Yard owners - Advice please

as a yard owner i have been in a similar situation and i can assure you that despite the emotional blackmail one person can upset the atmosphere for everyone. Stick to your word and say you have a quiet area away from the other horses to have her horse put to sleep if that is her decision. She may well just go quietly when given that option. good luck
 
SusieT said:
Not up to you sadly, people have many differing opinions on quality of life. I would ask her to get a vet to asses the horse with you present regarding transport and go from there? Then you will hear the vets opinion as obviously this is difficult for you and you should be able to have your yard back.
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We had the vet up last week and he did agree with her that the horse wouldnt cope with the traveling but also said hes a healthy (if a bit thin) pony apart from the lameness which is never going to go as its neurological.
But he also agrees its no quality of life for a pony that lived out 24/7 and competed every weekend to be locked up in a stable alone most of the time as all the other liverys are turned out still!
 
She has a responsibility to keep that pony happy and healthy. Lame, boxed 24/7 and unable to cope with travelling does not equate to a happy or healthy horse. It has been two years since his accident - surely she should have put him down by now if he continues to suffer?

I can't believe this person has brought physical violence to your yard, affecting your livelihood and potentially affecting the safety of others on the yard. That is totally unacceptable. If I were you, I'd give her notice in writing, make a copy for yourselves, and warn her that you will involve the police if she refuses to leave. If she truly CANNOT remove the horse she *should* relinquish care to you and hopefully then the pony will be put to sleep. Just my opinion.
 
When all said and done, she is a grown adult and if she decides to behave in that manner, then she must be willing to live with the consequences. Its not like you are chucking her off for 1 run in with 1 person.
 
I am sympathetic for both YO and the client as things are not always black and white [horsey people can be very emotional people, in my experience!] but I have most sympathety for the horse as his/her welfare must be put first, regardless of outcome or differing opinions!
It is a shame that this situation couldn't have been addressed BEFORE it got to this situation. I do understand that it can be difficult to have good lines of communication between YO and clients as the relationship can be fraught at times, and clients will view the YO as a bit like big brother, I'm sure! However, no-one wants an argumentative or violent person on their yard.
Nonetheless, it is really important to treat all the poeple involved with respect in order to keep the communication flowing so that bad feelings don't emerge.
Therefore, I think you must view this situation from a legal position rather than emotive one. As such, there are several things I'd be trying to think about:
As you have a duty of care and if you genuinely think it's a welfare case you can act under the 'Animal Welfare Act' to report a case. However, you have to be sure that it is a geniune case with evidence of neglect rather than simply being your opinion that things aren't done in the way you'd like them.
If it isn't an immediate welfare case, you can stick by your decision, as you have the right to terminate the contract when you like as does the client. Reading between the lines, I suspect this client has pissed you off (and quite rightly due to argumentative/violent behaviour) and you're attempting to justify your position [in providing her with notice] by focusing on the care/condition/quality of life issues of the horse. I'm not saying they're arent any but it does sound like it's more your subjective opinion rather than an immediate welfare issue. Indeed, I am surprised her vet has made comments to you, as this is a breach of confidentiality and therefore, should not be used to justify your position. Indeed, whether it should be put down doesn't appear to be a welfare issue but rather your two differing opinions as such, you should be wary of commenting on this, as it will only add fuel to the fire!
If however, you have had enough of her behaviour and, in your opinion, doesn't care for her horses to the standard of the yard, you are totally justified in terminating the contract. As such, she must uphold your decision and remove her horses, but this is a civil rather than legal matter should it turn nasty. However, as you have a duty of care you must ensure that this removal doesn't compromise it's welfare.
 
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