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| Lay up and rehab farm; how to start? | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Aug 18 2008, 05:27 AM (401 Views) | |
| spike25 | Aug 18 2008, 05:27 AM Post #1 |
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I Visited Candy Mountain and All I Got Was This Lousy Incision
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A friend of mine has just bought a farm and is interested in doing racing layups and/or having broodmares in a stopover before returning to the breeding farm. Any suggestions I can relay to her on connections to get clients? TIA! |
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| RHowell | Aug 19 2008, 07:55 AM Post #2 |
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You're BANNED!
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have the best facility and they will come. Kahuna and JM used the same layup facility and RAVE about it....talk to them about what they liked about it and then pass that info on to your friend. |
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| heineken | Aug 19 2008, 08:32 PM Post #3 |
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Off visiting Candy Cave, be right back.
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A good layup/retirement facility will always be full... |
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| justmagic | Aug 28 2008, 04:34 PM Post #4 |
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Is the meadow on fire?
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The layup facility that both Kahuna and I have used is the best. If I have to have a horse in layup this is the place to go in PA. What makes it good: 1. Extremely knowledgable owner/manager of facility- She can give shots(IV/IM), take temps, clean major wounds, wrap anything in any possible way needed. She is patient, kind and understands that the horses in her care are both expensive and in pain. She can make her own judgements as well....does it need more pain meds today than yesterday, does its feed need increased/decreased, should we back down on the exercise as it is too soon etc. She is the reason horses go to her. I knew that from the moment O came to her that I could rest easy knowing that she was in the best possible care. 2. Sanitary- Her place is spotless. O had an open wound directly to a joint that needed the upmost care in bandage changes. Any sort of infection or dirt in that joint would have placed her back at New Bolton in a second. She had the ability to close off the area where she changed bandages so there was no wind, dust or dirt (understanding that this is a barn) and could make it as sanitary as possible. 3. Flexibility/being prepared-Being able to do what the horse needs. Does it need special food or suppliments and can you get those in a timely manner and keep the supplies as needed. If needed can the manager go back to the clinic and pick up any meds, products as needed. The place that O went after both colic surgerys(this was in VA) the manager there went back to the clinic and picked up extra supplies. She also called ahead to make sure that she had the correct grain and hay on hand for when she arrived and took the time to learn everything that she needed to do when O was released into her care. 4. Dealing with the owner/communication- I have always called before I have shown up but that said can they work within reason with the owner's schedule. When O had her first colic surgery this winter I was in town for one day and had limited time to see her. I'm sure I could have shown up without the manager there but she made the effort to be there on my time to answer any questions and allow me time with my horse. That said there also needs to be communication between facility and owner and not always prompted by owner. I'm busy with work etc and it is always nice to get a brief email, text message or phone call letting me know how my horse is. I don't need a dissertation just brief info. When O was in PA after New Bolton the barn owner allowed me to show up pretty much whenever I could as it was a bit of a drive. Also note that the manager of the farm in VA went to visit O at the clinic and would let me know how she was as I was out of town for her recovery both times. (I don't think this is necessary but it was just nice of her) 5. Flexibility with outside people coming on property- Do they allow professionals on their property that are needed for the animal? Can they set aside any pride or preferance for a certain farrier, vet, etc and do what is best for the animal. O had to have special shoes when she left New Bolton and I believe the manager of the farm had a good relationship with the farrier that came to shoe her. He wasn't her choice for her horses but she knew that was what my mare needed and put aside any preference for anyone else and welcomed the farrier that was needed. Same for the vet. 6. Organization/Attention- Can the manager tell you what cycle of meds the horse is on? What their last temp was? When they are due for the next shoeing? Do they send the horse home with detailed notes of what they have been doing with the horse for the last days/weeks/months? Both places that O has been have sent detailed notes home with her. Starting with info from the day she arrived up to the day she left their watch. They could tell me when I called any detail I asked. Very often down to the last time she pooped. 7. Committment- It takes a lot of time to run a successful rehab farm. There are horses that need to be medicated in the middle of the night. They need to be handwalked 5 times a day. They need 30 mins of cold water hosing every 4 hours for a week. They need bloody, pussy bandages changed and shots multiple times a day. Many don't like it and kick, bite, try to get away from you; not because they are nasty but they are tired of being poked and prodded. Are you willing to suffer through? I hope this isn't too long winded but having had first hand experience, too many times I know what I liked and what worked. Both places that Oprah went (PA and VA) were the very best places possible and I wouldn't hesitate to send a friend to either location. (god help me that I don't have to send a horse again) Both went above and beyond to take great care of my horse. Both Kahuna and I were very lucky that our horses had the best care possible which is why I think they are doing so well now. Good luck to your friend. Edited by justmagic, Aug 29 2008, 05:34 AM.
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| Applesauce | Aug 28 2008, 07:23 PM Post #5 |
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Thomas H. Cruise!
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I do quite a few lay-ups and rehabs at my farm. I LOVE the work!!! I live on my farm and work here full time as well as have a farm manager that lives on site. Be prepared to be able to dedicate LOTS of time to these horses. Many need bandage changes, meds (IV, IM, and oral), cold hosing and hand walking. Make sure she is comfortable with giving both kinds of shots and can wrap anything that needs to be wrapped. Also, she should be prepared to handle concerned owners that may call at any given hour. As a rule I generally give updates to the owner every 2-3 days so they can feel comfortable about the care their horse is receiving as well as progress reports. I actually just kind of got my reputation from my vet who saw the care I was giving my own horses and the horses boarded with me. She asked me if I would be willing to take in an EPM horse to rehab and now I get lay ups from vets from all over. An idea would be to just call the vet clinics that are local and tell them that she is offering these services. The proof is in the pudding. Word of mouth about excellent care is the best advertising she can get. Also, be sure she doesn't short change herself. Keeping a lay up horse can be expensive because you are providing extra shavings, hay and your time for all the extra attention the horse is getting. Good luck to her! Edited by Applesauce, Aug 28 2008, 07:24 PM.
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I know what I liked and what worked. Both places that Oprah went (PA and VA) were the very best places possible and I wouldn't hesitate to send a friend to either location. (god help me that I don't have to send a horse again) Both went above and beyond to take great care of my horse. Both Kahuna and I were very lucky that our horses had the best care possible which is why I think they are doing so well now. 
7:38 AM Jul 11