Are the stalls at KHP matted? I know about 10 years ago they were not. Can someone tell me if the stalls have been improved? Thanks!
No mats, asphalt floors. We mix about 1/4 bale of straw with shavings - it mats together and prevents the sawdust from drifting and leaving bare spots.
Some of the floors are just dirt, especially in the tents. Depends on where you are. Some stalls are 30+ years old, some under 20, some brand new around the Alltech arena and some are temporary in the tents.
Most are outside shed row style with or without an overhang in front, the Alltech ones are inside a big metal building.
Unless you are in a tent, they are asphalt :(. Straw and lots of shavings. I don’t like it but what can you do? Some people bring mats with them.
We brought interlocking mats and put down 8 bags of shavings last time we were there. Someone else in our barn went to the Tractor Supply down there and bought a thinner mat that rolled up easily.
I’ve never shown there, but if I were going to, I’d put down straw then shavings over that. OR go and buy a thin mat to at least cushion it down.
For future reference, is there a stall cleaning fee?
I’ve never paid a stall cleaning deposit.
No stall cleaning fee. But it’s rolled into the rental fee which is on the high side for H/j shows, 200+ a week at most of the shows.
It has amazed me how awful the stalls are there. Of all the places we have gone KY horse park stalls are the worst, except for DC, but that is so short term. I think it is really a sad statement when you see all the money they put in the offices, grandstand and stuff for the people - yet the horses are bedded on asphalt.
No matts but apparently you can now rent matts from Devers. Haven’t done this but I was told it was a new option.
[QUOTE=Ponytoes;7668202]
It has amazed me how awful the stalls are there. Of all the places we have gone KY horse park stalls are the worst, except for DC, but that is so short term. I think it is really a sad statement when you see all the money they put in the offices, grandstand and stuff for the people - yet the horses are bedded on asphalt.[/QUOTE]
I know! You would think that if they had that much money to spend they could at least put mats on the stall? Its not good for horses to be stabled on asphalt for 5 days during hard work.
And you would have thought that they would have put drains in the aisles!! of the outside stabling. It turns into muck soup city. Not easy to add that as an after thought. Who gets these planning/design salaries when it is in the project stage?
You people are such whiners.
As expensive as stalls are at KHP, I don’t see how it’s unreasonable to want mats. If you’re going to a show like the Kentucky Classique, it’s required to pay for a stall for the entire week. I would not want my horse on asphalt for a week!
Even if you’re only going to a day show, and want to work out of a trailer, you have to pay for a stall. $35/ day. Where is that money even going?
“They” are the state of KY. Originally there were numerous private donors and they are recognized by street names and plaques on the older stalls…which are the ones that flood.
I agree it’s time to put some of the money the state makes off facility rentals back into infrastructure projects, not just fancy rings with corporate sponsors.
I envy those of you who think these are the worst stalls you’ve been in. After 45 years, I been in some real dumps, and at pricey shows with good horses.
I dunno about mats in all 1000+ stalls with so many shows and so many out of state and even International. horses in them with only a day or two off between departures and arrivals. Would think they would harbor more unwelcome guests. Maybe that’s why I can’t recall ever having mats in show stalls at major show grounds.
Expensive? I would rather go to Kentucky in their new barns with there lovely indoor plumbing and lay down 10 bags of shavings and pay only 200.00 vs tiny tent stalls out houses and 285.00 per week . Not to mention their lovely footing , their friendly office people , and the inexpensive hotels in the area that don’t quadruple their prices .
I love the KHP, and it is a busy place. Access is easy, the whole range of stay-over options.
I would never expect mats, that’s a bit over the top. They have made improvements and the security is enhanced. Just pointing out that drainage is one of the initial items addressed ‘before’ construction on any job. How can you miss that one?
[QUOTE=StormWarriorC;7668020]
I’ve never shown there, but if I were going to, I’d put down straw then shavings over that. OR go and buy a thin mat to at least cushion it down.
For future reference, is there a stall cleaning fee?[/QUOTE]
I have arrived to messy stalls everytime I have been there for PF. Used for the prior week.
If you’ve arrived to find you have been given an uncleaned stall, please report that! Complain!!! For the amount you are paying, every single exhibitor needs to have a clean stall at the very least!
I’ve showed up there with nails and other sharp objects in my horse’s stall. It took the management hours to fix it and there weren’t any other places I could put my horse in the meantime. I don’t think it would be unreasonable for them to put mats in the stalls. They could figure out a yearly budget to fix this. I think people that go there all of the time would rather pay an extra $15-20 per entry for a few years then have to buy a ton of shavings to try and fix it. I know a lot of local eventers that would also purchase stalls for the weekend if they weren’t asphalt.
