The “short” version is that I met the BO in 11/1999 when she was leasing a barn across the road from my condo. The plan was to build and barn and indoor and move to her new farm when the building was completed. She needed volunteers for the therapy program. It was winter in Maine and I think she lost most of them because there wasn’t an indoor. I signed on, helped out on a lot of things including getting the new building underway. She typically has 40-50 horses, boarders and her lesson horses. We got to be very close friends and she helped me find my perfect horse.
Things started going downhill a couple of years ago. Occasional nasty comments including find a new barn. It got worse. Horse and I are getting old. He wasn’t getting enough hay and lost weight going into winter for several years. His ribs were obvious. BO wouldn’t admit it. He needed to move to a quieter environment. She wouldn’t give him a paddock. She needed them for winter boarders. Hmmmm. They go through deep disgusting muck to get to the gate. It was getting so bad he had trouble pulling his arthritic left leg up to take a step. Then persistent lameness developed. A huge nasty black gelding joined the herd in July and was chasing everyone all over for no reason. Chased my horse off the waterer twice in 5 minutes. Explosions with groups galloping away from round bales. At 26 he wasn’t up to it. Supposedly there was a plan to move “Nasty” to a different turnout. I was looking for a new barn, but he doesn’t do stalls and I couldn’t find a shed with a paddock.
The kicker was when he started showing some reluctance to leave the barn after he finished his grain. Nothing had changed. No paddock and he was afraid of the nasty black gelding. He needed a lot of coaxing to walk to the turnout. Then he started resisting going through the gate. I got his message and felt so guilty. He was sound at W/T in September. Now he was lame on the left front, 4/5. He apparently slipped in the muck, maybe fell, and no one could get on him for 10 days.
I wasn’t having much luck on a move despite help from the farrier and our retired vet . We’re good friends after 20 years. The vet suggested a barn, very quiet, 15 minutes from the house. They don’t advertise. I put the move together in 3 days. It all came together including the woman with the trailer showing up in the parking lot. I emailed the BO not knowing she was on vacation in Florida. “Great” was the response to my email along with her assumption I owed $383 for the rest of the 30 days notice. Pay up, then accrue interest, then to collections, then to small claims court. I pulled him out for his overall health and condition. His new vet came a couple of days later, confirmed the lameness, and he went on Adequan.
We are in heaven. Everyone tells me I more relaxed. When we arrived the new BO and the vet both said he needed to be moved before he declined any more. Two and one-half weeks later his ribs have disappeared. He has a gigantic pile of hay in his stall. It took a couple of days to adjust to the building after 20 years outside. He has a back door to a large run-out. An opening in the stall grill so he can watch the activity. Everyone is commenting about his personality emerging. They all tell me little things each day. The spark in his eyes has reappeared. BO left him and their aging mare in the indoor. Best friends in 5 minutes. He managed to open the gate and headed down the aisleway. First time ever. He’s a sabino Paint and adds some pazazz to the overabundance of solid brown horses in various sizes.
Board sounds expensive ($650) but they do everything. I don’t have to worry. Blanket changes when they need them. Do I want to blanket him before I leave, if not they will do it. Two tasty meals of goopy grain with timothy pellets added, plus a late snack when the barn is checked. He loves it. I love it. Beautiful facility. Impeccably clean.
What impresses me is how much time and personal attention the BO invests in every horse. They get what they need. She changed his turnout buddies. He hasn’t looked this good in a while. I’m worried about the knee, but he is receiving the best care.
So the old BO? I have to finish my 2nd email that clarifies that I moved him because she would not provide adequate care. I think there is a bailment issue for the lameness and inadequate feed. I can’t get myself to pay her and forget it. It lets her off the hook.
