SHYSMUM..my experiences on livery yards, uk

The regulation and licensing of livery yards has already been discussed in parliament. It did not progress and did not received royal assent. It is not scheduled to be revisited.

There are no funds to facilitate any form of regulation. Funding for all government regulatory services have been cut to the bone and that includes the Police. Trading standards officers are now few and far between. EHO's have been halved and their work is far more important than any livery yard issue will be. I am just hoping I can hang on through the next round of cuts.

Sadly as much as we would all like to see the horse world regulated it won't be and they onus is on owners to source appropriate facilities for our horses.
 
Going back to the OP I don't see a problem with a blog or book even about experiences on livery yards, I'm sure there will be done amusing stories amongst the horrors too!!

But I do have to say, it's all well and good saying if you don't like it move, however where does one move to???
Many yards around the country have closed, or are so over subscribed that it becomes difficult to provide a healthy environment for equines and owners.
A yard I used to be on has changed significantly since I left, it's a nice yard, great location and very convenient but the YO does not believe in the sanctity of turnout!! The livery fees have increased by £15 pw, the turnout has been reduced to 3 hrs per day may-sept and none outsie of these months. The number of horses has increased and there is a strict rule on bedding and hay (being bought from the YO only!!). Bizarrely the yard is full!! The alternatives are no better, I've been searching for 4 years since I left!!
I don't know why but this has become so acceptable to owners, that many YO are adopting this model of livery.
How this can be changed is beyond me, but some owners are letting their horses suffer in favour of convenience.
 
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EllenJay said:
Reading your experiences, I am neither "lucky" or "oblivious", just sensible. I would never livery at a R/S - too many random people around, and livery is not the main wage earner, and the second yard if they were over sub-scribed to start with I would have avoided immediately, and if after I moved in they started to bring in more horses I would have walked away.
Click to expand...

Oh well thanks for damning me for living where I do. Happy Christmas to you too.
 
Thankyou for all the posts ! Very interesting reading.

I think i must have been where we lived, tbh. Certainly in my home county of surrey, customers, and yes that is what we are, would walk with their feet. Not least because they are paying so much. DIY ranged from £20 to £50 a week for us.

A couple of points to clear up here,

1. I moved from yards when i realised my pony was at risk, or i was unhappy regarding his welfare. Why would the amount of times i moved therefore be a BAD thing ! Love the hho sense of humour. Always makes me giggle

2. Bitchy liveries are not an issue until they interfere with my pony and myself directly. They exist on every yard, lol.

3. Bitchy, bullying yard owners ARE AN ISSUE. i was their customer but had no rights... ?

4. My book will be written in the same manner as my videos, i.e. tongue in cheek, but totally honest. Lots of good, lots of bad, but totally true. When i was flying, one of the best books summed up life from the cabin crews point of view. This is simply what happened to me and shy.
 
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