Should I call it a day ?

niagaraduval

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As most of you have been following my posts I think most of you know the background to this post.

Anyway, I love my horse so much. I have owned him for 6 years, bought him off the track as a total nutter at 4 and although I threatened to sell him countless times I kept him and he has become my horse of a lifetime. I always told my self that how ever bad things got (whether financially or not, and when things got really bad we still found a way to pay for anything he needed) I would do what ever I could to keep him.

I have a very stressful life, and I think my character might be something to do with this and I might just need a big kick up the arse.
I am a natural born worrier, I worry all day and night 24/7. I often go without days of sleep at a time.
I also find it impossible to forgive and forget. If someone hurts me or does something to break my trust that's it, they are out the door.. because of this I have found myself very lonely.
I have a loaner who loans Niagara for 2 days a week, this keeps him ticking over in the week, just about.. and he is turned out all day too, given the facilities (or lack of them..) I cannot go and ride or see him during the week, so the weekends are the when I would spend all day with him.

A couple of months ago there was a big 'fight' at the 'yard' (a neighbor has 1 horse and field and a stable so he lives there) with another person who put their horse there, we (my loaner and I) are the victims and are being treated like sh ! t whenever we go up there. There is no other place to put the horse, there is a livery yard about 30 km away and I have no transport, but costs 3 times more than what I am paying and I just could never, ever afford it.

It has got to the point where when I go up, even to pay the rent they take the money and look the other way. I say 'hello' and they look the other way, They tell neighbors about how we don't ride the horse (Although in the winter he is ridden 4 times a week I find that pretty darn good considering both loaner and me do 37h + /week and there are NO lights or school, and they take their horse out every 2 or 3 months). They tell other people that come how we don't do this or that or how we apparently f * everything up and generally know nothing about horses although both me and loaner come from very horsey backgrounds with both parents and grandparents in the horse world and having had ponies since we were young. They are new owners, they have had their horse 9 years but had never had anything to do with horses before and I see alot of things that I would never do with my horse as I have been educated not to for example.

Loaner fell of horse last week and they were both hurt, they did nothing and didn't contact me, the owner, they didn't call an ambulance for my loaner and told everyone that my loaner couldn't ride and that my horse was crazy ?? He slipped on the road, It happens. My horse is such a good boy to ride and would never hurt anyone, my loaner is also the best rider I know and does such a lovely job of riding and schooling him and most of all I totally trust her with him 100%. Even after almost smashing her hip she is up wanting to take him out again.

The thing is this horrible atmosphere is taking it's toll on us. Horse takes a big lump of my money and I have to go witout a lot to keep him , although it's my choice I wouldn't have it any other way. My loaner is also feeling this and after her accident has carried on going up to groom him etc. but will not go up alone anymore and asks me to come with her if I can or she waits for her OH to come up with her. I also do not like going up alone anymore and don't have anyone to come up with me. I feel totally as if I am being bullied, or maybe this isn't bullying ?

I have also discovered a few things since the 'fight' that have really really totally killed every bit of trust I had over there.
I pay for nothing, litterally. But there is nowhere else to put him and the only positive thing about it is that he is 5 mins walk away.

All enjoyment has gone, the love for my horse is still there, the love for the sport is still there and will always be there I think. I am just so upset and stressed all the time and I think it's unhealthy. The thought of selling him entered my head for a split second although I don't want to get rid of him, ever. I am just finding it hard to keep the tears away...
 
No dont give up, what would you do with all that time and money if you got rid ?. Talk to the part loaner and see what you can come up with between you about where else you could keep him. They sound very supportive so they would want to help change your situation. I would hate to have to spend time with this sort of negative attitude but there is always a way just hang in there.
 
I'm a worrier too and I can't cope with anyone being nasty to me or horrid atmospheres, I get really upset.
I was at a bullying yard and I know how it feels. I would DREAD going up there, I would try and make my OH come with me or wait until my friend was there. Some of the people at my yard were rough sorts of people and they knew they could pick on me as I wouldn't fight back. I even got physically pushed about.

I moved. In the end I was renting a house and for reasons unconnected to the yard I moved house and found a new yard.
I would have moved anyway.

There must be somewhere else you can move your horse too? Could you not rent a paddock and a stable somewhere? Put up notices in the local paper and take shops asking of there is space anywhere to keep your horse. There may be someone private who would be happy to rent out a stable or something.

You can't stay there it sounds horrible. I've been on lots of livery yards and have made life long friends and have been happy but this one place just didn't suit me at all. It was so awful.
 
all youv posted is far to much for me im not a worrier but im not that over friendly with people our yard is a big yard and there is people iv weighed up and think sorry but youl never be a friend of myn and keep out of trouble but if people make it for me my god they dont know whats hit em and no id never give my pride and joy up for no one NEVER
 
No dont give up, what would you do with all that time and money if you got rid ?. Talk to the part loaner and see what you can come up with between you about where else you could keep him. They sound very supportive so they would want to help change your situation. I would hate to have to spend time with this sort of negative attitude but there is always a way just hang in there.

Could not have put it better myself. I am so sorry to hear of the way these people are treating you. I am a bit of a worrier in truth, but I am getting better and better at letting things wash over me a bit more, I do still fight with myself as its not my natural instinct. However after the year I have had I need to try look forward, that is all I can do to keep going in truth otherwise this year would have eaten me up and spat me out.

I think you and your sharer need to have a good sit down and put heads together and see what you can come up with, this current place sounds horrid and it is not doing you or your sharer, or your horse in fact any good.

I wish you all the best with it and hope that you can sort something out which improves yours, your sharer, and your horses wellbeing x
 
I had a terrible experience with m first livery..all fine till a mentally disturbed lady and her unsettled daughter arrived.I was constantly outnumbered. Neither would say boo to a goose on their own but were proper pests together.. I drove round our local area and knocked on doors.As a result my horse lives less than a mile away. Moving my horse gave me my hobby back. I can go there and do my thing and there s no one being stroppy or awkward. Ive been at present livery 18 months.. We have brilliant hacking here and some nice friendly folk round about. Although it has taught me that its best to keep a polite distance from folk. don t rule out moving the horse.. get out in your car and bang on doors... be polite and don t push the issue with anyone! Good Luck!
 
If you are not comfortable knocking on doors you could ask your farrier, vet and tack shop for recommendations or introductions. Or of course on here!
 
Speak to Yard owner if possible. I hate hearing stories like this as its happened to me but now i am older, wiser and love and confrontation doesnt bother me one bit! Prehaps youself and sharer could knock.on doors together, advertise in tack shops or speak to tack shop staff and look online on sites such as preloved.
Put wherabouts you are so we can help you.
 
This is such a horrible situation. My family own a livery yard and we recently had to remove one of our liveries because she was causing such 'bad' feeling for everyone else. Your horse is your release and its not fair that you feel uncomfortable going up to see him, especially when you are paying these people! We are farmers and have quite often had knocks on the door from people wanting grazing etc and we are always happy for the extra cash- in fact if it werent for my four horses I expect we'd allow someone to rent the whole of the little yard. Call in at your local friendly farmer, take a bottle of wine and they'll be hard pushed to say no! Good luck xx
 
I would seriously look for somewhere else. Go round local farmers and ask. Don;t keep your horse at that place. WHat would they do if something happened to him while you weren't there? I bet they wouldn't call the vet or take care of him. What would you do if you were ill or injured and couldnt get to him?
I was at a yard where people were very patronising, 2-faced and unhelpful and I got to the point where I dreaded going up there, then I broke my arm and they refused to help me. My husband asked around for me and turned out his colleague's wife needed a companion for her gelding in her rented field and stables - it worked perfectly and we moved within a few weeks. I gave up great facilities which were close to home but the farm was the calm environment my horse and I needed and we really bonded as a result. I know for a fact if anything bad were to happen to him there he would be taken care of. You just need to take that leap, make sure you ask around because something will turn up.
 
Move ASAP. Do anything you have to to achieve it but get out of that place. As others have said, knocking on doors can pay huge dividends. A lot more farmers are willing to rent out fields these days, and something like that might be ideal for you all. Tell us where you are, maybe someone on this board could offer something or point you in the right direction...
 
I keep my horses at home so thankfully do not have to be involved with all this livery yard politics but I observe from friends who keep there horses at DIY livery that this sort of bullying nonsense is a common sort of entertainment for a small group people at lots of livery yards it's horrible but a fact of life. It may be hard but you need to ignore them the only relationship that matters is the one you have with the Yard owner you need to look after this relationship and the one with your loaner . What are these people doing ,saying nasty Things why does this matter so much to you, ignore them do your own thing be polite don't engage with them .
You say you are a worrier so was I until life gave me something really big to worry about, the behaviour of a small group of petty minded people should not matter to you it's their problem not yours .
You have not suggested they are physically threatening you or your loaner or your horse you need to think water off a ducks back and words will not harm you.
But I would look around for something else quietly
Good luck
 
i think quite the opposite goldenstar. Believe me im probably average or above average in the life knock stakes.
There s nothing worse than putting in a hard day at work and not being able to relax with your horse. Im 44 but i struggled with a 36 year old loon and her doolally mum sniggering in my face.
Moving was the best thing i ever did.. now from a safe distance i can watch as what goes round comes round for these sad creatures.
Im also saving £15 per week and enjoying much better facilities.
 
Just move yards, surely???

Your horse needs your attention daily (unless on full livery).

And why keep him somewhere that doesn't allow you to ride him in the evenings?
 
Yards are horrible places! There are politics and there is bitchyness, they are full of people who 'know best'- they are like school playgrouds without the teacher there to step in. Move yards to somewhere else. This will be stressful and there will be up heaval but your mental health is more important than that.

You mentioned that you are a worrier. Have you tried Cognitive Behavoural Therapy, or counselling? I would look into that- perspective is a wonderful lesson to learn and you will be happier for it!
 
i think quite the opposite goldenstar. Believe me im probably average or above average in the life knock stakes.
There s nothing worse than putting in a hard day at work and not being able to relax with your horse. Im 44 but i struggled with a 36 year old loon and her doolally mum sniggering in my face.
Moving was the best thing i ever did.. now from a safe distance i can watch as what goes round comes round for these sad creatures.
Im also saving £15 per week and enjoying much better facilities.

I don't disagree with you at all but OP says there are no other yard near to her, so it's no horse or where the horse is , however I do think there must be other places nearby and suggest that she quietly looks but if she has no transport she may be stuck there in which case ignoring it and maintaining a good relationship with the YO is her only option apart from selling her horse.
I hate these yard bullys they cause so much trouble.
 
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