mydaddysjag
Well-Known Member
Over the past few weeks I have been seriously considering moving my guys to a different boarding barn. I've kept all of my horses at the same place for years, and have a very tight knit relationship with my barn owner. I don't want any hard feelings I leave, and I think that's one of the reasons I stay there, along with the great rates I pay. I'm due to have our first little one next month, and I would really like to have the horses closer to home. Right now its a 30+ minute drive one way to get there. Also, over the years, the barn has changed a lot. They closed one of the barns (the nicer barn) and turned it into a garage. This wouldn't be a big deal, however it was the barn with the attached paddock that had fencing safe for minis. There is another turnout area outside, but I don't trust the fence to turn my horses out in it. I can see them easily escaping. There are two outdoor round pens that they turn horses out in, one was originally for breaking horses, and it has the solid wooden walls. Actually, Its made of a 6' dog ear type fencing (I think that is what you would call it) Over the years this has gotten pretty dilapidated, lost boards, etc. Due to the lost boards, my horses would be able to shimmy right out of it. It's a shame, this is a huge round pen. The other round pen is a small metal pipe roundpen, and currently the only safe outdoor place to turn my horses out. Unfortunately, there are normally other large horses out in the roundpen, so my horses aren't getting turned outside much at all. Maybe once a week if I happen to catch the roundpen open when Im there. Normally they seem to only be turning my horses out when they clean their stalls, and even then, its in the indoor arena, and not long. I was under the impression that my horses were being turned out every other day, which is what is on the turnout schedule, however Ive been to the barn a few times on days they are supposed to be out, and they are in their stalls, and full of energy, so I know they weren't just out. I have considered asking if I bought fencing supplies if the would let me put up a paddock, but at the same time, Im expecting that other horses would be put out in it, and may ruin a fence I paid for. Since I pay full board thats supposed to include some turnout, I dont really know If I should be paying to put up my own paddock since there was one there before, and they decided to take it down. I really need my horses to be turned out more, one is getting a little nippy, and I blame it on not enough turnout. If I were stalled almost 24x7 other than when being worked or my stall cleaned, I might be a little crabby too. This horse is normally a sweetheart, and he deserves better.
My horse used to be in a 10x10 stall, but was moved into a smaller 8x8 stall, which Im not crazy about. It does have a shorter door which he can see out of, but there's no room to do anything in his stall with him in there. Forget grooming him in his stall.
Also, my stalls aren't getting cleaned enough. Normally, I have to strip his stall 2-3 times a week, because its so small, hes in it so much, and it just isnt being cleaned enough. On one hand, for what I pay, again, I cant complain too much, but at the same time, they made the price, and it was to be full board, which includes stall cleaning.
The bathroom at the barn is currently out of order, actually found out its been out of order for a few weeks with no plans to fix it. Really inconvenient since its in a very rural area, and there isnt even a business within 10 miles with a bathroom to use.
The barn has a specific vet and farrier that they use, because both demand to be exclusive to a barn, and wont do any clients there if another vet or farrier work there. The vet I like, shes been my vet for years, even before I boarded here, and the farrier did great work on my big horses, but it's been a battle with the minis. He refuses to do the hoofs at the correct angle, sometimes doesent show up for a few weeks (hes supposed to be there every tuesday) and will then just do your horse the next time he's there. This really isnt convenient, as again, he isnt doing domingos feet the way I want them. I requested two different tuesdays off to be there when he is there to show him exactly what I want. of course, he didnt show either time, then the next time he was there I was at work, and he just did my horse how he saw fit, the same way he's been doing my horse the last few times. The horses stall has specific instructions for everything on it, down to his hoof angles and what length they should be. I know, my fault for not being there, but I didnt know he was coming that day after no-showing the 2 weeks prior. Now, Im paying $35 for a trim that doesn't look any better than when he started, and they dont want you bringing a different farrier in.
Now, the barn wasnt always like this, it kind of started "falling apart" when the barn owner had a granddaughter. I can understand shes getting older, and wants to spend time with her family. Also, she is getting older, and is doing everything on her own. I beleive shes right around 65, and has no help at all at the barn. she used to have someone who helped clean stalls, but they moved away, and she never got anyone else. she currently has a bad leg injury, and is struggling to get to the barn to feed and water, Im not sure how shes even cleaning stalls at all actually. I think that maybe the works just getting to be too much for her to do by herself, who knows.
I guess I know I need to be moving my horses, I just dont want any hurt feelings and dont want to ruin a friendship. I planned to say that with the baby coming, I wanted them closer to home so I could spend as much time as possible with hem and not mostly driving. I honestly dont even know how to bring it up. Shes been good to me for years, but I think its in our best interest to move on.
Any advice?
My horse used to be in a 10x10 stall, but was moved into a smaller 8x8 stall, which Im not crazy about. It does have a shorter door which he can see out of, but there's no room to do anything in his stall with him in there. Forget grooming him in his stall.
Also, my stalls aren't getting cleaned enough. Normally, I have to strip his stall 2-3 times a week, because its so small, hes in it so much, and it just isnt being cleaned enough. On one hand, for what I pay, again, I cant complain too much, but at the same time, they made the price, and it was to be full board, which includes stall cleaning.
The bathroom at the barn is currently out of order, actually found out its been out of order for a few weeks with no plans to fix it. Really inconvenient since its in a very rural area, and there isnt even a business within 10 miles with a bathroom to use.
The barn has a specific vet and farrier that they use, because both demand to be exclusive to a barn, and wont do any clients there if another vet or farrier work there. The vet I like, shes been my vet for years, even before I boarded here, and the farrier did great work on my big horses, but it's been a battle with the minis. He refuses to do the hoofs at the correct angle, sometimes doesent show up for a few weeks (hes supposed to be there every tuesday) and will then just do your horse the next time he's there. This really isnt convenient, as again, he isnt doing domingos feet the way I want them. I requested two different tuesdays off to be there when he is there to show him exactly what I want. of course, he didnt show either time, then the next time he was there I was at work, and he just did my horse how he saw fit, the same way he's been doing my horse the last few times. The horses stall has specific instructions for everything on it, down to his hoof angles and what length they should be. I know, my fault for not being there, but I didnt know he was coming that day after no-showing the 2 weeks prior. Now, Im paying $35 for a trim that doesn't look any better than when he started, and they dont want you bringing a different farrier in.
Now, the barn wasnt always like this, it kind of started "falling apart" when the barn owner had a granddaughter. I can understand shes getting older, and wants to spend time with her family. Also, she is getting older, and is doing everything on her own. I beleive shes right around 65, and has no help at all at the barn. she used to have someone who helped clean stalls, but they moved away, and she never got anyone else. she currently has a bad leg injury, and is struggling to get to the barn to feed and water, Im not sure how shes even cleaning stalls at all actually. I think that maybe the works just getting to be too much for her to do by herself, who knows.
I guess I know I need to be moving my horses, I just dont want any hurt feelings and dont want to ruin a friendship. I planned to say that with the baby coming, I wanted them closer to home so I could spend as much time as possible with hem and not mostly driving. I honestly dont even know how to bring it up. Shes been good to me for years, but I think its in our best interest to move on.
Any advice?
Last edited by a moderator:
