Is it ok to ask this of my BOs?

So I most of you know I've started taking lessons again and I love it! I now have great trainer and ride a great lesson horse! I also have an advange that most riders don't because Im lucky enough to own my own horse so I can ride my horses in between lessons. The Problem is where ride isnt the best or the safest. So I'm wondering is it ok to seat down with the BOs and ask them about fixing some things I can enjoy my horses. Theres really only three main things I love for them to address.

1. Fix the back paddock gate so I can put the other horses in there when I ride.

2.Fix the round pen like what BusySmurf showed me.

And

3.Mow the field so I don't have to keep dealing with burrs. (its not fair to me to have spend my time getting burrs of my horses because they wont fix the field)

Is that asking a lot? I really don't think so I mean after all we do pay them every month it would be nice to enjoy going out there.

You can ask, but there's no guarantee they'll do any of those things.

You might be as far ahead to offer to help them fix things

As far as the burs:
-A. You must live somewhere warmer to still be dealing with them
-B. The biggest thing is to actually clip the pasture instead of mow it, you want the mower set at maybe 6-8" and i'm sure they have to spend time getting burrs out of their own horses to but there are times when you just have to deal

Try putting some show shean in your horses maine & tail before they go out. And also when de-burring as it will help keep them out and then help them come out easier.


So I would aim at safety things more than something that is inconvenient (unless you know how to operate the tractor or a weed-whacker and are willing to offer to help them with that chore too)

Just be realistic about your expectations.

Are you prepared to pay more in your monthly boarding fee to have this things done? All of them cost, both in time and money. Do your BOs have the equipment, time and experience to make these repairs themselves, or would they have to hire them out?

Put yourself in their shoes - if you accepted the conditions when you moved your horse there, is there a compelling reason for them to change the conditions?

I like tim's suggestion, you'll get much farther by saying "I'd really like the round pen set up differently, if I did the labor and/or bought the materials, would you be willing to....?" or "I'd really love the pasture mown, I understand it's expensive, would you consider mowing more often if I paid for the diesel fuel for the tractor?"

Never hurts to ask. I would approach it like Maura suggested. My experience here is limited as I've never boarded and just the last year have had my first and only boarder (swore I would never but she is an exception and is wonderful!) If she offered to help fix things that would be awesome but I wouldn't expect it for basic upkeep and maintenance that I find standard (even without boarders) like gates hung properly & running the bush hog over the pastures, round pen not so much - but I don't even have mine up.
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As a BO, we do our best to accomodate requests within reason and as we can get to them. There is ALWAYS something to do at a farm/boarding facility and we try to prioritize the most important or safety issues first. Your requests are very reasonable IMO. They also are probably relatively quick fixes, as long as the BO has access to tractor and brush hog. If one of my boarders made these requests of me, I would do my best to have them done within a few days...

Not necessarily - even burrs that are not actively growing (ie in winter) remain a problem if left standing in the field. We bought my mare in the dead of winter here, in a decidedly NOT warm winter area, and there were standing burrs in the field and all the horses were well "decorated". It took me a good couple of hours and plenty of show sheen to get the burrs all out of her mane and tail when we got her home.

Burrs are still around from last fall. They're very pesky and grow fast in the summer/fall. You have to bush hog them often or spray them with 2-4-D to kill them for good.
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Hmm, will burning kill them off or do they keep coming back?

I don't have a problem with them, I'm just curious.

Bottom line - were things like that when you moved in? It is not a fair approach to use the 'well I pay for _________' line when nothing has changed. If things have gone down hill - then by all means ask to have the standard brought back to where it was when you moved in.

It is certainly ok to approach with anything, just be aware as others have suggested that your rates may change accordingly.