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Post by appytrails on Jan 21, 2013 17:09:29 GMT -5
After much consideration and many sleepless nights. I made the decision to move my horses. Both of my horses were born on the place we were at and neither of them have ever lived anywhere else. I've been there for 13 years!
3 years ago the place changed hands and for a while things were good but it had gotten to the point where I was concerned for my horses welfare. As we all know there's a hay shortage. I started asking the barn owner back in June if she had hay lined up for the winter and she told me yes. She didn't. She's been buying hay on a weekly or bi-monthly basis and only goes to the hay sales on Sat. even though I and a couple of the other boarders had told her that people we know have hay for sale. Two weeks ago on a Sunday, outside of what was left of round bales (about 1/3 of a bale) she had 18 square bales for 14 horses...for a week. Two weeks ago, went out and the water tank was frozen.
If you complained or even asked about what was being done aobut the hay/water situation, you were bitching and she didn't want to hear it. Her words. Had enough. Both myself and my friend moved our horses last Friday. We didn't move them to the same place but they are all much closer to where we both live and we are comfortable that they will be taken better care of.
The riding from the barn won't be anywhere near as good (had hundreds of acres of DNR land at the old place) but I'd rather have to trailer somewhere than worry about them all the time. Keep your fingers crossed that everything works out okay at the new place.
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Post by cyndi on Jan 21, 2013 17:18:45 GMT -5
I hope all works out for you appytrails! I don't blame you for wanting to move your horses. And what a bonus that your horses will be closer to you!
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 21, 2013 18:57:39 GMT -5
Yikes. I can't imagine caring for other's horses, and not making sure I had what they needed. Not to mention, she shouldn't be talking to her boarders that way.
I hope things work out for you! I would have done the same thing. We always have to do what's right, and I think you did. ;-)
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Post by ghostrider on Jan 21, 2013 20:32:31 GMT -5
You can always move them again if you find a better place. (trail wise) I would have moved too, doesn't sound like a very good business woman.
Can you ride the roads there? I don't believe horses care about moving, not moving. I should know mine moved a lot and none could care less where they were as long as they were fed and watered. We take them to the mountain for a week, elk hunting for two weeks, trailer to trails for weekend trips and when they unload the only thing they're looking for is the hay net. LOL
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wjminwi
Full Member
"Begin to know Him now and never finish."
Posts: 234
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Post by wjminwi on Jan 22, 2013 9:38:40 GMT -5
Sorry you had to deal with this...sounds like you will sleep better now though, especially in this cold!
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Post by appytrails on Jan 23, 2013 10:19:42 GMT -5
Went out and checked them again yesterday. They still aren't out with all the other horses but are meeting them over the fence. They seemed to be doing good and were happy to see Mom or at least the treats Mom had. It was too cold yesterday to spend much time with them but suppose to get a little warmer so will be going out again today or tomorrow. It's nice that it only takes me about 15 minutes (depending on traffic) to get there.
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Post by Speckles on Jan 24, 2013 18:38:30 GMT -5
It sounds like a wise decision. Even if the riding won't be as good, at least it sounds like they will receive much better care. It's also nice they can get used to the new place, and new herd, from across a fence. I have about an 8-10 minute ride to Specks' residence, which is great. You really don't have a good excuse not to go.
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Post by vsolubo on Jan 27, 2013 19:08:58 GMT -5
Sounds like she is having financial problems & didn't want anyone to know; so she could only buy hay when she had the money. Glad you got moved to a better place; hope it works out for you!
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Post by appytrails on Jan 29, 2013 10:22:16 GMT -5
"V" my exact thoughts. Unless we get rain this spring/summer and the price of hay drops, I'm wondering if she will even been in business in 6 months.
Horses are now out with the herd and no problems. However, Malone has developed a severe case of "buddy" issue. Brought them in Sat., groomed them and checked them over, then took Royal back out with the intention of working/riding Malone. He went ape crazy, couldn't do anything with him. Definitely not using the thinking side of his brain. Finally got him under control when I put a rope halter on him but looks like I'm going to be spending lots of time working him by himself. Unfortunately, due to weather and other issues, haven't been back out since Sat. Can't go tonight because someone has a lesson in the arena. Tomorrow, the high here is suppose to be 10. Even though there's an enclosed arena, it's not heated and 10 is just plain cold.
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Post by ghostrider on Jan 30, 2013 0:22:45 GMT -5
Don't know how anyone bringing in what a horse stable does can possibly not afford the basic...HAY! I can't believe how much boarding costs now days.
Sorry your having buddy issues, seems problems always arise during weather horses know you can't work them in.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 30, 2013 12:34:13 GMT -5
Denise...I can see it. Depending on how far in debt she is. Buying a facility can be an amazing cost. We thought about building a boarding facility on our farm several years ago, and it would have been a huge investment...and we wouldn't have had to buy land. Property taxes, insurance, etc. I can imagine that liability insurance is crazy high, too. It all adds up. She just might be at the end of her rope, so to speak, and too proud to admit it.
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Post by ghostrider on Jan 31, 2013 15:03:21 GMT -5
I think the way they do it in WY is the easiest, you build or buy an already existing barn and panels/fencing and rent the spot from the land owner. He or she (land owner) has no cost other than the insurance and water bill. If you had a well then the insurance would be it. You have your own meter and pay your own electric to the electric company.
Even some of the Cities have their own "corrals."
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wjminwi
Full Member
"Begin to know Him now and never finish."
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Post by wjminwi on Feb 19, 2013 8:45:23 GMT -5
Are Malone and Royal settling in better yet???
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Post by vsolubo on Feb 19, 2013 11:06:21 GMT -5
The problem with most boarding stables is that people think they are bringing in tons of money, but in reality most barely clear their expenses. For every paying boarder there is 1 that does not pay; you have to go through legal red tape to sell the horse & in today's world you're lucky if you can sell the horse. Then; at least in Kansas, you have to sell at public aution & anything brought over the board must be returned to the previous owner of the horse. And with the drought throughout most of the US right now, hay is higher than I've ever seen it (& sometimes almost impossible to get). Pasture horses have the most clearance of income/debt, but that money is used to pay for the stabled horses, which are almost always money losers. When you pay $400 for bedding/hay/grain (year around, pasture horses normally only get hay in cold months) & charge that for the board of the horse (remember in every boarding stable there is someone that isn't paying) you loose money fast.
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Post by ghostrider on Feb 19, 2013 16:06:49 GMT -5
AT home someone doesn't pay they are evicted. You sign a lease stating that you can be asked to vacate for no reason. Never had anyone leave a horse behind. Guess your horse is really your best friend in the Horse State.
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