SaddleSore

I visited my horse today on a day that I wouldn't normally. I was not impressed with what I saw.... When I talked to the stable hand I was assured that they were just running a little late with mucking today and that they would be up to par in a few hours. But honestly, it wasn't just a few hours late...

What would you do? Should I give them the benefit of the doubt and maybe call in unannounced again, or move her now? There isn't anywhere else really local, and the barns out of town are way more expensive.

ETA: my fear is that there may be other things they are not taking care of as they should be doing.

Willow

I would be concerned, too! Maybe drop in again unannounced and if things are "late" again, have a talk with the owner and try to clear up the issues. Good luck

QuarterHorses

I have had this problem in the past. The stable runs at it's own pace and not yours. They decide when to clean and when to feed. This is why I sold my fancy house and bought house that I could keep my horses on. Now I decide when to clean and when to feed. It is more work, but I feel my horses are taken care of and I get to decide.

cherokeemyluv

Depending on how bad it is I'd do one of two things.
1. If it was literally just behind a bit, say maybe hadn't been picked through since cleaned the day before I wouldn't worry too much, but I would stop by again unannounced. A pattern of being behind could lead to being more behind and thats not fair to a paying customer when you pay to have the stall cleaned daily.
2. If it was behind that day but looked like it hadn't been done in days I would have an immediate talk with the owner/manager to see if there was a good reason (ie everyone was dead the past pew days and they had to hire new staff that was alive). If there is no reason given other than they are behind I would remind them that you pay for daily cleaning and they need to be doing so. Remind them you signed a contract (at least I hope you did) and they need to stick to it. Come back unannounced again and if similar conditions are present thats when I'd pull your horse.

Of course it never hurts to start looking for possible alternatives or talking to other boarders about your concerns. If all the boarders threaten to leave the owner is going to have to make changes. If you can't find ANY stable to keep your horse try talking to the local tack or feed stores. They often know people who keep horses in their own yard not a stable who might put up your horse.

SaddleSore

It was bad, yes it looked like it had been several days. And yes the others were just as bad, but this wasn't a normal time for owners to be there so I didn't see anyone else to talk to. When I went back after work tonight, it was fixed up.

I think I need to just drop in a few times over the next few weeks. I am looking at alternatives but the situation is rough in that regard.

WagonsHo

Have you asked the other horse owners at the stable? They might feel the same way you do or can give you more insight into the problem. If the stable does have a problem the owner might listen to a group of his boarder, versus one person more.

crazyqueen

I think that dropping in again unannounced is a great idea. Someone that is taking care of your horse/s should do the same as expected of a babysitter for your child/children, follow a set of rules that you make, not something to be done when it is a convenience for them. You are paying them for services, and they need to provide them on time.

stuffabunny

Definitely. Dropping in unannounced is always a good idea. Its the only way to tell what actually goes on when noone is around to impress. Definitely talk to the other boarders and see if they have noticed the same or encourage them to drop in at different times.
Does the owner come to the barn every day or is there a barn manager to take care of the day to day stuff? Perhaps the owners don't realize stuff is being allowed to slide.

alexis

Maybe you could find some others there that rent/lease the stables, and see what their thoughts are on the care being given. I'm sure if its not up to health standards, it could be reported.

SaddleSore

Thank you all. I have called in a couple of times since, both different times. So far so good, all was well.

I will keep an eye on things for now, keep on calling in randomly at times when I previously hadn't used to. Hopefully things really were just bad for that brief time.

The Horseman

I am not sure on the complete circumstances, but you are definitely right not to trust them.

Heck, I know that I sure wouldn't!

Granted, everyone makes some mistakes and all but...