Trying not to be “that” boarder

[the_sandiest_shoes]

My barn uses a leaf blower a couple times a day to clean it out. It’s a documented health hazard to lungs etc. and my horse has chronically runny eyes. Having all this dust and chemical particles blasted in her face can’t be helping, and I do worry about the lung impact over time.

I well know how picky this sounds but it genuinely bothers and worries me. I’d much prefer they sweep the aisle (it’s not a big barn), or if they have to blow, maybe do so while she’s outside? I could offer a care fee for moving her out of the barn during the blower times.

How best to approach barn owners about these picky little requests? Thanks!

[trubandloki]

@the_sandiest_shoes

My barn uses a leaf blower a couple times a day to clean it out. It’s a documented health hazard to lungs etc. and my horse has chronically runny eyes. Having all this dust and chemical particles blasted in her face can’t be helping, and I do worry about the lung impact over time.

I well know how picky this sounds but it genuinely bothers and worries me. I’d much prefer they sweep the aisle (it’s not a big barn), or if they have to blow, maybe do so while she’s outside? I could offer a care fee for moving her out of the barn during the blower times.

How best to approach barn owners about these picky little requests? Thanks!

This is likely not going to be considered a little request.

Think about it this way - Please stop cleaning the aisle using a method that you prefer and do it the way I prefer that will likely take you twice as long.

Now, having said that, I personally do not like the whole leaf blower technique for aisle cleaning and I too would prefer my horse not be in the barn when it is happening.

How about you ask - Hey Barn Owner, is there any option to pay for the extra service to have Dobbin put outside temporarily while the leaf blower is being run?

[the_sandiest_shoes]

Thank you! I used to sweep the aisle myself with a big bouncy push broom and I think it’s faster personally than the way they blow slowly and all over the place. I totally get it’s more labor intensive. Good suggestion.

[trubandloki]

Do not insist that the leaf blower is horrible. Do not tell them your way is just as easy.

Do simply say that you prefer Dobbin be outside at that time.

[the_sandiest_shoes]

Thanks - they are very friendly and easygoing and have always seemed willing to do extras for a fee, so I think the simple approach is helpful (my anxiety brain always wants to explain why I’m imposing but less is more!)

[knic]

Can your horse wear a fly mask inside?

[the_sandiest_shoes]

She does but it doesn’t really help the tiny particles / dust in her face. I’ll spare you all the links about leaf blower hazards but all things considered I’d be happy to fork over a bit of cash for the peace of mind.

[mmeqcenter]

@the_sandiest_shoes

Thank you! I used to sweep the aisle myself with a big bouncy push broom and I think it’s faster personally than the way they blow slowly and all over the place. I totally get it’s more labor intensive. Good suggestion.

^you may think that, but the BO/BM may not, and really, it doesn’t matter which one is faster, what matters is what the person doing the chore finds easiest to use. Using a push broom kills my back. Also, using a leaf blower gets FAR more dust and dirt out of the aisle than using a broom does. But when I had my farm, all horses were out 22/7, so no one was in during my barn cleaning.

@trubandloki

Do not insist that the leaf blower is horrible. Do not tell them your way is just as easy.

Do simply say that you prefer Dobbin be outside at that time.

^100% this. Keeping in mind they may simply say no, and you shouldn’t argue. If it’s that big of a deal to you, I’d suggest looking for a different barn to board at.

[beowulf]

In most boarding barns this would not be considered a reasonable request.

Is there a reason your horse is inside while they are clearing out the aisle? If it is a matter of scheduling, you may be able to make this a nonissue by requesting the turnout schedule that conveniently has your horse out while they blow the aisle. Win/win situation.

I’m with Trubandloki, but keep in mind if they are doing this multiple times a day it is not a small ask. Most barns are understaffed and tight for time and a “few minutes” of a new chore puts workers on a time crunch. Be prepared for “No”.

While I would also prefer to wait until all horses are outside to blow the aisle sometimes it is just not possible. Stall rest, a boarder pulls a horse in from turnout, etc. If a boarder told me they would prefer I’d sweep while their horse is inside, I’d tell them I’d prefer they go elsewhere. The leafblower is the most efficient way of getting the aisles clean.

If we are concerned about the lung impact of dust and particles in a barn, shavings are a far more insidious culprit.

[skydy]

I’m surprised that people would use a leaf blower in a barn while horses are in.

Just cheerfully ask that your horse be out when the leaf blower is in use. Offer to pay and don’t criticize.

It might be a big ask if they use the leaf blower more than once a day…

[Ghazzu]

I’m with you regarding the health implications of using leaf blowers indoors.
It’s not good for the respiratory system, either.

However, I think you’ll likely need to do the sort of self-deprecating, “please humor me” approach and request your horse be outside during the blowing.

[knic]

I’m team broom, but thanks for sparing me.

I pretty much guarantee you will be considered “that boarder” when you make the request so looking for alternate options to improve your horses well being or finding a new place to board may be a better use of your time.

Even if they take your money, I doubt the horse routinely gets moved in and out when they blow the aisle.

A fine mesh fly mask would at least cut down on the particles irritating her eyes.

[the_sandiest_shoes]

Thanks - it’s a great place with great people and I’m not in area with endless options. She gets a lot of turnout time and that’s big for me (TO is so limited in this area, alas).

I’d put the horse in the pipe barn with the long run ideally, outside of the dusty stable, but miss masochistic mare has sliced up and nearly broken her leg kicking through fences twice before, so it’s safer this way.

[candyappy]

Buy them an electric one to use??? My FIL uses one and it would eliminate the chemical particles from fuel exhaust ( i guess that is what you mean)?

I would ask that they not blow it in her face if possible but can’t see why she would stand and willingly have that done anyways.

[trubandloki]

@candyappy

Buy them an electric one to use??? My FIL uses one and it would eliminate the chemical particles from fuel exhaust ( i guess that is what you mean)?

I would ask that they not blow it in her face if possible but can’t see why she would stand and willingly have that done anyways.

I believe the OP’s problem is that by using a leaf blower of any type it is making all the barn dust become airborne barn dust, which then can get in the horse’s eyes and respiratory system.

Nothing to do with gas powered or electric.

[Raincityrider]

This isn’t a solution for hay in the aisle but for smaller debris like shavings, dirt, clippings etc a Karcher push sweeper or something similar can be very effective. I really like mine on smooth concrete. It will pick up a surprising amount of debris in a couple of quick passes and it’s easy to empty. Maybe the barn could use something like this for touch ups and cut back on the blower use to once a day.

Kärcher KM 70/20 Professional Push Sweepers vs. Broom

[sunkistbey]

We use a cordless blower that has an adjustable power setting. I turn it all the way down to do the aisles and it doesn’t raise any more dust than sweeping does. When the horses are out I’ll turn the power up to knock down cobwebs or clean large open areas. Bonus is that it’s pretty quiet.

[cnd8]

I board AND work at the barn I board my horse at, and as little as this request sounds to you, it would be really irritating if someone requested this at the facility I board and work at. It takes 30 minutes AT LEAST to sweep the aisle (rubber pavers) at this barn. And it is hard. The rubber grabs and fights brooms. It is a nightmare. The blower takes 2 minutes max and does such a better job. The dust is minimal if holding the blower at a reasonable angle and height above the floor.

For what it’s worth, the sawdust dust from the horses movement and the fans stirring it all up causes far more dust than the blowing of our aisles.

I wouldn’t fret. In my normally paranoid opinion, your horse will be perfectly fine.

[Ghazzu]

@candyappy

Buy them an electric one to use??? My FIL uses one and it would eliminate the chemical particles from fuel exhaust ( i guess that is what you mean)?

It is the fine particulate matter that is detrimental to the respiratory tract, and that will be blown about in either case.

[vxf111]

This.

I spent my whole life being paranoid about breathing issues and made every decision when setting up my farmette on the assumption that one or more of my retirees would have heaves.

So far, not a single one. LOL. So I built the world’s airiest setup for no reason, but that’s ok. I’m still
Super paranoid about breathing issues. At least my setup makes me feel like I did everything I could about that.

I would never leafblow in the barn with horses inside. I actually wouldn’t do it period, IMHO it doesn’t clean it just moves the crap around and gets it in the air. But to each his/her own. Asking that your horse be out and paying for the privilege is a totally reasonable request. Be prepared to cheerfully pay. If they say no then you’ll have to decide what to do. Offer to pay enough to make it worth their while and they might go for it.