I hate livery yards...

[hebs]

Does anyone else feel the same? Theres this group of people who think they own the livery and one of them keeps moving my stuff. I swear Im gonna go for her one of these days. Rant over you'll be pleased to know.

[julz]

So you don't hate all livery yards. just the one you're at? There's always one fly in the ointment, don't let them get to you, look after your horse as only you know best, and try and ignore them. Hope you have a good christmas...

[Casper]

I'm just relieved to be at my friend's place now. There are her eight horses and ponies plus Bobby - bliss. No politics, pettiness, people laughing at IH methods etc. I am sure there are some brilliant livery yards out there, it is just finding them isn't it.

[Susan]

Livery yards are always a problem in that you have a number of people who have a common interes they own/loan horses.
But they are all different and often not so likeminded in how they ride or manage and conme from different histories.

Big Yards small yard they all offer different advantages and disadvantages.

Me I am unhappy as many know but grin and bear it till I can move out to a place near a friend on own land.

PLus we may change and they dont as has happened in my case.

Most are not run properly by people who know how to manage people but think owning some stables and taking money for them is a easy way to off set their own horses keep costs.
NOTE I said most.. I dont include all as there has to be well run places out there.

I have been places with pages and pages of rules and contracts and it still didnt work because they didnt manage it in a professional manner. I have been where there are no written rules and it is the same things happen and some get away with it and some dont.

I have been places where there is stuff constantly stolen, borrowed and not put back and constantly fighting a losing battle.

You either do something so your stuff cant be borrowed, moved and make it as hard as possible to use your stuff, and make it clear you do not want or allow this to happen.Or you put up.

I dont think there is any perfects.

I love Caspers place.. it must be as near as I could find as ideal but it so nice because it isnt really a LY is it?? Casper... envy. coming through.. just you wait till I get that field I am after!

[kerrylee]

Im lucky at my livery I have my own barn - 4 stables!!! But I would not mind sharing!

Say something, or write note Please do not move my horses equipment...

[speedy]

I love my yard It's the first time I've been happy on a yard. It's not perfect by any stretch, but by god, the little problems are far outweighed by the advantages. And topped off by a yard owner who is calm, approachable, helpful and a nice person to boot. Bliss

[mellymoo]

Move their stuff then!! Or put dried thistles among your stuff - I'm still digging prickles out my finger form the hay yesterday morning

[Mariaana]

I manage a livery yard, and I would hate to think people would not like it there - it's not perfect, but I am IH and I support all kinds of natural methods, horses and their needs come first, they get as much turnout as possible, I am flexible as far as I can, don't overcharge for bedding or hay - but still some people "forget" to mark down if they take a bale of hay or bedding, and at the end of the day, I need to foot the bill.

DIY yards especially are difficult to manage so that everyone does their share; there always are people who think they are better than others and don't need to bother with some chores, which leads the rest of them feeling bitter - and there you go...

Running a yard is bloody hard work and doesn't bring in any money (at least mine doesn't) but I love doing it because I know at least 12 horses will have as good care, turnout etc as possible.

If any of my liverries were having problems like you, hebs, I would want you to come and speak to me about it and I could keep an eye on things for a few days, to see what's going on, and then we could together think how to stop it. Either I would speak to the people in question (which I would prefer), or we could think of all kinds of ways of getting them caught...

I hope you get it sorted!

[Mariaana]

Kerrylee, please reduce the size of the pictures in your signature as it makes the whole thread go wide and I hate it.

[Liz]

I have only used one livery yard, where I am now, and I really like it. The YO picks her customers carefully because, she says, the place is also her home and she doesn't want bickering and quarrels. To this end, everyone has their own lockable tack room and storage area and they are expectd to keep their area of the yard clean and tidy. It helps that it is only a small yard - about the same as Mariaana's, I would think. It is a grown-ups only yard but client's well behaved children (only 2!) are welcome. It is not an IH yard as such but all the horses are well cared for, have 24/7 turn out in the summer and from dawn to dusk during the winter months. YO makes sure a basic worming programme is carried out and worms all horses when changing from winter to summer fields. There is a nearly always a waiting list to join this yard - but customers rarely leave!

Last week we had a yard party and had a brazier going in the stone built yard with dips and chips, bbq'd sausages, mince pies and mulled wine - enjoyed whilst sitting on straw bales. Sadly, I could only pay a flying visit as I had already been invited out to dinner elsewhere.

Previously, I kept my horses on private yards and managed well enough but I need reliable back up these days. I can go away and be sure that my horse is being well cared for and, currently, I cannot go to the yard as I have had an eye op and am on strict instructions from the surgeon to keep away for several weeks, until I have been discharged from his care. My horse is on part livery and an acquaintance is riding him once or twice a week to keep him ticking over. I could not have coped at a private yard.

So, some yards are very good and I do hope you can find a solution to your problems, hebs.