To think this house sitter was bloody cheeky?

[Littlefluffyclouds81]

My DM recently got a house sitter for 10 days whilst we all went on holiday. She had used her once before and all seemed fine. She seemed very professional - took detailed information about all the animals, signed contracts, she is fully insured etc.

She was supposed to sleep at my DM's house each night, although my DM was aware that she would need to pop back here and there to exercise her own dogs (she lives with her parents).

She was paid over £600, and for that she had to look after 2 dogs and feed a cat. There are also 2 horses at my mum's, my mum's horse who is a big cob, and my daughter's pony. She wasn't expected to do anything with the horses.

While we were away the house sitter emailed to ask if it would be ok if her partner's kids came to meet the horses. My DM said that was fine. When we got back, my mum had a good chat with her and the house sitter said that the kids had come over and groomed my mum's horse, but not my daughter's pony because she was grumpy (she is grumpy).

I was the first to go into the tack room, and noticed that the bridles weren't in the right place. I didn't really think anything of it. But today my DM said that there is grease on the bottom of her saddle, from where the saddle pad hasn't been put on properly and it has rubbed the horse, which she wouldn't do. Also her bridle had been done up all wrong. The stirrups on both saddles were at different lengths to how they'd been left by Us. She suspected that the house sitter had taken the kids riding on our horses. This was confirmed when she went for a ride around the village today and a neighbour (who has booked the same house sitter) said that the house sitter had emailed a picture with the kid sat on her horse!

Not only is riding someone's horses without their permission incredibly rude, it is also a really stupid thing to do. She knew nothing about our horses, they could have had any kind of quirks, and putting 2 kids on them (when she doesn't appear to know much about horses herself) was just bloody dangerous.

Not only that, but my DM said there's no way that the bed was slept in for 10 nights, so she suspects that the house sitter had left the dogs overnight which she wasn't supposed to do.

WWYD? I absolutely think that something should be said to the house sitter, but my DM is veering towards leaving it, and just locking the tack room if she uses her again! She was paid a lot of money, and in my opinion, took the piss.

[WTAFisgoingon]

Ah, ok, yes, i got the wrong end of the stick OP.......

I can see that if she claimed to be horsey and was therefore allowed to do horse care the previous time she house sat then yes, I can see the assumption would be that she would be competant to do field checks.

No, I'm totally in favour of horses living out as much as possible (health & facilities permitting), I don't have any issue with that, it was the fact that it sounded as tough DM hadn't arranged anyone to do field checks that I was shocked by...... But evidently there was some expectation that this girl was supposed to.

[MariaSklodowska]

it means the same thing beetroot, unless you are one of those people that think 'ignorant' means 'rude'?
If you are ignorant of something, it means you don't know anything about it.

[beetroot2]

Im sure you know the connotations of being called ignorant Maria. Not sure what you mean by "one of the people" either.

[MariaSklodowska]

I have never used it in that sense Beetroot, tbh, as it is wrong.

[WTAFisgoingon]

Does she advertise locally? If so, I think spreading the word about what happened is a good plan. Plus some honestly negative reviews online..... I'm not sure if anything could be done legally? i guess small claims will be a waste of time?

[beetroot2]

Naive about something fair enough. I don't know about many things and I'm sure you don't, Id not like to be called ignorant though.

[ohtheholidays]

No OP YANBU what the fuck were they thinking?!

I hope your Mum does get intouch and has a go at her about the horses and I hope she warns anyone else that the women might housesit for.
I hope your horses are okay and that they haven't damaged any of the tack.

I love horses but have never owned one,my DH and his Mother did when he was younger and my Grandfather did before I was born and even I know you don't go and ride on someone's horse without they're direct permission.

Horses are huge animals with a hell of alot of power behind them.The Horses could have got spooked,the Horses,the riders and anyone else close by could have ended up dead!Just because this didn't happen (thankfully) it shows just how little thought the house sitter put into the safety of the horses and the children at that time.
So how the hell is the OP overreacting!

[Littlefluffyclouds81]

Yes she advertises locally. I will be seeing my mum in the morning, and she will have seen the photos and no doubt gone into orbit by then, so we will hatch a plan. The house sitter's FB says she is booked up for the whole of June and booking up fast for July and August, so her 'services' are obviously in demand. The cheeky bitch has also used the photo of both of our horses being ridden as her banner ad advertising her business, with the text on top of it.

[beetroot2]

wow, don't you think you're a bit vindictive?

[MariaSklodowska]

Beetroot i meant she was 'ignorant' of horse knowledge, that is all, because that is what 'ignorant' means....

[sykadelic]

I'm not "horsey" but even I know this is absolute bullshit that they did that. No way in hell would I engage with someone else's animals without them there (or having had them there at some point to teach me AND having express permission). The question is, rationally, what do you want to do about it and what CAN you do about it?

She did ask about letting the kids say "hello" which is clearly not the same as riding. So, what recourse do you have?

• Can you have the gear inspected and have her pay for that inspection?
  
• Does she have a spot for you to leave a review (as in - "invited people over and did ask, however, did NOT ask to ride our horses, used our gear without permission, did not saddle the horses correctly, had no prior experience with our horses. Absolutely not okay and risking the safety of not only our horses but also the children they placed on horses they knew nothing about. Would not recommend")
  

You said she's fully insured so I'd place a claim against her insurance (after e-mailing her a detailed description of why her behaviour was grossly inappropriate and dangerous) for a refund of what you paid her as well as the inspection of the gear (or replacement if it's safer) AND inspection of the horses to check for injuries that photos may not convey.

[lampshady]

I'd be livid, and I don't own horses. It's the sneakyness that'd do it for me, and the abuse of trust. To get all the kit out!

Don't know what I'd do about it, but pretty sure a pissy email would be up there. Was there a contract she's breached?

[beetroot2]

we all know ignorant isn't a nice word to use.

[MariaSklodowska]

oh for God's sake beetroot, I used the word in its true sense, can we move on now please?

[honeysucklejasmine]

Stupid, stupid, irresponsible woman! What was she thinking?! I know very little about horses but the thing I do know is they are bloody dangerous. You must know the horse and you must know exactly what you're doing.

The level of cheek involved.... I would be very, very unhappy.

[Littlefluffyclouds81]

Skyadelic - that's a good idea. Presumably her insurance covers her being an irresponsible idiot. And she is registered on a house sitting website where reviews can be left, she has one 5 star review at the moment, I think that could well be changing tomorrow. I will have to leave that to my mum though as it was her that employed her.

[WTAFisgoingon]

WOW! She did this then used it as the banner too!? That is the ultimate cheek! What planet is she living on if she thinks her behaviour is OK!? Hopefully you can find someone legal to talk to informally to get an idea of what could be done? Granted there was probably to actual damage caused, but some form of theft perhaps if the horses left your premises?

[WTAFisgoingon]

^no actual

[WTAFisgoingon]

Ah, I keep X posting, but yes, insurance company is a good idea.

[honeysucklejasmine]

Sykadelic makes an excellent point regarding your equipment. I too would ask her to prove it was all safe and in good condition. It's not like you don't have evidence that she used it.

Beetroot are you the house sitter? I can't understand why you don't think this is a big deal. I agree to think "no harm done" regarding this does display ignorance. Hopefully though, having read this thread, you are no longer ignorant to the dangers she risked.

[beetroot2]

Did you leave the horses in some sort of care for 10 days? I'd not pursue this unless you did. It might backfire.

[MariaSklodowska]

beetroot she has already told us about that, if you look.

[Littlefluffyclouds81]

Oh God Beetroot, try actually reading the thread, that's been covered. I don't think this thread is for you, maybe find another one?

[beetroot2]

No harm was done. I quite like the sitter now though.

[Littlefluffyclouds81]

I think Beetroot's bored, bless him/her. Have a Horlicks and go to bed back under your bridge, sweetheart.