Yard bitching... Groan. Who has good techniques to ignore it?

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travelmad

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I'm at a very nice yard, horses tend to be incredibly well taken care of... And I'm one of the only one whose horses get turned out without bandages/ boots... And I leave them out 24/7. Shock horror! Anyways lots of comments doing the rounds on how I under rug them, the poor ponies, and how when I bring them in (generally just to tack up and feed) I'm bad cause they have a day bed of straw that is thin (because they are in for 2 hours and I don't see the point in putting down a full bed as they are both so messy). It's driving me mental at the moment (realistically ponies are super well rugged and used to living out, happier that way and it's works better for my schedule)

So how to harden myself against comments? I know they are only stupid ones and some yards can be so horrible but I need to toughen up! Who has good techniques? afraid I will flip some day and say something horrible!!
 
Agree with ChristmasSparkles,
You know your horses - ignore the people bitching, leave them to it.
Because, realistically, nothing bad will happen, that's going to be the worst of it so leave them be. Hold your head high and carry on!
 
Invite a vet to the yard to give a talk on the dangers of overheating in horses cause by too many rugs, how the digestive system works and the benefits of turnout.

Failing that, I heard this saying a few days ago and I love it,

"Outwardly I may be taking the high road, but inwardly I want to slap you in the face"

I changed slap you in the face to, "chuck Norris roundhouse kick you to the moon" as that makes me smile.

That's just it...you need to learn to smile through it as you know damn well your horses are just fine :D
 
I fricking hate people like this! their horses are probably out in the field sweating in 18 degress with a heavy weight combo, and im sorry but over rugging a horse is much worse than under rugging in my opinion!

my mare is 28 she has a blanket clip and is turned out 24-7 and until yesterday was in a medium at night and naked in the day unless it was raining! she was super warm and would have been very unhappy if she was over rugged!

I couldnt stand being on a yard with people like that! I often drive passed other horses when mine are naked and they are in combos!! even a friend 7 month old foal was like that when it was around 18 degrees one day!

as long as your horse is happy ignore them and im sure they will get bored of making comments!
 
yes ignore them.

We have one which has worn a minimum of 4 rugs and up to 5 when colder.


Rather than buying a good heavy weight, its in 4 fleeces + new zealand.

Horse must be wearing around 13 stone with those rugs:rolleyes:
 
I wouldn't flip. I'd probably just make a comment about how their management choices wouldn't suit my horse & why. Eg;
'oooh, aren't you worried he/she will hurt itself without boots. I love/value my horse too much to needlessly risk injury' (accompanied usually by fake concerned half smile)
Reply; 'no not at all. My horses are out 22hrs a day, so don't race madly about like something cooped up in a stable for too long. And I'd rather risk a surface wound than overheating tendons anyway'. (accompanied by patronizing 'you clearly don't know as much as you think you do' smile).
Same for any other comments. Although tbh I'd probably just tell them that if I wanted their opinion I would have kicked their kennel. Or just to **** off & mind their own. Or simply 'why the **** would I want to do that?'
 
travelmad said:
I'm at a very nice yard, horses tend to be incredibly well taken care of... And I'm one of the only one whose horses get turned out without bandages/ boots... And I leave them out 24/7. Shock horror! Anyways lots of comments doing the rounds on how I under rug them, the poor ponies, and how when I bring them in (generally just to tack up and feed) I'm bad cause they have a day bed of straw that is thin (because they are in for 2 hours and I don't see the point in putting down a full bed as they are both so messy). It's driving me mental at the moment (realistically ponies are super well rugged and used to living out, happier that way and it's works better for my schedule)

So how to harden myself against comments? I know they are only stupid ones and some yards can be so horrible but I need to toughen up! Who has good techniques? afraid I will flip some day and say something horrible!!
Click to expand...

Agree with them, repeat what they say if they say it to you. Tell them the RSPCA needs to be called and the vet but you dont have any time as you enjoy neglecting your horses. They will soon get fed up. Good luck or you ignore and earphones.
 
"all the gear and no idea"

You know your ponies are happy and healthy so ignore - clearly nothing interesting enough in their own lifes so they bitch about someone elses! Don't take it to heart. They will move on to something else next week....
 
Smile wistfully remember and repeat (in your head of course)
"if you want to be two faced dahling at least make one of them pretty"
I've never played by the rules and I show oh dear I do cause a stir I use rugs without necks shock horror. I just throw myself into my horse. Sod em your horse your rules. I always think though if they are bugging me at least they're leaving someone else alone
 
Politely explain that you don't agree with the way they do things, but that you aren't rude enough to comment on it. Then pop your ipod in and walk off
 
Just ignore them! Most horses I've come across are over-rugged anyway. My boss has had her 3 out 24/7 all winter without rugs on (all natives) in a well sheltered field with a great field shelter too and all the ponies are happy, muddy, naturally warm horses as they've been allowed to grow a proper winter coat!
I'd much rather see nakey, hairy ponies than horses rugged and booted to the hilt!
 
Just ignore them - you know how best to manage your own horses welfare. Your horse your rules - if anyone questions you to your face then stay calm - its not worth worrying about.

Xxx
 
Smile while they tell you how bad you are and then just say "If I'd wanted to hear an ar$eh0le I'd have farted" - then turn and walk away and listen to the silence you leave behind....
 
I never even made a bed for my past share horse, just brought her in and she'll stand in the yard whilst I groomed and tacked up/untacked etc then I put her out again.
 
I tend to do the agree / get-them-involved / educate-them tactic:

"You don't put many rugs on your horses, don't they feel the cold?"

"I know, I spend all my time checking them thinking they must be freezing ... they're just really warm horses, they're always warm underneath! Here ... feel!" (Did that recently, worked brilliantly)

"Don't you feel mean leaving them outside at night?"

"Yes, absolutely, I'd much rather they were in and tucked up, but that's just me, the horses are happier out and it stops them stiffening up ... horses for courses."
 
How rude of people to think they know best, it is ignorance and lack of maturity to not be able to see more than one point of view.

Maybe you should point them in the direction of modern research which tells us horses have very cleaver natural coats which work best when left alone, and how living as naturally as posssible makes for a more contented animal!
 
Doesn't everyone think "Oh MY God! What are they doing?!" now and again.

Come on, be honest, haven't you ever? I most surely have, sometimes I even remember to keep my mouth shut and my opinions to myself unless asked.

In your case I would smile sweetly, agree that they could have a point/you would consider it etc and carry on doing your own thing. Your horse, your business.

What do they say? "There are many roads to the same destination"

I have a sign in my barn bought by one of my owners that says "My Ranch, My Rules" tacky as it may be, I leave it up there because it reminds me that it really doesn't matter what anyone else thinks of my management as long as the horses are OK.
 
My 'technique' is having a life!

I go to the yard to do my horse, maybe have a bit a chat with whoever is there at the time. I find there are always a few folk just go there to hang around involving themseelves in whatever in any gossip/bitching.

I simply do not have time to hang about like Im back at school. I dont have much time to spend with my horse so I choose to use it wisely.
 
That must be so annoying. I bought a little dartmoor hill pony from an aquaintance, she had a thin waterproof rug and a combo quilted rug over the top. I fell in love with her character and bought her without even seeing her body.
I took the big combo off the first day as it was quite nice and then put the other thin rug on at night for the next month(she does have access to a shelter) back in November.
She was so fat when I got her that a saddle just goes straight round (she was being fed sugar beet , mix and chaff )
The lady I got her from nearly had a connery when she found out that she was out in the snow NAKED !!
She is starting to lose weight and look like a shape rather than a blob but her ex owner is still worried.
Very hard when people have different ideas, we dont boot ours for hunting or XC but many would criticise us for it.
 
one of mine would bite and be utterly awful in a rug :o yet when it was "cold" i was called rotten for not rugging her....she was telling me !no rugs mum"!!! i listen to my horse more than people!!!1

(cause i prefer animals to people probs)!


ignore them OP - ipods are brilliant :D
 
IMO under rugging is better than over rugging. A horse can always move around to warm up if he/she is cold. They cannout take off layers if they are too hot though. In the days before rugging, horses managed fine with just their coats.

Also having tendons and ligament booted and bandaged isn't always the best thing either. Boots and bandages done up too tight can do some pretty serious damage and over heating the legs can weaken the tendons and ligaments.

If it was me I would ignore them (Ipod works well) and keep on doing what you feel is best for your horse. As long as your horse is healthy, happy and being looked after well (which I am sure it is) who cares what a few random catty people think?? :)
 
I'm another one who would just ignore it, my horses have always lived out, clipped, fit & hunting or competing; I've often had comments but I take no notice, I don't give an explanation on why I do what I do as it's none of their business.

If somebody says "don't you feel mean leaving them out?" I just say "no I don't" & nothing more.

If it bothers you put some ear phones on & listen to music when the experts are about.
 
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