I have seen my fair share of crazy. But I’ve never seen a training barn without a white board with lists of upcoming appointments, shows, pasture rotation, etc. Are you at a training barn?
Barn has a mix of school horses, boarders, and maybe two horses in “training.”
There is a white board, but it is often out of date information.
Organization appears to be a serious problem for horse professionals. I’ve seen it in vets, farriers, and trainers. Not calling people back… not sending test results that were promised… not calling farriers on a timely basis… forgetting that a certain horse is on a special diet or needs special shoeing…
The lack of organization leads to some of the other issues, because then excuses must be made and things covered up or glossed over.
[QUOTE=Vindicated;7772799]
I was many of these. Back I the dark ages when I was a pro.
My biggest problem was wanting everyone to be happy.
“Yes, I will do that for you” No, it won’t be an extra charge" Then I never had the cojones to tell my customers they were asking for too much of me.
Not talking about major stuff. I always tried to fess up to that. However, when your stall cleaner goes home sick the day you are supposed to leave for a horse show and little Suzie’s mom calls to say she can’t make it out to clip Pookie…and no she really does not want to pay for it.
Thats why stuff doesn’t get done on time. I had a lot of clients that thought I was their private trainer.
Routine stuff when you are asking the vet/farrier 400 questions-most which are not Actually relevant. It is taking up my time, and the other pros time. For me, it was a matter of expediency. [/QUOTE]
I think you are right-- over-promising gets trainers in trouble. If you can’t do something, tell me. Don’t let it slide and hope I won’t notice. I am Type A and see my horse every day-- I will notice. Of course, many things I let slide: farrier a week late, a day of missed turn-out etc. I understand that things come up.
Here is something that actually happened. I went to a routine farrier appointment. Farrier (who has an excellent reputation) said, “You know, I’m glad you’re here. I’ve been really worried about your horse’s feet the last couple times I’ve been here, and I’ve been wanting to change the shoeing.” Really?! When was someone going to let me know about that? I never was able to pin down whether the communication failure was with the farrier or the trainer.
[QUOTE=fmftrainer;7772614]
Educated, involved clients are great. Uneducated, over-involved clients are not. . . I don’t want to be told my training regimen is incorrect because you read an article in Practical Horseman and now you’re an expert (no, I’m not kidding), also reading online that going barefoot is the best for your horse because wild horses are barefoot is great, but wild horses aren’t galloped and jumped on abrasive synthetic surfaces, so if the farrier recommends shoes, please don’t argue with him, have your horse left barefoot and then complain when he/she is lame. . .
.[/QUOTE]
There are two sides to this coin. Our horse had what might be considered a less common injury. I found that the trainers at our barn were quick to pontificate that we needed to do their “go-to” treatment routine typical for less serious lamenesses (I’m not going into further detail). I researched the injury extensively and knew that the protocol was quite different (later confirmed by the vet).
So… don’t wing it. Some of your clients are literate and will do their homework (not directed specifically at you, but at trainers in general). Nothing blows your credibility faster than giving me wrong information. I would rather you tell me you’re not sure and will look into it. I don’t expect you to be an encyclopedia of every horse ailment.
There are good people in the horse world. Just keep looking until you find them and use common sense.
Yes, many barn owners and managers are, quite frankly, incompetent.
You have by now identified several posts worth of dealbreakers and yet still it seems you have no intention of leaving and your sole planned course of action is to complain on the internet.
Who’s crazy now?
If you want your horses to receive competent care, ultimately YOU have to be the one to find it. These people are not going to stumble upon your posts, recognize themselves, mend their ways, and say thank god OP showed us the light. They will go right on being incompetent and taking your money.
Your choice is to bend over and take it or to do something about it.
Either behave competently and decisively yourself or accept your place in the crazy end of the pool.
Many horse people are crazy and incompetent. Find the ones who aren’t these things, and keep your horse there. Even if it isn’t the fancy barn or the best arena. Look for the ones with shiny, happy horses kept outside most of the time and board there! Put up with some quirks, all people have them, and stay heavily involved with your horse’s care. A good BO will appreciate it in the long run even if she finds it annoying on a random Thursday that she woke up on the wrong side of the bed.
I love my boarders very involved and won’t take them any other way, as I rely on my boarder to feed my horses when I travel. My boarder is awesome and I rely on her for second opinions about my own horses’ maladies.
Yes, horse people are crazy. As is the vast majority of the general population.
Someone said it already, you have to find the crazy that works for you.
In this case I think you, the OP, are the problem. You know with out a doubt that this barn is not a match for you and your horse needs but you are more willing to complain about it than change it. I highly doubt boarding is so limited that there is not a suitable place anywhere in your area. Stop complaining and making huge wide brush blanket statements and seek out a facility that the care meets what your expectations are.
Oh please. That is the more ridiculous excuse for not changing barns I have ever read.
[QUOTE=luvdogz72;7772584]
Yeh, that’s why there’s a phrase “horse tradin’”. You don’t see anyone saying “dog tradin” or cat tradin". [/QUOTE]
If people did not lie during dog sales there would not be all kinds of laws regulating dog sales.
It is not just a horse thing. There have been bad people forever.
I moved from my last barn because things that were suppose to be done (like feeding my horse the amount of hay I requested AND purchased were not being done. I was running out of hay on a regular basis because it was going to the BO’s horses! Also, they would ask if they could TRY supplements purchased by other boarders, feed them to their horses and then have the stones to tell said boarder that they were running out and the boarder needed to purchase more. The final straw for me was when another boarder’s horse had an injury and not one, not two but three vets wanted stall rest- yet they continued to turn the horse out against the owner’s instructions!. So I found a new barn. Interestingly, right as I was suppose to move one of the BO’s horses got sick- never had the vet out- other horses got sick (not mine fortunately) and I had to delay my move.
The barn I am at now is rough board. It is not a fancy place, but it is safe with good fencing and good pastures. There are no set barn hours-all that she asks is that you close the gates and turn the lights out when you leave. She takes care of repairs promptly and accommodates reasonable requests. For example, we asked for a light at one of the outdoor wash racks now that the days are getting shorter. Sure we have problems-the most common is hay/feed getting snitched every now and then (why don’t people just don’t leave notes- I certainly wouldn’t mind the pat or two now and again if someone gets caught short!). But what she did is put a camera in the hay loft. So OP- I think you are in a situation that doesn’t work for you and you need to change that. Good luck
You are just at the wrong barn, OP. FWIW my BM does NOT like it if I show up when my horse is being shod/getting normal vaccines. She thinks he gets more nervous when I am there. (He has to be tranqued to be shod as it is.)
Well, it sounds like there is general agreement that there are a lot of incompetent barn managers/trainers etc. On the other hand, most of you have found a situation you are satisfied with.
I’ll admit, I have a tremendous fear of the unknown. What if I move my horse and it is even worse? It is very agonizing to figure out what is tolerable and should be overlooked/forgiven, and what is a deal-breaker.
Yeah, what if?
Consider: If you move and it’s worse (or no better), move again.
You’re allowed.
This is true with a lot of people, not just horse people.
The problem with a lot of horse people is that they are horse crazy, but empty on time and money. That is when shadyness ensues…its a breeding ground for those who want the life but can’t afford it or don’t have the capacity for it.
Sooo… is your horse in “full training” and or “full care”? Are you paying out the nose for a top of the line facility?
See, I don’t run into issues with not knowing what my farrier thinks about my horse’s feet, because I am the one who holds for my farrier. I am just “hands on” like that, and like to be very involved in every aspect of my horse’s care. Its kinda like the difference between taking your kid to the doctor- and having your nanny do it.
The BO or trainer does not dictate what type of treatment my horse is going to receive for an ailment or lameness. First I am going to call on my 30 years of experience - then I am going to call on the vet.
I simply do not rely on others to take care of, or call the shots for the care of my horse. I am its manager - and I pay for a stall, for it to be cleaned and bedded. For my horse to be fed the amount of hay I dictate - and the rest is up to me.
It sounds like you are relying somewhat heavily on “professionals” to do full care, who are not very professional.
Perhaps you shop around. Visit barns and trainers. Like I said, the ones I have worked for, have computerized systems, spread sheets, giant white boards - and well organized staff. And THEY ARE EXPENSIVE.
I can’t afford to “hire out” the level of care I desire for my horse (kinda like that top of the line nanny), so I board - and take care of the rest myself.
I am getting the impression you want that “nanny” care - but it sounds like you are boarding at more of a day care service.
I haven’t read all of the posts, but I think one reason that there are so many crazy horse people has to do with the fact that we in the US don’t have a real certification program for barn managers or trainers. So, unlike many other sports, anyone can hang out their shingle and say … blah, blah, blah.
As far as moving your horse all of the time, I personally think it really increases the chances of injury or illness for them, so the attitude of, “If you don’t like it, move”, shows a complete lack of consideration for both the horse and the owner.
[QUOTE=Appsolute;7773375]
Sooo… is your horse in “full training” and or “full care”? Are you paying out the nose for a top of the line facility?
See, I don’t run into issues with not knowing what my farrier thinks about my horse’s feet, because I am the one who holds for my farrier. I am just “hands on” like that, and like to be very involved in every aspect of my horse’s care. Its kinda like the difference between taking your kid to the doctor- and having your nanny do it.
The BO or trainer does not dictate what type of treatment my horse is going to receive for an ailment or lameness. First I am going to call on my 30 years of experience - then I am going to call on the vet.
It sounds like you are relying somewhat heavily on “professionals” to do full care, who are not very professional.
Perhaps you shop around. Visit barns and trainers. Like I said, the ones I have worked for, have computerized systems, spread sheets, giant white boards - and well organized staff. And THEY ARE EXPENSIVE.
I can’t afford to “hire out” the level of care I desire for my horse (kinda like that top of the line nanny), so I board - and take care of the rest myself.
I am getting the impression you want that “nanny” care - but it sounds like you are boarding at more of a day care service.[/QUOTE]
Well, I think you are hinting at something I’ve been reflecting on. Probably like most first-time horse owners, after several years of lessons I was encouraged to buy a horse because “you really can’t expect to progress on lesson horses. They are just for the beginners.” So… bought the horse recommended by trainer and began boarding at trainer’s facility, where feed, mucking out, turn-outs, and arranging routine farrier and vet care was promised.
So yes, I was relying on the professionals, and that was the concept the trainer encouraged. (I certainly never would have bought a horse to plunk in my own backyard–I had no illusions that I knew enough to care for a horse on my own). It has been a steep learning curve. From voracious reading, talking to people, and yes the immense wisdom brought to this forum, I have learned some things about horse husbandry and different things that have come up… and I guess that’s been enough to clue me in when things have fallen through the cracks or I am given wrong information. So now I’ve become a bit more of a micro-manager because of disappointing experiences. Maybe because I am a first time owner, I take horse care as a deep commitment, and I don’t want the horse to suffer for one minute because of human stupidity or irresponsibility.
[QUOTE=BaroquePony;7773398]
As far as moving your horse all of the time, I personally think it really increases the chances of injury or illness for them, so the attitude of, “If you don’t like it, move”, shows a complete lack of consideration for both the horse and the owner.[/QUOTE]
What is your non-moving solution for a barn that is not the right fit for the horse and/or owner?
OP - I have had similar experiences, and I too came into the horse world later in life.
A friend of mine who has a boarding barn told me that it is very difficult to make a living as a horse professional. My friend is not a pro, and she has a job which pays well, so she doesn’t rely on her business to survive.
I am not excusing the dishonest behavior, but that insight did help me to understand the nature of the “beast.” A first time horse owner lacking knowledge (yet in the process of gaining knowledge), with money to spend is easy prey for the type we are speaking of. I looked at it as an expensive learning experience and moved on.
[QUOTE=BaroquePony;7773398]
As far as moving your horse all of the time, I personally think it really increases the chances of injury or illness for them, so the attitude of, “If you don’t like it, move”, shows a complete lack of consideration for both the horse and the owner.[/QUOTE]
Based on what, actually?
Considering the fact that show horses travel up down and around again, and they not only survive but also perform at a significantly higher and more intensive level than most pleasure horses, I’m not sure people will kill or sicken their horse by choosing to move away from a boarding barn that isn’t working out at the end of the month.
Every day around the world, thousands of horses arrive at unfamiliar show grounds/trailheads/clinic facilities, walk off the trailer, and get to work, so probably OP’s horse will not keel over if it has to sit on the trailer for 20 minutes and then hang out in a new stall and the next morning walk around a new paddock.
I once moved my horses to a barn that swore up and down they would be turned out “as much as possible, weather permitting.” Well, the first week I showed up three times on a sunny, 70 degree day with everyone locked inside in their house. I gave notice and left. This was not incosiderate of my horses or of myself as their owner. Or should I have taken your advice and left them locked up in their 10x10s all day for no reason?
I think a Better Business Bureau for the horse industry is needed. And I have been collecting a lot of ‘data’ for one.
