Livery yard using my horse as companion!

[MadameEqualiser]

Hello. I moved my horse to a lovely livery yard about six months ago. I am happy with the care but there is one thing. They have insisted on putting my horse in a paddock with a very stressy and sometimes dangerous mare. All the other liveries have individual paddocks. Both horses are on full livery and I feel the manager uses my horse to keep the other one calm (used to weave all day before). The result of this is that I can't do anything with my horse in the evenings (I work full time) as they are out in the paddock and I can't take my horse out. I can't go over in the day when they are in as I am working and I can't even go to see my horse safely in the field. The only time I get is at weekends during the day when they are in. The manager and the other horse's owner are good friends. The owner hardly ever goes to see her horse though. I feel like me and my horse are being used. I live alone and have been working from home during lockdown so seeing my horse in the evening is really important. I also suffer from depression and my mental health is suffering. My horse is 24 and needs to be doing some sort of exercise every day. She also has arthritic hocks. She's been kicked a few times and I have been almost been kicked in the head more than once. I have finally insisted they are split up but have been made to feel like a nuisance. I know I am not being unreasonable and have made my feelings clear. I feel so upset though. I want to look for another yard but there are very few in my area 😥

I was going to suggest they leave her in and you put out after you've ridden.
If that's not acceptable to them, I'm not sure what is?
I have a tricky mare for turnout and hopped yards quite a bit to get her settled. It was a pain moving but she'd injured herself more than once.
Ended up at a lovely yard where sometimes she'd manage 10 minutes out before they brought her in, other days, it was hours.
I know it's a different problem but hopefully there is a yard out there that can accommodate you.
I have mine at home now, she has access to a yard and field but chooses not to go in the field.
Weird horse!!!

AlCalavicci, what a nightmare for your friend. I just don't get a lot of these really "horsey" people. My mare will be right next to the stressy one. The Yard Manager has known this horse since it was a foal so knows what it's like. She hasn't refused to separate them. Just been obnoxious about and created an atmosphere. But as you say, I pay a LOT! I don't appreciate her attitude. I have hinted at looking for another yard. Hopefully that will give her the kick up the backside she needs. As some of the other posters have said, where do these people get off thinking they are doing you a favour? If I spoke to customers like some of them do I would be sacked!

The livery yard where I kept my pony put her in with a stressy horse, without my permission. Stressy horse kicked her and broke her leg. We did everything we could but it didn't heal well and she had to be euthanased.

Please don't let them do this OP, for your horse's sake if not for yours.

@MadameEqualiser
You are right , can you imagine any other business telling their customer that can not have what they have agreed and still charge them for what they originally agreed .
restaurant
Customer - please can I have the salmon salad

Owner - of course
C - this is not salmon salad it is cheese pie
O - well it was what we want to give you

C - receives bill that says salmon salad , calls owner over , I did not have salmon salad i had cheese pie .
O - ah but you asked for the salmon therefor that is what you must pay for

Over simplified maybe but you get the gist .

I wouldn't care if they created a bad atmosphere
Your horse comes first. You are paying for a service the same as everyone else
Just because it makes it easier for them does not make it your problem
Stick to your guns

If they continue being dicks, I would mention that you are doing them a favour be saying no to this arrangement, as if your horse was injured they would be liable for vets bills and if you were injured they would be seeing you in court for compensation!

I know nothing about horses so apologies if this wouldn't work, but what would happen if you started inconveniencing them by, perfectly reasonably ringing them every evening on your arrival to get your horse out of the field and again upon your return to ask which field to put her back in, reiterating that you are do not want her in with stressy horse. After a few evenings you might find you become more of a priority!