Should I change barns?

Sounds like that new horse really needs vet help. Do you guys have equine influenza over there? Sounds very similar to the symptoms of EI and that is something that needs attention ASAP.

I don't know how it is over there but in australia is a criminal offence to not provide veterinary attention to an animal that needs it. With the law aside, they also have a moral obligation to have it checked. Could you call the RSPCA (or is it the ASPCA over there )

We do have ASPCA over here, but as of right now, we havent looked at other barns (i was sick and now my boyfriend's sick) so that is something we need to do ASAP. I could call the ASPCA after we move.

I have no idea if the horse has EI, but I do know that several other horses are sick and they were told not to worry about it and ride anyways. And I saw today that the horse was I believe started all of this was being lunged and then ridden. I couldn't believe it. The poor horse didn't want to move (would you be in the mood to work when you're sick? I know all I want to do is rest) and was coughing up a storm. If that was my horse and I saw that, i'd flip out.

Oh, my gosh. I just read through this whole post, and I can't believe all these stories!! I would absolutely, without a doubt, move my horses out of there. And I wouldn't worry about giving any 30 days notice either!

I would also report the place to the ASPCA. That barn manager sounds like Hitler and I can't believe everyone is putting up with it. Is it hard to find boarding places where you are? It sounds like it must be for people to put up with that kind of treatment. And to pay that kind of money??? That's a lot of money, in my opinion, for the kind of treatment you and the horses are getting.

I've never heard of a barn manager who would get involved in your horse's vet call. That's insane. And to put other horses in your horses stall is bad enough, but especially when horses are sick??? The new horse who came in sick should never have been allowed in. And it most certainly should be isolated at the very least.

Man, I'm getting myself worked up here and I'm not even the one who is dealing with this. Grrrr.

im sure there are other things that are contagious but it sounds like the flu to me. I've done a lot of research on it lately cause im in the middle of the EI outbreak in australia. Whichever way, as said by xanadu, sick horses should always be isolated.

As xanadu also said, I wouldnt bother about your 30 days notice. If you have a contract or something you would get away with breaking it considering there are health issues involved and im sure theyre not providing the service you thought you were going to be getting.

I also think its disgusting that a horse in that condition was being worked some people only want to ride. They don't think about the fact that there are times when they just can't be ridden

I've been doing a lot of searching for a new barn and came across a review by someone who bought a horse at Spring Valley. Turns out they drugged the horse, so it could be ridden. After I read that, I told my boyfriend and now we're on a mad hunt to get them out of there ASAP. At first we were thinking we could tolerate it (my horse is getting better because i've been taking it easy with her) but after reading that, no way! My boyfriend said we'll pay board up to $500 'cause that's basically what we're paying now. That place is horrible. I cannot wait to get them out of there, but we're so worried about going to another place that will be similar. Monday, I'm going to call all the places I have written down and ask if they have availability and if we could come by for a tour. I'll let everyone know how things go. Also, if you know of any barn in the Newton, NJ area, please please please let me know.

you poor thing! :( I hope you can get yourself out of there sooner rather than later. I know I've already said it but I would contact the ASPCA as soon as you move. There are some serious cruelty issues going on there :(

Good luck girl :)

I forgot to add, do you only have places where you can board horses in america?? Is there any places that provide paddocks and yards but you do all the looking after yourself? That's what happens here other than if you have your horses at some ritzy place. It means you can keep to yourself and do your thing and its waaaaaaaaaaaay cheaper. I remember once when I needed to move my horses I went around asking everything that had large blocks of land if I could keep my horses there. Eventually I found an awesome paddock that even had some old stables etc the people said I could bring my horses there for $5 a week each but I had to fix the stables etc up myself if I needed them.

Where I am agisted I have MY yard and tack sheds etc and my yards are padlocked shut and I do everything myself. No one else really gets in your way cause they have their own yards to clean and their own horses to feed.

Was just a thought :) I do hope you get it sorted soon though for you and your horses sake

In america I believe its called rough board, and they do have it at some places I was looking at, but my boyfriend owns his own business so its kind of time consuming, and I'm also enrolled in college, so as of right now that's not the best option for us, even though it would be great for them. Once we buy a piece of property, our horses are coming with us so we'll do it our way. But for right now its a long search. Thanks so much Jazzy, you are so supportive, and so is everyone else you has responded!!! You have no idea how much this has helped. At first I thought it was just me and my boyfriend, but its not. Thanks again to everyone!!

Just a question but you said that you bought the 2 horses from this stable?, do you have them look at by a vet before you bought them? If so who's vet did you use? If not why not?

Stupid us didn't get a vet exam before we bought them, but we thought we were dealing with reputable people and when we asked about any medical problems, the one woman said that both of them were fine. When in fact one has cataracts in his left eye and has surgery for abscesses on his feet. The other horse is fine, except for her being HyPP postive, but should they have tested her?

We looked at another stable today and it was nice, but our horses would be in a warehouse type thing, and theyd be turned out together. But we have a gelding and a mare and I thought they have to be separated and we don't know how they act towards each other when they're loose. But the search has really begun.