I don’t show so I’ve never dealt with those type of leases, but I have leased 3 barn horses and now I partial lease with a private owner. For the barn leases, it was simple- here’s the contract, here’s the terms, $amount is due on date X and the lease starts on date X. Partial lease is similar- $Y amount per month. OP you don’t owe them a single penny. They’re throwing up red flags. I think you dodged a bullet.
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OP, I am sure I am not alone in wondering how the owner reacted when you explained you didn’t owe anything because you had never been offered a price.
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I really appreciate everyone’s feedback!
Another important detail in this story is that the horse owner is also the owner of the boarding facility that I have ridden at for several years now. This audacious request of hers was the final straw. She has lost my business for the foreseeable future and I have moved on to a new barn.
I think she is aware that requesting a payment was out of line but she knew I was getting ready to leave and wanted to see if she could squeeze a little more money out before I go (and by a little more I mean several thousand).
Though it was hard to leave, it was the right choice. I’m happy to put this behind me and continue my riding journey elsewhere.
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Ugh, the fact that this wasn’t some random owner being dumb, but a BO with whom you had an established working relationship and who knows better makes this even more audacious!
Seriously, people who abuse good clients and try to use them as an ATM really grind my gears.
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WOW! That is definitely important info and I amend my earlier comment, “I would laugh my way out of the conversation while packing my horse trailer” to fit the info provided.
I tell ya, horse people can just be nuts when it comes to money.
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OMG. The audacity!!! How are there so many equine “professionals” who are so lacking in professionalism… the absolute gall of this woman.
Thank you for the update - I had wondered what became of this situation. Hoping your new barn and riding opportunities bring you happiness and success in the coming year 
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The BO / HO is doubling-down on their stu- er excuse me ridiculous mistake of not completing the lease. Now they are creating a bad rep for themselves, every time someone in the horse community asks OP “oh, why did you move barns?”. Nothing like addressing your mistakes by burning bridges.
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True and unfortunately this was not the only problem I’ve had with the BO, just the final straw. I had been riding there for so long that I guess I just got comfortable and started brushing off major red flags. I’m glad to have moved on.
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I should hope the OP would have a polite answer about why they changed barns. Typically it only makes the person changing barns look bad if they go on with a list of why the last barn was so horrible.
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