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Big Change and Wasn't informed!

8K views 50 replies 18 participants last post by  Lockwood 
#1 ·
I went out to the barn a couple days ago to give my horses from treats for Christmas. I get out there and see there are cows in the field a cross the drive way where the mares are. I look over to the field where my horses are and see the two older mares have been put in that field and my horses field is neighboring the stallions! I'm worried he's gonna break through the fence when one of those mares goes into heat. And my other concern is that I don't have a ring to ride in, I riding the field so the mares in there idk how Shaggy will act now cause he clearly he doesn't like the mares. The thing that makes mad the most the BOs didn't tell us they were doing this! Don't you think because this was a big change that affects my horses so we should have been told?!
 
#2 ·
If you pay for a shared paddock I don't think you needed to be informed, horses can be added and removed as the managers please. If you pay for a private paddock and now it no longer is then I think that is a concern.

It can take horses a couple of weeks to work out the new herd order, chances are things will settle down then. With the stallion... I wouldn't be too worried as long as they have him fenced adequately.
 
#3 · (Edited)
I don't pay for a private paddock it's one huge field with the barn at the top and no the only thing keeping that stallion in is a few strands of barb wire. Which i have seen my older horse bust completely through and almost sever his hoof. I worry about my horses because 1: the stallion is the reason my older guy foundering in the first time. My older guy has been through hell and deserves to live a stress retired life. Those who have read my threads know what he's been through. 2: I also cannot ride now because there's no ring anymore. The BOs have let this place go to hell since my ex trainer left (there ex daughter in law) and it's like they just don't care. We pay them I deserve I safe environment for my horses and a safe place to ride.
Don't not say move because I can't.
 
#4 ·
Well, personally, I would not consider a place with barbwire a "safe environment" to begin with, but……

You have a choice. MOVE. Like the other poster said, unless you pay extra for a private turnout, the BO can put whatever horses go the best together and use their judgement. Mine does it all the time. I know that she know (and watches) who get along with who and the herd dynamics far better than ANY of us who are not there the amount of time she is.

Your only other option is to talk to the BO. Ask where you can ride. Express your concern about the stud and your gelding. But I would have already been gone, due to the fencing.
 
#6 ·
That's the thing they don't know what horses go together because they aren't BOs that know what there doing. There intentions are good but they just don't know theses horses like I do. I'm usually out there every other day. I know EVERY horse on that property better than they do. This was stupid thing to do since I know it wouldn't have matter if the mares stayed with the cows since they left the mule over there. Which is another thing that gets all the horses especially the stallion worked up cause she's running the fence screaming for the other mares.
 
#5 ·
I too would have moved. Its the owners property and its their choice. If you can't move than really I don't know what you can do. Its the owner's choice how they house their stallion. If you don't pay for "extras" like a riding area than you can't really request/demand them. I feel like you have spent a lot of time being dissatisfied with this boarding situation and it it worth investigating other options.
 
#8 ·
I said I can't go anywhere. I've told them numerous times that I don't mind fixing things up at the barn the ring included. They just brush it off. Maybe when they have a 5000 dollar vet bill from those board and nails from the ring maybe they'll do something about it.
 
#11 ·
Soooo-you want us to just pat you on the head, agree…and send you on your way? You have been here long enough to know better.

You are at the barn EVERY OTHER DAY, that is what you said. I would guess that the people who run it are there a lot more than that. Unless of course the horses don't get fed, either. I don't think you know it all there every other day. Sorry.

I think Iseul said what I was thinking. :wink:
 
#10 ·
I highly doubt they'll have to pay any type of bet bills due to YOUR horse running through a fence. You knew the fencing when you moved the horses there, that's on you.

Either talk to the barn owners or move. Period the end, it's that simple. I didn't have money or a trailer when I moved my horse due to the BO all of a sudden refusing to turn her out and kept her locked in a 10x10 cow stall. All within a few weeks. I found someone to trailer and went without buying any food for myself except a dollar chicken sandwich here and there so that I could move her.

Honestly, if you care about your horses' well being that much, you'd either find a way to move them, come to an agreement with the barn owners (like, yesterday), or sell your horses to someone who can afford them.

Not being rude here, just being blunt. One of my pet peeves because I've been through it and got myself out, at only 19 years old.
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#12 ·
Ok first off they weren't in charge of the horses when I'm horse got hurt that two -three years ago when there daughter in law was there as the trainer. That has nothing to do with them. I'm saying now in the present the ring has pretty much fallen apart and there are boards and nails sticking out everywhere now. I've torn down all the ones I'm physically able to get down and they don't mind that. Hell the lady of was up here when I took some them down. And it's not only money that keeps from moving it's the location. It's best location for me 10 minutes from my house and 5 from my work. I don't understand why I'm the bad guy for wanting things to get fixed not only so it's safe but also functional. The BOs understand I can't move my horses.
 
#14 ·
Look back over your boarding contract and see if there is anything in it that might help your case. Personally, I'd be a bit peeved if someone came in and started tearing down boards with out consulting me, even if it was a hazard.

Is location so important to you that you are willing to risk the health of your horses? I would rather move my horses to a nicer place farther away that keep them in a closer place with barbed wire and other hazards. Even though you pay board, only you are ultimately responsible for your horses health and well being.

It sounds like this place is going downhill and the owners aren't willing to make improvements. Having one person badger them isn't working. It might be time to consider other options.
 
#16 ·
The lady was up there talking to my mom when I was working on the taking boards down. They don't mind that. And yeah for Location is cause I have to have someone with me at the barn cause I can't be up there riding alone. So for connivance of the others with me the locations is important.
 
#15 ·
How old are you?

Also, I'm at the barn every day doing either groundwork or riding. I couldn't even begin to know which horses she gets along with aside from Dude, who she was originally pastured with when I first moved her here. If the BOs live their, they most likely know who gets along with who. My BO's daughter (who only comes home at night and doesn't deal with the horses) knows who my mare gets along with better than I do. That's a plus to me boarding. I know that she's being fed, looked over, and put in a pasture with the appropriate herd. If I didn't feel that way, she'd have been moved to a different barn, again.

I also didn't mention anything about your horse getting hurt, I said when YOU put YOUR horses THERE. (Read that as italics, on mobile)

Not to mention..be glad you have a ring, be it "hazardous" or not. I have a 20x50' part of the barn that never had stalls put in, otherwise I have to go bushwhack through the woods or in the 50' roundpen that has hard dirt/mud as footing.

Personally, I would much rather have my horses somewhere farther away and safe than close in barbwire pastures with only that separating my mare from a stud.

But that's just my opinion. Sorry I'm not just agreeing with you, but I don't do that.
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#21 ·
I'm 24 and I do know which horses get along and I've seen one horse out there almost have to get put down because of those mares. They blamed it all on the donkey stud before they got rid of him but those mares weren't innocent in the accident. Like I mentioned before there is no where that isn't an hour plus to move them.
 
#18 ·
I think you should have been told your horses were being moved, if for no other reason than so you wouldn't freak out looking for them.

That place isn't suitable and it's not safe. I get that you don't have a trailer but I'm sure you could pay someone to move your horse(s) for you.

If you can't find someone to move your horses, then all you can do is voice your concerns. If you're too broke to move then your option is to suck it up and hope they change it. Sorry to be harsh but that's the reality.
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#20 ·
Why don't you approach them about paying a little more and renting the paddock you're in as a private paddock? Wouldn't that solve most of your problems?

You need to work out your priorities. If you legitimately feel your horse is in danger there then that needs to be your primary concern above money and convenience. So what if you can't ride as often or whatever - work out what your number one concern is and address it, then move on down the list. So if you feel your horse is at unreasonable risk then find a way to move your horse, rent a car and trailer, hire someone to move for you, if you can't afford to provide adequate care (which includes ensuring a safe environment) then sell the horse. It's not that complicated.

I used to have two horses but I couldn't afford to give them both the care I deemed adequate. I didn't just leave one in an unsafe paddock or anything, I sold it.

I get you're frustrated and feel these people should do all these things for you, but unfortunately that's how life is. They provide a service that you either choose to use or not to.

Best of luck.
 
#23 ·
I've boarded an hour away before because the closer facilities weren't safe or healthy for my horses. They come first - not the convenience of them being near ;)

If you can find a place that's an hour away at the same price I would move as long as it was, again, healthier and safer for them. So you may only get to see them once a week right now if you do that...but you'l know that they won't get injured, pregnant or stressed.
 
#28 ·
If you don't have a contract, be aware that they could tell you to pay more or get out. I understand how inconvenient it is to travel to see my horses. My last boarding barn was 50 minutes from my house. Having to have someone else with you makes it twice as hard.

But it is worth it to you to put your horses at risk like that. You're potentially asking for huge vet bills or worse, injuries that can't be fixed and your horse has to be put down. That can happen at any barn of course, accidents happen. But it sounds like the chances of an accident occurring is very high.

Do you always need to have someone there with you while you work with your horses? Maybe you can consider only ride one day a week when someone can come with you, and doing ground work, longing, etc other days of the week while you're alone.
 
#29 ·
While I can't comment about how well you know the horses or your personal situation I can say that talking to other barns about your predicament and working out a price might be an option. They might not be glamorous barns but they might be willing to work out a price for you to move your horses. I do think that you should have been informed that your horse was being moved nearer to a stud (if I read that right :p) or in a group that they don't normally get along with but to me it's overkill to notify a boarder every time their horse switches a field or an arena is taken. As for the arena, can you ride in with the cows and/or other horses? That's what I do.

As for not being able to move because of a trailer.... I one time had to move two horses to the next town, I didn't have a truck or trailer and the only person I knew who did was out of town and wouldn't be back until it was too late to move them. Me and my family took one day and hand walked them to the next town (once on county roads we ponied them from the back of a pick up truck that was on it's last legs :p). Good luck, it's not a fun situation for sure. :p
 
#30 ·
That special price isn't going to count for much when your horse is injured and you've got to foot the bill and the fee to get a vet out. Knowingly keeping your horse somewhere despite the risks implies that you accept them, and any accompanying vet bills, so I doubt the owners or a court would find them liable for any bills that crop up. And I would definitely expect those mares to get pregnant and any geldings to potentially be injured when someone (stud or mare) takes down a fence to get together. Stallions won't often tolerate other boys near 'their' girls.
 
#32 ·
I don't know what else to say anymore. I'm constantly attacked when I post something on here. I said repeatedly I can't move my horses. It's not an option. If that makes me a horrible owner then I'm sorry. Another reason I can't move the is my vet and farrier. The both know my older horses issues. I'm not trying to shoot down advice.
 
#33 ·
No one's attacking you. We are all saying the same thing though. You have two options: move or don't move. You say you can't move so that means you're stuck. Not liking that situation doesn't change it - you're stuck and you're not in charge. All you can do is voice your concerns and see if they will change, but they're under zero obligation or incentive to make any changes you want.

That's it. Those are your options.
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#38 ·
Those shouldn't be my only options. They know the crap their at that time daughter in law put me through. They know she's the reason for most of the problems and the reason I'm stuck there. When she left she could have helped me find a barn. Instead she had her kids telling me that there "evil" grandparents (who are my BOs now.) we're going to kick me out. They are far from evil. The are actually very nice just older so things don't get done or fixed unless it appsolutly has to be done.
 
#34 ·
The trouble is that I don't think many other people have any advice other than move. I don't think you are going to have luck changing pasture mates around, you probably can't change the fencing and honestly a fenced area to ride is a luxury. I know a number of folks who work of board in exchange for stall duty. The thing is that you are saving money short side at the risk of an emergency. If you own a mare I would be worried about the stud getting out (its likely) and getting my mare preggo. If the owners are as negligent as you say you would never know. Than its either a lute shot or a foal which is going to be expensive. I would take the money and inconvenience increase in board/drive time as a "avoiding major vet bills".

I just don't think that other than you setting up fencing yourself and buying the supplies to fix the entire set up you don't have many options. A whole lot of work for something you don't own. You can move or tough it out.
 
#36 ·
Thankfully I don't own the mares. They do. But thing that worries me is they don't now how to handle foals. They have a mule that's going to be 2 this month and it's crazy wild which is why it's still in with the cows. They also have 7 or 8 month foal that is well on it's why to being wild because they have penned up and won't let out with other horses. Both are fillys which doesn't help with the stallion.
 
#37 ·
If I were you, I would be asking my vet/farrier if they knew of a place to board in your area. If the vet/farrier aren't willing to travel to a barn 1+ hour away, they must have enough business in your current area (business = horses = other barns).
 
#43 ·
The ex trainer decided to let him out if his stall one day and he tortured my older guy from the moment he was out. My other horse was in the field where the cows are back then and I turned out around one day to see the stallion chase my other horse all over creation. Then one day I had my older guy up grooming him and went to turn him out well the stallion imediatle ran up and stated to chase him. He pulled away and pulled the lead rope out if my hand and took off throw the field with the stallion chasing him. All the ex trainer and her daughter did was laugh. I didn't find it funny when my horse was just getting over being hurt and was newly blind in one at the time.
The farrier told me that the stress from stallion is what caused the founder not his previous injuries.
 
#41 ·
Stop being a victim. No one has to help you change barns. You are adult, that I would assume has a car for transportation.

You either need to figure out how to make the area safer for your horses, by building and/or upgrading fencing with solid HOT electric or wood fencing, or you can hire people to help you move your horses. Talking with your vet and farrier may help give you possibly new barn options.....
 
#42 ·
"Those shouldn't be my only options." Either make some new options or accept them. Life is not fair.

"They know the crap their at that time daughter in law put me through." And so what if they do? That doesn't mean they owe you anything. Maybe their DIL ought to apologize, but that's neither here nor there and doesn't help you or your horse.

You're a grown up with responsibilities to care for what you have committed to. If you can't meet your obligations, then maybe you need to consider selling the horse. I get that life might have landed you in a mess, but as the party in charge of your horse's well-being, it is up to you to suck it up and do what needs doing, even if it entails some sacrifice or hardship on your part.
 
#46 ·
Honestly, you've receive all your options... you can 1 ) move to a new facility where your horses will be SAFE. You don't like riding alone? Find a facility with other boards. You can't afford it? Pick up more work, work off some of your board, anything to get your horses to a safer place. 2 ) suck it up and stay, offer to pay more to have the facility fixed up or don't (but if you do pay more... why not just move?) If you don't want to pay more then accept the risk your horse might be hurt. This, IMO, is the worst option. or 3 ) sell your horse until you're at a point in your life where you can afford to keep him in a safe place. It sucks for you, but it would be a better option for your HORSE and that's what is important here... providing a safe environment for your horse. You are responsible for him, he should be your priority.

You've shot down the advice with various "reasons" like you don't have the money, you don't have a trailer, you want people there while you ride... but there ARE solutions to all of those "problems" that will ultimately end in a better situation for your HORSE.
 
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