Boarding Expectations

[clanter]

just wondering what does your boarding contract say? What was supposed to be included?.. the lack of a stall of your horse’s own should have been spelled out in the contract.

We do not board nor do we have more horses than stalls, period. This is the wild west but we do not have a herd of mustangs nor unlimited acreage with valleys and wooded hills for protection

In the afternoon, stalls are picked clean of manure, but not much else unless a wet spot is obvious, and no new bedding is added, and buckets aren’t scrubbed again. So my mare goes into a half cleaned stall for the next 12+ hours. She smells like urine

and you are paying $1000.00 a month for THAT?

[Equkelly]

I don’t think you necessarily need a reality check but I think it’s very important to remember that full care DOES NOT equal custom care. “Full care” means you are paying for whatever that particular facility deems as full care, not what you or I deem as full care. When you are a boarder and you are deciding on a facility, you have to figure out if their definition of “full care” matches yours closely enough.

I think if people understood this it would eliminate 90% of boarder related drama with management. I see people all the time go off about how “I’m paying for full care and my boarding barn won’t put my horse’s fly mask, fly boots, fly sheet, bell boots and whatever else on and off every day!!!” That May be what YOU would be doing every day, and that may fit YOUR definition of “full care” but if they’re not already doing that stuff regularly when you tour the facility, don’t expect them to start because that’s how you’d like things. Same thing with the half cleaned stalls and rotations stalls. That’s just how it is at that facility and if it’s not up to your standards it’s perfectly understandable to leave.

But people run into trouble when they think that because they pay “x” amount of money, that means barn management should be expected to raise their standards. It NEVER works like that. If you pay 200 bucks a month for pasture board and none of the horses get blanketed at that barn because all the other horses are stock breeds, don’t expect to roll up with a fresh off the track TB, and expect a custom blanket service. I see people on here all the time say stuff like “oh well you can get the vet involved to explain to the owner how this horse needs xyz and Bla bla bla” … ugh NO. Not how it works people.

And there are definitely times when something happens and a horse might require some temporary modifications or special treatment. If someone’s colicing, or lame, or whatever, Yea management should work with you when they can within reason. But other than that? You really do have to kind of get with the program or get out.

(Ok, now for fun watch all the angry replies and guess who the boarders are versus the barn managers 🤣)

[Beck]

Regardless of how much is being charged for board, there is generally a minimum standard of basic care - everywhere. For stalled horses a properly cleaned (maintained) stall is one of the most basic and universal components listed. Right after adequate feed, water, and shelter. The cost of maintaining that minimum standard is what establishes the baseline for board costs in a given area.

[Equkelly]

@clanter

well that is why there is Normally or Should be a boarding agreement contract which spells out what is expected of both sides… boarder pays for what they agreed upon and farm provides agreed upon service… nothing is questioned then…

If contract says horse will smell of urine because we do not clean the shared stall and than that was agreed upon, so be it but I have never seen such as expectation of normal care

Right but when the contract does not spell it out exactly or is vague, you’re relying on the level of care that preexists. “How often do you clean out stalls, and how much bedding does each horse typically get?” is what you need to find out before your horse ever gets off the trailer.

[tikihorse2]

If the stalls are so dirty that one’s horse smells like urine and develops a rash similar to a human diaper rash from said dirty stall, I find it very difficult to justify the standard of care. Those stalls aren’t merely dirty or messy. They’re filthy. And filthy stalls lead to all sorts of problems with horses, such as thrush, various skin problems, chronic coughs and eye troubles from the ammonia, etc.

You get what you pay for.

[clanter]

@Equkelly

Right but when the contract does not spell it out exactly or is vague, you’re relying on the level of care that preexists. “How often do you clean out stalls, and how much bedding does each horse typically get?” is what you need to find out before your horse ever gets off the trailer.

personally I would call animal control and SPCA and any one I could to let them see what this barn thinks is The Standard of Good Care…

[Texarkana]

Have y’all ever owned a gray horse?

It doesn’t matter how many times a day the stall is cleaned or how deeply it is bedded. Come morning you are going to have a horse with a giant, smelly pee stain on its side. Especially if you are at a horse show or otherwise need the horse clean. :lol:

I don’t think we can automatically jump to reporting the authorities based on the OP’s post. Sheesh.

[Equkelly]

@clanter

personally I would call animal control and SPCA and any one I could to let them see what this barn thinks is The Standard of Good Care…

Ok I’m sorry, but you are so sheltered if you’re calling the SPCA on a barn like this. I mean no, it’s not up to my standards and no, I’d never pay 1000 dollars a month for a nasty stall, but Jesus animal control? No way. ir sounds like a ripoff probably but animal abuse? No way this qualifies. There are legitimate cases out there and I’m not about to cry wolf over a barn like this.

[punchy]

Another reason to be wary of stall sharing: you can have a horse who flings grain when it eats and old grain accumulates under the feed tub. Then you throw a vacuum cleaner kind of horse in there and it eats the old feed on the ground, gets sick and maybe dies. Most barns I’ve been to don’t sweep under the feed tub with a broom and pick up with a shovel when they clean every day.

[tbchick84]

Unless you are in lower Fairfield County, you can do far better for $1,000 depending on how far you are willing to drive.

[Denali6298]

I hate these threads because the OP rants and never comes back. They always make me think the OP is the problem.

[tikihorse2]

@Texarkana

Have y’all ever owned a gray horse?

It doesn’t matter how many times a day the stall is cleaned or how deeply it is bedded. Come morning you are going to have a horse with a giant, smelly pee stain on its side. Especially if you are at a horse show or otherwise need the horse clean. :lol:

I don’t think we can automatically jump to reporting the authorities based on the OP’s post. Sheesh.

My horse is a grey. He gets dirty, yes, and he gets pee stains on him, yes, but he’s never gotten an actual rash nor has he ever stank of urine. I haven’t seen the barn so I have no idea if the authorities need to be called, but I’d definitely move my horse.

[trubandloki]

@punchy

Another reason to be wary of stall sharing: you can have a horse who flings grain when it eats and old grain accumulates under the feed tub. Then you throw a vacuum cleaner kind of horse in there and it eats the old feed on the ground, gets sick and maybe dies. Most barns I’ve been to don’t sweep under the feed tub with a broom and pick up with a shovel when they clean every day.

It is hard to imagine that grain left from 12 hours before would make a horse sick or die (since this sounds like each horse gets the stall for 12 hours).

Disclaimer - unless said horse had some medical condition that this specific grain caused a problem with.

[findeight]

We are only getting one version of conditions here from an unknown source. Some barns just don’t have the staff to inspect horse and tack in detail and report daily. Too many depend on kids working off their bill which is about 50/50 in my experience, some great, some mean well but just lack the experience and some are just baaad. Prefer full time employee staff but thats always a price point issue and always visited the barn much more often if staff was lacking and expected a lower price point.

Thing thats bothersome here Is there has been a recent decline in overall care and attitude change which is a classic sign of deeper problems that will only get worse. Typically they are 1) going broke 2) have a personal crises or health issue or 3) substance abuse problem. Or two out of three. Worst case, 3 out of 3.

Deteriorating care with bad attitude change is the tip of the iceberg. Its not what you see but what you dont see. I’d be be worried based on boarding for 50 years in everything from private backyard self care to fancy schmantzy. They are all the same when they are failing. Learn to spot it early before it hits the fan.

[SFVine]

shared stall? nope! Horses randomly hanging out in the aisle all night with hay? sounds weird to me. Your boarding contract should mention shared stalls.

Teens doing meds unsupervised? if they are pre-measured and the feed is set up- fine. if they are doing it all themselves unsupervised? nope.

I wouldn’t expect to be notified of ripped boots or minor cuts, just things that could potentially warrant a vet visit.

Are the teens working students? If they are officially working under the trainer, I would understand that. I wouldn’t want to pay full price for those rides, but I would if I thought the teens were good riders. If they are just teens at the barn and I was required to pay, that would not sit right with me.

[Salty]

I would be really concerened about the biosecurity aspect of horses sharing dirty stalls and dirty water buckets. All of this is a big Nope from me.

[DressageMare]

Thanks everyone. This is so helpful to have your experience and input on this difficult decision. I was really starting to question whether or not I was crazy for thinking stall sharing was a big no and a potential cause of some issues. You have given me a few legs to stand on to have one more conversation with BO. If she’s not willing to change it or find ways to make it better, I have to respect her decision since it is here place and choice to run as she wishes, but will then start looking for another place. I’ve done some research and sounds like I’m going to have to gear up for a drive, which does concern me being so far from my mare, or go without an indoor. If stall situation can be resolved, I will lighten up about some of the other missing notifications–as some of you have alluded, it’s probably because of the stall issue that I am more tuned into minor issues. Many thanks.

@Denali6298 If you noted, I have written to clarify, but I do wonder why just post something presumptive and mean spirited with nothing helpful attached when these forums are meant to help. And in CT there has been mega issues with power and internet because of the storm., so coupled with slow forum and poor connectivity, not the easiest thing to get back on here. Also if you read the original post, I was asking for a reality check on my anxiety about the situation, so was clearly open to the idea that I could be the problem and making mountains out of mole hills.

Thank you for the reality check and the boost to do what’s best for my mare.

[DressageMare]

Thanks everyone. This is so helpful to have your experience and input on this difficult decision. I was really starting to question whether or not I was crazy for thinking stall sharing was a big no and a potential cause of some issues. You have given me a few legs to stand on to have one more conversation with BO. If she’s not willing to change it or find ways to make it better, I have to respect her decision since it is here place and choice to run as she wishes, but will then start looking for another place. I’ve done some research and sounds like I’m going to have to gear up for a drive, which does concern me being so far from my mare, or go without an indoor. If stall situation can be resolved, I will lighten up about some of the other missing notifications–as some of you have alluded, it’s probably because of the stall issue that I am more tuned into minor issues. Many thanks.

@Denali6298 If you noted, I had written to clarify, but I do wonder why you just post something presumptive and mean spirited with nothing helpful attached when these forums are meant to help. And in CT there has been mega issues with power and internet because of the storm., so coupled with slow forum and poor connectivity, not the easiest thing to get back on here. Also if you read the original post, I was asking for a reality check on my anxiety about the situation, so was clearly open to the idea that I could be the problem and making mountains out of mole hills.

Thank you for the reality check and the boost to do what’s best for my mare.

[S1969]

@clanter

my reply was to the question of just what would you do and was a hypothetical response as if I Had been there and saw the level what the BO assumed was acceptable care for $1,000

I would have 1) never been there or 2) moved

The last time I boarded was in the early 1990s, it was $450 which equates to just under $900 in today’s dollars… and my little horsey had her own stall that was clean twice a day

Was it on the CT shore? Because if not, that price is totally irrelevant.

OP - look around for another barn. No barn is perfect, so don’t expect perfection. But I think it sounds like you might be able to find something better. Don’t forget, also, that not all barns are big and advertise - there are some smaller boarding barns with nice facilities that you may not know of until you really look. Put out some feelers with your vet and farrier, for example. I would rather pay a little more/month for better care, and less anxiety.

I could live with stall sharing so long as there was a plan for every horse in very bad weather or if stall rest was required. But I would want it cleaned thoroughly between horses.

Not ok with having kids ride my horse. And, to be honest, I wouldn’t be surprised if your horse was actually being ridden already. Been there before.

[BeeHoney]

@Salty

I would be really concerened about the biosecurity aspect of horses sharing dirty stalls and dirty water buckets. All of this is a big Nope from me.

What type of illness exactly would you be concerned about?

Horses on a particular farm are typically turned out in herds/groups/pairs with shared water and hay sources, often mutually groom each other with their mouths, and eat the same grass, which is contaminated with at least some level of each other’s manure/parasites. Even horses on private turnout rarely have a paddock to themselves–often other horses are turned out in the same paddock at different times. Horses on a particular farm are also handled, fed, watered and groomed by the same person, and grooms do not typically change clothes/wash hands/use a foot bath between horses. Grooming tools are often shared between horses (unless owners are doing their own grooming). Horses use the same crossties and wash stall, heads are often hanging out in the aisle, and many barn set ups have windows or bars between stalls so that horses can communicate, and many paddock setups allow horses to visit over a fence. Horses at a training barn often share bits and bridles without a second thought. Often grooms will take buckets and feed tubs out of stalls to rinse them and they often go back in a different stall to a different horse.

Realistically, I can’t think of an illness that a horse would be exposed to by sharing a stall that they wouldn’t already be exposed to via simply living in the same barn.

Mind you, the situation is completely different if stalls are shared by horses coming in from other barns, such as for lessons or clinics–I would absolutely view that as a biosecurity concern.

I have no problem with people wanting their horse to have it’s own stall, but that is a human desire, not something that has any impact on welfare of the horse, unless the stall is not being cleaned or bedded adequately, and that is a separate issue entirely. The OP discusses that her horse smells like urine, however, large warmbloods can produce copious amounts of urine and manure and some horses specifically prefer to urinate in the stall. Even with a spotlessly clean and well bedded stall, it is possible for a horse to come out of the stall in the morning smelling of urine. Bedding costs are on the rise, so I recommend that if the OP does change barns that she specifically take a look at stalls and look at how much bedding is used and what type.