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Post by carrie17491 on Feb 20, 2015 19:46:09 GMT
I've had my two ponies out over winter, as they're both young. I dropped them off after checking the field and herd and also after being reassured they would be checked daily and fed when the grass got low. I was being charged £10 per pony for this and was pretty happy when I went to check them once a week. (If they were being checked everyday it wasn't necessary for me to go up - yard owner recommended this guy so trusted them) However after going last weekend to check them - after being told it would be £30 a week (£15 a pony) I was appalled at what I met. They have been moved from the lovely big grass field to a cow filled swamp. The owner dumps his muck heap in the field, they share with cows and are knee swap in mud and sh1t. The fencing is broken but they can't escape, he feeds them silage not haylage and my section a can't even reach it as it's up on a trailer. There are other small ponies in this field too. There's littler and rubble in the field too so it's very dangerous. I've managed to get one pony out and on loan and here's the best bit....he hasn't even asked where she has gone!! Not noticed and not mentioned so is still expecting me to pay for her. I didn't say anything as I wanted to see if they really do get checked which they obviously don't. I also would like to add that their rugs were broken and straps were dangling however I can't prove that wasn't done on the day I went to see them. I'm so upset and angry, but is this my own fault? I haven't got anything in writing so I'm guessing I don't have a leg to stand on. I'm collecting the other pony soon but people have told me different things about where I stand. I actually cried my eyes out as I felt as though I've let then down, my poor babies
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Post by chalky284 on Feb 20, 2015 21:23:42 GMT
Sorry for your worries, I'd go and get your little pony tomorrow and take him away from that mess. I think you'll just have to pay and leave and count it as a bad choice and that's it over with. The fact he hasn't noticed your mare had gone isn't going to excuse anything, you didn't tell him you were taking her so I suppose he can expect to be paid. I'm sure you'll find some grass livery somewhere, good luck
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Post by ponymum on Feb 20, 2015 21:34:31 GMT
No Body , NOBODY looks after your ponies the way you would . I grazed my mare over the winter , but still checked her each and everyday .....I would not of slept safe in my bed at night had I not known she was ok. I fed bucket feeds when it was frosty or wet and when the grass had died we paid for a bale of hay in the field. I agree you should collect your other pony nd chalk this down to a bad experience. It really is very hard to get someone who would treat your ponies like their own x
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Post by carrie17491 on Feb 20, 2015 21:46:04 GMT
I wasn't expecting them to be treated as I would because they were on grazing. However he did say they would be checked daily and fed and the field I left them in isn't the one they're in now.
The thing that has annoyed me more is he hasn't checked them very day as he hasn't noticed my mare going! As far as he knows she's still there and I'm none the wiser, makes my stomach turn. However he will be being told that she's been out of the field for over a week when I go and see him tomorrow. It's just not an acceptable place for ponies to live, I will get some photos tomorrow and show you the state of the swamp they are in.
I feel like such a mug, I've let them down and relief on someone else to check on them and make sure they are okay. I just don't understand how he can charge the amount he does for the "facilities" and the poor little ponies can't reach the "food" he's putting out for them yet he's charging for it!
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Post by robrocks on Feb 21, 2015 8:18:20 GMT
You are young and many of us learn from such experiences as we may not have had help in guiding us. Remove your other pony as a matter of urgency. You have been naive, trusting and a bit idealistic but you are not tge bad person here. Learn that you check your pony every day unless you are 110% certain, eg my neighbour of ten years is a star and lives for her horses. That said in ten years I think I have asked her about three times.. Even when one was full livery in a fancy yard, I went most nights at 9 to skip him out and count his four legs. I had a vaguely similar experience at age 21 as I had no parental guidance and was naive and trusting. My horse became lean and I was sexually assaulted. I was checking him every day, just didnt know he wasnt getting his hard feed. First remove your pony to safety, then call the nspca witg regard to the other horses and follow your call up.
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Post by switchblade82 on Feb 21, 2015 10:29:27 GMT
Carrie I have no idea what age you are but that does not matter, as we can all be misled. Your horses should not have just been moved from the field to which you agreed your rent terms, without you being informed. However at £15 per pony I would not expect anymore than basic DIY for this, but you got told something different. I know that where ever I have had my horses, not once have I been given a contract of agreement. I know you say you moved a pony a week ago and the guy did not notice, however on the flip side of the coin, should you not have informed them? So what are your choices left now? Argue your case and maybe stay? Or move the pony and simply say the arrangement it is not working for you? I agree with the posts above and move your pony asap. The one valid lesson which I have learnt in my life is 'If you cannot rely on yourself doing something, do not rely on others'. Good Luck I am sure you will get sorted./
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Post by Toaster on Feb 21, 2015 19:46:25 GMT
If this happened to me I think i would get the other pony out of there after photographing it in the field, look for the original field and photograph that
If the owner asks for any more money I would shove the photos under their nose and ask for an explanation
Beyond that I don't think you have a leg to stand on, they could argue that you cannot be that unhappy since you have left the remaining pony there despite now knowing the situation
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Post by carrie17491 on Feb 21, 2015 21:12:52 GMT
Have got the pony out, situation hasn't changed.
The only reason I left him was because my stable wasn't ready. I exhausted very option but he's in a warm stable now. I am going to ask for an explanation though from the owner, I'd love to know who owns the other ponies and see if they know about the state of the field
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Post by moomin on Feb 21, 2015 21:16:39 GMT
If I was paying £15 a pony per week I'd know I wasn't going to be getting much. Definitely not fed accordingly (I'm spending £100 a month on hay and hard feed on two out full time at home) or checked properly. That aside no matter how much you pay someone, the jobs never done the way you do it.
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Post by switchblade82 on Feb 22, 2015 9:02:58 GMT
Oh Carrie I am so glad that you have got out of there. I have never seen mixed herd of cows and horses together (not saying that they can't live happily side by side). Perhaps the other people who own the other horses are happy with this but you are now away from there now. Personally I would just leave it at that. You had to do what you had to do, so just leave it at that. I would not even bother asking for an explanations, if they come looking for money then you can give them your explanation.
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Post by carrie17491 on Feb 22, 2015 9:58:12 GMT
Apparently the other owners are aware so I guess they are happy!
My lad is safe and that's all that matters to me now
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