Would you be annoyed?

[elliehayes92]

I’ve been away for a week and left my horse in full care of my YO. I got back this morning and went up to see her and noticed she’d lost a shoe. It could have happened before I got there but chances are it didn’t as she’d only been turned out max 30 minutes. But I wasn’t messaged about it. I also noticed she has thrush from where her feet haven’t been picked out all week and she’s been stood in a muddy field.

I’m annoyed as her feet aren’t great anyway (she’s a TB) and this obviously doesn’t help

 

[Red-1]

I wouldn't be annoyed, initially at least. I would talk with YO and find out what has been happening.

I would imagine most fields are wet at the moment. You can't know of hooves were picked or not. You don't know when the shoe came off.

 

[AmyMay]

I wouldn't be annoyed, initially at least. I would talk with YO and find out what has been happening.

I would imagine most fields are wet at the moment. You can't know of hooves were picked or not. You don't know when the shoe came off.

I agree.

 

[HollyWoozle]

Also agree with @Red-1.

 

[ownedbyaconnie]

Agree with the ever sensible Red. Have a chat with the YO first. Don't know where you are in the world but I can pick and hose my mare's hooves to my hearts content in the stable. By the time we get to the field you'd have thought she hadn't seen a hoof pick in months.

 

[Flyermc]

you know your horse and you know whats 'normal' if your horse has been in a similar routine to 'normal' but her feet have been left in an unusual way, deep down im sure you'll know the answer.

did the YO do this as a favour (even if paid) or is the yard ran as an assisted livery? if its assisted id check what was included and if it was a favour (even if paid) id checked what i specifically requested.

i wouldnt personally bring this up with the YO, id just note it for next time i needed assistance and make it clear whats needed.

 

[meleeka]

I’m just happy that mine are still breathing when I leave them. The person who looks after them hasn’t noticed lameness before and ignores instructions. She thinks she knows best, which is rarely the case. I have another option now, but the one time that person has done them she forgot medication, so I might stick with the lesser of two evils.

 

[Winters100]

you know your horse and you know whats 'normal' if your horse has been in a similar routine to 'normal' but her feet have been left in an unusual way, deep down im sure you'll know the answer.
.

I'm afraid I disagree with this, you may think you know the answer, or suspect that you know, but actually you do not know. As Red says it is perfectly possible that hooves were picked out, you don't know. Horses do get thrush even with regular care. When did the shoe come off? Who knows? I saw my farrier a week ago at the yard dealing with another horse. He asked me if all was fine with mine and it was at that moment. 3 hours later, after he had left, one was missing a shoe. It happens.

I would say that if I were a YO and someone came to accuse me of inadequate care because of these reasons then I would not be very happy, and for sure would refuse to take on responsibility for their horse next time, so do be careful OP.

 

[skint.spotty]

I would be irritated to find my horse in a state but would want details before pointing any fingers I think....after all we all know how good they are at getting themselves into scrapes.

 

[Abacus]

I would only consider being annoyed if I had good reason to suspect that the YO or employees have been negligent. If for example they are frequently responsible for hoof picking and you find it not done on several occasions (this once happened to me despite specifically asking, and pointing it out). On one occasion, I think you have to give the benefit of the doubt, at the most asking her if she knows when the shoe was lost.

 

[Tarragon]

I think you are being a bit to quick to lay the blame here!
Unless this is a "straw that broke the camel's back" type of situation, which has discoloured your view point, losing a shoe is something that happens, and who knows about the thrush.
Unless you think better, I wouldn't jump to any conclusions and start blaming people.

 

[Tarragon]

Plus, I brought my two hairy ponies in for a couple of hours to wait for the barefoot trimmer, and picked out their feet carefully before I left. You wouldn't have believed it when their hooves were picked up by the trimmer when she arrived! Already full of stuff.

 

[black and brown]

If you do take this up with your YO, then make sure you have a back up plan should you go away again. Your YO may not too kindly to your concerns, particularly if they are unfounded, and not be willing to look after your horse in the future.