Yard bitching at an all time high...

[Elliebellie]

and I am so upset by it

I've told myself time and time again not to take any notice but it still manages to upset me they are so nasty, cruel, personal and spitefull. We aren't talking normal yard bitching here, we are talking about the sort you'd expect from the roughest of the rough council estate population (no offence to ANYONE who lives on a council estate - not everyone is like this i realise) effing and blinding, shouting and screaming. I've seriously had enough.

Yesterday a group were having a conversation about strangles as there are a few yards in the area that have it at the mo, cue big exagerated panic with one person (not y/o btw) saying we can't ride here and there (why it's up to her I don't know surely it's up to the individual to decide whether it is worth the risk) and that when we had strangles a few years ago EVERY horse on the yard got it. Well at this point someone looked over at me and said 'is this right Zoe?' and I said 'no not really, it's not. Out of 30 horses, less than half a dozen were confirmed to have it as many people didn't test for it and even those that were showing minor symptoms (snotty nose and high temperature) that WERE tested for it, the majority came back negative' At this point yard bitch went off her rocker at me for contradicting what she'd said. she got really spiteful and nasty and I have to admit I bit back which I am really not proud of and really upset me. But what I reall don't get is why can't people disagree in a civilised manner? she went SO OTT in her reaction I realy struggle to understand it. Never mind all the personal stuff she threw i there too.

The only thing I have keeping me sane at the moment is that tomorrow I am bringing Starsky home to one of the fields by my house for, what is supposed to be a month's holiday, although I am very tempted not to go back

Sorry for the rant... just needed to vent. Lovely chocolate sundae for all that make it to the end.

[My Crazy Clan]

you don't need people like that, could you change yards?

[IcarusGirl]

I too would be looking at changing yards. Horses are hard work and cost so much, we should be able to enjoy the time we spend with them. I'd be frightened of going to the yard if people were effing and blinding at me, but i really hate confrontation!

[Elliebellie]

IG I really hate confrontation too... and most of the time I keep my head down, enjoy my time with Starsky and then go home. To have to deal with personal remarks about the routine I keep with my horse (particularly going and saying 'goodnight' to him before I go home) is just becoming too much to handle.

The ONLY things keeping me at this yard is Starsky's nice big stable (and the fact that I am struggling to find a yard with a stable big enough for him) and the fact that we have a floodlit school which I will need the winter after next when I want to keep starsky in work.

I have the offer of a permanent stable at home (which would be big enough) but there is no school and frankly the winter grazing is atrocious. But there could be a possibility of renting a bit of extra land so that it wasn't so bad. So this could be a medium term stopgap. After all I won't be living here forever! I am seriously considering it.

I have also picked up a number off the tack shop board today so I might give that a call later.

I have been in this position many times before but it has just got too much now

[laurz242]

i always say goodnight to my horses before i go! everyone on my yard does it people love telling people how to look after their horses, makes them feel like some kind of equine expert its v v v hard but try to remember they're only doing it to make themselves feel better!
I'd recommend yard move, I've recently moved yards and its done wonders for my horse and confidence.
Hope u find the right path and keep us informed (we're not bitchy )

[naurarwen]

Oh pish posh saying good night to your horses. I do that all the time. The girl on the same block as me tells both of hers how much she loves them each night. It makes me smile everytime cause I know how much she loves her two. I always give Tillie a hug when I take her evening feed bucket out of the stable and I made sure I get a kiss before I go (okay sometimes involves conning her with a mint or two) but I won't leave till I get my hug and kiss and make sure she's sorted for the night.

My thing is I have no problems with confrontation as I would say I can definitely hold my own. I've had blazing rows before at my old old yard but that was with a crazy old bat of a woman who thought she knew everything, and everything that went wrong with her ponies/field was someone elses fault. The amount of times I saw her talking down to people used to really get my back. Especially the younger lot, cause of my age at that yard (was classed as adult by some, child by others, youngest was 12, oldest was 63) I would stick up for both adult and kids with her. She backed off pretty quickly though and most of the time if she started I just gave her a look. I'm a nice person really just don't like people talking down to others and treating them like poop on their shoe.

Definitely think findin a new yard would be a good plan if its pratical for you as you really don't need the bitching.

[Burnie]

I'd be looking for somewhere else. Being around horses is meant to make you happy and be your relaxing time, not stressing about yard bitches!

I moved from my old yard after the bitching reached another level and a male livery attacked my friend in a row over haynets

Tilly had the most massive stable at the old yard but this didn't make her happy! We've moved to a new place where going to the stables is a pleasure now. Tilly and I are chilled out and happy Her stable isn't as big but I don't think it's made a blind bit of difference to her, in fact I think she prefers where she is as she lays down more now.

[eeek]

That sounds horrible

Definitely try and move!

Personally I would choose peace over a school any day but I know with a youngster it isn't so simple.