I am 56 and don’t check my email. Hence my earlier suggestion to text. Even if the text is just Hey check your email from XYDFarm@ Gmail.
Mt probably is too much spam mail and I got behind.
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This 50 something only occasionally checks my personal email accounts. It’s mostly garbage and receipts.
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I think you have been up front with your boarders about your choice to downsize. Last November, I was the one chosen to leave my barn. I was now the only one actively riding, in what had morphed into a barn of retired easy keepers. In spite of the fact that it was convenient, and that I enjoyed feeding 2 nights a week; it was time to move on.
The news was given in a text, with 30 days to vacate. It took almost the full 30 days to coordinate the move of my 2 boys. I was not able to put them both at the same barn, but they needed to leave at the same time. The BO would not talk to me in person, and sent “what day will you be leaving?” with-in one week of notification. She then sent me almost daily texts demanding leave date or other changes to my horse’s routine. I sent the same text that they will be gone with-in the 30 days, and that I will notify her when the exact day is firm. I did have an immediate evacuation plan if needed, but due to her text harassment I am afraid I succumbed to the temptation of not telling her immediately when plans were finalized. She did receive several days’ notice of departure date and time, and it was followed to the letter.
Rather then, asking for leave date 30 days in advance, in person communication will let you know if they are moving forward in their plans, or sitting on their butt until the last minute. Perhaps my BO thought she was being businesslike, but it came across as angry and aggressive. I know it is stressful, wondering how it is all going to play out, but having your what if plans should help a little. I like the rising board rates for the foot draggers, and the helpful transition help.
My move was stressful for me, but the horses are happy. The retired boy is 45 min away, and after 2 years of sleep deprivation, was snoozing with his new mates within 2 days. My riding horse after an adjustment is happy in his new barn, and we are both enjoying the atmosphere. I wish you all the best for a peaceful transition for humans and equines.
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Anxious and insecure, is my guess. Didn’t trust herself to know what to do if you were a foot-dragger / anchor-reluctant-to-move. She was dwelling on the worst rather than working toward the best.
It is a good point that a pleasantly business-like tone, and process, help a great deal to a smooth transition for all parties, especially the barn owner. And in-person communication can be far more informative than daily hands-off electronic communications.
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1st person/horse left today, the next two are due to leave on the 15th. I am not sure about the fourth, but I don’t mind if she takes a bit longer. I am surprised I haven’t heard anything from her though.
An existing client wanted to bring her second horse back for 5 months (they left after my injury because this horse is is high maintenance, but now her other barn is closing abruptly - her riding horse is at my barn still), but I don’t think I could handle 5 months of a high maintenance horse. I felt bad saying no, as horse owner is overwhelmed with other things, but I am to the point where I realize I can’t keep sacrificing myself for other people. Trying to help her find an alternative place.
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@CHT, Kudos for sticking to your guns and saying ‘no’ to the high maintenance horse, even for a limited amount of time. That’s a hard thing to do.
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How are things going now CHT?
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Thank you for asking.
All four left without issue. One has kept in touch. It is helpful having less horses, and less stressful horses. it is also strange.
Even with this change I am exhausted though, unfortunately the only time I feel like myself is when I am coaching, so I need to figure out a next step for next year as unless I get better, I won’t be able to do this for another year. I am a little worried about having energy to take clients to shows. Most are self suficient, but two are new and want to get out to their first jumping shows.
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That exhaustion, can you say more about it, seems that is what you need to be working on first, get that attended to?
I will tell you what happened to me, have told it before.
I was deadly tired, didn’t realize how bad, so tired it was painful, felt like a cartoon character laying flat on the road after a tamping roller machine ran over me.
Then bloodwork came up that I had no D3 left!
Immediately was put on 5000 IU vitamin D3 supplement and within a few days was like a miracle, I was going and blowing.
I still can’t believe how tired I was and hope never again be that tired.
I would say, if you can, work on the exhaustion first, all else may straighten out once being tired is not affecting you so much?
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You really need a second opinion, I know that is tough in Canada and I know you had a bad accident but that is a really concerning symptom that may or may not even be connected to your accident. Can you request a second opinion? Or is your GP good enough to give you some ideas and options?
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I know a concussion was mentioned; have you had any other appointments or bloodwork? This sounds exactly like I felt when they finally discovered I was extremely anemic, to the point that I needed actual iron infusions.
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One of my good friends was diagnosed with narcolepsy last year, the medication has been really life changing. It just kind of snuck up on her over several years and she put it down to stress and covid.
It is multiple concussions. I (was) seeing a concussion specialist neurologist who tried me on narcolepsy medication so I could be more alert during the day, but it was awful! Among other things, I forgot how stop signs worked. There just isn’t a lot of options and i don’t react well with most medications. She did help me find a good Migraine medication though. I also did a Concussion Care Clinic, which helped with tools to cope, but they aren’t willing to discuss the option that some people don’t get better, and in fact get worse, so that was frustrating.
I do cognitive testing to track decline, and so far it is slow and just more a shift in how my brain is working - it is less flexible and I can’t hold things in my head for long.
It’s like being in a dream, where things are just slightly off, and time kind of skips a bit. Also this time last year I was doing things that I can’t imagine doing now - hikes with the dog, kayaking, fitness class. But teaching is still good.
@Jo I think in part because I am skinny, they always test for anemia or thyroid issues, but my blood work in always in a good range.
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