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| To move or not to move; That is the question. | |
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| Topic Started: Oct 24 2009, 06:55 PM (247 Views) | |
| FlashGordon | Oct 24 2009, 06:55 PM Post #1 |
Is the meadow on fire?
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I touched on this a bit on TOB in a rant/vent earlier this week. I'm here to speak to the TOC gods for some real advice since you guys know our situation a bit better and I trust everyone's opinion! Win's been at the private barn on partial care since last spring. It was fine-- great set-up, nice enough owners, Win was getting all day turnout and I was able to provide care the way I liked it. There are aspects that have been challenging. The owners are essentially complete novices and they have some strange ideas about care and management. Their horses are pets and spoiled. The BO's were forever asking me to feed, turnout, bring in, hold for the farrier, etc. I didn't mind pitching in though it did get a bit excessive at times. It was like running my own barn, but I wasn't getting paid, and it was not mine! Obviously I had to back off completely as far as helping them, and taking care of Win, within the last month. My husband is there most days and I am paying the other boarder (who is a friend I trust) to take care of him on the opposite days. I was there last night only to find Win had not been turned out AT ALL-- in THREE DAYS. Because there were puddles in the pasture.  My husband got there today to find him STILL inside and he attempted to put him out. He was high as a kite but he got him out for half an hour then had to bring him in before he left because the BO wouldn't. He was just as hot coming back to the barn as he was going out.I CANNOT have my husband handling my keyed up horse! Win is polite as can be and has impeccable manners BUT he can get hot. All he needs is 10 minutes a day to blow off steam and he's good to go, but without it he's a beast! I'm so irritated!!!! Good boarding barns are scarce around here. I don't feel comfortable going to a new one that is unfamiliar because I cannot monitor care. I'm iffy about going back to one of the two I know very well, though at least I KNOW what the issues are there and can mitigate them. I also feel guilty because I just cannot find him all day pasture turnout up here during the fall/winter/early spring. The best I am able to do is a few hours out each day in an indoor or a paddock. So... do I try to stick it out where I am? Maybe move him for the winter but leave the door open at this place to come back next spring? Why do I feel so guilty?? I keep hoping we will find out own place but right now, I don't think we will before next spring/summer. SORRY FOR THE NOVEL. I suspect I am hormonal!!!!!!!!!!! Off to eat a snickers and go to bed!! |
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| Trialbyfire | Oct 25 2009, 05:20 AM Post #2 |
It'll be an adventure! We're going on an adventure!
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Ugh. I have no great solutions. It's too bad you can't find a truly private backyard setup like mine for Win now that he's really retired. Well, I suppose you already have that...just depends on who's backyard you're in, I guess! My horses are NEVER in for any length of time (less than 1 day) unless weather is extreme. I mean EXTREME. (Ice storms, etc.) Because I personally hate handling keyed up horses either -- it's dangerous for the handler and the horse. And if there is no other turnout (indoor), then you just have to deal with some sketchy bare spots in the pasture. Frankly, I think winter is a great time for all day turnout! You can't really ride much outdoors so it's a good time for them to hang in the sun and eat hay. We close our pasture from the real first thaw until about May, but still offer turnout in our barnyard and arena. Eventually we even open a piece of the pasture for them to ruin because they want to be out there SO bad. And you know what? The grass grows back. It really does. Of course we only had 3 horses on the pasture last year but we dragged it, overseeded the patchy parts and rolled it and it was good. Remind me of the setup -- I know it's a lot of pasture....how much? Do they have it separated into pieces? If so, maybe they can be convinced to sacrifice the "perfect" grass in one section? In your current condition...you have more than enough reasons to ask nicely to keep a spot and move him elsewhere for the winter -- without raising any red flags that you don't like their care. Then you could take the winter to look around and think about whether there are greener pastures anywhere else near you before you have to decide what to do next year. But, I think I saw your post on TOB. Weren't there other issues that were problematic besides this one? Can't remember....maybe it wasn't you..... Edited by Trialbyfire, Oct 25 2009, 05:21 AM.
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| FlashGordon | Oct 25 2009, 06:05 AM Post #3 |
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Is the meadow on fire?
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Oh yeah, it was me posting... LOL. They are nice people but they have some odd ideas. Like, the 6 horses ALWAYS have to be turned out together, or kept in together. No separating. As you can imagine this has led to some buddy sour issues, especially lately as I'm not there daily to remind Win that yes we can leave the barn, and his friends, and do whatever we need to do. It also means if one horse has to be in for any reason, they all stay in. A few months ago myself and the other boarder spent WEEKS convincing them NOT to take in a boarder who was a first time owner, with a 2 year old stud. Because the colt would have to be turned out with the herd, and duh, there are 3 mares in the herd! Not to mention the colt was unhandled, could not be caught, led, tied, etc. (I don't even know how they were going to get it there!!) I really like the people in the sense that they are nice... but........ The set-up is great, 3 pastures of 5 acres each. They are all connected and have gates in between. They also have gates to the outside. Then there are two smaller paddocks with wood fencing. The BO told me Friday she is afraid to put Win out there because she thinks he will jump the fence. WHAT?? He can't even trot properly with his back end issues..... I am just so frustrated with the turnout situation here in general. Boarding barns only turn out a few hours a day at most, and I guess that is why I feel bad going back to a full care barn. I feel guilty for some reason that I cannot be responsible for his care all on my own anymore. Stupid, I know. LOL. I guess this really has come to a head this past week, and was exacerbated yesterday, when Mr. FG had such an issue dealing with Win because he'd been cooped up so long. |
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| Trialbyfire | Oct 25 2009, 06:52 AM Post #4 |
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It'll be an adventure! We're going on an adventure!
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Egads!!  If anyone wonders whether a two year old colt can reproduce, come to my barn and see my boarder's horse. 2 year old colt and, I think, almost 3 year old mare. No wonder the mom rejected him and he had to be bottle fed, she was just a baby herself.Hmm...not sure what to tell you. I think it's great (in theory) as a summertime pasture/grazing home. Not so great if you need to do anything with the horse....and with 6 horses you have to imagine there is something going on with one of them at least once/week, right?? Maybe best to train each horse to be separated and at the very least, bring their best buddy with them if they have to stay in. Sounds like there has to be something better....??? Something slightly more professional than this but still pasture. I know a lot of people (like myself) do not advertise and are not seeking boarders, but on rare occasions they do take boarders, espcially the semi-retired type. I think ....in my opinion....I might consider moving him for the winter (just to protect Win & dh -- and YOU!) and look around. You can always go back for the summer grazing if you don't find something better....?? |
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| jn4jenny | Oct 25 2009, 07:10 AM Post #5 |
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Magical Leopluridon
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No suggestions, just sympathy. We've got a similar problem here in Columbus. People here think that 6 hours of turnout daily is "a whole lot of turnout". Most facilities with 24/7 turnout are either shoddy or very far from town, like an hour's drive or more. My BO turns out 8 to 10 hours daily IF the weather is good, but that means my horse stays in for 2 or 3 days during/after bad weather. If he'd just fence in more pastures (he has tons of unused acreage with lovely grass) the footing would probably hold up in the rain and we wouldn't have to worry about it, but alas I don't run the world. I tolerate it since unlike in Win's situation, Skyler gets turned out in the indoor for 30 to 45 minutes on the "stuck inside" days. Anyway, didn't mean to hijack. Just wanted to show some major sympathy. It's so hard to make decisions in those situations...but honestly, I would start thinking about moving. Have you put out a call on TOB for the "hidden gems" in your area? Now that you're not riding Win, your facilities needs are much less...perhaps there's some backyard farmette just down the lane that you don't know about? Or you could post a "wanted" ad at your local tack/feed store describing your ideal wants, and maybe somebody who doesn't even currently have a boarder would consider taking you in. |
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| Won for Me | Oct 25 2009, 07:32 AM Post #6 |
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Thomas H. Cruise!
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FG, my barn goes through good and bad periods (according to the trainer's schedule and the current barn workers). The summer was awful and I did most of my work (cleaned stalls and scrubbed water buckets) every day for two months. I pay for full lesson board! It has turned back around now and it is close to the best it has been. I do not have a choice. Literally, there are no other stables in the area. I take the good with the bad until I move out of the area completely. I would think moving to an unknown right now might be worse. You are going to be out of horse commission for awhile. Like my barn, yours probably goes through good and bad periods. Can you up the pay for your friend to step up a bit more? Is there anyone else who could help out? Teenager who needs some $$$$? Isn't Win pretty close to you? That is a huge advantage. I know talking to the barn owners is tough (we get told to find something else ) so I just step up and do what I want done for those bad periods. You have to find a balance since you have to ask your husband to do it and he is probably not quite as obsessed with the horses and we are. Try to find someone else to help. Hugs as I know it is a really bad time to have this issue added on to what you are going through! |
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| FlashGordon | Oct 25 2009, 11:59 AM Post #7 |
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Is the meadow on fire?
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Thanks so much guys for understanding my craziness!!! And for the super suggestions. It is also nice to know I'm not alone in dealing with boarding woes..... I guess the really tough part is accepting that each facility has its flaws, and no one is going to take care of your horse like YOU do. Know what I mean? Jen I feel your pain completely. That is exactly the situation here. And the places that WILL do all day turnout, will only do it in the spring/summer/early fall. From about November to March you are SOL on turnout a lot of the time, unless you have an indoor and can get them out inside each day. Which is partially why I think I need to go back to a place with an indoor, at least for the winter. WFM you had some great ideas, thank you! I agree about good and bad periods. The other boarding barn I have been at off and on for the last 2 decades has definitely had its share of ups and downs. I'm thinking about stopping over there and nosing around to see how things are at the moment.... it is an option for us to return there if we'd like. I know my husband adores Win and doesn't mind doing the chores or handling him but some of his stories lately have made me go and I just do NOT want him getting hurt! Win would never intentionally hurt him but hubby is not savvy enough to deal with him when he's being a goofball.Now add this into the mix... the other boarder/friend has spent the last week trying to decide if she was going to leave (due to other reasons though she too is frustrated with the situation) and it looks like her mare is peacing out in the next week or two. So with her gone, it seems like a done deal... time for me to move too. I think I will start investigating other options, and definitely leave on a good note, so perhaps we can return next spring if need be........ |
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| Fish Cheeks | Oct 25 2009, 07:33 PM Post #8 |
It'll be an adventure! We're going on an adventure!
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Sigh. Hearing of people's boarding woes always makes me think that I would be a really good BO and people would love to board at my place (if I had a bigger place and wanted to be a BO). Can you put the word out with your farrier and/or your vet to see if one of their clients has expressed interest in taking in a boarder? There can be some really good situations like that that just aren't advertised but word of mouth could get you an in. I have to say from the perspective of having my own place I now understand how/why some boarding barns do the things they do. But sacrifice areas are for just that reason so the horses can still go out and that part of the pasture is sacrificed. . . And, not that you ever want DH to get hurt, but NOW would obviously be a Very. Bad. Time.!! It shouldn't be his job to go and turn Win out!  I hope you can get it resolved and either things there improve or you find another situation. 
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| CDE Driver | Oct 26 2009, 09:07 AM Post #9 |
Off visiting Candy Cave, be right back.
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Gosh, reading this and various other treads about boarding woes make me so glad I have my own place. We take in a few boarders and training horses, but I am very selective. I will take a high maintenance horse in a second, a high maintenance owner....no way. I am NOT saying you are! Please don't think that! Our horses are out all day, every day, rain, shine, snow, wind...you get the picture. They come in to either the barn (stalls with runs) or big paddocks with shelters at night. I have enough room that they all get along, if they don't or if there is a trouble maker they can be separated. My vet always comments that the horses here are so happy and relaxed. I can't remember the last time we had a colic. Why can't there be more people like you near ME??? I would love to have Win here! Flashy, what do you pay for board if you don't mind me asking? I charge $375/month. That includes turning out, blanket monitoring and changing, grooming 3 times a week, holding for farrier and vet and administering any meds the horse may need. |
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| FlashGordon | Oct 26 2009, 09:30 AM Post #10 |
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Is the meadow on fire?
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Aww I wish all you guys were closer I'd board with any of you! $375 for ALL THAT CDE??? Heck I'll ship Win to you!!! J/K. I pay $175, basically for the stall rental and the slot in the pasture. I buy my own feed, bedding, and do all my own labor. The only thing the BO has to do is walk him in and out and feed him in the AM. I always felt like I wasn't paying enough, even tho it is a fair rate for the area, so didn't mind pitching in with feeding, turnout, holding for vet/farrier etc. until it became a daily thing and suddenly I was spending more time on BO's horses than my own every day. Average board here, at a multi-discipline stable, with an indoor, outdoor rings, trails and maybe some pasture runs about $275-325. They may or may not have a trainer on site. "Show" barns, most which have facilities comparable to the average boarding barns (maybe a wee bit better in some instances) start around $400 and go up to $650. Unless you are at SBS in the city where board is $1200, last I heard. Those barns seem able to demand a better rate because of the fact that they show, are usually discipline specific, have a trainer on-site. I've typically kept horses at the mid-range facilities. Care varies depending on the place. A lot of times they are family type facilities, that cut their own hay and mills their own shavings, which is nice. I've kept a few horses at show facilities but honestly can't say IME that the care has been any better at those. IME, at any facility, regardless of price or function, no one really seems to pay much attention to your horse. Basic needs are met. In some instances, they can't even managed to feed on a schedule, or turn out regularly (this at higher end barns!) It is really hit or miss. Our horse scene here in WNY is VERY SAD. So when I run the numbers, I am paying the rate for the stall, plus feed and bedding costs. Plus I pay my barn mate to do his stall 3 days a week and check on him for me. With all that alone I'm over $300. Add in the labor on top and I might as well be at a typical boarding barn and not have to worry about handling all his care myself. Part of the issue is the BOs are really not set up to take boarders. When I first moved in, they bent over backwards to keep an eye on Win. But the truth is they have jobs, kids, lives, and the wife has a serious back injury that prevents her from handling the horses. She is admittedly a bit intimidated by Win's size and doesn't ever deal with him. I feel bad for the husband, because he gets the brunt of the workload while also working at his own business-- sometimes 7 days a week. I'm really not too picky-- want my horse fed 2x a day, on a schedule. Turned out with a reasonable group. Water checked. Blankets checked, not even daily, but at least when the weather changes. That's about it. I'm thinking I will check in with vet/farrier/friends/etc. and see what I can find...... Edited by FlashGordon, Oct 26 2009, 09:32 AM.
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| Trialbyfire | Oct 26 2009, 10:05 AM Post #11 |
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It'll be an adventure! We're going on an adventure!
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Picky? You're not asking for anything!! Water? Fed? [You're my DREAM boarder!!!] I'd even check your horse's blanket twice a day! Definitely get the word out; there has to be someone around you that is like me (or CDE, or Fishy). I am home during the day [most of the time] so even though I don't spend lots of time grooming or cuddling with my boarders horses (or even my own), I am around and see them, notice if things are weird, notice that they ate all their hay or that the water seems low and go out to refill. If I had an empty stall, you would be my perfect type of boarder -- a boarder who knows about horses, has good references, wants to be involved in her horse's care, and a semi/fully retired horse (which means it's probably a quiet type who will be happy to graze all day and won't knock the fences down, etc.). There has to be someone out there who would LOVE to have you in their barn and isn't a kook. Ask around, and then ask again in a month or so; things change and the person who had a full barn might suddenly need another boarder.
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| Delia | Oct 26 2009, 12:10 PM Post #12 |
Is the meadow on fire?
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Ditto what everyone else said. I wish you were closer -- I'd love for Win to be my retired guy's pasture buddy. I'm so fortunate that the owners of the little farmette where he lives are good horsemen and that we have the same approach to horse care. And they are so attentive and willing to help that they almost make me feel a little guilty. Mr. Delia and I do help out alot with farm maintenance, mowing the fields, etc., so it works out. Definitely ask your vet and farrier if they know of any suitable little private barns that might have an opening either now or coming up. Also check any local tack shops -- the ones in my area all have message boards where people post stall openings. I found my place by driving around and knocking on doors. Fortunately in my general area there are several horsey subdivisions with farmettes, so I was able to pretty much go door to door. |
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| FlashGordon | Oct 26 2009, 12:54 PM Post #13 |
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Is the meadow on fire?
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Thanks guys, you all have so many super suggestions!! I agree it is just about finding the right place, with people who have similar horse keeping philosophies to my own. I think my mistake here was although the people seemed very concerned about care, they really are complete novices. The wife was great at "talking the talk" and while I'm usually pretty good at nosing out the wanna-bes vs the truly knowledgeable, I didn't catch it. The horses don't even do basic things like crosstie or stand to be hosed. They kept commenting on how well mannered Win is, but on the flip side, they get kind of freaked when he gets a little "up" or "fresh." Mind you, he is THE MOST WELL MANNERED HORSE. Even when he's feeling good he ALWAYS listens if you know how to ask!! Aside from Dan, he's been one of my easiest horses, he doesn't have any silly quirks and he is impeccably polite. Someone has GOT to want us! And I swear I KNOW I am NOT a crazy owner/boarder! I think I just keep running into crazy BMs and BOs...? LOL. |
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| Fish Cheeks | Oct 26 2009, 01:58 PM Post #14 |
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It'll be an adventure! We're going on an adventure!
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That's not too hard to do, 'ya know!  
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| SnackPack | Oct 26 2009, 04:01 PM Post #15 |
It'll be an adventure! We're going on an adventure!
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I'm guessing that you are going to be happier if you can find someplace with a little more care available. I would imagine having a horse on what almost amounts to self-care is going to be difficult in the months ahead. Start looking now and see if anything turns up. You don't sound high maintenance to me. I, on the other hand, am becoming a bit high maintenance. I blamed it on Elf. He's easy to be around, but is thin-skinned and sensitive. He also pees like...well, a horse. I swear Elf pees more in one episode than Show does in an entire day. He's already soaked his way through two pens. The worst part is that he relieves himself opposite to where he's fed. This sounds like a good thing, but right now, that means he pees/poops under his shelter which is now disgusting. Can I really tell the BO's to have the staf feed him in X place when they can hardly manage to check on his water? Oi.
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