What would you do?

[Vegashorselady]

As some of you may know I moved my horses to a new barn the beginning of October.
I really like the barn. It’s got hot water in the wash rack, a kitchen, bathroom, good lighting, grass turn-outs etc. I like the barn owner also and I get along with the other boarders.

Ok, here’s the bad stuff.
They only feed two flakes of hay a day. Which is just not enough food especially for my 22 year old. She was dropping weight and when I talked to them about it they said it would be another 25 a month if I wanted her feed upped to three flakes of hay a day. Ok, so I had them up her feed. Now that the weather is getting cold my other mare is getting a little thin also, so I’m going to need to up her feed as well.

When I first came to the barn there was a barn manager. The barn manager told me that supplements would be fed for us if they were pre-bagged and that blanketing would be provided in the winter. But, now the barn manager is gone and one of the boarders that is friends with the owner and her daughter is feeding and a friend of the owner is mucking stalls in exchange for living in an apartment off of the garage. So, earlier this week I am told that if I want my horses blanketed that the guy mucking stalls will do it but I’ll have to work out payment with him. He wants $3per horse per day, that’s $270 a month!…oh and yeah just to take the blankets off in the morning, I still have to put them on my own horses at night.

Now for the kicker. The friend of the barn owner that is feeding the horses is the one feeding supplements also. One of the other boarders has a horse that was sick over the weekend and the vet instructed her to put her horse on certain supplements for the next month. The boarder bagged all the supplements for her horse and put them in a bucket with feeding instructions written out. Well, the girl doing the feeding apparently was upset by that and snapped at the boarder last night saying that from now on she was going to charge $1 per supplement per horse per day because she didn’t feel like messing with everyone’s supplements anymore. So, for this boarder that would equal $360 for the next month. The boarder was obviously very upset by getting such rude/sudden notice of this. The barn owner’s daughter tried to get involved and things just got uglier after that. (I’m sure you are all familiar enough with barn drama to imagine how things went down.)

The drama last night really didn’t have anything to do with me. But, it does affect me as much as it does the other boarder. It’s one more fee being tacked on. The barn owner is a very nice lady but she’s got health problems and an elderly parent that needs almost constant care and doesn’t have the time to oversee what is going on in the barn. I get along fine with the girl that is feeding the horses but I feel she’s unstable and I’m not really sure what may come up next. I can’t go to the barn everyday worrying about what new fee this girl is going to tack on. My boarding contract states that these services will be provided but at this point if I want them done I have no choice but to pay them or do it myself because the barn owner isn’t around.

I’m going to look at another barn tonight. The board is $25 a month less than the place I’m at plus the guy runs the place himself and doesn’t charge extra for blanketing/supplements or extra feed if your horse needs it. Drawbacks are that the arena isn’t lighted, (we’ll see how dark it is out there when I show up tonight) he says he wants to get lights in but it’s not going to happen right away. And there is no barn with nice hot water and kitchen etc.

I have no idea what I’ll end up doing at this point. I would prefer not to move my horses but I’ve only been at this barn 6 weeks and these things are popping up. The place I’m looking at tonight has three stalls that will be free the end of the month. I would feel bad not giving my current barn owner a months notice but at the same time I didn’t get a months notice about any of the extra fees that I’ve been charged.

If I moved to this other barn I would save $150 a month on board and feed costs not to mention the outrages charges for blanketing.

I just don’t know what to do about all of this right now. Ugh...I hate boarding!

[Kara]

The barn owner hasn't been informed of this?

[natisha]

Talk to the BO & remind her what was agreed upon, 2 flakes of hay does not sound like very much, unless you have a pony maybe.

[Vegashorselady]

The barn owner knows about the hay, handed her the check for the extra cost myself. She knows about the blanketing too. The supplement issue just came up last night but the boarder that got into the argument was very upset and said she'll be talking to the barn owner today after she's calmed down a little so I'm sure she knows now.

The issue I have is that there are only 6 of us that board at the barn. Of those 6 boarders the only three that are there regularly are me, the boarder that had the issue last night and the girl that feeds the horses. The girl that feeds is practically part of the barn owners family so...it could make things awkward to get on the bad side of that relationship. That's part of the dilemna.

[zoel_222]

Wow, when I worked feeding and cleaning at a barn, I never spoke to boarders like that. Provided supplements were fed and blanketing/unblanketing was free of charge. I'd even put sunblock on the horses. I think you should talk to the BO and tell her how you feel and tell her what was agreed upon.


edit: ah we cross-posted. I guess if the BO knows and doesn't want to do anything about it, there's not much you can really do. I'd be looking at new places. I would certainly not pay an additional $270 a month for blanketing.

[Equine_Woman]

Wow, none of the barns I was at charged for any of those things. They wouldn't put the blankets on but they would take them off. Might look for better full care! Seems silly to me that they would charge for things like that but clean stalls. ..

[Remali]

That's awful. Well, go with your gut feeling..... but, if it were me, I would be looking for another barn....

[Vegashorselady]

Yeah, when I moved in all that stuff was included but then the barn manager left and now the place is in turmoil. I would like to think that things will smooth out in a little while but I just can't be sure of that. Right now I don't have an issue with any person at the barn but I feel that if I talk to the barn owner and tell her I'm not paying any more fees it will end in an argument with the owner's friend.
Hopefully the barn owner will have some time this weekend around the barn and I'll be able to feel things out and get a better idea of what direction things are going. Meanwhile I'm going to look at this other barn, all the other fees aside $125 dollars less a month is nothing to sneeze at in this economy.

[WashingtonBay]

I sure wouldn't stay where they are nickle and diming me to death for stuff that was not originally agreed to... those little made-up fees add up!

[outriding01]

I've never been at a barn that charged for feeding supplements you provide, blanketing or anything like that. And I've never been at a barn that didn't provide more than an adequate amount of hay. Two flakes a day is definitely not enough unless a horse is on full pasture, which is hard to come by in a lot of places... I hope you get everythnig worked out soon. It really sucks to be in situations like that...

[KCandAllegro'sMom]

Is there anything you can do legally to enforce the contract that you signed?

[livaward]

Sounds like someone is getting a little money hungry.....I would never charge anyone for those things.....nest thing you know they are going to charge you $1.00 everytime they glace at your horse....I'd move without notice and tell that money hungry who ha where to shove it

[Ranger44]

Sounds like an agreement was broken but that it might be more of a problem to to solve it without moving. I wish you luck.

Sure makes me happy i have my horses at home. If I charge myself those fees I can retire early. :)

[miatapony]

I would move them ... there are too many places ... to put up with that kind of stuff (crap)..... if you want me to look around again for you i can .. no big deal .

[farmers_wife]

I say just move here to MN and we will find you a good barn.:)

[lisakaye]

I would follow your gut feeling and move your babies. I had to move Easter last weekend and left Brutus behind permanently. I am not happy about it caose the barn owner lied to me more that once but Easter is much happier where she is now. I wouldn't hesitate to move them if something doesn't seem right and you aren't happy. Your horse's health and happiness are the most important and you need rto know that they are both taken care of.

[Steelhorserider]

Sounds like things have gone from bad to worse at that barn. I have boarded and was never charged for any of those item and especially if you have a boarding contract stating all that. I think it is time to move to another barn while you still have some money.

[mandisue]

Well you never know when your horses might end up needing a supplement or something extra done, i can't believe they're charging you for all that! The new place definitely sounds better than where you're at now.

[Buckpoco]

I would not stay. I boarded for many years and like you, often found barns with wonderful facilities but the care was poor. You would never forgive yourself if your horses got sick or injured. Sounds like nobody really is in control and responsible. The two flakes a day is a very small amount of hay. What do they feed at night?:(

[AUEquine]

Sounds like there's getting to be too many cheifs in that barn. I've had this happen at other barns, and it's always the down fall. When tasks start getting deligated to too many people they all start thinking they're in charge, and can do/change what they want. I found it always works better if there is either a good barn manager handling it all or the owner handles it all. And it's even worse when it's friends involved, then you don't have the fear of being fired or evicted to keep them working well.

As far as what should be done at boarding barns.... of course each is different. But if you're paying for a "full care" board then full care should be given. Full care means anything that horse needs to be healthy and comfortable. Just because horses lived for hundreds of years without blankets and supplements isn't a reason not to comply with a boarders wishes. There are of course limits but these should all be clearly marked out in a boarding contract. I never think that blanketing should be extra on a full care board fee, and neither should supplements. I feel that asking you to prepackage them is ok, I know it always help me out a ton when owners did that. The same as asking you to keep your blanket in good repair and regularly laundered makes that job easier. I've been at a few barns that charged blanketing fees, but they were small, and were more so just a cash break to the people who didn't use blankets. But I couldn't imagine getting paid $3 just to pull a blanket off a horse. I figure undoing all buckles (and some of them being stubborn), the horse dancing a little due to feed time, and properly folding and hanging the blanket should take about 3 minutes MAX. That is the equivolent of $60/hour... definatly not an acurage charge!

Stick with your gut! If you think your horse isn't gonna get the care it needs and deserves then move. Proper feed and care are worth more than lighted arenas and hot water. True we souldn't have to make that choice, but human nature changes all!

[Arrow]

2 flakes of hay a day? Are you kidding? Why are you still there exactly?

[gaited07]

WOW, all I can say is RUN before it gets worse!!!

I'll keep my eyes out for something for you and pass it on. Good luck:)

[Equine_Woman]

Just out of curiosity, do you know how much by weight the hay is? Because my 2 flakes are by no means the same as some people's two flakes. But either way it sounds like ENTIRELY too little hay!! Anyways, have you made any decisions yet? Or any word on what the owner thinks?

[outriding01]

I think feeding prepackaged supplements and charging a fee has to be the most ridiculous thing I've heard. At the barn I work at, they don't prepack anything. I measure out and feed straight from buckets and bins. It would be like a holiday to have everything prepackaged and labeled!

[gaited07]

VHL,
Here is a directory of stables.. Maybe something here will fit the bill.

http://www.newhorse.com/page/horseboarding/b.510.html

[farmers_wife]

Good luck and your horses deserve more. You are a good Mommy. Heck Dolly does not need the hay but she gets more than that. She get 4 flakes a day.

[WashingtonBay]

Just out of curiosity, do you know how much by weight the hay is? Because my 2 flakes are by no means the same as some people's two flakes. But either way it sounds like ENTIRELY too little hay!! Anyways, have you made any decisions yet? Or any word on what the owner thinks?

It is true that 'a flake is not a flake is not a flake'. And being in Vegas... this is probably alfalfa. (??) But still...

[Palogal]

If they're only feeding two flakes per day...are they on pasture or something? That's not enough for any horse. yeah, I'd leave.

[Vegashorselady]

To answer the questions about the hay my horses are getting fed; it is a grass/alfalfa mix and the flakes are approx 6 lb flakes give or take. I can understand paying extra for a particularly hard keeper but I don't think I should be paying an extra $25 per horse a month to have an extra flake thrown to them. When board is supposed to include hay I think that should mean adequete hay to sustain the average horse.

So, I talked to the guy about blanketing last night and basically said that what he wanted to charge me was way to much. I have seen a few show barns here in town that charge for blanketing but they charge $25 a month and that is to put the blankets on and take them off at night. I'm only asking him to pull them off in the morning and I can do them myself on the weekends if need be. So, he agreed to drop it to $30 a month. Much more manageable but still a little silly that I'm paying him to do it when I was told by the old manager that this service would be provided.

When I got to my barn last night the girl that feeds the horses came over to me and apologized for the drama the night before. She said she just got really mad at the other boarder that night while they were riding in the arena together and so that's why she snapped and said she was going to charge for supplements. So, that confirms my theory that this girl is unstable. Really, she's not a girl, she's 28 years old and should know how to control her temper a little better.

The barn owner was actually in the barn when I got there but she was busy settling in an overnight boarder. I did talk to her for a few minutes. She asked me about what happended and then she said, "well, it's none of my business, I'm staying out of it." I happen to disagree and think that it is her business. Boarders do not want to depend on some bi-polar woman to feed their horses.

I personally haven't had any issues (other than the fees) at this barn but I don't like what I see happening.


The barn I looked at last night is nice. The arena is HUGE and the footing is some of the best I've seen at a private barn in Vegas so far. The arena doesn't have lights but when the lights in the yard are turned on it's not all that dark in the arena. You could do basic riding no problem. The tack room has plenty of room for everyones tack and supplies and there is a refrigerator in there. There isn't a bathroom but there is an outhouse, I can live with that. There are only 11 stalls at this place, so it's not over run with boarders and horses. The guy seems like a good horseman and the stalls were clean, horses were well fed. I think I'm going to go for it and make the move. I'll go out and sign the contract with this guy tonight and then go to my barn and give my 30 day notice. With any luck they'll find someone who wants to move in the 1st of December and I can move my horses sooner.

[shewasmyshadow]

Good luck. I would make sure they know why you're moving. Not for your sake, but for the boarders that are still there. They can't speak up if they don't want to cause drama, but you can if you're leaving. You have a chance to knock a little sense into the owner and maybe she will put some fear into the free loading apartment dweller. ;)

[gaited07]

I talked to my BO and she's going to have 3 stalls available I believe in December or the end. If you are interested, give me a call and I will give you her phone number.

Remember, our stalls are 24x24 half shade, misters, feed 3x daily and cleaned daily. There is no added charges for trailer parking or feeding supplements. I can't answer about blanketing.
Our arena is a large lighted arena, round pen and turnout arena. Well you seen LOL

[natisha]

I would leave when I was ready, wouldn't give a 30 day notice. Of course don't expect a refund on board paid.
I left a place that didn't do as promised. As I was loading to leave the BO asked when I would be back (he must have thought I was just going riding somewhere) I told him never. He mentioned the 30 day notice & I told him to sue me. Never heard a thing.
That last 30 days could be h--l if you stick it out.
Good luck on your new move.

[AUEquine]

I agree that I would just leave. If you're already paid up, they'd be gaining money. It's starting to sound like you might need to get out fast. I don't like a barn owner that doesn't want to get involved in barn squables. Personal matters are one thing, but this is happening in her barn, and about her barn protocalls... that's definatly her business!

That new place sounds nice! Not having the lights in the winter forces us to take our horses back to basics and really bond with them again. I figure it's natures way of slowing us down once a year!

[gaited07]

I would leave when I was ready, wouldn't give a 30 day notice. Of course don't expect a refund on board paid.
I left a place that didn't do as promised. As I was loading to leave the BO asked when I would be back (he must have thought I was just going riding somewhere) I told him never. He mentioned the 30 day notice & I told him to sue me. Never heard a thing.
That last 30 days could be h--l if you stick it out.
Good luck on your new move.


The only problem with this is that we now have a Stable Owners guide of good boarders and the list of bad boarders that is being shared. Not saying that this BO is on that list but I wouldn't chance it. Vegas is a large city but small in the horse community and word travels fast. (VHL knows this LOL we already found that one out) But just to let you know that they (BO's) are networked together.

[natisha]

The only problem with this is that we now have a Stable Owners guide of good boarders and the list of bad boarders that is being shared. Not saying that this BO is on that list but I wouldn't chance it. Vegas is a large city but small in the horse community and word travels fast. (VHL knows this LOL we already found that one out) But just to let you know that they (BO's) are networked together. So are horse owners who need to board, it's a two way street. Even if someone follows all the 'rules' before moving they will still get bad mouthed so I guess I would put my horse's welfare first.

[shewasmyshadow]

Yeah, it would suck if only the BO's could bad mouth and there was no way for the boarders to share the bad BO's.

[Vegashorselady]

The Las Vegas horse community is very small. If you meet a new horse person they probably already know at least two horse people you do. We all shop at the same feed/tack stores and go to the same events. I’ll go ahead and give 30 days notice because I have 4 horses to board and it’s already a challenge finding a good barn with enough stalls open. The last thing I need is to have a reputation as a bad boarder adding to the difficulty. Things aren’t so bad at this barn that I feel I need to make an immediate escape. But I do want to get out of there.

That being said I am really frustrated. My horses aren’t going to be blanketed until I move. I thought everything was worked out with the guy at my barn and he was going to take the blankets off my horses in the mornings Mon-Fri. for $30 a month. Well, last night he changed his mind and wants $20 a week. I’m not paying $80 a month for him to pull blankets off my horses in the morning. It takes 15 minutes to pull the blankets off and he’s out there anyway to clean stalls, it’s ridiculous.

I still haven’t given my notice because I didn’t get a chance to go over to the other barn last night to sign a contract. I don’t want to give notice until I have a new contract signed at the other place and know for sure that I have a place to move my horses. I heard last night that there was a guy who wants to move his horses to the barn I’m at now. So I’m hoping that if I give my notice this weekend that maybe that guy will want to move in the first of December and I’ll be able to move my horses before the 30 days.

[WashingtonBay]

Are you sure the BO knows and approves not just the 'nickle and diming' of every service, but the daily changes in how much they're going to charge? It's like a shakedown around there.

[shewasmyshadow]

The Las Vegas horse community is very small. If you meet a new horse person they probably already know at least two horse people you do. We all shop at the same feed/tack stores and go to the same events. I’ll go ahead and give 30 days notice because I have 4 horses to board and it’s already a challenge finding a good barn with enough stalls open. The last thing I need is to have a reputation as a bad boarder adding to the difficulty. Things aren’t so bad at this barn that I feel I need to make an immediate escape. But I do want to get out of there.

That being said I am really frustrated. My horses aren’t going to be blanketed until I move. I thought everything was worked out with the guy at my barn and he was going to take the blankets off my horses in the mornings Mon-Fri. for $30 a month. Well, last night he changed his mind and wants $20 a week. I’m not paying $80 a month for him to pull blankets off my horses in the morning. It takes 15 minutes to pull the blankets off and he’s out there anyway to clean stalls, it’s ridiculous.

I still haven’t given my notice because I didn’t get a chance to go over to the other barn last night to sign a contract. I don’t want to give notice until I have a new contract signed at the other place and know for sure that I have a place to move my horses. I heard last night that there was a guy who wants to move his horses to the barn I’m at now. So I’m hoping that if I give my notice this weekend that maybe that guy will want to move in the first of December and I’ll be able to move my horses before the 30 days.

Well, sounds like it over all sucks. :rolleyes::doh: Poor you. Hope everything works itself out. I cannot imagine boarding 4 horses. I only boarded Rashad and he was the perfect horse everyone wants to board. That said I moved him once a year for the 6 years he was boarded. Everyplace had it's problems. The last place was the very best and we literally walked up to the door and knocked. It was a private barn and there was no one to do things with, but there were also no problems. Boarders = problems. No getting around it. :doh:

[Vegashorselady]

Are you sure the BO knows and approves not just the 'nickle and diming' of every service, but the daily changes in how much they're going to charge? It's like a shakedown around there.

I'm pretty sure she knows about it and based on her response the other day I'm pretty sure she thinks it's "none of her business". She's authorized these people to run her barn for her when she can't be out there to see to things herself.

I just want to move to a barn where the owner runs things and is involved.

[gaited07]

Did you see that my Stable has three stalls available?

[Vegashorselady]

It was a private barn and there was no one to do things with, but there were also no problems. Boarders = problems. No getting around it. :doh:

Amen to that! That's what I like about the place I want to move to, there are only 11 stalls, 3 of which will be filled by my horses. Less boarders equals less problems. Plus the guy runs the place himself so there aren't a bunch of "middle men" running around to deal with.

[Vegashorselady]

Did you see that my Stable has three stalls available?

I did. I'm hoping to get into the place I looked at the other night. If it doesn't work out though, and I mean if I don't have a contract signed by this weekend, then I'll give Kathy a call.

[OffGridGuy]

Good grief girl!! Sorry you are dealing with this now...Go with your gut.
Your horses are your priority and they come first...

not someone elses greed and improper behavior is never excusable...

oops signed in as hubby....sorry it offgridgirl....I gotta get my pute back.....ugh

[Country Girl 43]

Here's my two cents for what it's worth....

NO barn is going to be perfect. It's up to us owners to make sure our horses are properly cared for no matter where they are.

The place I board at is not perfect by any means. The new gal is not feeding my horses enough, she feeds them in the hanging feeders instead of in the tubs on the ground. The automatic waters are not checked regularly so when leaks happen or Joe craps in his waterer at night, they do not take notice. And lets not forget about Missy getting out one night and gorging herself on Alfalfa.

However, it has a great arena, pasture turnout, the horses have nice big turnouts that they stay in, they have shade and stalls if they need to be locked up. I have access to the place 24/7, I can keep both my trailers there for no extra charge. They will feed supplements and do blanketing if I asked them to, BUT I do all the supplements myself. Plus, I am there almost everyday, so I feed my babies a little extra while I am there, I check all the waterers, I clean out the stalls and my friend and I just drug the turnouts last week (something the BO is supposed to do but hasn't this year.) :mad: But I had fun ridng my freinds Quad! :D
While I am at the barn, I also check on all the other animals, the goats and the other boarders horses. I have pulled blankets and put on blankets for the other boarders and they are thankful that I spent so much time at the barn.

My boarding fees are not too bad for all the amenities that are there, plus I get free board sometimes when I help to get things done around there. My husband would like to have the horses in a different place. One that is more "dependable", but like I have explained to him. Our horses are only 2 miles from the house. I see them almost every day and any other place would be more expensive and have less room for the horses to roam around. Plus there would be more "rules" at any other place. I have checked around and where my horses are at now is by far the best for them! But that is ONLY because I am out there so often.

As for the place you are at now.... I would get the he!! out of there! They are just money hungry and sound completely whacked. The new place you are looking at sounds much better. You can also go to Home Depot and buy a few of those big Flood lights for night riding in the arena. Our arena is lighted, but it doesn't light up the entire arena. I bought those lights and I just put them on top of my truck or trailer on the side of the arena and I have a nice lighted place to practice. :)

Like I said, no place is perfect... and my barn has it's issues, but I know I am on top of everything and the people are really nice. It's only gotten bad since the one gal took over. But she is learning and will get there.... I hope.

[shewasmyshadow]

Here's my two cents for what it's worth....

NO barn is going to be perfect. It's up to us owners to make sure our horses are properly cared for no matter where they are.

The place I board at is not perfect by any means. The new gal is not feeding my horses enough, she feeds them in the hanging feeders instead of in the tubs on the ground. The automatic waters are not checked regularly so when leaks happen or Joe craps in his waterer at night, they do not take notice. And lets not forget about Missy getting out one night and gorging herself on Alfalfa.

However, it has a great arena, pasture turnout, the horses have nice big turnouts that they stay in, they have shade and stalls if they need to be locked up. I have access to the place 24/7, I can keep both my trailers there for no extra charge. They will feed supplements and do blanketing if I asked them to, BUT I do all the supplements myself. Plus, I am there almost everyday, so I feed my babies a little extra while I am there, I check all the waterers, I clean out the stalls and my friend and I just drug the turnouts last week (something the BO is supposed to do but hasn't this year.) :mad: But I had fun ridng my freinds Quad! :D
While I am at the barn, I also check on all the other animals, the goats and the other boarders horses. I have pulled blankets and put on blankets for the other boarders and they are thankful that I spent so much time at the barn.

My boarding fees are not too bad for all the amenities that are there, plus I get free board sometimes when I help to get things done around there. My husband would like to have the horses in a different place. One that is more "dependable", but like I have explained to him. Our horses are only 2 miles from the house. I see them almost every day and any other place would be more expensive and have less room for the horses to roam around. Plus there would be more "rules" at any other place. I have checked around and where my horses are at now is by far the best for them! But that is ONLY because I am out there so often.

As for the place you are at now.... I would get the he!! out of there! They are just money hungry and sound completely whacked. The new place you are looking at sounds much better. You can also go to Home Depot and buy a few of those big Flood lights for night riding in the arena. Our arena is lighted, but it doesn't light up the entire arena. I bought those lights and I just put them on top of my truck or trailer on the side of the arena and I have a nice lighted place to practice. :)

Like I said, no place is perfect... and my barn has it's issues, but I know I am on top of everything and the people are really nice. It's only gotten bad since the one gal took over. But she is learning and will get there.... I hope.

I'm glad you are giving the new girl a chance. I used to do chores at a couple of farms and people would FREAK if you didn't do things exactly the way they did it!! When people are willing to learn, then they will usually get into the swing of thing. Otherwise, like this girl at vegas's barn they'll be buttheads and never be good. :rolleyes:

[shewasmyshadow]

Amen to that! That's what I like about the place I want to move to, there are only 11 stalls, 3 of which will be filled by my horses. Less boarders equals less problems. Plus the guy runs the place himself so there aren't a bunch of "middle men" running around to deal with.

LOL. I thought you were gonna say no "weemen being weemen". Isn't that what Wbay always saids? Weemen being weemen. LOL. :p Maybe a barn that is male run will be better.

[Country Girl 43]

I'm glad you are giving the new girl a chance. I used to do chores at a couple of farms and people would FREAK if you didn't do things exactly the way they did it!! When people are willing to learn, then they will usually get into the swing of thing. Otherwise, like this girl at vegas's barn they'll be buttheads and never be good. :rolleyes:

Yeah... well the place I keep my horses isn't really a "boarding facility". It's a dairy with lots of property, so it's nice and private. The owners are super nice people, they just need to brush up on the "horsey" business. ;) Plus there are only 3 of us that board there and we watch out for each others animals. :) The new gal (sister) will get the hang of it. I just need to make more trips out there and show her a few more things that make us horse people happy. :D

[Vegashorselady]

Well, men running a place is great as long as they don't have some nut case woman hanging around causing them to think with the wrong head...if you know what I mean.

CG-you are right, it is important to spend as much time with your horses as possible and be on top of what is going on at the barn. There are a few owners at the barn that never come out and they aren't even aware that their horses only get their supplements when the girl is "in the mood" to feed them.
I'm at the barn nearly every night, but if I'm sick or out of town and my horses need something I don't know if this girl will take care of things or not. It depends on what mood she's in. I'm paying full board and shouldn't have to worry about that!

[offgridgirl]

So where do you stand now?? Move or stay??
I didn't read all the replies but there is always two sides to any situation. Weight each carefully

Stay and sort it out...or
Move, maybe be put on "bad" list but have confidence in the care your horses....

Good luck and remember to let me know when you're in my area....love to see ya again!!;)

[Country Girl 43]

I'm paying full board and shouldn't have to worry about that!

Oh I completely agree with you! That's why I said you should get your horses out of that place!! That girl is just a whack job. The other place sounds better. ;)

[shewasmyshadow]

Hey, take some pictures of the new place. You know how much we like pictures. :D

[Tiz]

Full care means the horse gets taken care of, whatever that takes. Sounds like it's being redefined to mean "get by" care.

I read nothing but boarding barn horror stories here. Does anyone have their horse at a full care facility that is actually competent?

[lisakaye]

Full care means the horse gets taken care of, whatever that takes. Sounds like it's being redefined to mean "get by" care.

I read nothing but boarding barn horror stories here. Does anyone have their horse at a full care facility that is actually competent?

Now that is the question of the year......

[Remali]

I've boarded at some very nice stables that provided very good care, and I've boarded at stables that were a nightmare. The good ones are out there, but sometimes you have to go thru a few bad ones to find them. All were full care. I've found the best ones to be the barns where there owner is very involved and hands-on and really pay close attention to the employees and staff. Or, the smaller family-run barns, I think my best experience ever was a smaller family-run barn, they owned and showed Arabians, maybe had about 12 to 15 horses (including about 4 or 5 boarders), they did all the work themselves.

[shewasmyshadow]

Or, the smaller family-run barns, I think my best experience ever was a smaller family-run barn, they owned and showed Arabians, maybe had about 12 to 15 horses (including about 4 or 5 boarders), they did all the work themselves.

I agree. That was my best experience too. Family run and minimal boarders. They did everything their way and don't ask them to change, but it was all very good care.

[Vegashorselady]

Well, I really liked the place went to look at last Wednesday night but, I called the guy on Thursday and Friday and haven't recieved a call back. So, I'm annoyed with that. I don't understand why people don't call you back, especially when it's a business you are trying to run. If he's filled the stalls then fine, he can call and at least tell me that!

Anyway, one of my friends has a neighbor that boards and happens to be putting in 3 more stalls right now so I went over to their place yesterday to look. It's not as nice as the other guys place but they just bought the house a year ago and so the facility is a work in progress. What's nice is that I can see they are actually in the process of improving the place and it should be really great in a few months when they have some more things finished. They have 10 stalls, 3 are filled by their own horses, 3 would be mine and then there are 2 other boarders. It's a husband and wife that run the place and they both seem really nice.

At this point I've concluded that any barn is a gamble. Everyone is going to be nice and have the barn at it's best when you first come in. It takes a few weeks for the ugly side to come out if there is one. So, I guess I'll give my notice at the barn I'm at and move to this other place, cross my fingers and hope that it's a better situation. Wish us luck!

[gaited07]

Full care means the horse gets taken care of, whatever that takes. Sounds like it's being redefined to mean "get by" care.

I read nothing but boarding barn horror stories here. Does anyone have their horse at a full care facility that is actually competent?

I board at a very competent barn. The owners are very responsible, caring,and are very professional. They make sure every horse gets fed what it needs to maintain weight. They keep you informed of water intake, colic alerts, and all other medical needs/attention.

There are quite a few other perks too but I do like the place I board with. I guess that is why I've been with them for oh about 15 years!;)

[IrisGreen]

I sure hope everything works out and you find a better place to board. I've only boarded for training and the stables was a normal care type place. They feed 4 flakes a day and keep an eye on the horses for colic or problems but that's it. You pay other boarders to clean stalls if you don't want to do it yourself, I think it's $40 a month per horse and there stalls are mucked out 5 days a week. I think that's a fair price for cleaning stalls. I have no idea about blanketing, you would have to find a boarder that was willing to help you out.

There is a full care facility thats here in town, the board alone is $100 more then average and on top of that you pay extra for every little thing. They have a list of fees, blanketing $15, supplementing $5, extra feed, daily turn out and so on. It's ridicules what they charge on TOP of there over priced board.

I hope everything goes fine with the move and there's not any major drama when you leave the stables your at now. Keep us updated, it sounds like you found a friendly place to move too. I hope it all turns out well and the owners make the new place a great place to board.