Irritated with Barn owner....advice? Long, sorry

So, I originally moved Thunder out of a situation in December and needed a place to board him asap. I searched around like 10-15 different places and found a place that was the best for the price and met most of my requirements. I never thought that maybe I should look more thoroughly into the owners of the place. It felt like a family environment, kind of rough around the edges, but definitely very fucntional. The owner originally told me that if I were to board there, he didn't want someone coming in and taking the best stall, then moving out in a few months. They wanted someone long term. Well how am I supposed to know how long I'm going to be there, I am new to horses, and things change. Well, I have been working with a trainer for about a month now, and have only had Thunder for 4 months. He's still very young mentally and can have small quirks like every young horse. Well lately, when Thunder acts out, like invades space (which we've been working on in training), nips (not really alot if you watch him), ect, the owner of the barn will KICK him with the top of his boot in the gut. I don't necessarily approve, but he said "no horse will get away with that behavior around me". Thunder is by no means an awful brat. If you love him and make nice, he is everyone's best buddy.

Well, I showed up with 3 friends to visit Thunder. The barn was empty, however when the owner walked out, he was extremely rude and said "you need to figure something out with your horse! You need to get a chain to leave here all the time, this is not working out, someones going to get hurt!!" and I was like okaaayyy, and what had happened was that when walking back to the stall after turn out, Thunder was by the open gate and took off for whatever reason outside. The guy hung on to the lead til it got to the end and pulled Thunder down onto his back. I asked if he was hurt and the guy got p-oed and said "IS HE HURT??!?!" So I said I will talk to the trainer to figure something out. It's not like he's been in training for a long time. Plus im sure he senses the guy doesnt like him. Then we were grooming Thunder and my cousing was standing next to the back end and the owner came back out and yelled at her and said "don't stand so close to that other horse, he's reaching for you, and he might jerk back". Mind you, these are people who have been around horses all their lives, I think they know to watch out for the other horses. Where else were they supposed to stand??? Ugh so I am just venting , and I don't know at this point If I should be looking for a different barn. I have a feeling he is going to make me use a chain on him. I DO NOT feel comfortable leaving a chain in that guys hands when im not around. THunder has never given me that much of a problem. Sorry for the book......advice please?

Leave! I wouldn't put up with that c**p. Can you find a similar barn for a similar price?

Im going to start looking tomorrow.....but I don't know if I can find somewhere with similar with decent price that's as close as this one is....i just need to figure out whats really important to me I guess. I got so spoiled with this place. I really felt safe! It has a gaited entrance where everyone has a pin number and the owners are practically always out there. Its clean and organized, just TERRIBLE service!! Great food though, price is right, property, set up, everything but the ppl!!! Grrrrrrrrrr

Thanks for your input.

Honestly, you need to look for a place that is safe for your horse... and the amenities for you come second.

While I don't condone a horse nipping, I also don't condone kicking in the gut.

Good luck with your search.

Find another stable. I wouldn't put up with that from the owners. They should be friendly and shouldn't do anything that might drive away boarders. I think they are rude personally and I also think that your horse deserves better. If it is still learning and being trained (it sounds like it is) then I don't think it should be exposed to all of that. I hope that helps.

Yes everyone's advice helps a lot! Thank you! Im going to be looking around and hopefully I can find something. Thanks again!

I'm in a somewhat similar situation in that I love where I board for the facility (indoor arena, lots of turnout, stalls with big runs) but the BO is very difficult to deal with.........I don't like the way she treats her animals alot of the time (she put a shock collar on a 5 mo puppy) and she's a super control freak. Come to find out none of the other horse people in the area have anything good to say about her and in checking out other boarding places I keep coming across former boarders of hers that tell me I need to get out ASAP. Moving sucks, but we've got to..... going to the barn and being with my horse is what I do to relieve my stress, not cause more! If you can find a place you like for a similar price go!

Granted a young horse needs a firmer hand but you don't want the BO to undermine any training you are doing. I think the kicking in the gut would have floored me. Its one thing if I do it but a stranger, I would have had a fit. I elbowed Shiloh in the gut yesterday when she was getting to close and I felt awful for doing it :( I can't imagine kicking her there. The BO sounds like a bit of a control freak. You need to have a talk with him, there may be some issues with Thunder that you don't know about. Ask your trainer what he/she thinks about the chain. If you feel your horse is being abused then definitely start looking for another place. If you find it is a training issue with Thunder, assure the BO that you are working to resolve them.

So the BO came back from his week vacation and acted as if nothing happened. He was super chipper and asked how thunder was doing lol.

Sooooooooooooooo now I don't know what to do.....

My decision is carried on in the which one is better post. Thanks guys

While it sounds like our horse needs a few manners taught to him and more handling, the barn owners sound a bit crazy to me to. I would encourage you to look for a different place. A facility that will have a more professional set of managers. You should consider spending more time with your horse so he quits his little habits and causes more problems for you or others.

Cheers