Yard owner stopping me moving my horse

[EchoInterrupted]

This sounds like a stressful situation, hopefully your next yard will be less stressful!

I wouldn't burn any bridges unnecessarily by leaving suddenly without saying anything or by pretending to go to a show/hack. As Winters100 said, it's less likely they'll cause problems because they need you out. There would be legitimate reasons for a YO to be upset about horses disappearing permanently from the premises without you telling them, even if you've paid through your notice - eg they've already arranged yard coverage for the next day and now there are (2 from the sounds of it) horses less so they may have scheduled the groom for too many hours, groom is stressed because a horse is missing without explanation, etc. YO is responsible for the wellbeing of your horses while they're stabled with them, so if I were a YO and 2 horses disappeared dead of night and no one told me I would definitely be frustrated/upset about it as that can cause quite a lot of stress. Obviously blocking someone from leaving would NOT be an appropriate response, but you don't want to set someone off without needing to.

I would though definitely clear all your personal possessions before your intended moveout date. Then just tell her the morning you're coming saying "great news - the other yard's boxes opened up early so I am moving my horses today, so you won't have any time pressure getting the stables prepped for the person renting the cottage." Then follow the other suggestions re bringing along a team of people to efficiently move your horses. Stay polite and if there are any issues call for police for backup. Encourage your friend to leave a public review about their experience, but I wouldn't necessarily do it on their behalf unless you've talked to them and they are OK with that.

If she had already directly indicated that she will block you from leaving, I would go with the hack up the road, pretend it's a show, etc option then tell them you're moving (or just call the police). But the horse world is small and you don't want to burn bridges if you don't have to. Good luck and hope all goes smoothly!

 

[Sossigpoker]

Usually in these cases there's another side to the story.....money owed perhaps or strangles at the yard, something like that. I just can't imagine anyone being crazy enough to stop a livery leaving if there isn't a pressing reason like this. What on earth do they have to gain from doing so if all monies owed have been paid, there's no disease at the yard , the livery is only removing what belongs to them etc. Why on earth would the owner male an issue out of moving?

 

[milliepops]

some yard owners are nuts,can you imagine the manger of co-op behaving like some Yard owners do if you decided to shop in Morrisons instead haha

that tickled me
my old YO just kicked off because a full livery gave notice after a bereavement, they are moving the horse to a family member. i can't believe the way some people behave. wouldn't you just say you are sorry about their awful circumstances and welcome back any time?!

OP hope you manage to get out when you choose, lots of good advice already, get stuff you can move un noticed away beforehand so it's a quick job on the day and then take a brave friend just in case you need moral support.

 

[TotalMadgeness]

Sounds pretty odd to me but having had a weird experience or two at yards I shouldn't be surprised. When I gave one yard my notice to leave, on the day I was due to leave, although I had paid up to the end of that day (full livery!), I arrived at the yard to discover they'd put another horse in my stable, left my horse in a turnout paddock with a bad cut on his hind leg and also decided he wasn't going to be shod by the farrier visiting that day (I'd put him on the list and left a cheque as I normally did). It was really strange and quite bizarre, never mind totally unprofessional, for such a big popular yard. Hence the fact I have my horses at home now.

 

[Birker2020]

Gosh we had someone do a flit from our yard just last week, she'd loaded her horse, emptied her stable, and was just taking down her electric fencing posts in her paddock when staff saw her. She said she would pay what she owed at some point and went.

Total surprise to everyone, I was absolutely Gobsmacked. If I'd known she was moving I'd have offered to part loan her horse, she'd already suggested I had a ride on it before she left! Missed out there.

 

[Flame_]

Usually in these cases there's another side to the story.....money owed perhaps or strangles at the yard, something like that. I just can't imagine anyone being crazy enough to stop a livery leaving if there isn't a pressing reason like this. What on earth do they have to gain from doing so if all monies owed have been paid, there's no disease at the yard , the livery is only removing what belongs to them etc. Why on earth would the owner male an issue out of moving?

Because plenty of YOs are psychos/ loonies. Yes, its bonkers to give a livery their notice, have them pay it in full and then ban them from leaving - but sometimes YOs are bonkers.

 

[Sossigpoker]

Because plenty of YOs are psychos/ loonies. Yes, its bonkers to give a livery their notice, have them pay it in full and then ban them from leaving - but sometimes YOs are bonkers.

I don't buy it. If you give a livery their notice that means you want them gone so why would you stop them from leaving unless money was owed etc ? There is usually at least two sides to these stories.
And besides, in the unlikely case that there really is nothing else to this , why wouldn't you just go? If they touch you that's assault, call the police. If they stand in front of the horse box that's probably breach of the peace, so call the police.
There is nothing stopping you from leaving unless they point a gun at you - in which case call the police !
Jesus it's really not that hard....

 

[EventingMum]

Is it worth approaching her and saying "Thanks for having me here, I just want to let you know I've arranged to move my horse/s on xx/xx/xx date, I know that won't be a problem as you're paid beyond then. Thanks once again"? It might just take the wind out her sails.

 

[Pinkvboots]

I would just get my stuff together load the horse and go, what can she do apart from physically stopping you or lying in front of your vehicle.

 

[Honey08]

It does seem as though there’s another side to the story, but then, as a yard owner I’ve had some nutty liveries, so know how strange people can be in the horse world!

If you’re really worried about her blocking you in could you organise for someone else to come with you in their vehicle and park in the driveway while you load your horse/belongings- so she can’t block the gate herself because it already is..

 

[Reacher]

Is it worth approaching her and saying "Thanks for having me here, I just want to let you know I've arranged to move my horse/s on xx/xx/xx date, I know that won't be a problem as you're paid beyond then. Thanks once again"? It might just take the wind out her sails.

I would do this....but take the horse before that date when YO isn’t expecting it. You can make up some excuse like the stable became available early.
Take someone imposing with you. If YO kicks off when you leave have them video with their phone.

 

[MiJodsR2BlinkinTite]

Thank you for your reply ..there are no issues of outstanding payment or damages. I was given notice out of the blue, the yard has a cottage and the new tenant wanted to rent the yard as well as the cottage. I was therefore given notice to leave.

Sorry this is happening to you. As a YO myself it is always unfortunate - and unfortunately reflects badly on the rest of us - when things like this occur on yards.

There is a myriad of advice on here; but whatever course of action you eventually decide upon I would urge you, as far as is within your own remit, to keep things as polite and non-confrontational as you can. Unfortunately, the horsey world being what it is, people are all too ready to believe negative things about a situation without enquiring too much as to the accuracy of that report, and you don't want to be bad-mouthed by this woman and her cronies.

As per my original advice, I would strongly suggest that if you suspect there will be any conflict on the day, that you have a word with your local police and ask them if they could have a PCSO or Special Constable just hang around outside the yard (rather than actually going into the yard necessarily, but rather to be there "just in case"). Give your YO formal written notice of a time and a day when you are to collect your horse and use words to the effect that you expect this occasion to be "without let or hindrance".

Such a pity you have been placed in this position. Please don't think all YO's are like this!!

 

[ester]

No one else has mentioned it but I did think people leaving before end off notice period can = less money made on hay/bedding etc if that person normally buys off the yo

 

[Berpisc]

" that tickled me
my old YO just kicked off because a full livery gave notice after a bereavement, they are moving the horse to a family member. i can't believe the way some people behave. wouldn't you just say you are sorry about their awful circumstances and welcome back any time?!"
Blimey!
What the f...