job I too wouldn't have time to be on complete, twice-a-day DIY.
 
I have always been part / full livery until I bought my yard. I have seen both good and bad. The reason I went full was that when I had my horses I'm the first to admit I had a very long hours high pressure job and didn't know enough about caring for them. I fully admit it but I reasoned that even as I didn't know everything at least my animals care was entrusted to people who did whilst I learnt. I was also buying them s routine. no one ever refused to take my money either and at 1500 a month I'm sure it made some profit. I have seen DIY who don't turn up from one day to the next.
It's totally swings and roundabouts with all types of livery.
 
I have done all three! DIY, part and full. I hated full as I seemed to lose total control of my horse, the YO seemed to think that as he was on full, she made the decisions - she doesn't! He is now on part and she's not bothered with him and leaves him to the yard girls to sort out - which is fine by me!

However, I do go to the yard every day, even if not riding. I check him over, check his rugs, top up his water bucket, skip him out and put his bed down (the girls leave his bed up durng the day so the floor dries), and then give him his late haylage and a kiss goodnight!. When I first had him, I was on 5-day part/2-day DIY, so have done hands on as well.

However, I find the most "numpty" people are the full liveries - they don't seem to have a clue (particularly on our yard). There is only one of them that comes to see her horse every day and she is building a lovely bond with him, the others just come and ride and go.

In fact, one lady has just taken a horse on loan and is on part livery - she is particularly naive (I guess is the nicest way of putting it), previously her last two horses were on full (sent the first one back as too much, gave the second one away as knackered!). She got the new horse on Saturday (has come straight off the field after a year off). Within 10 minutes she was riding it in the arena. Once the owners left, she tacked it up again and then took it out on a hack for 1½ hours! Despite advice to let it settle and acclimatise to the new surroundings.

Obviously, not all full liveries are like this - but they are at our yard!
 
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I am a yard owner and only do part and full livery. In the past I have always been more knowledgeable and experienced than my liveries (as I would expect most YOers to be) and teach to novice level, but now have a part livery who is far more knowledgeable than me. Not in the care of horses, but in the level of riding and competing. It is great. I now have my own resident instructor. She is a full time professional horseperson who spends hours here most days, but it is all quality time training and teaching. Being on part livery means she can concentrate on other important horse care tasks such as grooming and bathing as the horses are going out regularly.
 
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I do think that there are hunting yards where the owners just want to turn up at the meet and have their horse brought there ready for them. This happened a lot when I worked as a groom on a hunting yard. I don't think many of the men in particular had a clue how to look after a horse, and didn't really care much about their mounts other than wanting them fit and ready to carry them all day.
 
Also there are things that I don't know how to do - and I know I don't know how to do - so am happy to ask for advice or pay for services. I'm not proud, but I sure am a happy pony owner :)
 
Want to know what I think??? (to people that say things like this)

Get your grotty little nose out my business.......


That is all.
 
I got tired of the multiple buses plus two mile hike twice daily routine whilst husband was unable to drive, so put my little chap on full for this month. I get up at weekends. Husband is now able to drive again, but it would be rude to change livery type mid month, so am staying on full until January or February of next year. YO and staff are amazing, and I am in regular contact via phone, etc.

<perfectly happy to be considered ignorant, as I now have time to sleep! :D>
 
Over the years I've been on part-livery, training livery, assisted DIY and DIY paying a friend to do him Mon-Fri. I care about my horse the same whatever situation I've been in and my knowledge doesn't go up and down depending on the type of livery I have.
 
The hunter liveries only turn up on hunting days so probably wouldn't recognise their horses unless tacked and booted.
Can't see it's a problem though, the YO looks after them superbly.

I've always been on DIY and my mare does care that I muck her stable out.
She rolls in her fresh bed when she comes in- but only if it's been done by me. Good as they are, the yard staff don't have time to do it like I do.
 
Sussexbythe Christmas tree said:
Over the years I've been on part-livery, training livery, assisted DIY and DIY paying a friend to do him Mon-Fri. I care about my horse the same whatever situation I've been in and my knowledge doesn't go up and down depending on the type of livery I have.
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Your the same person whatever way you have your horse cared for.
I have mine at home with staff everyday I am past the stage in life where I find mucking out amusing and am lucky enough to be able to afford lots of help.
MrGS walks to the mounting block and looks suprised if the horse does not appear by magic the horse is not less well cared for for that
Horses don't care if their owner does not care for it or not they only want to be well cared for.
It's really humans that make judgements based on things like this.
 
it's better if numpties are on part or full as their horse is still well cared for, when sadly some people are DIY and actually don't know the basics. but i completely agree with OP, just because you are part it doesn't mean you are not capable of caring for your horse yourself. my first horse was on part as i was at school and my parents would rather pay more then have to take me their twice a day to muck out and have less time to do school work. but i admit i love being completely in charge of my horses and practically had a party the day i went on to DIY as an adult. (i know it is your say, but on part or full you are governed quite a lot by YO). however, at 5,30 am this morning i would rather have been in bed then doing my horses and 2 others!
i've never understood people who even get the yard to tack up for them!
you know your horse is well cared for when you are not there, so you are very responsible and caring even when not physically there.
 
pippixox said:
it's better if numpties are on part or full as their horse is still well cared for, when sadly some people are DIY and actually don't know the basics. but i completely agree with OP, just because you are part it doesn't mean you are not capable of caring for your horse yourself. my first horse was on part as i was at school and my parents would rather pay more then have to take me their twice a day to muck out and have less time to do school work. but i admit i love being completely in charge of my horses and practically had a party the day i went on to DIY as an adult. (i know it is your say, but on part or full you are governed quite a lot by YO). however, at 5,30 am this morning i would rather have been in bed then doing my horses and 2 others!
i've never understood people who even get the yard to tack up for them!
you know your horse is well cared for when you are not there, so you are very responsible and caring even when not physically there.
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Agree its better for horses to be on part or full livery if owners are unable to look after them for whatever reason. Some owners should not be allowed to have DIY- because they don't do-it-themselves.

Unfortunately, I can't justify paying for livery services because I'm able to commit both the time and motivation needed. However, I would love to ring the yard to get my horses brought in, groomed and tacked up ready for my arrival though.
It's complete bliss to ride someone else's ready prepared horse instead of pulling my own mud monster from the field.
 
Switchthehorse said:
ihatework and arizonahoney

Thats just what i mean! I am that person too! Often last to leave the yard and inevitably topping up hay and water for not just my nags but other peoples as well!???!
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Haha I'm exactly the same. H is only on part livery as I work silly hours and often have to travel abroad with work so this way he has a routine and I don't have to rely on hubby when I'm away. When I'm not working late or travelling you'll find me at the yard rain or shine even if it's just to give him a quick once over and a cuddle.
 
Spring Feather said:
People are most likely stereotyping based on what they see going on in their yard. I haven't read the posts you're talking about but I can tell you on my full livery yard there are literally a very small handful of people who ask about their horses, some don't even recognise their horses when they visit! Different culture I accept.
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Now, I kind of resent the implication that is "normal" for where you live now. ;) I hazard a guess I've been in many more boarding situations (DIY doesn't really exist in most of North America) and, as a few people have observed generally on this thread, seen owners on every part of the spectrum. It may very well be that most of YOUR boarders do not recognise their horses, perhaps due to the nature of your specific business, but that is certainly not the case for the majority of horse owners in Canada!

Horse people are herd animals and lots of people like to build up "their" group by being actively unkind about people who do things differently - a time honoured of building group cohesion and feeling better about themselves. You would think that having to look after a horse every day would build a certain level of skill and education, but I'm not always convinced! Likewise I know lots of people who never muck a stall and are brilliant, knowledgable horsemen.

The next time you see someone defining themselves as "good" by saying another group is "bad", ask yourself why they are so insecure as to think what other people do matters at all, let alone why "different" equals "wrong".
 
Abacus said:
I have noticed the same thing. People are on part livery for many reasons - for me, because of children and running a business - I can't look after my horse well and what time I do have, would rather spend grooming and riding than mucking out. I'm sure he doesn't care who mucks him out. I'd love to do it all myself and am capable, but have to make compromises.

In fact, isn't it better that someone who doesn't know it all should be on part livery where they have the support they need? And even perhaps those people around them could try to help, rather than sneering about their idiocy on forums. The worst situation is someone who doesn't admit to being out of their depth and is on DIY.
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^^^this^^^ thankfully I have a share on a lovely yard where everyone is helpful and friendly - I couldn't even tell you who was DIY and who was part livery which is a testament to a yard where everyone is nice and I have not been made to feel stupid by anyone. When I read some of the threads on here it makes me shudder at how judgemental people can be if you don't do it their way!!
 
arizonahoney said:
Also there are things that I don't know how to do - and I know I don't know how to do - so am happy to ask for advice or pay for services. I'm not proud, but I sure am a happy pony owner :)
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With, I might add, a happy, healthy, well cared for pony, with whom you have a lot of good times!

I don't get the fuss. Surely the point is to have the horse as well cared for as possible, however you work out the details. Horses thrive on routine and consistency. I don't see how it can be better for a horse to be cared for by someone who is constantly rushing, maybe not able to bring in/feed/whatever at the most suitable times, who scrimps on important things because it all has to be on the cheap etcetera etcetera etcetera. I'm sure all of the people commenting on here look after their horses well and fit it around the rest of their life relatively easily, but I certainly see horses that are in no way neglected but whose needs are secondary to the owner wanting to/having to be on DIY for all sorts of reasons. I bet a horse standing out in the rain because his owner is late from work isn't thinking too much about the bond they have and would happily pay to be tucked up in the warm with dinner.;)
 
TarrSteps said:
With, I might add, a happy, healthy, well cared for pony, with whom you have a lot of good times!

I don't get the fuss. Surely the point is to have the horse as well cared for as possible, however you work out the details. Horses thrive on routine and consistency. I don't see how it can be better for a horse to be cared for by someone who is constantly rushing, maybe not able to bring in/feed/whatever at the most suitable times, who scrimps on important things because it all has to be on the cheap etcetera etcetera etcetera. I'm sure all of the people commenting on here look after their horses well and fit it around the rest of their life relatively easily, but I certainly see horses that are in no way neglected but whose needs are secondary to the owner wanting to/having to be on DIY for all sorts of reasons. I bet a horse standing out in the rain because his owner is late from work isn't thinking too much about the bond they have and would happily pay to be tucked up in the warm with dinner.;)
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I totally agree with the above I have moved both my oldies to a lovely small livery yard on full livery. I have done DIY for many years, I know how to look after my horses and love them dearly. In full livery they can have 3 feeds a day be brought in if they look miserable in the rain and generally get much more attention than I can give them because of my demanding job. Also it means I'm not knackered and run ragged all the time so we can ride more and do other nice things like grooming and cuddles! I really don't think horses care who is mucking them out and they are content as long as they are being cared for by kind people.
 
I have my horses at home but I fantasise sometimes about farming them off to the fabulous livery yard nearby and renting my yard out!

If the horse is happy and healthy and the owner is happy, there is no problem what type of livery it is on. Before I met my husband and built this yard I had to have my horse on part livery as I fly for a living and am away. I miss all the time I had. My tack was always clean, my horse was always immaculate with perfectly pulled mane and tail, and I spent a lot more "quality" time with her.
 
I think you get idiots on all type of livery. I have done all three - full, part and DIY. I have to admit that when I was on full/part, I was probably quite ignorant of feeding issues as this was done for me - so the horses were fed what the YO gave them, and I never thought to query it. Since moving onto DIY I've enjoyed doing more of the work myself, and doing the feeding and general care myself. But there are idiots on all liveries!
 
The general consensus seems to be in here that if your horse is not on DIY, or even better kept in the land that you rent three miles from your house, out in all weathers, even if the field is a muddy bog, and kept barefoot... Your a useless horse owner and shouldn't have one!

The worst types of people I have come across are the ones on DIY, not full liveries!
 
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