What should I do next?

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RoseyJoe

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I've had a pony at the same yard for 2 years now, and we've been quite happy there. He was on full livery but circumstances meant that I changed to DIY. This hasn't pleased the YO at all. I became one of her targets which made life so difficult I have moved my pony.
Before I did I got the farrier in and the vet to check his teeth.
His back teeth needed doing and were really quite bad and I learned a whole heap of things about his teeth & mouth that I knew nothing about previously.................. and that is because the YO has always organised & supervised veterinary visits. Now it transpires The YO & I share the same vet, but because she is also a trekking centre that the teeth check is done slightly differently, without a vice & that the horses with problems are presented as such e.g. difficulty eating and then a more thorough check is made with the vice/harness. The YO never informed me of this, nor did she tell the vet the problems I believed that may be caused by the teeth.
So though I believed that his teeth were checked in the summer ( I couldn't attend), and were fine - they weren't, nor have they ever been done while he's been at the yard. I've gone through my bills & have found that though she's written 'teeth' the charges are for his 'flu jabs and my share of the call out but not teeth. This is rather weird - or is it. It is rumoured that she lets Livery horses get into a poor state either feet or teeth, so she can then buy them cheaply for the trekking centre and I am starting to wonder if this could possibly be true!
My vet thinks the world of her and obviously this is bordering on conflict of interest, but he is getting me the records he as kept - I think he was under the impression that my pony was a trekking centre pony, but no doubt this will be clear when he gets back to me.
Any advice please :confused:
 
Arrange your own if you can - vets, dentists and farriers are good, bad or indifferent, and if they are bad your horse will suffer the consequences. Ask around (on here if you like) who comes recommended and deal with them, including on the visit, yourself. It may cost a little more and you won't be sharing the travelling time etc but really is the only way to do it with confidence IMHO.
 
If you've moved yards and you're on DIY, then you are now in charge of how and when your pony is shod, teeth done etc. If your vet is a good horse vet I wouldn't change him, it's not his fault he was mislead by the YO. Good farriers are like gold so if you are happy with your current one I would stick with him. The other people at your new yard may be able to recommend different vets etc if you really feel you want to change.

Annoying and hurtful as it has been, it's probably best to draw a line under the whole experience and at least you now have your pony under your own care.
 
You need to be responsible for your own horse ,
Now you know that all will be ok.
You need to present when the vet does work and in an emergency when you are not present you must speak to the vet as soon as possible after the visit.
I would always be present for shoeing to if at all possible.
Lesson learnt , just move on.
 
As spottedcat.

And as Goldenstar has said, you need to be responsible for your own horse - full livery or not.
I'm really surprised ypu didn't take a more active roll in your horses care.
 
Even when I was on 7 day livery I always made sure I was there for farrier, vet etc. I trusted the yard completely but he's my horse and I want to see what is going on with him. I would be annoyed if I were that you were lied to, but now you've moved it can't happen again.
 
I would just chalk up the past, say nothing but from now on book the vet etc when you can be there and deal with things yourself. I wouldn't make assumptions about the YOs intentions if you still wish to stay at the yard. At least your pony will get their teeth done properly, with you on site now.
 
Thanks folks, he's a great vet, but the situation has made things a little difficult perhaps. I also have a great farrier. A part of me agrees with the general consensus here, but this isn't an isolated incident.
The YO is known to be difficult, but this is not only a lack of communication but, it seems, deliberate miscommunication- for what ever reason. I am more concerned about future liveries & their horses and that if I don't do something others could suffer. But also if I do those who are currently there may do as well & I couldn't risk that.
It's so awful that someone can have so much control over you & there is no way to recourse. Reading others stories here is really helpful.
I'm well out of it, but my conscience isn't at rest yet :(
 
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