Just happily text her that you decided to lock the tack room now…she can just come to the house to get the key! you’re not ‘locking up’ her stuff; she just cant do a midnite move without you knowing.
I don’t understand how this could go on so long or how someone who has not paid their board is allowed to be demanding about blankets or turn out or anything else.
But then i don’t let people get in arrears. I might do so for a long term good boarder fallen on hard times but it has never happened that way.
If you can’t pay board you have to move on NOW. .Period. Nothing personal but i can’t afford to pay for your horses needs if you can’t.
I would rather take a loss on one month to get the person out rather than feeding and caring for someone s horse out of my own pocket for months hoping to get paid.
I really can’t believe you put up with as much as you did. And I can’t believe how much time you are giving her to move the horse. Horses are a luxury. Save your generosity to help out someone TRULY in need, not to support someone’s luxury lifestyle.
It’s time for you to get tough. This person isn’t your friend and has played on your sympathies and kindness so that you can shoulder the responsibility and cost of her horse owning lifestyle. I would recommend against allowing another person to come ride the horse on your property. Right now she needs to focus on getting the horse moved and settling matters with you, not arranging some lease. Having a stranger come ride a new horse is a high liability activity for which you would be responsible.
Prepare an itemized bill of what she owes you. Meet with her in person and present the bill and explain that you expect her to be paid up and moved out by X date. Explain that board will go up to $60/day for every day past the move out date. And yes, you can lock the tackroom where she keeps her stuff.
Just curious- has anyone helped out someone who professes to be on a tight spot and it turned out OK?
[QUOTE=TBROCKS;7877901]
Am I within my rights to lock my tack room where she keeps her stuff? This is all new for me :([/QUOTE]
Is it in your contract that she has rights to the tack room? If not, just place it in another room/area that she has access too.
I would be worried about shrinkage as well.
[QUOTE=JBD;7877960]
Just curious- has anyone helped out someone who professes to be on a tight spot and it turned out OK?[/QUOTE]
Yes…my boarder now. I gave her a break and its all worked out 
OP - I would not let them try the horse. If they do come - I would just say - make sure you get things in WRITING on this horse - wink wink when the lady is out of ear shot. Poor people - have no idea what they are getting into.
Is it possible to put her tack somewhere else and lock your tack room or ask her to remove her tack immediately. Inform her that if she is planning on leasing or selling that you will not allow outside people on your property to ride or even see the horse due to liability. Maybe that will get her to move ASAP. Time to stop being a nice person and buck up.
OP,
I’m quite worried about your liability. Does your insurance cover the boarder, her feral children and the person coming out to try the horse? The boarder sounds like the kind of person who will sue at the first opportunity.
I certainly understand you OP, your just a nice trusting person that has been had. Don’t beat yourself up about it. How else did you think the old saying “no good deed goes unpunished” was coined.
We have several properties buildings etc, plus the farm with two barns. After a life time of stories just like yours I think I finally got it through my thick head to quit helping people. Not a week goes by that we are not approached about renting this or that, or lending this or that, or will I consider boarding a few horses. Every time we end up with the bad end of the stick, if you get my drift.
It is hard to become a hardened person when you really are just a nice person that believes in good will and helping those out that need it. I hope that she leaves and it goes smoothly, and your place doesn’t end up with shrinkage issues.
[QUOTE=Crockpot;7877944]
I don’t have understand how this could go on so long or how someone who has not paid their board is allowed to be demanding about blankets or turn out or anything else.
But then i don’t let people get in arrears. I might do so for a long term good boarder fallen on hard times but it has never happened that way.
If you can’t pay board you have to move on NOW. .Period. Nothing personal but i can’t afford to pay for your horses needs if you can’t.
I would rather take a loss on one month to get the person out rather than feeding and caring for someone s horse out of my own pocket for months hoping to get paid.[/QUOTE]
I really kept thinking she would pay. I come from a place that I boarded for years, and NEVER would stiff the board owner or be late, for that matter. In leaner years I would pay my board and be late on other things. So I really thought she was in a tough place and that she’d do the right thing.
It took me a while to put it together, what was going on. Again, I’m not wired to rip people off and use them. I’ve only had my place 3 years, I don’t have experience with boarders.
I’m taking STRONGLY into consideration those who have said don’t let someone come in and try the horse. I thought that was REALLY nervy.
[QUOTE=californianinkansas;7878062]
OP,
I’m quite worried about your liability. Does your insurance cover the boarder, her feral children and the person coming out to try the horse? The boarder sounds like the kind of person who will sue at the first opportunity.[/QUOTE]
Message sent to trainer. There will be no trial of the horse on my property. Hey! you guys are helping me grow a pair! :yes:
Tell her the trainer and she can haul the horse somewhere else this weekend and stay there.
NO WAY a trainer seeking to make money off a commission ( from the buyer) can engage in professional activity, bringing a stranger on your property to ride under their supervision without paying a ring use fee and both trainer and rider/buyer signing a release. Trainer also needs to provide proof of their insurance. That is reasonable and customary.
Insist on this. Maybe you’ll get lucky and she’ll sneak off, just lock everything except her stuff up. Leave the light on for her so she doesn’t cream a corner of the barn or take out a fence.
And if you ever end up doing something like this again, even to help somebody out? Get something in writing and check your insurance.
Thing is here, when somebody actually is in trouble? They are up front with it and work to get out of the situation as quickly as possible. They are also grateful and bust their butts helping you out…like blanketing your horses and turning them in and out without being " reminded". The legit hard times folks don’t boss the person doing them a favor around like a servant. And, you already know you have let her take over your barn and boss you around like you worked for her.
If I were you. I’d turn the horse out on pasture board for the remaining 10 days and get her stuff out if your tack/feed room unless she pays up in full…and even if she does pay so Poopsie can get full care, she is still O.U.T the 8th. Since there is nothing in writing? Unless you have e mails or texts where she promises to pay, you are SOL trying to get anywhere legally…that’s another reason to get it in writing if there is ever a next time.
And, as a warning, expect a barrage of heart rending “How can you do this to me at Christmas, think of the children, there will be no gifts for them under the tree. How can you do this on Thanksgiving?”. Just answer “It’s easy when you’ve stayed free and taken over MY barn for for 6 months”. Buh Bye.
[QUOTE=BeeHoney;7877952]
Prepare an itemized bill of what she owes you. Meet with her in person and present the bill and explain that you expect her to be paid up and moved out by X date. Explain that board will go up to $60/day for every day past the move out date. And yes, you can lock the tackroom where she keeps her stuff.[/QUOTE]
Yes, by all means hold her tack “for ransom” until she pays up in order to leave. That’s a pretty common means of leverage. The trainer finally getting paid is the tipoff that she really HAS the money if she wants to–as is the lessons, supplements, etc. There’s a difference between CAN’T pay and WON’T pay. I believe you are dealing with the latter.
The “tryout for a lease” is the cutoff point. NO, she can NOT do that at your place, period end of conversation. You have no control over who she’s bringing to ride the horse on YOUR property and that is an absolute deal-breaker no matter what kind of insurance you have. THROW HER OUT YESTERDAY. :mad:
The tack room in on your property. You have the right to lock that tack room with her stuff in it. Does anyone know if she can hold her tack hostage until she gets her back pay or sell it to get her pay. Kinda like if you don’t pay your storage unit fee and the sell the unit to get their money back. Cause that is what I would do. Tell her she doesn’t get her tack back until she pays. She has by x to pay and if she doesn’t it will be sold to make up the cost.
You cannot hold her tack for ransom and barring a boarding agreement, you cannot hold the horse, either. If you had a written agreement, you could claim a ‘stablemen’s lien’ against the work/feed for the horse. I have called the police twice in 30 years and they have not allowed the horse to leave the property until the lien is satisfied so long as I could show a signed agreement. Much like not being able to just pick up your automobile from the repair shop without paying for the repairs. At least that is how it has worked for me in MA (and perhaps because I have a good relationship with the local police 
)
The tack is another story - that cannot be held. But you can do as an above poster suggested and tell her the room is locked and can be opened when you are present - after all, you have a duty to safeguard the valuables on the property.
[QUOTE=JBD;7877960]
Just curious- has anyone helped out someone who professes to be on a tight spot and it turned out OK?[/QUOTE]
Many times. Many, MANY times. But you fail to do your due diligence checking them out at your peril.
“Who is your vet?” Call them!
“Who is your farrier?” Ditto.
“Why are you leaving this barn?”
“Whom can I call for references on you?”
“Please understand that barter, working off board, etc. is not an option here.”
“You MUST stay current with vet and farrier or you’ll have to leave.”
“Board is due on X day of the month, EVERY month, no excuses accepted.”
And, yes, I have helped out many boarders over the years. They just need to be upfront about it and we devise a repayment plan. If board is not paid by the fifth of the month, they hear from me. I would never let it drag out more than two weeks without having a definite plan in place for either repayment, work or removal.
I’d recommend investing $10 in a couple of these fake security cameras placed in clear line of sight in the tack room and feed area. The thought that she’s being recorded would go a long way to deterring her from stealing your stuff or taking other retaliatory action. (Or get a real hunting camera, they’re only about $50)
You’re a very nice person! (But you can be nice without being a doormat. Live and learn. )
[QUOTE=findeight;7878170]
And, as a warning, expect a barrage of heart rending “How can you do this to me at Christmas, think of the children, there will be no gifts for them under the tree. How can you do this on Thanksgiving?”. Just answer “It’s easy when you’ve stayed free and taken over MY barn for for 6 months”. Buh Bye.[/QUOTE]
Bingo. Got a text this morning:
“I don’t understand how you could do this to us. You know how guilty I felt every time I came out to ride, knowing I hadn’t paid you.”
Are ya freaking kidding me?
