What should i do?

OK first off I really like the barn I am at BUT there is a ton of safety hazards. For example by the indoor arena there is cut tin ( the walls have tin on them) and if you have ever touched cut tin you know what I am talking about. If I little kid or horse leaned up against that they would be cut so bad. There also are screw in the indoor sticking out and I know my horse if I am stop like to rub their faces on the wall. And the gate hinges. Oh the hinge .The hinge sticks out a good 5-6 inches. So I was riding a while back and I was just walking by the gate and my stirrup got caught in it. So my heal was digging in to my horses side so he lunges forward and then panics because he can’t move so he keeps lunging forward. I can’t jump off because my foot is locked in my stirrup.. So finally my saddle gives. And I fall off. I broke my arm and can’t ride for four more weeks. I also have to buy a new saddle because it broke when it got caught (which will not happen for a while). So I don’t know what to do. I could sue them but there no way I would. They are really nice people it just there is soo many thing me or my horse’s could get hurt on. I don’t want to leave that barn but I am thinking about it. They still have not fixed the hinge which kind of makes me mad because what if a little kid get there stirrup caught on it. It could be more than a broken arm.

Is the cut tin out of the way? If it's somewhere the animals/people can't easily get to, I wouldn't be too worried.

If there's a screw sticking out and you know where it is, don't let your horse rub his head in that area. Can't be that hard to keep him from rubbing in one small spot.

I don't know what you mean by the hinges sticking out. All hinges stick out in some way. If you already knew they were there, why did you ride so close to them? If you're leaving the arena and think the hinges are a hazard, get off the horse first.

That would need to have been a major fall for the tree on your saddle to have broken. If you just lost some of the leather, it can be repaired. If your saddle tree broke just by falling off the horse, then it couldn't have been very good to start with. Well made saddles can generally take a pretty good pounding.

Nothing you've described sounds ZOMG!!! Hazardous, just that people need to be aware and take responsibility for themselves and their animals.

I don't understand why everyone thinks suing will fix everything. Obviously in a barn there are things that happen, or that are wrong. IF the tin is out of the way, fine if not talk to the BO and maybe offer to help put it away or move it. The screws and hinges can be avoided. Like speed said, MOST hinges depending on the type do stick out or have a latch you can get caught on if you ride too close.

As a responsible horse rider and owner, I always look out for stuff like this. I would just be more careful and really watch where you ride. Also, bring it up with your barn owner and maybe the issues can be taken care of.

Suing in this case would do NOTHING, there's no case. It would just take extra time and money.

Hmmm My opinion on this is if you see a screw sticking out tell the barn owner. They may not know. Tin where kids or horses can get to again tell barn owner offer to help move it to a more suitable place. Hinges sticking way out? 5 inches is a bit sticking out. Again tell barn owner your concerns offer some ideas as to how to solve the problem. Some barn owners are so caught up in daily activities ( some not horse related ). If you approach owner in a kind concerned way a good BO will fix the issues. If they do not then move. You know the objects are there avoid them. And quit thinking SUEING is the answer. 2 reasons everytime someone sues insurance goes up then so does barn rates etc etc also don't think just because you may win the law suit you will see any cash anytime soon. It can take years to even see one dime. SUEING is not the answer fixing the issue is.

TRR

100% right that you could sue, but you make it very clear that you won't so not sure why others have dwelled on that fact.


I would approach the BO as: "Hey, as you know I had an accident here ___ weeks ago, and it has given me some time to reflect on some little things here and that around the facility that might help to prevent other accidents in the future"

One thing to suggest to BO is using U-bolts to bolt a sheet of plywood to the gate so individuals can't get their feet caught inbetween the rungs. It will also help to keep some critters from spooking horses and getting into the arena

I board horses here, I am out daily and usually notice anything that might be hazardous but sometimes a person can miss something. Talk to the BO nicely and tell them about the things that you feel are unsafe......
Two years ago one of our boarders horse kept hopping into the round bale feeder, I took him out of that so many times! Then one morning I went down and he had degloved his hind leg, it was in the winter and it looked like his foot had slipped under the metal bar while he was trying to jump out. He was 3 at the time, now two years later.....we didn't use the round bale feeder last winter, I hauled the hay out twice a day for the horses because I was afraid he would climb in it again! Last week I came home in the evening and decided to go down to check the horses and guess who is standing in the feeder! I tried to lead him out but he wouldn't budge! I guess he remembered the last time he hopped out, so I had to get my hubby down to flip the feeder over top of us so I could get the horse out LOL good thing he's a real quiet boy! We took the feeder up to hubby's shop and added 1 foot legs on it, now he won't be able to do that!
We have trees/bush in our pasture which the horses stand in to get out of the wind/rain/snow.........they could easily hurt theirselves on a broken branch playing around in there.......there are some things that just can't be full proof.
Thank goodness the owner of the horse that injured his leg didn't blame us or sue us! Trust me I'm sure your BO does not want any injuries anymore than you do......talk to them and voice your concerns.

While I don't advocate suing the people, and appreciate your position - is it possible to have a discussion with them regarding these hazards. Tell them how much you love them and the care they provide, and you'd hate to see them open to liability for negligence because you know not all people are as conscientious as yourself. Maintaining a facility in such poor repair IS grounds for a lawsuit... do they not know that, or are they just hoping everyone will be as understanding and forgiving as yourself?