Will this reflect badly on me?

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lynds81

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Hi,

I have a private event yard, with 2 DIY liveries also based there. One of the DIY liveries is currently selling her pony, and is telling people who are calling that the pony is based with me and trained by me.

The problem comes because I have seen the advert they have written for this pony and I know that the advert is largely untrue, and the pony is in fact lame behind, and will barely jump any more. I am concerned that if they sell this pony, or people think that I am somehow involved in this that I will get a bad reputation (especially unhelpful as I do a little bit of buying and selling young horses and haven't actually taught her for around 6 months!)

I have suggested to them that perhaps they should consider lowering the price and re-wording the advert, and have previously tried to convince them that their pony needs a vet (it is completely crippled behind) to no avail.

Any ideas on how to deal with the situation?? Should I ask them to remove the pony from my yard? But if I do that it is still with me for the next month anyway...
 
lynds81 said:
Hi,

I have a private event yard, with 2 DIY liveries also based there. One of the DIY liveries is currently selling her pony, and is telling people who are calling that the pony is based with me and trained by me.

The problem comes because I have seen the advert they have written for this pony and I know that the advert is largely untrue, and the pony is in fact lame behind, and will barely jump any more. I am concerned that if they sell this pony, or people think that I am somehow involved in this that I will get a bad reputation (especially unhelpful as I do a little bit of buying and selling young horses and haven't actually taught her for around 6 months!)

I have suggested to them that perhaps they should consider lowering the price and re-wording the advert, and have previously tried to convince them that their pony needs a vet (it is completely crippled behind) to no avail.

Any ideas on how to deal with the situation?? Should I ask them to remove the pony from my yard? But if I do that it is still with me for the next month anyway...
Click to expand...

I would be mad if someone did this, especially if the pony is lame. As they are selling anyway, it sounds like they will be leaving, so I would tell them to leave now. It isn't worth getting a bad reputation because of them.
 
I have to say if I was read the ad and your name was linked to a lame pony then sadly I would assume-falsely in this case-that you were involved, knew the problems and still happy to be associated with it.
Sorry.....
In this case I would ask them to remove any link to you other than it is stabled on your yard or tell them to make it clear that you WERE involved when it was fit but no longer. Sadly its the old saying about tar and brushes.....
Could you be there when it is viewed so as you can voice your concerns? or at least be able to get your side across?
 
I would ask them to change the advert or contact the company who had placed the advert and complain to them.

It sounds as if they could even ask you to lie to a potential buyer ???
 
Hi,

I'm in a similar situation at the moment. We pulled our livery aside and told her that she was basically writing a pack of lies and that it was not on. She seemed genuinely shocked at this! She STILL has the advert up and won't change it. So now we have been left with very little choice but to make people sign a disclaimer before they try the horse. I know this sounds harsh but as we buy and sell a lot we can't be seen to be selling knackers off the yard, even if they are liveries. Personally I would have a strong word, ie if the advert isn't changed to something truthful within x then you will be forced to give girl her notice. OR you could make it very difficult for her to sell said pony by claiming your property wasn't insured for outsiders to ride there, so no showing it there as you don't want to be liable (and some insurers are actually funny about this so check yours out)
 
They haven't actually written my name in the advert, but I had a friend of a friend approach me the other day to ask me about "the pony at my yard that I train" and they were really shocked when I told them that I wouldn't touch the pony! So obviously they are mentioning me on the phone...

It's very frustrating as one of the things I pride myself on when I sell mine is that I am always completely honest with the people who try them!

I am normally around on the yard anyway, and will voice my opinion if asked, but it is still seriously concerning me...

Really think I might have to ask them to leave, but they are entitled to a month's notice so not sure this will solve it anyway..

Thanks for your replies!
 
natalia said:
Hi,

I'm in a similar situation at the moment. We pulled our livery aside and told her that she was basically writing a pack of lies and that it was not on. She seemed genuinely shocked at this! She STILL has the advert up and won't change it. So now we have been left with very little choice but to make people sign a disclaimer before they try the horse. I know this sounds harsh but as we buy and sell a lot we can't be seen to be selling knackers off the yard, even if they are liveries. Personally I would have a strong word, ie if the advert isn't changed to something truthful within x then you will be forced to give girl her notice. OR you could make it very difficult for her to sell said pony by claiming your property wasn't insured for outsiders to ride there, so no showing it there as you don't want to be liable (and some insurers are actually funny about this so check yours out)
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Thanks.. This is really helpful. I have told them that I don't think their advert is truthful, but they can't see why either!! I think I might tell them that anyone trying the pony signs a disclaimer to say that I have nothing to do with the pony, and claim it is on insurance grounds...
 
i would give them notice to quit and tell them why, bluntly. i would also make sure that you are notified if any prospective purchaser is coming onto your property. (common curtesy) let the prospective purchaser know on arrival that this pony has nothing to do with you, and that you have not trained it for x months. they might ask further, it would be wrong to lie.
 
Well... I've achieved the desired result... Caught her giving the pony bute this morning and have told her that I won't let her feed the pony it without a vet visit and prescription, and asked her to leave the yard. The result... She's picking it up this afternoon!

I feel very sorry for the pony, but at least it's not my problem anymore... *sigh*
 
I hate to say this, but yes, it will reflect badly on you - so I would demand that the advert is changed asap, or the pony is removed from the yard, under a breach of contract or something. I cannot believe peeps could be so damned rude ! Good luck , sm x
 
lynds81 said:
Well... I've achieved the desired result... Caught her giving the pony bute this morning and have told her that I won't let her feed the pony it without a vet visit and prescription, and asked her to leave the yard. The result... She's picking it up this afternoon!

I feel very sorry for the pony, but at least it's not my problem anymore... *sigh*
Click to expand...

I hate to say this, lynds81, but as the pony has now gone, or is going, then the vendor is still just as likely to continue to use your good name to promote a pony, which you have no confidence in, and importantly, no control over.

Were I you, then when the pony's gone, I would either contact the company offering the advert, and lay a complaint, though they'll probably say that it's a civil matter, or better still, speak to your local Trading Standards Office. You will, I feel certain, receive strong and assertive advice. Their Farm Team will be fully entitled to blood test for Bute, and with luck, you will be removed from any responsibility.

The simple fact that you've contacted TS should be enough, and if nothing else, it will demonstrate to any successful(?) purchaser that you took all reasonable steps to prevent fraud.

I'd be interested to hear of the outcome. Good luck.

Alec.

Ets, as the previous post, it takes years to earn a good reputation, and minutes to loose it. a.
 
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