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Discuss horse riding and ownership on our Horse forum.

Original poster

Livery rant…!

36 replies

NewYard25 · 05/12/2025 07:12

I have had to serve notice on a livery who 1)can’t pay their livery, 2)agreed to work in lieu of livery for one month but then didn’t actually do the work and 3)horse trashes my fencing on a twice weekly basis.

The horse has barged stock fencing, electric tape (connected), post and rail. Apparently I should be more accommodating and stop moving her (I move her from where she has escaped to prevent a reoccurrence and secure that field). She has barged post and rail, snapping two rails in half and got onto the road - it was me that caught her, no offer of payment, no help with the repair.

She is not escaping for grass. She was on a 10 acre field with ankle deep grass and still escaped.

Yesterday she had escaped (she was safe) I noticed at 8.30am - assumed owner would be up. 2.30pm still no owner. No hay in field (the paddock she’s on is sparse with grass).

I am getting so fed up - why is she not checking on her horse more frequently?? Why is it always me chasing after the bloody thing! I am minded to say she need to come in at night but that will make it more awkward on the yard as I’ll have to see her more often.

OP posts:
Pricelessadvice · 05/12/2025 07:14

I feel your pain over fence breakers. New fencing done last year… a livery’s horses have trashed new fencing already in 2 paddocks. I am sick of it.

Original poster
NewYard25 · 05/12/2025 07:19

This is it - we are putting ALL new fencing in, we’ve spent about £25k already and this horse is breaking my half decent old fencing faster than I can fence. Sunday, not only did she escape into where I was fencing, she was chewing the posts BEFORE they’d even gone in the bloody ground!!

Owner just laughs and says “hahaha she’s a Houdini” then told ME I need to be more understanding when I asked her to leave!

OP posts:
CowKeeper · 05/12/2025 07:33

Is it DIY livery?

Original poster
NewYard25 · 05/12/2025 08:01

CowKeeper · 05/12/2025 07:33

Is it DIY livery?

yes, strictly.

OP posts:
CowKeeper · 05/12/2025 08:56

You need to be very firm with her and tell that it isn't working and she needs to find somewhere else to keep her horse.

Laughing and telling you to be more understanding is a red flag and believe me, it will only get worse.

Tell her until she finds somewhere else it needs to be kept in at night and she needs to visit twice a day.

Have you been doing livery long?

CowKeeper · 05/12/2025 08:59

Sorry, I reread and notice that she hasn't paid and not worked as promised.

She needs to go ASAP. Not paying is a breach of your contract.

She will leave without paying probably in the night or when you are out for hhe day. (Voice of experience!)

Original poster
NewYard25 · 05/12/2025 09:25

I’ve served her notice already. I’ve given her a month. I was thinking re asking her to bring in but I suspect the horse will only chew my stable instead. Catch 22. I know she can’t move the horse overnight so in the horses interest have given her one month.

We’re new to the yard - we’ve just bought it and inherited this “livery”.

OP posts:
ComfortFoodCafe · 05/12/2025 09:36

tell her to bring horse in every night or leave within the next week.

Pricelessadvice · 05/12/2025 11:12

Is it out 24/7? Tell her it needs to come in overnight to some hay if it keeps breaking out.

TheatricalLife · 05/12/2025 11:52

I presume it's out alone? I'd be making her bring it it at night and sticking a load of old carpet or broom bristles across the door to stop the chewing. I'd rather that than chasing the bloody thing all day and dealing with multiple smashed fences. At least then it's confined to one area.
You've been generous giving a month considering she hasn't paid, hasn't worked and her horse is literally destroying your yard. Two weeks tops would have been what she was getting from me. She's a DIY livery -ring her every single time her horse gets out and say she needs to come to the yard to sort it. Even if you've caught her horse, ring her. It's her responsibility, not yours.

Original poster
NewYard25 · 05/12/2025 16:34

@TheatricalLife it’s out alone now. After it let itself and two others onto the road. It is next door to another horse though so it has company.

My husband said the same - get rid, but I know she has no money!

OP posts:
Original poster
NewYard25 · 05/12/2025 16:35

Pricelessadvice · 05/12/2025 11:12

Is it out 24/7? Tell her it needs to come in overnight to some hay if it keeps breaking out.

She’s stuck an entire bale out today. Which is daft. As it’s due to rain and most will get ruined. She would have been better to actually come more frequently than once a day and hay twice!

OP posts:
TheatricalLife · 05/12/2025 17:31

She sounds like a bloody idiot. Let's hope she actually goes quietly and doesn't mess you about with that. I wouldn't hold my breath for any money though 😩
Will she actually find it easy getting another DIY space in your area? DIY here is rare as hens teeth these days (South East) and horses like hers tend to have a reputation. Not that that's your problem obviously, but she sounds like one who is going to be a massive pain in the arse to get rid of.

Original poster
NewYard25 · 05/12/2025 18:27

She’s advertised them for loan, although the horse is 3 and not broken, so I can’t imagine that being all that desirable. She needs to sell them. She is unemployed and lives down the road which makes the whole thing more frustrating! It is not a lack of time!

OP posts:
Original poster
NewYard25 · 05/12/2025 18:34

Oh and not holding out for money! Payment will be her absence.

OP posts:
ComfortFoodCafe · 05/12/2025 18:37

NewYard25 · 05/12/2025 18:34

Oh and not holding out for money! Payment will be her absence.

If she’s not paying you, tell her to move yards give her a week. Your not a charity @NewYard25. If she can’t afford her horses or to move yard, then she needs to get on the phone to the horse rescues.
She doesn’t really sound like she has any clue what she’s doing.

FuzzyWolf · 05/12/2025 18:39

I think as you’ve given notice and a date, you can’t morally change it now but I agree about calling her every single time her horse breaks out or there is an issue.

I hope she goes quietly and soon for you.

TheatricalLife · 05/12/2025 18:39

I agree, you will breath a huge sigh of relief when she is actually gone!!! I'd rather that than the money as well.
No way she will loan an unbroken, difficult to manage 3 year old with a propensity for fence smashing 😳

tinyspiny · 05/12/2025 18:43

How many horses does she have with you , is it just the escapee as you keep referring to it as them ? What does the contract say wrt payment , notice periods etc . Did you do new contracts when you took over ? I doubt she will move particularly as she’s getting away without paying you . What’s your plan if she doesn’t go ?

DeanStockwell · 05/12/2025 19:18

NewYard25 · 05/12/2025 18:27

She’s advertised them for loan, although the horse is 3 and not broken, so I can’t imagine that being all that desirable. She needs to sell them. She is unemployed and lives down the road which makes the whole thing more frustrating! It is not a lack of time!

Very very people would be interested in takeing on a loan that isn't broken and has no field manners.
If she is not working why the heck is she not coming more often to look after the poor thing properly.

I know people's circumstances change but why has she bought unbroken youngster and then doing sod all with the poor bugger

Original poster
NewYard25 · 05/12/2025 19:25

tinyspiny · 05/12/2025 18:43

How many horses does she have with you , is it just the escapee as you keep referring to it as them ? What does the contract say wrt payment , notice periods etc . Did you do new contracts when you took over ? I doubt she will move particularly as she’s getting away without paying you . What’s your plan if she doesn’t go ?

I produced contracts but of course she didn’t sign and return it. Just one horse.

OP posts:
Original poster
NewYard25 · 05/12/2025 19:26

She started taking her away her feed bins today so I’m taking that as a positive sign.

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tinyspiny · 05/12/2025 21:15

@NewYard25 that is a good sign , she’s probably planning on removing everything and then just taking the horse without telling you so you can’t ask for what she owes . Good riddance .

TheatricalLife · 05/12/2025 21:20

Just make sure she doesn't remove things that don't belong to her...
We had one who disappeared with half of other people's grooming kits, bags of feed, headcollers and a few rugs!

Original poster
NewYard25 · 08/12/2025 13:49

She’s not gone yet - she told another livery she was going yesterday. But the horse is still here. She has taken all her stuff though.

OP posts: