These are the type of clients that unless they pay $$$ for every damn thing and pay right on time, you’ll end up driven to drink by them.
No personal responsibility AND no respect for your (and the vet’s) time/effort.
/s What a winning combination.
People don’t know what they don’t know. I thought I knew what I was getting into when I started but hoooo boy!
2 Likes
Yes!! Exactly. Since they have no clue as To how much time and attention this horse needs, they have no idea of the value they are receiving .
2 Likes
Exactly!! When I first met them they had their hearts set on buying the little girl a horse. I tried to convince her that very often horse crazy little girls become boy crazy and the horse is no longer needed. Leasing would give her her own horse that could go back to its owners. Nope! Had to have her own horse. Fast forward, child now 14 HATES the barn. And the story continues to virtually basic abandonment for both horses.
1 Like
On the other hand, so long as they are well cared for, not sure the horses object to this situation. Lots of loafing time. 
Although unfortunately as we know, their training deteriorates. That can have longer-term consequences.
1 Like
One negative about being a Pro, you have to develop a sense of detachment for horses you don’t own. Its great to step in if and when asked for (preferably paid) help with horses that are not your own, otherwise, you have to step back. They aren’t yours, owners may not meet your standard of care but they are not in imminent danger and not abused. Let them go.
There are horses in dire need of basics, volunteering time or making donations to legit rescues that are begging for help would be a better use for your free time and energy if you feel the need to give back.
5 Likes
@pn, I would give that family notice. BTDT, I even waived the notice period to get them out of my barn faster. They can be someone else’s headache, it isn’t worth it.
3 Likes
But did you try and learn or did you just disappear and expect your shiny horse to be shiny and tidy whenever you show up? I’m happy to help them learn, but they expect to show up every 6 months or so and take all of my time~ all of it! And bring bags of carrots, feed them over the fence and disappear for another long stretch
The horses don’t mind their lives. One is a puppy and craves attention. They are very well cared for. I worry about them taking them home and have no clue how much devotion it will take to make them happy and comfortable
Thanks! They did give notice. Their dream is to have their horses at home and Covid delayed that. However, had they been diligent and kept coming to visit and care for their horses during that time, they would have learned some of the basics in horse care in order to do this. I gladly would have helped in the transition. However the total abandonment has left me counting down the days til they leave. They have such high expectations of how their horses look- clean shiny and well trimmed, they think his comes with board. It does, kind of because I don’t want horses in my care looking like crap
4 Likes
Thank -you! Detachment detachment detachment!!!
1 Like
Not too long ago, I met a “new re rider”. She took some lessons, bought a piece of land and three horses in fairly short order. Took horse home fairly quickly. The first year or so… it was pretty much a disaster. Horses went lame, got way too skinny and regressed training wise. On the upside, nobody died and lady figured it out enough to basically remedy all the issues less one lameness (which to be fair can happen to any horse in any program).
So maybe your clients will figure it out too, after a steep learning curve.
1 Like
Oh god, no. Within a few months of buying my first two horses I quit my office job and started working at the barn 6.5 days a week.
Even when paying for full care/training I would never expect my horse to be “shiny”. They are horses, they can be dirty.
1 Like
