Yard Owner after Giving Notice

[Bellalily]

Why is it that some yard owners have such horrid attitudes when you decide to leave?
I would have thought they’d want you to remember it as a pleasant experience, not that it’s owned by a bitter old woman
Having been on both sides of the coin, if I had anyone leave, which usually was because they were short term anyway, I always made sure it was amicable.
Some people are determined to make sure you leave feeling like you’ve escaped.

 

[Cortez]

....because most livery yards are not professional businesses.

 

[Caol Ila]

When I left a yard, my horse was being a bit tricky about loading, and while myself and the transporter were working on it, the YO stood on their back deck shouting, "She's spent 8 years here! She's going to die if you move her!"

I was going to leave the yard a wee box of chocolates or something as a thank you for taking care of her all those years. After that boorach, I didn't.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

I gave notice to one yard owner once and she got got so upset and cried then told me to leave that day, I had no idea she liked me that much it was like I had just broken up a relationship

 

[BallyJ]

How did you give your notice?

Mine says written notice but would've thought in person would've been nicer!!

Its on my to do list today and i'm dreading it!!

 

[Ample Prosecco]

The lack of professionalism among yard owners is really quite staggering at times. I was on a yard where a girl decided to leave. She had been there a few years. Was a lovely livery. Had lessons with YO, went to events paying YO to support her etc. She moved in GCSE year because yard was 35 mins away each way and she wanted a shorter commute. Fair enough? Well, YO went ballistic: "after all I've done for you!" etc. After I left too - for perfectly valid reasons - she blocked me on SM and blanks me if I ever run into her. Honestly, they are barking mad at times. Bezzie mates then sworn enemies. As opposed to paid professionals offering a service. Like they are still at primary school. Very odd.

 

[Ample Prosecco]

SOME yard owners I should say. My current YO is absolutely lovely.

 

[Bellalily]

How did you give your notice?

Mine says written notice but would've thought in person would've been nicer!!

Its on my to do list today and i'm dreading it!!

I found somewhere better () first, then rang her to ask if there was a way of resolving the issues, was told a load of BS so the following day, when I’d calmed down, I sent her a text to say I’d found somewhere more suitable. I didn’t thank her for anything as she’s done nothing except collect the money. No maintenance or anything.
I will be sad to leave, lovely liveries.

 

[Bellalily]

The lack of professionalism among yard owners is really quite staggering at times. I was on a yard where a girl decided to leave. She had been there a few years. Was a lovely livery. Had lessons with YO, went to events paying YO to support her etc. She moved in GCSE year because yard was 35 mins away each way and she wanted a shorter commute. Fair enough? Well, YO went ballistic: "after all I've done for you!" etc. After I left too - for perfectly valid reasons - she blocked me on SM and blanks me if I ever run into her. Honestly, they are barking mad at times. Bezzie mates then sworn enemies. As opposed to paid professionals offering a service. Like they are still at primary school. Very odd.

 

[Bellalily]

SOME yard owners I should say. My current YO is absolutely lovely.

Ah but will she still be if you leave?

 

[Bellalily]

How did you give your notice?

Mine says written notice but would've thought in person would've been nicer!!

It’s on my to do list today and i'm dreading it!!

Make sure you have it in writing too! Proof of date of notice is important

 

[BallyJ]

I found somewhere better () first, then rang her to ask if there was a way of resolving the issues, was told a load of BS so the following day, when I’d calmed down, I sent her a text to say I’d found somewhere more suitable. I didn’t thank her for anything as she’s done nothing except collect the money. No maintenance or anything.
I will be sad to leave, lovely liveries.

I've already got a spot on a new yard, not sure if its better but they're being turned out! We're on day 8 of no turn out!!!! Which i really don't think is acceptable.

I might be a chicken and just text her, then follow up on email as that's how she invoices us. I haven't felt more sick to do anything, then worried as i'm away for the next 2 weekends so if she turns funny I can't make sure my horse is still being fed etc!

 

[Annagain]

Our old yard is on the market. Our YO told us they were marketing it as a going concern and we could stay as long as they were there and hopefully beyond but 7 of the 10 of us were offered the chance to all go somewhere together (it wouldn't have suited the other three as their horses are retired). With the uncertainty around the old yard and being able to keep the herd (both equine and human) together and settled, it was a no brainer, though we were all sad to leave, especially my friend and me who had been there 20 years. YO was fantastic about it, despite losing 70% of her business in one go, we all had a goodbye meal, shed the odd tear as we left and still keep in touch. They don't have a buyer yet and we all know that we can go back there if we need to while they're still there. Fortunately new YO is also lovely so we don't need to. It's how things should be. The reasons for leaving are very rarely personal.

 

[Dontforgetaboutme]

Unless you are bad mouthing the current yard there is no reason for a YO to get funny with people leaving. There is a multitude of reasons for leaving. I moved as I was bored of the hacking after 8 years & unmotivated. Left on good terms with offer of being able to go back. Make the move about you rather than any perceived short comings on the yard.

 

[Birker2020]

Why is it that some yard owners have such horrid attitudes when you decide to leave?
I would have thought they’d want you to remember it as a pleasant experience, not that it’s owned by a bitter old woman
Having been on both sides of the coin, if I had anyone leave, which usually was because they were short term anyway, I always made sure it was amicable.
Some people are determined to make sure you leave feeling like you’ve escaped.

saving face maybe? Or embarrased that you want to leave and feel that by being nasty its justified in someway.?

 

[Birker2020]

Imagine turning up at your yard one day to find a load of high court enforcement officers outside speaking to the YO through the intercom.
That's what faced me. I was told that we'd be given a couple of hours to remove our horses if the y.o hadn't paid up what was owed. 14 horses! Nightmare.

Worse still the saddle fitter was there (the reason I'd taken the afternoon off work) and the vet was due a couple of hours later. He'd managed to sneak through the gate without them following him, but when I arrived I was that desperate for the loo I made a break for it and they all followed me in! I did feel sorry for the y.o, but felt even more sorry for us!

Anyway it got paid in the end, and we all understood. But then the property was sold and we all had to leave anyway.

 

[GypsGal1718]

When I left a yard recently I just never got spoke to again by the yard manager!

 

[EventingMum]

As a YO I can understand being disappointed when someone leaves but there is no need for nastiness. As others have said there are so many reasons to move on and as long as the person has paid up to date and given notice as stated in their contract I wish them well and wave them off with a smile - it's my job to be professional regardless of any feelings I may have. I have one livery leaving in a few days for financial reasons to move to DIY which I don't offer, she gave notice last month and has been treated the same as every other livery including been given a Christmas present - her lack of thanks for that is down to her poor manners, not mine!

 

[BallyJ]

As a YO I can understand being disappointed when someone leaves but there is no need for nastiness. As others have said there are so many reasons to move on and as long as the person has paid up to date and given notice as stated in their contract I wish them well and wave them off with a smile - it's my job to be professional regardless of any feelings I may have. I have one livery leaving in a few days for financial reasons to move to DIY which I don't offer, she gave notice last month and has been treated the same as every other livery including been given a Christmas present - her lack of thanks for that is down to her poor manners, not mine!

How would you like to be given notice?

I'm thinking an email (as thats how she notifies of price increase/contract) with the hope of catching her later if she's still there when i arrive?

 

[Caol Ila]

When I left the yard in question, I told them that I'd found a yard that was less than 10 miles away from where I lived, rather than the 30 miles (one way!) I'd been commuting. A nice, neutral reason. But they were pretty offended!

 

[EventingMum]

My contract says written but I really don't mind, face to face, text or other form of message is fine with me, whatever the livery is comfortable with. I confirm when their notice ends and if a horse is being sold I'm flexible in that the horse can stay after the notice period until the sale goes through. I've probably lucky in that I haven't had any problems with anyone leaving. The horse world tends to be small and word of trouble or unreasonable behaviour would spread quickly so IMO treat clients fairly and you'll avoid too many problems.

 

[SEL]

I got a rant on FB messenger once and then blanked. I moved early the atmosphere was so horrible and just forked out for the extra weeks.

 

[onemoretime]

I gave notice to one yard owner once and she got got so upset and cried then told me to leave that day, I had no idea she liked me that much it was like I had just broken up a relationship

There is a yard near me that when a livery gave a months notice the YO chucked them out there and then!! Fortunately the new yard were able to take the horse straight away but that is neither professional nor the done thing!

 

[AWinter]

I gave notice in person and it was all very friendly, but after I left there has been constant passive aggressive social media posts saying how cruel it is to move horses away from herds they’re settled in and how selfish it is etc people are nuts and have no idea how to market themselves professionally

 

[marmalade76]

I gave notice to one yard owner once and she got got so upset and cried then told me to leave that day, I had no idea she liked me that much it was like I had just broken up a relationship

My current YOs were just about to put the place on the market, as this had happened to me twice before I immediately started to look for somewhere else, had found a yard for the one I owned and was in the process of arranging for the loaned horse to go back to her owner. When I told the landlady, she was out on the yard in floods! Anyway, then lockdown happened and the place didn't go on the market and I couldn't move yards and the YOs and I are still there now!

 

[humblepie]

It seems odd to me as most people move for a reason so job move, needing different facilities, horse needing different facilities but things change and they burn their boats for that livery ever returning.

 

[Lamehorses]

There is a yard near me that when a livery gave a months notice the YO chucked them out there and then!! Fortunately the new yard were able to take the horse straight away but that is neither professional nor the done thing!

That's happened to me. Luckily as she had done it when others left I was expecting it & already warned the new yard & started paying for my box

 

[BallyJ]

That's happened to me. Luckily as she had done it when others left I was expecting it & already warned the new yard & started paying for my box

I can't believe this happens!

What do people without transport do?!

 

[CanteringCarrot]

My last few experiences were fine. I was usually moving yards because I was moving several hours away myself, so it made sense and everything was on good terms. A previous YO was very relaxed about it when things were uncertain due to an international move.

There has been 2 times, once within the last 5 years and one more recent where I've said, look, we just have different ideas when it comes to horse care, and that's fine, but I'll be loving. I appreciate all that you've done, but I found a place that will be more suitable for my horse and our goals. Fortunately, no one went ballistic.

It's like, why would you even want a livery that has different ideas/standards when it comes to facilties and care, or one that just doesn't align with what you're doing at your yard? Just let them go. See the differences, accept them, and you both move on with doing your own thing.

I do understand why YO's take it so personally at times, because it is a business that some really put their blood, sweat, and tears into. It's a hard 24/7 job that can be thankless, and horse people are just very...how shall I word this..."passionate."

You have to view it from a business perspective though. If your business offers abc and the client wants xyz, and you can't/won't/or otherwise don't provide that, it makes sense for the client to go elsewhere.

While I am courteous, thankful, and appreciative to any BO (I also give a nice card and small gift at the holidays), I never get too close. I know some see it as a good thing to be close to their YO, but I've always been wary of getting too close to YO's or yard staff. Close enough to be comfortable, but far away enough to safe, basically.

 

[daydreamer]

My last yard found out I had gone onto a couple of waiting lists for other yards and then gave me a months notice on my stable (although they kindly said I could stay on grass livery through winter on their clay soil!!). I ended up leaving a few weeks earlier than I had left and just packed it all up and left in one day without telling them (I had paid until the end of my notice period!). They had the next person (clique member) in the following day I think. Another yard got really funny with me when I gave notice and suddenly started charging extra for the school lights and stopped mucking out properly. Both of these were smaller not very professionally run yards. The 2 bigger professional yards I have left have always been fine and nothing has changed during the notice period.