Help me make a difficult decision...

Not going to lie-- I skipped to the baby dragon first! ;)

I would move. The new barn sounds fine, and with the flexibility of a winter paddock if you are *truly* that worried...

That being said I don't thing stalling in a 12x12 overnight in the winter is so bad. My boy has an in-and-out (stall attached to a little paddock/run) and he prefers to lay down/roll in his stall on cold nights. I know this because I leave a bay horse in the evening and return in the morning to find a rare, bedding-chip marked appaloosa... I swear, he pulls out half the bedding into his mane and tail.

Anyway! I say a quick, quiet transition to a new barn is in order. :) And if the old BO gets fussy? So long as you are paid up to date and within the confines of your boarding contract, I say kill her with kindness as you walk out the door!

Ooh, just saw your update! Best of luck at your new barn. :)

Since your decision has already been made it's kind of a moot point, but I agree a move is the way to go. As you said, I would not want to stay where I was uncomfortable speaking to the manager. And I would be quite concerned about promises of things to come that never seem to happen.

And that baby dragon is just SOOOOO cute!

We use kickflaps on all our doors, and it is impossible for horses to open them. My youngest locked me in a stall with one and it took some effort for me to get out! I was lucky I had a pair of scissors in my pocket!

I am not completely sure I know what a kickflap is. Maybe you have a picture?

Here is a link to one:

Kick Over Bolt

And this is what they look like on the door:



It becomes a habit to kick them over when you come out of the stall. Very simple concept but they do the job especially for the super smart ponies who like to go walk-about on their own accord :)

Now I get it, thanks. :) I've seen and used them in a stable in the UK, but I'm not sure I can get them here. They're sure handy, though!

I would leave just based on the safety issues. Don't cut yourself short to be loyal when she truly is loyal to you.

MOVE. Your current barn owner isn't going to repair anything any time soon, she obviously doesn't really care about the welfare of the horses living there.

I actually believe that she does care, a lot, it's just that her perception is somewhat distorted regarding several matters and she is seeing something that is not ok as a normal situation. Nonetheless, I'm moving, although this decision hurts.