Why is it so hard to find Professionally run boarding stables????

[Simkie]

I was thinking about this thread as I was out cleaning stalls (of course, what else?) and what really stands out is this:

Our OP finds it too difficult, expensive and time consuming to care for her horses and her farm her way. And yet she expects someone else to, branding anyone who doesn’t “unprofessional”?

No wonder she can’t get calls back

OP, boarding is a series of compromises. You’re never going to find everything you want. Prioritize your list. Pick the top 3, maybe 5, things. Then shop with that.

Even so, I suspect there are only a handful of barns in the country that would make you happy, and even though you have a generous budget, it may still not be enough for those exceedingly premium facilities.

[Lucassb]

I board at a place that would likely meet all your specifications. It is a relatively small program with a limited # of clients. The care is excellent and individual requests are cheerfully accommodated. The ring is watered and dragged daily, the feed is top quality, the stalls are kept clean and generously bedded, and the turnout is fabulous. There are all the usual amenities that you would expect of a top class facility - clean restroom, laundry service, climate controlled tack room, etc. At $2K per horse, it is not cheap but it is the best situation I’ve ever found and I am thrilled to have my horses there. I travel quite a bit for work and the peace of mind that comes from knowing both my boys will be well cared for and happy while I’m out of town is absolutely worth it. Located in N. Atlanta.

[GraceLikeRain]

If you can support a third horse I’d look for a really high quality college student or adult with a flexible schedule who wants to provide their feed and work off board. Depending on the ratio of hours to care it may need to be flexed, but it sounds like the cheapest option available. If you already have the facilities then you’re really only paying for extra shavings and a little more pasture maintenance in exchange for having someone do all of the odds and ends that keep you out of the tack.

In Athens, GA I would have a barn that I would recommend in a heartbeat that would fill all of your requirements for both horses at around $1,500 total. However, after 30 years of being barn managers and owners they are ready to retire and downside to just their personal dressage horses.

I would think that budgeting around $1k a horse should get you high quality options anywhere except for perhaps some areas around big cities or pockets of horse activity like Wellington.

[Dutchmare433]

What I have done when I’m looking for places to board is shoot an e-mail over, saying I’m looking for a place, do you have any open stalls for X date, and then usually ask the cost of boarding/training/whatever. That’s it, simple, easy.

Then, when I go see the place, I ask about what grain is fed, in your situation I’d ask how many pounds per day allowed and will they feed extra food that you provide or more of their own for an extra cost. I also ask about hay, what cut, how much do they get etc etc. Usually they show you the hay without prompting, so you can check out the quality. And then during your barn tour you can check out the stalls, bedding, water, turnout etc. Then I ask whatever other questions I might have, see if my horse will fit in with their program/turnout situation.

And if you’re around when staff are around, I’m sure most places would be more than happy to introduce you. Caveat: I’ve been at several barns that have staff from a variety of Spanish speaking countries (all legal). All of them have had an incredible, quiet, easy way with the horses, but to some degree many of them have been on the shy side, due to English not being their first language. (As soon as they find out I speak Spanish, that usually goes away!) So don’t be offended if they seem shy or standoffish, give them the benefit of the doubt!

But, in summary, I think a very basic e-mail is appropriate and not at all off putting, then you can get into more intricacies when you take your tour. As others have said, asking for all of that info upfront can be off putting. Any place I’ve boarded has been more than happy to ask all my questions on my tour.

[NicoleatMillCreek]

I own and run a boarding stable that meets all your criteria (location, care, caloric intake, facility, etc.), but we have a waiting list. I have received inquiries similar to your original posting, and I do cringe a little. Mostly because what a barn owner feels when they read something so specific and, in some ways, condescending, is that it’s not a matter of IF we fail to meet your expectations, but more a case of WHEN and HOW BADLY. It’s hard to stay positive and enthusiastic about meeting demands if we feel like we are just treading water to stay in your good graces. That said, I do appreciate discussing specifics. I am fairly specific about what I will provide to you, so if that doesn’t meet your needs you can pay for add-ons, make concessions, or keep hunting.

I have several business degrees and a real job in addition to running my stable. So the comment about never meeting a BO that would survive one week in the corporate world is now officially debunked. I do it every day… Please remember that part of being a service professional is learning to manage your customer’s expectations. Can I do absolutely everything you want exactly the way you want it? Probably not. But what I can do is give you a healthy, happy horse who is ready to work for you in a safe and organized facility whenever you decide to visit.

I’ve never understood barns that charge more for horses to eat more. I have some that stay fat on crumbs and some that require close to 40,000 calories/day. Just feed what the horse needs to maintain appropriate body condition. Unless you are feeding a barn full of OTTB hard keepers at 35,000 calories/day, your average is going to be just fine. If it’s not, re-evaluate your board price.

[ACountingRider]

I feel for the OP. I have also worked several years as a working student for upper-level riders.

My employer expected the buckets to be scrubbed daily, all cobwebs were swept away, aisles kept spotless, wash-racks scrubbed weekly on our knees, every inch of the barn was kept immaculate as were the horses. If a boarder was ever to find a scratch on their horse before us, we could expect something stern and terrifying. (We were also compensated for our hard work.) It was such the norm and has now become my view as bare minimum for horse care. Someone bringing in my horse should know if they lost a shoe the night before. There are easy ways to maintain paddocks.

In my new area, those things are unheard of. In my view it falls directly on the manager’s fault who has not set standards. It’s almost a daily frustration, but I’m limited in the funds I can spend so scrub my own water buckets politely. I think there are several barns up the east coast that fall into what you’re asking for, but a majority with the lack of education and background to know what is appropriate and efficient to run a business.

If you are really considering moving anywhere, look in the DC area. Middleburg is so lovely and has such lovely barns with what you are looking for.

[kch7238]

As a former BO who has recently downsized to keeping only my own horses, I see one more point that might need to be raised. OP has her own standards of care she would like addressed for her horses. If her BO has 20 boarders, there are 20 people with different priorities and different expectations for their horses.

Running a boarding barn is difficult enough (before “retiring” to run the barn, I was the comptroller for a large corporation) and like any business has limits on what can be offered physically and financially. If the OP has horses whose requirements would be stretching the resources of a boarding barn, she should also realize that she is not the only boarder wanting things a certain way.

I can see both sides here actually. My take on being a BO, even though I loved doing it, was too much work with too little reward. However, I have aging horses and some with “special needs”. It is much more realistic to have them at home, and I am lucky enough to be able to keep them here, and deliver the care that they require to the standard that I am satisfied with.

So my suggestion for the OP would be like many others have said, hire help and keep them at home. You will be a lot happier.

[beowulf]

As someone who ran/managed a professional boarding farm that went above and beyond all of OP’s criteria, I can say that right off the bat emails that were a fraction as demanding and so incredibly specific with no medical reason for it were immediately disregarded. Not because it was challenging or cater to these needs, but often because it was the owner that was incredibly difficult or challenging, not the horse.

We also had a waiting list.

Some people just cannot be pleased no matter what. You spend enough time interacting with boarders and hosting their Very Specific Needs and you get better at detecting when one flies up in your radar.

[Crockpot]

I think the Op will never be happy with any boarding stable so should keep her horses at home…

The expectations may be reasonable (maybe) but the manner of communication screams red flags so no wonder she does not get replies,

I would not spend a half hour replying to all her shrill demands when I know she is not a good fit. I would however likely just send off a short reply that this would not be a good fit for her because I tend to be polite in response to inquiries.

Good luck to the Op and to any BO who takes her on.:eek:

[Lady_Eboshi]

One way to handle e-mail inquiries that seem “not a good fit” is to say, “We’re full right now, but if you want to be on our waiting list, please call me at this number.” If the person actually follows up and calls, at that point you can discuss specifics and see if they sound different on phone/in person than they might have in an e-mail. Well, whaddya know, just might be able to wedge one more in! :winkgrin: But by saying “we’re full” you have an automatic “out” if the red flags go up, without it seeming personal. This last part is KEY! If possible, I also direct them to other places that might better suit their needs.

There have been two in the past year that I’d have waved off automatically as “not suitable” horses if I hadn’t taken the time to TALK to them first. Both turned out to be terrific boarders, but I made it clear at the interview that “THIS is what we do, and ALL we do, and if that meets your needs, great. If not, please keep looking.”

[fordtraktor]

I am sorry, the bare minimum of horse care does not require me to scrub my wash rack on my hands and knees weekly. If you feel it does, feel free to report me to animal control.

In my view, as a horseperson, other horsepeople compare some weird stuff. Scrubbing water buckets daily (yes, important) vs. scrubbing wash racks (um, no).

One of these things relates to basic horse care. The other is cosmetic. In my old timer view, real horsemen know the difference.

[burnedout]

I too was a working student for years and now struggle with finding a barn that is a good match. I’ve definitely learned to let some things go in order to not make myself crazy. If the barn doesn’t provide the quality of feed I’d prefer, I provide it myself. If the hay is not as good as I’d like, I either buy my own or supplement with pellets/cubes. I have high standards, but I also understand what it takes to run a barn. I try to keep my requirements do-able within the current system of the barn. For example, I personally would not ask for a 4th feeding if that was not on the schedule for all of the horses. I’m hoping to have my own small property within the next couple of years so I can do things my way. At that point, I will pay someone (or trade for board or lessons) for the chores I don’t have time for. It sounds to me that you would be better off hiring someone to work at your property.

[Crockpot]

One way to handle e-mail inquiries that seem “not a good fit” is to say, “We’re full right now, but if you want to be on our waiting list, please call me at this number.”

Ok for general inquiries if you think they might be a fit but will not waste my time (or their time) talking on the telephone with someone I know for certain will not be coming to my barn.

[Eclectic_Horseman]

The problem is that if you have 10 horse owners, you have 10 different opinions on what is “right” and what is necessary. Have you encountered owners with temperature charts hanging on their stall doors informing staff which blanket Dobbin should wear at what temperature? :lol:

There are some owners that follow every new fad, and others who stick to methods and practices that were disproven decades ago.

The best barns that I have ever boarded at were run by professional managers who told the owners what they were providing and how. In fact the very best told owners what blankets they had to own so that the staff could layer each horse according to their system. Owners who were unwilling, or who had horses that were not a good fit, were told to go elsewhere. Because most things were regimented, the staff had more time to deal with true individual needs (not whims) such as veterinary requirements.

I think that part of boarding successfully is not sweating the small stuff as long as you are absolutely certain that your founder prone horse is not going to be left out in the tall grass.

[findeight]

OP is probably long gone but think the fact she can pay 1800-2k a month is ONLY IF she can first sell her farm. That’s probably going to limit her options until the place sells and am unclear if it’s been put in the market yet or not.

Ohio board for a fancy set up runs 1k-1500 because it’s only available in show barns operated/owned by trainers and you have to be in their program and/or pay an additional minimum service fee. Published board rates are under 1k but don’t reflect the additional service requirement or expectation boarders will also pay for Pro services. Think you are going to find that with most fancy set ups meeting all OPs requirements, they aren’t interested in just boarders and cannot pay for that stuff off just board. As OP has learned with her 2k a month costs keeping at home when everything is included.

Think that’s pretty much the case nationwide for premium facilities.

[Wayside]

[QUOTE=Lady Eboshi;8734309]
I made it clear at the interview that “THIS is what we do, and ALL we do, and if that meets your needs, great. If not, please keep looking.”[/QUOTE]

You are absolutely right, that really is the best way to go about it. My absolute favorite BO over the years once told me “You can not be all things to all people. Decide what you’re going to do, and stick to it.”

I’ve known a lot of BO’s over the years who think that in order to have boarders they have to try and accommodate all kinds of requests, they make lots of promises, drive themselves crazy, and ultimately are unable to fulfill those promises and they lose boarders. It makes much more sense to just be honest about what you do, and fill your barn with boarders who are on the same page.

OP, you might have more luck finding a suitable barn if you ask about the barn’s usual routine, and then decide if that’s a system you can live with. It makes you seem less demanding and difficult than when you present the BO with a list of demands. Maybe even ask for a tour so you can chat in person, and so you can get a feel for how things are actually done. Assume that what you see is what you get in terms of cleanliness and maintenance.

[Crockpot]

My absolute favorite BO over the years once told me “You can not be all things to all people. Decide what you’re going to do, and stick to it.”

Totally agree.

State exactly what you can do and cannot do in the very first contact.

It prevents a multitude of problems down the road.

The boarder who comes in treating you like a servant or employee is just not worth it.

Every ship needs a captain and every plane needs a pilot and if you don’t like how they do things- then it is very easy- just go somewhere else or get your own ship or plane.

[Eclectic_Horseman]

Part of what the OP may not understand is labor demands. For example, an owner may want “all day turnout.” But unless you have extra workers sitting around all day, if you have large individual turnouts and many boarders then it takes an hour or more to turn out after feeding, and the same amount of time to bring them all back in, so the reality is, if the staff are working 8 hour days, then the horses might be out for a maximum of 4.

I can’t think of anyone (who believes in turnout) that likes that situation, but this is the best that can be done in many places.

[Crockpot]

just as one example from the ops demands

Why is it so hard to answer things like who will be handling my horses? What is their qualifications?

So,grammar aside, she wants cvs from anyone who currently or in future may possibly handle her horse.

This is just one example to show why BOs may not even bother to reply to her interrogation.

The high end places dont need someone with your attitude and the other places cant be bothered based on your attitude.

Why would anyone bother to reply if the answer is - it really depends- could be a family member, a fellow boarder or a horsey teenager looking for a summer job.

How much do you think barn workers should be paid per hour, OP

Just keep looking, OP:eek:

[fullcircledressage]

[QUOTE=soloudinhere;8717056]
Hyperbole is so fun. Of course the options are perfect care or everything filthy, and nothing in between.

As barn owner, I have something you want. You are purchasing services and a space in my barn for a set price. You can demand all you want and I am free to tell you that is outside the scope of our agreement, take it or leave it. That goes for those people who want to pay less and have “everything filthy” though in my experience those people won’t even approach boarding at a nice facility.

If I got an email asking for the friggin resume of anyone who would be handing your horse, I would delete the email too. Too busy to deal with that degree of know-it-all. My barn, my property, my standards. If you don’t like them, do what everyone else says and attempt to find an employee you can boss around to your standards.[/QUOTE]

A thousand times this. There is nothing more exhausting than a client who entered into the barn after having spoken to the owner, been made aware of the “system”, and yet still insists on demanding their way of doing things. It creates drama in the barn and stress for owners and employees.

I believe every owner has a complete right to have their own standard of care. But you’ve also got to align yourself with a barn that mirrors that standard.