What would you do? FREE LIVERY?

m3gan

m3gan

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Answered an ad. advertising frre livery for one horse , but must help owner with her horse. Owner and OH go away on holiday every 3months or so. for 10 or 11 days, lucky b*****S! so would have to care for said horse as well as own when that happens! The stables are at their home , and they have 2 acres of land with other fields which can be used.
I am giong to have a look at the stables etc. but am not sure it would be a good move for me.
ATM my lad is with 4 other horses in 14 acres of land (divided up) he is happy , although he is bullied a bit by the others more in the way of pecking order stuff as he is the newcomer, been there since Feb. YO is very knowledgable and friendly etc. Got lovely hacking and good stable for boy, who lives out with the others except if weather really bad . So it all works well. So why am I thinking of moving him??
My job is a bit insecure ATM so am always rather concerned about that.
The new place is closer to my home.BUT i think that I could be put in and situation where I would have very little control over what time I would be spending looking after the other horse, not that I would mind doing it but not knowing how much time I would have to commit to is a worry.
What do you peeps think?
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mmm, depends, they could take advantage of you, as your 'help' is effectively paying your livery... On the other hand they may be really genuine and not take a lend of you.............
Im not very good at making decisions, but can see a few 'what ifs' here....
 
I think you're right and you could quite easily find yourself in a situation where you're doing more than you expected and obligated to continue in order to keep your livery...
I don't think there's such a thing as (truly) free anything!!
 
Its a difficult one - if you can get some form of written contract as to what you are obliged to do for the owner and her horses and then decide whether or not you are able to commit to it.

It may be that the owner is just trying to get free help or it might be a great opportunity for you.

How many hours work a week would you need to do for the owner? If you work it out how much she would have to pay for a freelance to come in and do them and then compare this to the price you would have to pay for a similar set up for livery you might be able to guage it better.
 
does it tell you anything about the other horse that you would be looking after? You wouldnt want to get stuck looking after one that was a pain in the bum!
Does your current yard charge a reasonable rate or is it a bit pricey?
Theres no harm in going to look at new yard, even if you decide that its not for you though it does sound like a good deal on paper.
Sound like your quite content at current yard from your post though.
 
Yeah thanks for your views, as they say there is no such thing as a free lunch! I think it would be very risky to be in the position of a non paying livery, where it might be tempting to be free it would come with its price!
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i would go and suss them and other horse out. the other problem may be if there is only your horse and hers, they may bond too much and it would be difficult to seperate them to ride or go to shows etc.
would she also look after yours if you were going on holiday?
 
What you would need to bear in mind is that if you wanted to be away during the times when the other owner was away you might have a problem.
 
I did wonder about whether there might be bonding issues with being with just one other, who is a mare and mine a gelding. Hhmm! Also haven't asked if she would look after mine if I ever go away!!
 
I had that deal with friends many years ago. It worked very well, I was in my first job and quite broke so welcomed the cheaper option. I did their horse every morning, mucked out and fed, and we took it in turns to bring in. The summer was easy as they lived out. Quite nice to have the place to yourself, the only slight problem was that the horses bonded quite strongly being only two, but they were ok about being left. Must be worth a look - can you find out if they have had anyone before doing the same, and if so why they left?
 
QR - Not quite the same but I get free livery, hay, feeding and AM skip out in exchange for cleaning my YO's house. It didn't start like this but when I ran into financial problems after long illnesses with both horses she offered this solution. It works very well and and benefits both of us. Our arangement has never been a problem but if it became so I should revert back to paying for livery, and work somewhere else to cover it.
 
I would stay put. If you and your horse are happy, I'd definitely stay. Nothing comes for free I'm afraid and by giving 'free' livery I can see you becoming their slave of sorts and doing all sorts of duties for them.

I'd steer well clear. Sorry!
 
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