Two horses got out and killed at my barn

[sascha]

I’m so sorry this happened

A couple of things from the paddock pictures - as endlessclimb said, the gate was likely not installed properly. Secondly, that area where a sort of chute is created beside the barn - that is an accident waiting to happen again. If the BO does nothing else, that little funnel should be removed by continuing the horizontal fence along to the barn at the other end and having the gate installed there.

Anywhere you have a funnel sort of zone you have a danger zone and an area that’s more likely to get broken leading to loose livestock.

[LCDR]

Looking now at the picture of you and your horse and my eye immediately picked up on the empty light bulb socket and the surrounding wiring and general dirtiness around it. If that circuit is live I’d add fire risk as another concern, along with electrical shock. An electrical inspection and correction of National Electrical Code violations would be high on my list of demands if I stayed there.

(I use the word “demand” loosely. I don’t think that your BO would respond well. He likely thinks everthing is cool.)

I speak as someone who boarded at a barn with dangerous electrical wiring. This is that barn shortly after we moved on. You are looking into my horses former stalls.

[TWH_Girl]

Wow.

I honestly would just rather leave as it would give me more peace of mind. I have another acquaintance to check with as well as another barn i checked out over the summer as a possible option.

It would be great if my other BO (where my riding horse is at) would take him but that’s a whole 'nother thread.

[Not_Your_Janice]

A friend of mine lost a horse a few years ago at a boarding barn. A lesson person (not horse owner) failed to properly secure the gate when turning out the horse they rode that day and my friend’s beloved horse got out and was struck by a vehicle. He was euthanized as a result of his horrific injuries. The barn is well thought of and well run for the most part. I boarded there for a while when I was waiting for a spot somewhere else to open up and the care was good. Bad things happen, horses always seem to find a way to test your readiness. I am glad your horse is okay. I probably wouldn’t move over this unless it was a real recurring theme/issue, but I understand your concerns.

[Aussie_2020]

100% I saw that narrow area by the barn and thought “disaster!”. If the gate or fence didn’t get knocked down you’d end up with one horse injured by the other. Trapped = very bad.

And piss poor fencing . It’s one thing to have a horse so talented it can jump a 4.5ft farm fence and another to have fencing so decrepit that a pony could blow on it and it goes down.

[Aussie_2020]

That’s what I thought. I’ve seen people hang them with both J hooks pointing up. Uh-oh that’s easily lifted off!

[Djones]

I’m so sorry about all of this happening. It seems likely horse 1 trapped horse 2 in that narrow space and the gate came down. I don’t want to seem like I’m piling on, fresh eyes on those fence boards have me thinking at the very very least, he should run hot wire all around on the inside of the posts. And eliminate trappy areas.

I am hopeful you can move that gorgeous guy somewhere safer.

[Bluey]

@Aussie_2020

That’s what I thought. I’ve seen people hang them with both J hooks pointing up. Uh-oh that’s easily lifted off!

We hang them with both up and tie the top one down so the gate can’t be lifted by horses or cattle, but we can in a pinch without needing to take the henges apart.
Also, one up one down will let the gate fall off if hit hard enough to bend, both up will take a bigger force to take gate down.

[Aussie_2020]

Whatever it takes to keep the gate in place

[4horses]

This is the kind of gate I was talking about. Nice gap at the top for a horse to stick their head in. Once they have their head in there, they have the leverage they need to take it off the hinges. Put a board across the top of the gate and they can’t do that.

[Djones]

@4horses if the gate hangers are installed as shown, the horse can’t lift the gate off. If both point up, of course a horse can lift it off. The top one must point down.

[4horses]

Usually they bend the hangers out of alignment. The top one is pointed down.

[SummerRose]

I’m so sorry for everyone involved.

We had a pony chase a draft horse cross through the corner of a well-built fence so accidents can happen even with good fencing. Though having a tight area like that will make accidents more likely.

And this is an unfortunate reminder that all horse and farm owners should have good liability insurance. Fortunately it sounds like no people were killed in this instance but accidents can be extremely costly even without major injuries involved.

[Djones]

What is happening that horses are pressuring gates to that extent?

[SMF11]

I see a backyard kind of barn. You get what you pay for – and this kind of set up is the trade off for cheap board. I don’t fault people for wanting to pay less in board! If you (generic you) want someplace with excellent fencing, including a perimeter fence, horse barn not cow barn etc then that board is probably going to be double what the OP is paying. To fence 20 acres in my area (admittedly expensive) it would cost $100,000.

All of this is to address people saying there should be a perimeter fence etc. I have no opinion on whether the OP should move. Guessing it will be hard to find better care and a better facility at the same price point.

[TWH_Girl]

@SMF11

Guessing it will be hard to find better care and a better facility at the same price point.

It will absolutely not be at this price point. I’m okay with that. I moved Dollar here because he had stifle issues and my other horse was costing a lot in upkeep and maintenance. He’s since passed away and I have another younger riding horse. Ideally, they would both be a bit closer to each other- currently about 35 min away.
It absolutely is a backyard barn and that’s why i was a bit leery going into it. By the grace of God, Dollar is literally the heartiest and most easy going, adaptable horse Ive ever owned. I know i will find something for him more suitable.

I appreciate all the insight into fencing issues. And also liability wise- if your horse escapes at a barn and runs into a road, is the liability on the horse owner, BO or both?

[SummerRose]

@TWH_Girl

And also liability wise- if your horse escapes at a barn and runs into a road, is the liability on the horse owner, BO or both?

Liability depends on the state laws and in most cases, the injured party has to provide that the horse owner or person caring for the horse was negligent in some way.

But even if the possibility of negligence is debatable, the injured party may still attempt to sue the farm owner and/or horse owner. The costs for defending against a lawsuit can be high even if the FO/HO do eventually win.

[luvmyhackney]

@Djones

What is happening that horses are pressuring gates to that extent?

Itchy QH butts can bend a gate and pull out the hardware holding it up. Happened at my farm. He also snapped a 4x4 in half.

A draft horse can also take a gate out quickly.

[TWH_Girl]

BO is definitely worried about this. I work in insurance (work comp) and have an umbrella policy from our company that both of my horses are covered under on a named schedule. Definitely gives you pause though.