The other signs of crazee aside, I wouldn’t even consider someone who expects you to make improvements in the same breath as asking for a discount.
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“Stay away from crazy people”. This advice can be hard to follow if you are dealing with horse people, but it is still good to keep in mind.
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Another boarder here that would say NO WAY! Besides the expectations, what she wants you to do for price will not make you any money. She is going to cost you…big time. Just say NO.
I have made some modifications (mats where she eats, a feeder in her shed) at my boarding barn. Only with the OK of the owner and completely on my own dime.
Susan
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You said that you are a training barn that doesn’t always let in boarders and that you’re hesitant about this one, if that’s the case then why let her in? Put up ads online for someone willing to pay full price to take her place.
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If you can do pasture board for $250 a month, there are bound to be retired or semi-retired horses in your area who are looking for just that type set-up. I wouldn’t advertise but just start putting the word out quietly with your professional contacts (vet, farrier, trainer friends, etc.)
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It seems like the consensus is already there, but from one barn manager/owner to another: NO.
IT IS NOT WORTH IT. IT IS NEVER WORTH IT. Trust me!
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Say No!!! Then lose her number. This boarder will cost you in the long run. First, it’s the fencing, then the hay, then the feed.
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Fixed cost are pretty much the same everywhere. There is very little profit at $450 per month as it is when EVERYTHING is factored in. Most people don’t take into consideration “everything”. Most of all the value of their time and the inconveniences a boarding operation involves. Especially if they have few to any full time employees. The demands are or can be 24/7-365.
IMO people that can “use/need” the extra income would be better off taken a second part time job with set hours and days, guaranteed vacation days. And get a “real” paycheck. Paid for every minute, hour they are on the job.
I have told people I am pretty much willing to do, meet any and all of your needs as long as you are willing to pay for. If not I suggest you buy your own and run it the way you want.
I have had this sign hanging in my barn for years.
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Surely there is something in your life that you could cut (in order to cut costs) that would be less painful than the stress and drama that this nutjob would bring into your barn.
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My BO paid off the mortgage last year, so fortunately she is no longer pressed to keep the barn full. It’s a casual place, no heavy duty showing or training boarders, and a lesson program that is mostly beginner kids. Pretty much no drama, mostly older or old women (I’m one of those) who just want to enjoy their riding, which is what she looks for. Last November a woman we’ve known for a long time who has been here before with the same horse came for the winter. She keeps him at home most of the time. But he had a serious health issue with an infection that started in a tooth, so she decided it would be better to board him to ensure he got the care he needed. Here it is August, and she is still there.
It has not gone well. She complains about everything all the time to everybody. Horse is too thin ,even though he looks great, lost the extra weight. He has been ridden for her quite a bit, which she wasn’t doing. Doesn’t like the hay. Doesn’t like the turnout schedule, She goes on and on. I run into her at the grocery store from time to time and listen to her carry on. I ignore it. But she’s starting to drive a couple of newer boarders nuts. She cuts in on their enjoyment of their time with their horses. BO is hoping she leaves soon. And won’t let her come back.
Someone who is not satisfied now will never be satisfied. Not only is it not worth the stress, but it can give your barn an atmosphere that is uncomfortable for your current clients, and might turn away others who you’d much rather have. Not worth it.
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This person wants totally new fencing, to replace fence you are happy with, and have already paid for. She wants a discount, and only wants to stay maybe six months, with her out of town, and out of touch for part of it.
My guess is the next step, if you let her move in, is her next demands, and probably not paying extra for anything. I’m sure she’ll expect more services, at less than market rate, meaning you lose even more money on her animals. If you are remotely considering her as a client, check all references, and the past three or more barns she’s boarded at. My guess is the last three or four barns will cover a period of less than two years, because she’s been told to leave shortly after arriving.
There must be a better way to earn money than by putting up with someone who is a royal pain before her animals even move in. If you think she’s demanding, and cheap now, then you haven’t seen the extent that she’s going to go for discounts, extra services, and further demands.
I predict the happiest day in other boarders’ lives, and the barn owners were when this woman finally left, and freed them to enjoy their barn and horses.
There are some good suggestions on here on how to fill the empty stalls, and I would either take some of these ideas, or find some other way to save money to avoid this person.
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Welcome to the world of batsh!t crazy horse owners looking to board at your facility, where they expect you to bend to every whim and desire they call for. I’m literally screaming at my screen saying 'DON’T DO IT!!!" as I read OP’s post.
The barn that I am at now went through a ‘cleansing’ of absolute nut bars last summer. I have never seen people take over an ENTIRE FACILITY the way they did…and my barn owner didn’t have the balls to tell them to take a hike, so that didn’t help. Like, they were the most certifiable asshats I have ever some across in my life. Just thinking about how much crap was put up with makes me rage.
In the end, BO had enough and took the plunge of telling asshats to GTFO. She tells me all the time that it was the best thing she ever did, and that the money was not worth the extreme stress she had to put up with daily. The barn is absolute heaven now, as it should be. The barn is a place to enjoy, not a place to dread.
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Two question,
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What makes you think she really has the money?
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What makes you think she will actually pay you, instead of complaining about every. little. thing. Then move after running up a bill and driving you nuts?
If you need the money ask people you trust to put the word out to people they trust. Or advertise with a poster in the feed store and be very picky when you interview prospective client.
P.S. COTH moderators frown on profanity.
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Like working at someone else’s barn part time in exchange for boarding. Let them deal with the all the financial hassles and and the bat crap crazies. lol
If you need the money don’t buy a horse farm, lol Trust me. It an’t like it used be these days.
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You most definitely do not want to take on this boarder. Advertise and find someone else.
When someone tells you straight up that they expect you to change your facility around for them, they are telling you up front that is their attitude towards handling any problem. So you know that any problem that comes up is going to be your problem and you are going to be expected to change your life and your farm around to accommodate.
Secondly, after your description of this person’s barn visit, I doubt that she would be “workable” to have around. If you are busy and trying to get things done, a person who wants to gab for 1.5 hours is a disaster to have around. I enjoy talking to clients, but I’m also out at the barn to get horses ridden and work done. It’s a very expensive waste of time to be trapped in conversations with overly talkative people.
You can do better. There are a lot of nice, more normal boarding clients around. Keep looking.
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Regardless of who (if anyone) is crazy, if she’s gone for 6 weeks out of 6 months and one of her horses cuts its leg again on your fence (whether or not she replaces it), what is the likelihood that she would sue you?
If you decided to evict her, how do you plan to do that if you decide on that while she’s in Florida?
Regarding her being in Florida, how far away are you from the part of FL she will be in?
Why do you believe her when she tells you the deal she says she is getting at her current barn? Has she given you proof?
Do you believe that she will actually pay you to install different fencing? Did she bring references? Can you call her current BO to get a recommendation?
You are the manager of your barn. She is not. Why let her tell you how to run your own business?
Why bring one bad apple into an existing good bunch? You and your DH have been surviving up 'til now. Will you suddenly go broke if she doesn’t come board with you?
Scenario to consider – what if she installs new fencing that suits her but not any of your other boarders or you and DH? Then she goes to FL and doesn’t come back, and you are stuck with 2 horses, a pony, and fencing you don’t like. (You might like it, but say you don’t …)?
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I bet she’s not leaving the previous barn ‘because it’s sold’. Call them.
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Um, all the money in the world isn’t worth dealing with crazy.
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Lordy, no, Just don’t do this to yourself, your marriage and your other boarders. There really are other people out there looking for board who, even if not perfection, are at least less nutbar-like than this entitled woman.
One thing I’ve finally learned after running my own business for many years. It’s OK to turn someone away if they are obviously (or even if they give you the feeling that they might be) a pain in the butt. I’ve even started walking away from the “charge 'em til you like 'em” situations. Simply not worth the sleepless nights.
1 Like
Consensus (absolutely not!).
Consider being a little better at setting limits – if it is clear someone is not a good fit dont spend an hour and a half with them, your time is far too valuable for that.
“I’m sorry, but it is clear my barn is not a good fit for you, so thank you for coming but I have to get on to my next appointment/horse/ride now. Goodbye”
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