what would you do/would you be put off?

[bramblesmum]

I have my gypsy cob who's entire on a really nice yard currently however I have just been told something a tad disturbing, one of the new liveries was told by yo that because her horse put his nose in the barrow when they mucked out they battered him with feed bucket until he stood in the corner. Now my yard isn't perfect toms stable leaks in heavy rain turnout is very limited in winter they refuse to up my boys feed to more than a hampster gets even though pay for it to be included school is often very busy and they are quite mean about my sharer always criticising her to me, however hacking is gorgeous, school is indoor and huge and my pony has settled very well there.

I'm not sure what to think re this treatment of livery horses I've seen her be rough with them being led in but never anything more, my boy was looked after them while I recovered from my c section and he was a little jumpy but was happy. I pay 65 a week and this includes hay and straw

I found a yard a bit closer to home that can take him he would have choice of fields and could have field shelter in it, turnout is every day they just roll and rest grazing in spring, he can live out all summer (whereas current yard he has to be in by dinner) he would have indoor stable next to geldings with thick rubber mats shavings 2 bags a week provided and haylage two large nets a day hard feed I would have to do myself, school is half the size and outdoor, only a couple of liveries so certainly less busy hacking is still good but may be a bit limited with driving but will have to look at the bridleways. Yard is clean and tidy but approach to fields and school very muddy the yard parking is shared by car garage so gates are open 8-7 but outside those times you have to use pedestrian entrance unless at show, this yard she will turnout or bring in for you so you only up once a day, this yard is 55 a week 20 if lives out in summer

My concerns with yard one are lack of turnout (this won't be better in summer as 30 liveries and 10 fields) and the rough handling and no hard feed for money

My concerns with yard two is would have to bring baby onto yard every day rather than leave him sleeping in car, also very muddy and access being restricted

I'm not sure what to do as yard two is closer cheaper and he would get more time out but with an outdoor and lugging baby to and fro not sure if this would work or not what would you guys do?

 

[webble]

My choice of the two would be yard two. Would gelding him open up other yard choices for you? If so that would be my choice

 

[Sandstone1]

I would go to yard 2,

 

[Theocat]

I'd probably also choose yard two. More time outside should make life easier for you with a baby. How much do you use the indoor school at the moment?

 

[hobo]

Yard 2 and also think that gelding him should be thought about. Is there a very good reason for him to stay entire?

 

[charlie_george]

definately yard two, your baby won't be a baby forever - it will get easier! £65 a week is a lot of money not to be happy with the service!

 

[Theocat]

definately yard two, your baby won't be a baby forever - it will get easier! £65 a week is a lot of money not to be happy with the service!

Part of the problem is that £65 a week including hay and straw (assuming some services) is not a lot of money, so it's not surprising if there are a few things that could be done better! Doesn't mean the OP should put up with it, of course.

 

[Kikke]

Sounds like a easy one to me, yard 2!

 

[bramblesmum]

No castration is not on the cards though it has been fully explored

Thank you for your thoughts, my sharer rides three times a week and I longrein or ride him twice a week an indoor school is helpful but my sharer is happy to have an outdoor instead

No 65 not masses unfortunately would rather pay more and get a better situation

 

[Shay]

Welfare has to be the most important and I certainly wouldn't want any horse, but especially not a young stallion, handled roughly. Good luck - you'll make the right decision for you and your family - including ned!

 

[bramblesmum]

Thank you he's 10 so he has his manners just has such a wonderful temperament I would hate for that to be changed x

 

[laura_nash]

I could never keep a horse somewhere where that type of behaviour was considered acceptable, and presumably since they told the livery they had done this to her horse they truly believe this is fine and normal. Unless it is possible to only handle him yourself (or sharer), which doesn't sound like it is an option, then I would have to move. The turnout issue would also concern me. Wouldn't worry about the feed though, not many gypsy cobs need hard feed unless they are working 5+ hrs a day.

 

[Cinnamontoast]

Not sure why he's entire unless you're breeding, but there are thousands of gypsy types? It would certainly open up more yard options for you. I certainly wouldn't stay on yard one, the rough handling alone would make me move asap!

 

[SpringArising]

Not sure why he's entire unless you're breeding. I certainly wouldn't stay on yard one, the rough handling alone would make me move asap!

This.

 

[chilledoutpony]

It took me a while to find the best yard. One of my yards before was very abusive. I'm now at a friendly riding school livery, £25 a week use of every thing. Sometimes if my ponies are ill or lame I get to ride their ponies. I get to use the same facilities as YO! Yard two defo for you!

 

[bramblesmum]

I'm afraid gelding isn't up for discussion as I say that option has been completely looked into and it's not suitable for us

 

[SpringArising]

I'm afraid gelding isn't up for discussion as I say that option has been completely looked into and it's not suitable for us

What do you mean? I respect your choice not to but if you're not breeding then in what way is it not suitable?

 

[Lintel]

Yard 2.

 

[Ali2]

Yard 2. Restricted turnout is a massive no for me and added in to that the potential for abusive treatment I wouldn't be hanging around a minute longer.

 

[Leo Walker]

I'm genuinely surprised that you have found anywhere for a stallion. I cant think of a single yard either in MK or in the north east that would even entertain a stallion. My friend had hers gelded in the end as it wasnt feasible to have an entire on a livery yard unless you went for mega buck, no proper turn out competition yards. I also cant begin to imagine any circumstance where gelding isnt a suitable option?!

 

[Wheels]

I would move to yard no. 2, wouldn't be happy with the potential for my horse being mistreated at yard 1

 

[rascal]

The owner of the yard we were on when i bought Nico, refused to have him there until he was castrated, even though he was only a yearling.
I would go with yard 2.

 

[pinkypug1]

We have a lovely stallion on our liveryyard & riding school. He gets turned out daily is kept in a stable not behind bars on the main yard and has never caused not one bit of bother. He's a breeding stallion & competes regularly and is a total gent!!

 

[Pearlsasinger]

I can't imagine why any-one would use Y1 but then I can't imagine any circumstances why a non-breeding 10 yr old stallion has to be kept entire. I am surprised that you have a choice of yards to keep him, tbh.

 

[HashRouge]

I don't recall the OP asking for opinions on whether she should geld her horse . So long as he is happy and healthy, who cares if he's entire? He sounds like an active, well-socialized chap, and he can't be hideously behaved or I'd doubt he'd have a sharer. The OP has found a yard that sounds much better that will take him, despite him being a stallion, so being entire isn't compromising his welfare either. So not sure why everyone is suddenly jumping on the OP!

Back on topic, I'd opt for yard 2

 

[Leo Walker]

So not sure why everyone is suddenly jumping on the OP!

Because her current yard couldn't sound any more unsuitable for a stallion, the second yard isnt perfect, and because hes a stallion I cant imagine she has many more options. And honestly, if you dont own your own facilities, its not really acceptable to keep a stallion on a normal run of the mill livery yard, or in all probability, acceptable to keep a stallion at all especially if you need sharers to do that! I cant find anyone I consider competent to ride my bombproof safe gelding, never mind one I could trust to manage a stallion on a livery yard

 

[Palindrome]

yard 2 seems much better, perhaps since it's cheaper you could even pay someone to do the bringing in or turning out, or perhaps leave baby with dad for a quick run to the yard.

 

[bramblesmum]

I'm not prepared to go into the why's and wherefores with regards to him being entire just be assured it has been looked into and is not something we will be doing his welfare is good he is well socialised and has mares and geldings stabled alongside him and fielded as such he is better behaved than the mares and geldings and has a good quality of life, stallions are only an issue to ride and handle if they have not been educated properly as a youngster and he has a 16yr old sharer who rides him with ease doing all activities in mixed company

To the very bitchy poster who said if I need a sharer I shouldnt have him, totally uncalled for and nasty attitude, I have a sharer as I was pregnant (hence the baby being a consideration) and I needed someone to keep him going while I was off for 12 mths as he's my show horse and then considered it unfair to get rid as she's doing a lovely job

What people need to realise is mares are entire too and a well behaved stallion (and I agree many may not be but mine is) is less temperamental than a mare

Re yards I am very lucky to have never had issue finding somewhere nice to keep him as yos have been less judgemental just because he has balls they realise this doesnt make him a raving luny

The yard was lovely when we moved in since then they've become overcrowded and stressed hence these handling issues arising though they don't handle mine unless I go away on holiday

 

[bramblesmum]

I think what's holding me back is both pony and I have settled really well at current yard and I haven't see this bad handling myself another livery told me it's really had me upset as no yard is perfect and the winter turnout is the compromise but my pony does cope with it well it's why I'm so torn I think

 

[be positive]

The chasing the horse with a bucket may well have been an exaggeration, was the livery owner upset or just stating what had been told to her? we can all exaggerate at times, how many times do you hear someone say "my horse bolted" when in reality it has spooked and jumped forward a few strides, not that they should be battering a horse but it may have been about to walk out of the box over the wheelbarrow and needed a sharp reaction to prevent an accident, this then becomes he was battered into the corner of his box.

I would not let this one incident put you off, there are obviously a few other concerns, if you want him fed more then make sure he is, if they provide the feed it may be harder but if you are then make the feeds up yourself and leave ready or find a way to give him an extra one each day after exercise or something.
If they are not handling him on a daily basis I would see how it goes this summer and possibly look to moving before next winter, your baby will be older so you may be more flexible by then.