What Covid-19 Protocols Are in Place at Your Barn?

[Renn_aissance]

@phippsie62

Denali6298: Are you suggesting that boarders be prohibited from coming to the barn, and that the BM/trainer actually raise board/care rates while excluding them? Sorry, but at my barn we’re already paying for full care and training, and nobody is suggesting a discount for the lack of available lessons during the closure.

I sure am, because I want my barn to be able to do things like order enough grain and hay and pay their staff a living wage and health insurance so that they can keep taking care of my old and medically complicated horse, and also so that they and their families don’t get sick and spread a contagious illness to someone who would die of it. Like perhaps your high risk trainer, whom apparently you like enough to learn from, but not enough to care enough about his welfare to protect.

@phippsie62

I repeat, what is the point of a two-week closure? In terms of risk, nothing will be any different at the end of the two weeks. We’re a small adult women-only barn. Yeah, we can clean and sanitize, you bet. Unless, of course, the BM/trainer plans rolling closures indefinitely.

You’re probably right. It will probably be worse in two weeks. You may not be seeing your horse for longer than two weeks. I’m sorry. This is hard for everyone.

[phippsie62]

Okay, thanks for the reports. Peace be unto you, Denali and Anastasia. Am I selfish? Because I worry about my horse’s safety and have no way to check? Okay, I’ll own it. For my concern I make no apologies.

To Denali’s question about why in the world I’d board at a barn I don’t trust to take excellent care of my horse…well, it’s not like I have a lot of choices. The training is great and I live close enough to get over to the barn once, even twice a day to check. So I thought I could compensate.

Did you predict a pandemic and stable your horse so he’d always be fine if you couldn’t get to the barn for months on end? Wow, you’re awesome.

Thanks for the information about how many barns across the country are closing completely. Good to know. That helps me plan. If my closure goes on longer than two weeks, I’ll move my horse to a place whose care will let me sleep at night even if total closures are the norm here.

Not long ago, there was a thread about “which barn would you choose?” I think it was either find eight or ladyJ79 who said put horse care first. Yup. Even if no pandemic occurs for another hundred years.

[Denali6298]

OP I board at barns where I would be comfortable leaving my horse in the event something happened to me that would prevent me from going out there. I also board at places where there is a strong network of boarders and we look after each other’s horses if one of us can’t be there.

I’m sorry your options are limited but I would start looking now. This isn’t going to get better and the BM/Trainer has every right to protect their health and do what’s best for them and their business.

[oldernewbie]

I’m in Ohio, where our governor has issued restrictions well ahead of most other places. We started out canceling off site lessons and tried to follow the physical distancing protocols. Well, we’ve got one gal that boards with us who thinks the whole thing is a hoax and said so repeatedly. We kept our distance from her. And then… there’s an outbreak at her retirement community. She called and canceled her lessons but did not tell the trainer why. He didn’t know until the news about her facility hit the airwaves. Great huh? She could have been spreading it to all of us.

Once that happened he closed the barn and then DeWine closed the state, so here we are. Fortunately I trust my trainer and completely agree with what he’s done. I really really miss my horses and riding, but they are enjoying turnout and the easy life.

I haven’t seen my mom in 2 weeks either and that is extremely difficult. I wish she could just be turned out to enjoy life too. But I totally agree with her assisted living place banning all visitors.

It’s just a really tough time for all of us…

[AMWookey]

@Denali6298

OP I board at barns where I would be comfortable leaving my horse in the event something happened to me that would prevent me from going out there. I also board at places where there is a strong network of boarders and we look after each other’s horses if one of us can’t be there.

I’m sorry your options are limited but I would start looking now. This isn’t going to get better and the BM/Trainer has every right to protect their health and do what’s best for them and their business.

So, I am not fighting the closures. At all.

I will say though, that there are times that you board somewhere that you thought the care was excellent based on recommendations, or it’s one of only 2 barns with availability in your area, or a dozen other reasons that leave you not trusting the care. I have been lucky, and I have been unlucky. The last 3 barns I have been in (one in NC, and 2 in Ontario) I have trusted the barn workers and owners implicitly. However. Barns prior to that I either only trusted when I was able to be there every day, or when one particular person was working. They were the best of the worst in my area.

I personally have boarded my horse 2 hrs away from me, in a bad winter climate, in order to ensure that if I was deployed or on task, my horse would be adequately cared for and I could trust who was exercising him. I could do that because I had an end date in sight.

We are all to quick to judge those who aren’t able to board somewhere that we feel confident in leaving our horses for long periods of time, calling them selfish or inconsiderate. They care for their horses, recognize that they aren’t able to have them in the most perfect situation, and day in day out are going above and beyond to care for their horses. In this time frame, as we all worry about friends, families and those who depend on us (our horses) compassion needs to be given first, then recrimination if deserved (i.e. Suzy just out to gallop bareback, in a halter, with no helmet, and coughing everywhere)

[BeeHoney]

@phippsie62 a lot of us are still processing right now. Each state is different, with limitations on equine businesses ranging from recommendations to mandates with fines. Even in my own area, where I think the mandates and instructions are pretty clear, I’m seeing a full range of responses. There is a lesson barn near me that is still running lessons with groups of kids–plainly NOT ok. There are also full care barns similar to yours that are 100% closed to customers.

I am a BO but actually am very sympathetic to horse owners in this crazy current situation because I know how I would feel if the shoe were on the other foot. Even if I weren’t, the reason people are willing to send me sizable checks each month is because they value the connection they have with their horse or horses and that connection is the heart of what my business is about. So, for both of those reasons, I respect the need that owners feel to be able to see and check on their animals.

But, the other side of this is that as a business owner there is a lot to face. I am supposed to be cleaning surfaces throughout the day at my facility. God help me, I had never considered how many surfaces there are at a barn/ farm. I also don’t want to be running from store to store searching for more disinfecting supplies, which are running low everywhere. And while I trust most of my clients to be responsible and to follow social distancing and hand washing advisories, and to not come out to the barn if they are unwell, the truth is that that is really out of my control–in real life people forget or do dumb things all the time. And just about everyone, including me, has someone in their life who is in a high risk group that can’t afford to get CV.

I think that after two weeks we will know more about this situation, but I doubt your barn is going to reopen at that time. Your BO probably said “two weeks” because that’s easier to say than a month or more. I think if you feel your horse isn’t safe in the current situation without you being able to monitor, then perhaps you should move him. But, I’m going to be honest, now is a bad time to move a horse to a new boarding barn for a LOT of reasons. As a responsible person, I think you should avoid moving your horse at this time unless it is urgent or you are moving the horse to your own home.

Another point to consider–and please take this in the positive spirit with which it is intended–is that we are all stressed out right now and it is normal for that stress to focus on something like worrying more than is necessary about your horse’s care. I am feeling stressed about a lot of things I’m not normally stressed about. What type of care lapses are you worried about? If it is inappropriate blanket changes or missed supplements, I’d recommend setting those worries aside, most horses tolerate that kind of thing fine. If you are worried about a inadequate food or water or serious errors in care that could result in harm, then I think you are in a more difficult situation and I feel for you.

Ultimately, I urge you to weigh very seriously the potential cost to the people around you if CV continues to spread. We all are making sacrifices and making the best of a difficult situation.

[phippsie62]

Bless you, AM Wookey. You get it.

[NaturallyHappy]

Bee Honey, and others here have offered great perspective. Here’s my question… what will you do if the barn owner or the help has to go to the hospital and winds up on a ventilator??? I’m a high risk barn owner. I’m currently working on lists of who does what, who to call when x breaks, who can fix anything, etc, because if I go emergently, no one else would know everything in my head. Should I have already done it? Yep…

[BigMama1]

Things are very black and white where I live (Ontario, Canada). Unless you are in a self-care / DIY barn, boarders and owners are not allowed to go to their barns - only people allowed are vets, farriers, and essential staff required to provide basic minimum care. And basic minimum care means medical care provided, horses fed properly, stalls cleaned properly, and horses provided with turnout. If no turnout, then basic exercise such as lungeing or handwalking.

In 90% of cases this can be done by staff - for some horses with really complex medical needs the owner is still required to be there. Yet some people are trying to get around it and splitting hairs on what “essential” means. Some people (and some barns, despite the possibility of large fines) have apparently decided that having lessons and maintaining their horses’ current level of training and fitness for a show season that will never happen is “essential.” It’s not.

[woodhillsmanhattan]

I can empathize with you OP. I too won’t hesitate to say I am concerned about the well being of my horse and it has brought on a lot of stress worrying about him during this bizarre world we are living in right now. Not every one is blessed with the option to board at the best place with the best care and being worry free. Whether it is budget, location, other compromises you had to make, etc. We are all doing our best.

Currently, my barn is completely closed on weekends and only open 8 AM - 6 PM (it did not used to have any hour restrictions). We have a weekly schedule where only one person is riding and one person in the barn at a time. It’s a 20-30 acre property with about 20 horses but only 6 of those are boarded and the rest are cared for by the barn manager who lives on site. My barn is a “partial care” facility. They do stall cleaning and feeding, but do not blanket, turnout, ride, groom, medicate, etc.

[Renn_aissance]

@phippsie62

Thanks for the information about how many barns across the country are closing completely. Good to know. That helps me plan. If my closure goes on longer than two weeks, I’ll move my horse to a place whose care will let me sleep at night even if total closures are the norm here.

Not long ago, there was a thread about “which barn would you choose?” I think it was either find eight or ladyJ79 who said put horse care first. Yup. Even if no pandemic occurs for another hundred years.

If you are at a point where you think the care is inadequate to maintain your horse’s wellbeing, I’d suggest you start looking for another farm now as I imagine that trying to find a new place and arrange transport (if you don’t have your own trailer) will be particularly complicated at the moment. You should evaluate your options promptly. If you turn out not to have any that are ideal, that may inform what you choose to do, like pay additional fees for the services that your horse requires that you’d typically provide yourself.

I am thankful every day that I trust my farm absolutely with the care of my horse. It’s not the most convenient place for me to board, and it’s not the best suited to my riding wants, but they treat him like he’s one of their own. The posters you reference are absolutely right. Horse care absolutely first.

[largo]

Last week we were to tack up in our stalls with our own brushes and equipment, and we had small lessons.

My barn closed on Monday without an end date. I had already decided Sunday to stop going out, so at least I wasn’t shocked by the closure. My horse is still being ridden by my trainers.

[TBKite]

I’ve got nothing to add, but to commiserate:

I’m in Ontario. My barn has 5 boarders and excellent care, but done by an older BO who really shouldn’t be doing it all herself. Right now we’re doing a one at a time visit schedule with thorough wipedown of everything when we leave.
My horse started stall rest/ tiny paddock turnout and handwalking to rehab a coffin joint medial collateral ligament injury a week ago. He’s explosive at the best of times.
I’m currently home with kids aged 4, 2, and 3 mos. I haven’t left the house except to handwalk my horse. Relatives who normally visit to give me a break from the kids can’t visit. I am completely losing my …mind.

I understand and support our government’s actions, in fact I think they’ve handled the whole thing very well, especially compared to …others, and our case count reflects that. But I am freaking losing it.

[dani0303]

Colorado is under and shelter in place law. My barn is closed to lessons and boarders. The trainers are offering discounted training rides to anyone who wants to keep their horses in work and to have a small amount of income during this unique time.

I know my horse is 100% safe. I hope she enjoys her few weeks off in her giant pasture with friends. We’ll be happy to see each other when it’s over

[PoochPaddock]

I’m in Houston and board at a full service barn in the middle of the city. The care is great but very little turnout. There is one head trainer (who does not ride) and two assistant trainers, both of whom ride and teach. I’d estimate roughly 30 horses in the program.

They came up with what I feel is a very fair, relatively safe way to go about it: We must sign up for ride times thru the “Time Tree” app.

The morning one hour time slots are reserved for hacking only. The two pros are in the ring doing pro rides so only one client may sign up in a given time slot for hacking. So during that hour, only the 2 pros and one client are hacking. None of the SS or childrens pony kids ever hack on their own anyway so those people arent competing for hack slots. There are a fair number of adults in the barn who hack on their own but no drama whatsoever so it is working.

In the afternoons, the one hour calendar time slots are reserved for lessons but only two people may sign up for a lesson slot. When Time Tree reaches the maximum number of people in that time slot, it reads “Hack 10 am-FULL” or “Lesson 1 pm-FULL” so you know to pick a different time. During the lesson, it is only the instructor and two riders in the ring.

It is on a first come, first served basis. They’ve asked that we be courteous and not sign up for every day slots; rather try to do every other day, to be fair. Also, we are to pick a slot where the other rider is of similar skill level. If a conflict in skill levels occurs, I think the pro does a bit of maneuvering with others to try to make it work.

This has been in place since yesterday (Wednesday) and it appears to me to be working well so far, so long as clients understand they cannot see their horse(s) every day. Time slots are now full thru Sunday. Nothing has been opened for next week yet to sign up for. They are making slots available in three day increments so far.

We are to arrive no earlier than ten minutes prior to the ride time (lesson or hack) and all tacking/untacking is done by the guys or the trainers. You meet your horse at the mounting block and get on immediately. Tack/untack service has always been an optional choice even in normal times but most clients do it themselves. It is not optional right now and frankly, i’ll graciously pay the extra on a temporary basis if it means I get any saddle time at all.

We have also been instructed to leave immediately after dismounting. No lingering. No socializing. No loving on our horse. That’s the hard part, but again, I’m thankful to be riding at all, even if it’s only 3 days a week.

The days I cannot get a time slot, I just put my horse on the ride list for the pros. It’s relatively inexpensive and I generally do one or two pro rides a week for him anyway.

For this first week, I think it’s been implemented brilliantly and I hope it continues. If any of the staff becomes sick, however, I would completely understand a full shut down to boarders. But I am in a place where I would not lose a moment of sleep worrying if my horse was ok. I have boarded at places where I would absolutely not be ok with not being able to check on my horse. I honestly dont know what I would do in that situation.

We are all making sacrifices in all areas of our lives now and everyone’s situation is different. The entire world just changed on us in a matter of days. We all need to find new ways to make things run smoothly. Restrictions are testing the patience of everyone I know but changes are a matter of life and death for some. Let’s all try to be a little understanding of each others’ individual situations. It sucks but the only way past it is through it, hopefully without any lasting health or emotional effects.

Stay well, all!! We will get through this.

[MorganSercu]

Find another barn you feel confident will care for your horse properly and move your horse immediately.

Your current BO/trainer has probably made this announcement after consulting physicians and specialists. You clearly disagree with their prioritizing his long-term health and risk factors over your inconvenience.

In fact, you should make a point of telling the BO how you feel about the decision. I suspect you will be supplied with several names and numbers of other barns to patronize no later than the end of the month. Possibly that very day if you cite Dr. Google.

[phippsie62]

MorganBercu: This has nothing to do with my “inconvenience.”

[MorganSercu]

@phippsie62

MorganBercu: This has nothing to do with my “inconvenience.”

Then it is because you do not trust the BM/trainer anyway, as evidenced by this statement, “The training is great and I live close enough to get over to the barn once, even twice a day to check.”

So here is the perfect opportunity to board somewhere that meets your needs.

You are upset by the measures taken by a high-risk individual to protect his health and possibly his life. Maybe you can lead the deputation for all the clients who disagree with his decision.

[MorganSercu]

You also wrote about people in the grocery store not keeping their distance. Well, then there is a risk that you and the other boarders may already be infected and are shedding the virus before falling ill, or worse, you are asymptomatic carriers. So the trainer is taking no chances that you, or someone with whom you have had contact is infected and contagious. He may be having groceries and horse feed delivered, or someone is shopping for him and leaving a box by the door.

He would have to sit in the barn and supervise that everyone is properly disinfecting every surface. Which actually means having the 10% bleach solution or Asepticare sprayed on the surface, then left alone for 5 - 6 minutes before being wiped off. That is time he can’t take care of other duties.

Now maybe he would agree to set up some sort of internet camera system on your horse’s stall so you can monitor what is being fed, when and how - if you provide and install it. Or one that records onto a microdisc or something and you can retrieve it from the camera at an agreed-upon time daily.

”‹”‹Asepticare source - perhaps if you supply and use it as directed you will be permitted to come to the barn once or twice a day to ensure the situation meets your satisfaction:

https://www.ecolab.com/offerings/rea…epticare-tb-ii

[OverandOnward]

In my case, if my barn closes to boarders temporarily, I’ll deal with it. I know my horse will be well-cared for.

But while I do have a lot of confidence in my BM, the quality of my horse’s care is ultimately my responsibility as the owner. I need to get out there often enough to check in - that’s part of my role as owner.

There is much we can’t know about the future, so we are all feeling our way through.