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Crazy Barn Owners Trying to Keep Horses

25K views 74 replies 45 participants last post by  KountryPrincess 
#1 ·
I'm going to peeve a whole bunch of barn owners out there but I've really heard, read and experienced ENOUGH.

D O N ' T EVER give notice when you're moving your horse. It seems like lately everyone is using the notice for crazy stuff to keep people from their horses.

Make sure you are paid up on your horse board bill. Find a new place to take your horse(s) and pay for a stall as of a certain date. Hook up your trailer or hire a hauler to go pick up your horse.

Example: June 1, pay your board bill in full. Go find a new place and pay for a new stall starting June 15. Start taking your stuff home a couple items at the time so that you don't have a huge packing job on the day. On June 15 go pick up your horse. If the anyone asks where you're going you have 2 choices. Either tell them it's none of their business or make up that your horse is going to the vet or a show or on a trail ride. Move the horse, call the barn after you're gone and tell them you're not coming back. If they scream about 30 days notice, tell them you're giving them 2 weeks (since you already paid for the whole month) and tell 'em to sue you for the rest.

They won't bother, it's not worth the time and money. Even if they do, show up and argue why you shouldn't have to give notice and cite these crazy threads and stories about people who have given notice and had nothing but heartache because of it. They probably won't prevail.
 
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#29 · (Edited)
I gave two weeks nOtice at my first barn because there farm hand that only worked on Sundays forgot to feed the pasture my horse was in. Thank god i was working with him and fed him myself that night. She also forgot to shut one of the horses stall doors. Good thing I was there. And, she gets payed. If it were me I'd be paying more attention.

He bitched that I owe him $100 and I said yup and never payed. I'll never go back being that they refused to put a trough in my horses field too because he had a 'nice' pond to drink out of..the pond was absolute filth, the shed was always damp and gross Beause it was at the bottom of the hill and the one horse he was in with had no manners and would constantly beat him up and run him over. Not to mention the owner of the horse is a wack job.

Never again.
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#30 ·
Let me clue a few of you in. I am a Barn Owner and I have a 30 day clause in my contract. I don't enforce it, if you want/need to move, then by all means, do what you gotta do. Unless I have sent a horse out for training, which by its very nature is temporary, I haven't boarded a horse off my own property for at least 20 years. I'm merely going off what I've read on various boards and my NASTY experience with a BO last weekend. I was merely the hauler, not the horse owner.

To ME, and it's my opinion only, to have a boarder give notice (paid in full til the end of the month, receipts in hand) and then go out and change the code for the property gate and to tell her that she may not come in to see her horse without police, and then to refuse entry to the property even with the police in attendance, is a lot less than ethical or good business sense. This BO has lost several boarders in the last month and I suspect, is going to be losing a whole lot more real soon.

In the beginning, she told the police the boarder was the problem. The officer who was there to keep the peace the day we moved the horse came in expecting the boarder to cause a ruckus and found out very quickly that the boarder was not the problem. For instance, she wanted the month of Sept. paid before she'd let the horse go, so I had the amount in cash (the boarder preferred not to have to even speak with her) and counted out the full amount in front of her and 2 officers. She had insisted on cash, no checks, cashier or otherwise. I had a receipt written out, YES for the poster who thinks I'm very suspicious I AM, and she didn't want to sign the receipt and said she'd get her own receipt book. Ok, that works. OOOPS, can't find her receipt book but still wants the cash and to not sign a receipt. Yeah, NO, not gonna work. That caused a ruckus because I won't back down on something like that.

The BO had told me the horse in question was a destructive and difficult to load horse, so I had the boarder get a tranq from her vet so we could make sure not to have any issues. I told her to go with my husband and tranq the horse first, so while it took effect we could move her stuff 2nd. The BO stepped in and refused to open the stall and made them move the items first and then complained when we hadn't tranq'd the horse first......Getting the picture here?

The officer and I had a discussion at the end, where he mentioned numerous calls in the recent past, to this facility and how he now had a pretty good idea that all these boarders were not the problem.

I would not in any circumstances be giving notice with my horse on any property after this little goat rope. Yes, I'll pull the horse, and call later and say we're not coming back. I do not feel that someone should have to pay 30 days on top of 2 weeks notice, so thus, giving 6 weeks notice, when the board for the current month is paid in full. There's a lot of shady folks out there and because of that, I now feel how I feel. It is ENTIRELY up to each individual how they handle their own situation, I'm merely expressing my views.
The horse, by the way, was an angel and walked right into my trailer and only complained when we got stuck in traffic and he got hot.
 
#32 ·
Honestly, I've just had nightmare experiences boarding. I won't ever do it again. I just won't. I know there are very professional facilities out there, but when you are dealing with small towns and small town situations, your options are limited. It's also the reason I won't take on boarders. I just won't.
 
#33 ·
Dream, I hope whoever you hauled that horse for really appreciates you! Were there warning signs with this BO? I'm only asking because I've never been in a true boarding situation, and it's so hard for me to imagine all of these extremely unethical jack#?*!
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#34 ·
Dream, I hope whoever you hauled that horse for really appreciates you! Were there warning signs with this BO? I'm only asking because I've never been in a true boarding situation, and it's so hard for me to imagine all of these extremely unethical jack#?*!
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Yes, there were some warning signs, I would never have boarded a horse there, I've not been impressed with the BO's professionalism or her horsemanship.

The lady I hauled for had been there for years, before the new BO bought the barn. She stayed out of inertia.

And just in case anyone was wondering, I hauled her horse to another facility closer to home, not to my facility so I didn't gain a thing from this little adventure.
 
#35 ·
As a BO, I'm not independently wealthy and do have a monthly budget which is why I require (and uphold) 30 days notice.

Personally most nasty situations can be avoided if the boarder would just do their homework. Check over the facility with a fine tooth comb. "Where is my horse going to be?" "What if I want him over here?" "What if he isn't getting along with his pasture mate?".. Ask the feed store, farriers, vets about that particular barn... Find their boarders on facebook and send them a message asking them what they like/don't like about that particular facility.

There are crazy barn owners and boarders... but barn owners are usually crazy as a result of years and years dealing with crazy boarders. ;o) hehe
 
#38 ·
Personally most nasty situations can be avoided if the boarder would just do their homework. Check over the facility with a fine tooth comb. "Where is my horse going to be?" "What if I want him over here?" "What if he isn't getting along with his pasture mate?".. Ask the feed store, farriers, vets about that particular barn... Find their boarders on facebook and send them a message asking them what they like/don't like about that particular facility.
Yes - the interview process works both ways. As a potential boarder you can see first hand and ask questions. Visit more than once as you might have visited on a good or bad day the first time.

As a BO - I don't put a lot of faith into the horror stories I hear from people about other barns. If you boarded there, unless it changed drastically in a very short period of time, the responsibilty is yours.

Caring for other's horses, (cats, dogs and childern) is a VERY VERY difficult position to be in. There is simply no way to make everyone happy.

We have a contract and rules to try and keep things all up and open. There are still those that bad mouth, bash and out right lie.

For a true estimate of the situation - look at the stock. Are the horses bright and happy? Or standing with heads down or fighting? One thin horse is a horse issue. All thin horses is a management issue. Are there cats? Dogs? Friendly or sulking around?

Animals don't lie. People do.
 
#36 · (Edited)
Disturbing...

Hmm... as a barn owner, I can see several disturbing suggestions in your post... then again, we like to always do our part in maintaining good relationships with our boarders, whether they are leaving or not :/

I'm going to peeve a whole bunch of barn owners out there [not peeved so much as thinking this whole thread seems irresponsible and self-serving] but I've really heard, read and experienced ENOUGH.

D O N ' T EVER [REALLLLLY? E-V-E-R? Better idea: How about not boarding at a place where you would be concerned about this contractual stipulation (in most instances) for any reason other than that you bought your own barn or found a comparable place closer to home?] give notice when you're moving your horse. It seems like lately everyone is using the notice for crazy stuff to keep people from their horses. [A good business owner wouldn't want to keep a horse they aren't getting paid for... and WOULD sue the irresponsible person who didn't uphold their end of a binding legal document. That aside, a barn owner CAN hold the horse until you have paid the amount owing on the remainder of your "thirty-day notice" (if one is required).

Example: You decide on June 1, after paying your month's board, that you would like to move. You choose not to tell the barn owner until June 15. The barn owner then has the legal right in many states to place a lien on your horse for the amount owing on the thirty-day notice (again, only if there is a contractual obligation). So, if board is $400, and you paid your $400 for the month of June, you will still owe $200 for the first 15 days of July if you wait until June 15 to give your notice. This $200.00 is typically due immediately in the event that you'd like to move your horse on June 15. If you don't pay it, barn owner can refuse to let you move your horse until you are paid in full (including the 30-day notice). The bottom line is that it has to be specified in the contract :/].

Make sure you are paid up on your horse board bill {YES!!!! This makes sense... however, "in full" means that you have paid the full 30 days from the time you let the barn owner know of your decision to leave. So, if you leave after paying June 1-July 1, but don't tell the board owner that you are leaving until July 20, you will still owe most of the board for the month of July. Be responsible, utilize effective planning and coordinating skills... it isn't hard.]. Find a new place to take your horse(s) and pay for a stall as of a certain date. Hook up your trailer or hire a hauler to go pick up your horse.

Example: June 1, pay your board bill in full. Go find a new place and pay for a new stall starting June 15[Ummm... no. Pay for the new stall starting July 1. Common sense.]. Start taking your stuff home a couple items at the time so that you don't have a huge packing job on the day. On June 15 go pick up your horse. If the anyone asks where you're going you have 2 choices. Either tell them it's none of their business or make up that your horse is going to the vet or a show or on a trail ride. Move the horse, call the barn after you're gone and tell them you're not coming back [The only way this would ever be acceptable is if the barn is not performing their due diligence and contractual obligation in caring for your horse. Example: Your contract says horse gets hay 2x daily and 4lbs grain 2x daily and in actuality, the barn only feeds your horse 2lbs of grain 1x daily and only gives them an insufficient amount of hay for one feed, much less two]. If they scream about 30 days notice, tell them you're giving them 2 weeks (since you already paid for the whole month) and tell 'em to sue you for the rest. [I wouldn't scream (as a BO)... I would sternly remind you of your contractual obligation and the fact that i have not breached any material term of our boarding agreement, which renders you fully responsible for paying the remainder of the board owing for the 30 day notice. Oh, and P.S., if I don't receive payment in full by "x" date, you will be served with a court date, I don't care if it is for $100.00 (filing fees for small claims aren't a big deal... plus, with an obvious breach of contractual obligations I know I'd get my costs back). It is all about being diligent and letting people know that you can't be taken advantage of.]

They won't bother, it's not worth the time and money [Actually, even if it is a small amount, it is a matter of principle. It lets people know that the barn owner (no matter how kind) can't be walked over and that the contract is in place (if there is one, again) for a REASON.]. Even if they do, show up and argue why you shouldn't have to give notice and cite these crazy threads and stories about people who have given notice and had nothing but heartache because of it [The only argument you need is whether or not the barn owner fulfilled their contractual obligation. If they didn't, then be prepared to have proof. Stories of other people's situations are irrelevant. Other case-law is relevant, and if idiots went around signing contracts knowing full-well that they didn't intend to be bound by them, then a lesson on life is in direct order.] . They probably won't prevail. [You are sorely misinformed. Good luck with that!]
However, in all... I'm guessing there is a huge back-story here with a situation where there was NO contract, or the barn owner did not fulfill their contractual obligations, due diligence, etc... In that case, it is a totally different story. Just playing the BO's advocate ;) Self preservation, you know? hehe. If the BO is putting your horse's life in danger by feeding moldy hay, or putting the horse out in a pasture that was once electric wire but was repaired with barbed wire, etc... those would be potential breeches. Your horse having a scuff mark because his pasture buddy was being a horse and knocked your horse one (playfully), then that is life :/ If the BO knowingly puts your horse in with an aggressive horse, even after it has been established that the aggressive horse beats your horse doesn't let up (whether actually injured or not, because it would just be a matter of time)... that is a breach. Hope you find a barn where you settle in and find a good "barn family"!
 
#37 ·
Thanks silly! After reading your post, it causes me to slightly change the order of things in my earlier post... A few days before the end of the month, pay up for the next month (that way you have 30+ days paid) and remove your horse BEFORE that next month starts, and give notice. Be positive all outstanding debt owed the BO is paid in this last payment.

Honestly tho, if you do your homework you shouldn't have to do any of that. Every time I've switched barns, I research the new BO, talk to the trainers working out of the barn, talk to other horse owners at the barn, and try to find people outside the new barn that work with the BO (ferrier, vet, ex-clients, whatnot). Also, if you don't have a detailed contract for me to sign, I'm not stayin'.
Works for me :)
 
#40 ·
In WI you can't hold someone's horse even for lack of payment. The BO must release the horse & take the issue to Small Claims Court if they wish. Most don't bother.

I've left barns without giving notice. I figured if the barn wasn't keeping their end of the deal they have already broken the contract.
 
#43 ·
In WI you can't hold someone's horse even for lack of payment. The BO must release the horse & take the issue to Small Claims Court if they wish. Most don't bother.
A friend of mine actually re-possessed a horse for a boarder's non-payment in WI. She originally sold the horse to the girl, and in the contract if the girl didn't pay X number of months board (I can't remember how many, but I think it was something like six consecutive months), the ownership of the horse reverted back to the BO.

Not sure if it would've held up in court, but the horse owner didn't raise a fuss. She'd lost interest and didn't really care what happened to the mare.

I think that is a much better scenario than what some BO's do: stop feeding the horse if the owner doesn't pay. I bought an Arab that had this happen to him: the owner didn't pay board, the horse didn't get fed. He was in TERRIBLE condition.
 
#41 ·
Please remember that the 30 day protects you as well! I had a BO's husband get ****** that I was selling my mare (even through I paid the 30 days just in case) and demanded that I remove my other horse as well. I had no contract so there was nothing I could do an in the middle of a rainy afternoon had to beg a friend to take my horse until I could find a new barn.
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#42 ·
The point I'm really trying to make here is, WHAT on earth is up with all these crazy BOs? It's a business for cryin out loud, treat it as such. I have clients, they are not friends though we're friendly, and they certainly are not family members though they say my barn is "home". They pay me for the use of facilities, and for me to care for their horses the way THEY want them cared for. Especially if someone is giving notice who is not dissatisfied with my services, why on earth would I then try to MAKE them unhappy? This business is way too small for word of mouth to be all bad.

In the case of an unhappy boarder who gives notice, why would you then try to make them more unhappy than they are? Wouldn't you rather they left quietly with no fuss and drama? I sure would. I try to give good value for the $$$ that I get. I can't always please everyone, though I try. If I want them gone, I make it really easy for them to leave. In this economy, it also includes waiving 30 day notice, maybe forgiving a little back board, I am not filing liens right now at all. If someone gets behind, I just tell them they need to find a new place to go and I let it all be, I don't want a fight. I don't lock horses in stalls, change gate codes or get in fights on my place. And I especially don't take it out on the horse.
 
#48 ·
this thread, and others about bad barns/BO situations has me so worried/paranoid about boarding my horse. he's being delivered next week and this will be the first time in all the years i've owned him that he'll be boarded at a real boarding facility (not my home or the home of a friend). i had him at a backyard boarding facility for a month once and it was enough to make me scarred for life. i toured at least 2 dozens barns here before i picked the one he's going to and i've went to the barn three different times to make sure i was getting an accurate representation of the place. man i hope it really is all i hope it is because threads like this certainly are worrisome.
 
#49 ·
I will say that it's unfair to take others' experiences and let them color your own experience. Take it as more of an idea of what to look for. Chances are, you'll be fine. I've never personally known anyone in my 16 years in horses who had a bad experience moving their horse.
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#50 ·
What is your contract like, if you don't mind my asking?

And what led you to choose this one over the others?

I like gathering information, if you couldn't tell. And I'd like to know what people look for in a boarding facility, so I know what to expect if I'm ever in that position.
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#52 ·
the contract at this barn was actually one of the less extensive ones out of all the places i went (i asked for a copy of the board agreement for each place i toured). it covers what is provided, terms of the agreement, cost and liability - so relatively short and sweet all things considered.

i ended up choosing this particular place because the owner/manager has 30 years of BM experience, knows a lot about feed/care of hard keepers, is willing to accommodate my "cranky" gelding, has a safe and clean environment with both stall and turnout, no limit of the feed necessary o keep my horse in good condition, plenty of room for my tack/equipment AND the boarders all raved about how great a place it is. given the cost and what is provided it was the best choice i could make financially and mentally (for my sanity as well as the care of my horse). granted it's a little more expensive and a little bit further than i'd like to go on a daily basis, but i think it will be best barn for this particular horse.

i have two more horses to find a place for in the future so i'm taking this as a learning experience. ;)
 
#56 ·
The only time i ever boarded I discovered there was a den of rattlesnakes near the barn.
I hate snakes so after being there for 2 1/2 months I paid the rest of the 6 months board in advance.
For 3 horses.
As I was loading up the BO blocked my truck and trailer so that I could not leave and called the Sherriff.
He tried to state that I was taking horses that were his.
I had to arab geldings and a TB mare.
The geldings were very waryof strangers and the TB mare difficult at times. she also would kick out and he knew this.
I told the sherriff deputy if he owned them let him catch them and unload the mare.
He refused to enter the trailer and the gelding would not allow him near them. I could catch them no problem.
the sherriffs deputy took him into custody for refusing to cooperate and getting violent.
There are some Crazy BO out there. Dreamcatcher I see your point. Shalom
 
#57 ·
I've never understood the whole 30 days notice thing, just because it seems kind of greedy for BO's to expect someone to pay for board when they are NOT going to be there.

Sure, you lose some monthly income, but you should have such a good budget, that losing a boarder doesn't disrupt it.

I mean, that's like a business owner (say...a dog groomer for instance with a repeat customer) charging the dog owner for a groom next month, when the dog isn't going to be groomed that month for...reasons. That's just dumb. If I had a business owner tell me "Oh, well, even though you aren't going to be buying/using our product/facilities next month, we still have to charge you anyway, because otherwise we will get behind on our bills." I would RUN.

And I know that a LOT of barns have the 30 days notice, so it's hard to avoid. But perhaps the BO's need a better marketing strategy or something if they have to charge boarders for leaving? Because isn't that what they're doing? Sure, boarders can still give notice that they're moving, whether it be a day, a week, or a month, but it's up to the BO to either find a new boarder to fill that spot, or be able to handle the expenses without that boarders' money.

Afterall, after that 30 days of "extra" board, the BO will be without if they haven't yet filled the spot. So just seems silly to charge it in the first place.

Emily
 
#66 ·
I've never understood the whole 30 days notice thing, just because it seems kind of greedy for BO's to expect someone to pay for board when they are NOT going to be there.

Emily
Not sure where you figure it's extra money? In MOST cases you give 30 days notice, and STAY the whole 30 days. You only forfeit it if you leave early.

Say you pay board Sept 1st and give notice you will be leaving in 30 days, you stay till 9/30.

I guess I'm a good BO, everyone gives their notice and they stay the whole 30 days. Have had boarders go to another barn that better suited their needs and then come back. Most boarders though have left because they have either sold their horse (3) or loved my farm so much (and think it's a good life, no matter what I try to tell them) they buy their own farm (6) or move out of state (3). Once who moved 2 hours away still kept her horses at my farm for a year because she couldn't find a barn she liked better, in my price range and had a sane BO.

She was gone a year but came back 2 months ago. :-p

I am not going to withhold care or love to a horse because the owner is leaving. I used to take it personally but still remained kind and professional, now it's just business and I'm still kind and professional.

They call my farm "Charlotte's Fat Farm" (because I do overfeed some, they are a little on the chubby side) and swear I take better care of them than they would.

The horses here are happy, fat and not beat up. They come and greet everyone with ears up and bright eyes (because normally we all have treats) I provide treats and carrots for the boarders to give to their horses.

I have had more than one boarder (5 that I can think of) who said their horses have changed since being here, that they are content and have a better attitude. At first I was like yea ok, all horses are happy! But after being told it several times I think it might be a little true. :-o
 
#58 ·
I understand the purpose of the thirty day notice to be a courtesy to allow the BO/BM to find a new boarder. It doesn't mean that you HAVE to pay for services you won't be using, and in fact, many don't. Many people plan things out and know well ahead of time that they will be leaving. And many BOs will waive the 30 day notice policy if the boarder is in good standing.
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#59 ·
I own a couple of rental properties and the 30 day notice is indeed a good thing.
It allows me to paln ahead and to schedule cleanings and maintenance that might need to be done while the property is empty.
If I ever boarded again and wanted to move I would give the 30 days notice unless the BO was unreasonalbe then I would move the horse and pay for the 30 days.
Keeping your end of the bargain is important.
If my horse were in danger I would definetely move ASAP.
If the BO was negligent I would have them see me in court. Shalom
 
#62 ·
ABSitvita do your homework before settling on a place to board your horse.
Get a contract or lease agreement and ask aroungd about the reputation of the faiclity and its owners.
The only time i ever boarded the warning signs were there about the BO's problems. That is why I paid so much in advance before leaving even though all i was required to pay would have been a couple of months.
Too many people had come and gone and the BO would gossip about everyone.
That is not how professional people operate a business. Shalom
 
#63 ·
I feel very lucky. Clementine has been to 5 different stables since I got her a little over 1 year ago because she moves with me from school to where I live in the summer (The one I bought her from, the first one I boarded her at when I moved to school, the new stable that particular BO moved to, one down in the cities when I moved back home for the summer, and her current one again up by school (Is different from first school stable)). I have never had a problem, ever. All of them have the 30 day's notice, one even had 6 weeks, and it's not been an issue - even though I rarely remember to give the full 30 days. The 6-week-notice barn actually only got a week's notice, because I didn't know a solid move date, and she was fine with it.

All of my barn owners have been wonderful, going above and beyone what I would have asked. Help with transport to or from a stable when I didn't have a trailer, offering to hold her for the farrier when I couldn't get out there, not minding when we mailed board check a few days late (My boyfriend pays it, and he usually pays when he comes to visit or mails it). Every single one has told me they hope I come back or offer to save a spot for me. Even if I tell them I won't be returning, if I need help they are always willing to answer my questions and help as best they can. Even though I may be off a few days on board or didn't give proper notice, we maintain a good relationship.

I feel like I have been *very* lucky :p
 
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