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

I'd confront those that you hear talking about you - in a non aggressive way, and ask them if they'd like to discuss your horses management directly with you? Discuss their actual issues with your management, and then address each point one at a time.

It's all well and good people saying ignore them - but if there a few people involved and it's constant then it can make a wonderful hobby a living nightmare.

You should also speak to your YO - op, and discuss these issues with them. So they can also wade in with warning to all to keep their gobs shut!
 
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

This . . . oh hallelujah this :). What a fantastic response.

Chin up OP - ignore them and move on. Your horse, your management . . . stuff the rest of them.

P
 
God help me when I'm seen rasping Shy's hooves :eek: So i make sure I can be seen, and leave the trimmings on the floor until I'm back from a ride or whatever. This is altho the farrier has said loudly what a very good job I do.. You can GUARANTEE that there will be sneeky looks at his hooves once he's done. Hahaha :D
 
I don't understand some people .... I would never even think about questioning someone else's management of their horses. It would never even cross my mind to make a comment or go up to someone and offer advice. And I used to be a professional so by standards I know what I'm doing! Yet I would never be so rude to criticise anybody else like that, even if I didn't agree with everything they're doing. I just don't get how some people have the gall to go up to others and question what they're doing with their own horse - it's nobody else's business!

The only time I would feel the need to comment would be if something was dangerous or harmful to the horse. Even then I would quietly let the YM know and let him/her deal with it (that is what they are paid for after all) and would never say any thing potentially rude and hurtful to the owner (I may after all have got the wrong end of the stick ....)

My advice is to ignore, as difficult as it may be. I got a lot of comments about my horses in the past, most of it jealousy. I altered the times of day I'm at the yard now. I ride first thing in the morning before anyone else arrives and if I have to be there in the evening I wait until 8.30pm so I can just quietly enjoy my horses peacefully without getting hassled. It's worked really well and I'm back to really looking forward to going to the yard which is how it should be.
 
I got told I was cruel the other day as my (unclipped) Welsh sec D is currently out (only in the day and in at night) without a rug on!

the livery in question then went on to tell me that her horse (also unclipped) was currently wearing 2 heavyweights and she thought he still looked cold!

My response was "He is a horse...he will survive!" :D
 
Thanks everyone. I know I'm too soft! I should not let it get to me so I'm going to work on ignoring them, gently confronting it, and to be fair they could be saying a lot worse! And I'm not thick I know the horses are in good health and happy and I do take very good care of them so it's all groundless!

I think I will wind them all up with new new pony who is completely unrugged arriving!!! :)

You people on here are amazing!!! Some of these sayings are hilarious!
 
LOL Don't let it get up your nose - let it go over your head!!!
If you hear them over the ipod tell them they are ignorant and know nothing!!! Stand your ground!! Cyber hugs!!
 
I agree with Amymay..you do need to confront or it will not stop. Her suggested approach is spot on as well and do get your YO involved. Do say it upsets you when people mutter behind your back and you are sure that was not their intention. People can easily get carried away, you just need to, politely, make them aware of the impact of their words.
 
A woman was visiting with a friend.

Friend: "My husband makes so much money, it's almost embarrassing"

Woman: "Well, aren't you special"

Friend: "And for vacation, we're going to charter a jet and fly to Canada"

Woman: "Well, aren't you special"

Friend: "Do you like my new jewelry and Rolex watch, he got me this for Christmas"

Woman: "Well, aren't you special"

Friend: "What did your husband get YOU for Christmas?"

Woman: "He sent me to a charm school where I learned to say "Well aren't you special" instead of "Eff you $%@#%$@#!"

So, in the feeling of the story...smile at these idiots as if they're a bit off and say, "Well, aren't you special"...if you can do a Scarlett O'Hara accent, all the better for effect.
 
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