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HELP!! New Horse::New Barn::Conflicting Ideals

2K views 7 replies 8 participants last post by  kitten_Val 
#1 ·
Hi Everyone!
This is my first post here. I hope I'm doing this right (I'm not the most internet savvy person I know)

I have a problem and I was hoping to gain some insights into how I should go about handling it.

Let me start by saying, I'm not new to horses / horse training. I've grown up on a farm and I've had horses all my life. I was taught from the start by my parents to use a "gentle approach" when working with horses... and my whole life, it's served me and all the horses I've owned over the years just fine.
(I guess it would fall into the category of Natural Horsemanship? although I've never studied the methods of any particular Natural Horsemanship guru.)

Two things happened recently in my life that have put me in the position I find myself in today. 1. My horse which was a dear friend to me for many years was bitten by a poisonous snake and sadly died. 2. I took a promotion at work which required me to relocate. I've moved from my family house which had a lovely 2 horse barn and pasture out back to a home in the suburbs on the other side of the country.

Of course my life was empty without a horse in it, so as soon as I was settled I went searching for a new horse and a place to board it.

After a bit of searching I found the PERFECT horse. young, very very green but that's what I was after... and as a bonus the stable where he was being sold from was walking distance from my new home.

Unfortunately as I later found out. The owner and trainers at the new stable have very "different" ideas when it comes to horse training. Not that I mind... my horse my business... their horses their business. I have always been one of those people that is happy to "keep to themselves"... hence why I've always "ridden at home" and never boarded my horses at a equestrian facility


Now...If these people were just offering "friendly advice" it wouldn't be a problem... but they're perfectly happy to physically "punish" my horse for me whenever the horse has done something THEY believe warrants physical punishing. :cry:

The funny thing is... the horse only ever acts up when they're around (and I don't blame him, I would get antsy too considering they are always slapping / kicking / punching him for minor infractions

I've never had to deal with other people literally "looking over my shoulder" or constantly butting in with their own ideas about training... (maybe this comes with the territory of boarding a horse somewhere other than at home?) With that being said, I have no idea as to how to tactfully make them stop. I don't want to go to the barn everyday having to face an "atmosphere" because I upset the trainers that work there and I especially don't want to see my horse frightened and beaten (especially by someone other than me, his owner) when I KNOW there is a better way.

I'm working on finding a new home with enough land to keep a horse so I can move him, but in the mean time... this has to stop.

Thoughts or insights on how I should go about this would be very much appreciated.

Thanks for reading
Leighton
 
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#2 ·
The first thing would be to talk to them about it. Make it clear to them that you are not a beginner and don't appreciate the way they are behaving. I don't know how old you are but if you "look" young then that may be part of the problem, at least that's what I usually get :)

If talking to them doesn't work then I would look for a new barn to board at. There is nothing worse then going to a barn that you don't enjoy being at. I had to do that, my mom boards her horses at one barn and I board mine at another because I don't get along with the owners of her barn at all (they treat me like I'm a kid when in fact I'm 25 and know more about horses then they will ever know). I know it can be a hassle, but there is nothing more important then being comfortable in the environment for both you and your horse.

Good luck
 
#3 ·
I agree with Silvera. At the barn I'm boarding I was harassed for driving out of my way(30 min trip to the barn) to pull my horse in from the rain. He's overweight technically and was shivering. I was harassed for it! He's MY horse. I had to go and say something to them because I was tired of teasing. They also turned their nose up to me braiding my horses tail and "free longing" when I turned him out in the outdoor and let him run around and be stupid. I call it playing tag, they call it free longing.
And I also agree with the issue about age.. I AM the youngest boarder being 20 but I've been riding for 10 years..age has nothing to do with it. I was told by one boarder when I asked to buy her horse(the horse I took care of and refreshed before she bought then changed her mind about) and was told I was too young and inexperienced to own her 12 y/o lesson horse... now I have a 9 y/o and a 2y/o. So I'd say yes and no thats what you get at a boarding facility. It can be a pain but it can also be really nice.
However there is no way I would let someone hit my horse. In my opinion thats a good way to make a mean horse. I dont let my horses walk all over me but I dont hit them everytime they put a foot out of place.
I would talk to them and if they dont listen I'd talk to the owners
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#4 ·
I also agree with Silvera. Just tell them exactly how you feel about what they are doing. Let them know that you don't appreciate the way that they handle your horse and would prefer it if they left the training/correction to you. I mean, after all, he's your horse and you dictate how he should be treated. In the mean time, continue to look for a new home. If they have no interest in trying to come to an agreement with you on this, you may want to find a new place to board until you can get settled in a new house.
 
#5 ·
I had to deal with a real windbag this fall and I finally had to tell him that I would ride my horses and he should ride his horses and we should both keep our mouths shut. He was an idiot and I didn't like the way he rode his horses but I was raised with enough manners not to say anything about it. He was not. If they offer unsolicited advice or try to butt in ask them if they need help catching a horse because you are already riding yours. If that doesn't work you may have to really tell them off.
 
#7 · (Edited)
Why are you wanting to be tactful? It is YOUR horse, pal, 4 legged friend and companion. If these are the barn owners ask them where in your boarding contract do you pay for them to "help" you train and correct YOUR horse. Then I'd ask, politely but firmly, ONE time for them to keep their hands to themselves. If it happened again I'd flat out explain that the next hand put on my animal would result in a phone call to the sheriffs department.
Even if it IS the BO's that are doing this, you do have rights as a boarder. Use them until you can find another place for your horse. I have never boarded anywhere that you were allowed to touch someones animal without their written consent on file in the BO's office. I can't imagine having to worry constantly about what is happening to my horse. I wouldn't tolerate idiots correcting him right in front of me in a way I wasn't comfortable with, nor asked for!
AND, NO, I am not saying people who correct their horses are idiots. Well not unless you correct yours and then do the same to someone else when they haven't asked you to!!!
This animal looks to you as herd leader to protect him and secure his well being. He places his trust in you. Explain this to them.
 
#8 ·
Be straight about it (in polite way). Tell them it's your horse, you have different approach, and please don't touch it. In the end it's YOUR horse and as long as he's not dangerous to anyone what's their business in 1st place? Personally I wouldn't care. It may take some time, but I'm sure you'll find horsey friends/riding buddies, and not necessarily in the same barn.

P.S. From my experience people in some barns are just hard to deal with... Something you have to deal with (unfortunately).
 
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