What level of attention do you expect from BO/BM?

[LuvMyTB]

I ask because I'm not sure if my expectations are too high.

Long story short, I have a horse that's prone to lymphangitis/cellulitis, and my BM is not noticing when she's having a flareup.

This happened again this week for probably the 3rd time in the last 8 months. I went out to the barn an hour or so after feeding time and my mare had a swollen leg. Not tree-trunk size, but noticeably swollen (at least IMO) and hot. Cellulitis flareup.

I don't expect the BM to feel my horse's legs or anything like that, but I would think a swollen leg would catch her attention and perhaps warrant a phone call/email to me. She is the only one that feeds & therefore sees the horses twice a day, every day.

The first time the cellulitis happened, I hadn't been out for two days and the BM hadn't noticed anything. When I got there she had a fat leg and a 104 fever.....I don't know if it was acute onset, or if she'd had it for 24-48 hours and no one noticed until I showed up.

Is this level of attention too much to expect? I am not trying to be critical. If it is, then I'll consider moving the horse to a facility closer to my house where I can check on her every day.

I am not new to horses, but am still kind of new to ownership/boarding....still trying to figure all of this out.

[BuddyRoo]

If your BO/BM isn't noticing this stuff (especially now that it's a known issue) then I really think I'd try to find a different situation.

Checking the horses at least once a day for swelling, cuts, scrapes, etc doesn't seem out of the realm of reasonable to me.

Shoot...when my mare got Potomac? My BO noticed that the mare wasn't eating out in the pasture after turnout as normal. Within a few short hours, the horse was being treated. Had she waited til that night when horse didn't eat dinner or was down in her stall? I likely would've lost her.

I think that at least once a day if not twice a day, barn staff SHOULD be looking for issues. And especially in this case where it's an ongoing problem.

[manyspots]

Not sure how many horses the BO/BM is in charge of or what his/her time is like, but...

I have one boarder plus my guy and I ALWAYS check both head to tail... no I don't always run a hand over them, but I scan them for anything obvious, such as a cut, swollen legs, issues around their eyes... it takes a few seconds.

When I did board, I was with a BO/BM who would call me anytime she saw something unusual... slightly off, maybe not eating with enthusiasm, a cut from being outside... and I expected these calls. Think of the liability that exists if the BO/BM doesn't at least do the cursory glance! And as a horse owner, I couldn't live with myself if I didn't so the spot checks. JMO.

I would suggest that if you feel your horses isn't getting at least a spot check, address it best you can or move on. You can't feel as if something bad is going to happen if you don't check on your horse because no one else has time to check!!!

[Simkie]

I just left a barn where the BM did not notice that my horse had had a nosebleed (and had wiped blood ALL over her leg) and missed that she was ataxic and extremely lethargic only a few days later.

If the BM knows that the leg is an issue, it should be checked. I *can* see missing a *slight* filling. Lots of filling needs to be noticed.

[onelanerode]

First barn I boarded at had a pretty conscientious BM. Second barn, not so much! They missed my mare covered in hives and a hind leg swollen enough so there was no tendon definition. This was within the span of about two weeks and I left shortly thereafter. I don't expect you to handle a non-crisis situation, but I *do* expect you to notice and to let me know so I can come handle it.

Current barn is fantastic. They notice everything and sometimes will even do some preventive cold-hosing, wrapping, etc. I heart them. :yes:

[smid2]

I have to agree with everyone here. I left a barn about a year ago that didn't seem to notice when my mare was injured. She came in from the pasture with a nasty kick to her knee and I didn't get a phone call until 9:30 that night about it when it was all swollen and hot. Why it wasn't noticed when they brought in or at feeding time is beyond me. A few days later I get out there late to care for her and her entire leg is the size of a tree trunk. Somehow infection had set in even with me scrubbing and medicating nightly and NO ONE noticed. She almost fell coming out of her stall because she couldn't bend her knee from all the swelling. I was furious! I was actually wrapping her entire leg from the shoulder down in ice packs trying to get the heat and swelling down it was so bad.

At my new barn we may miss the little nicks, dings and scratches. But anything out of sorts like swelling, NQR behavior, larger cuts and such are noticed, taken care of right away and the owner notified. It is handy that the BM is also a vet tech for one of our local equine vets too.

[short strided]

That is unacceptable in my opinion. I am also dealing with a lingering case of cellulitis and my BO is on top of it. She notices everything about the 27 horses in the barn and if something is wrong, she lets the owner (and vet if necessary) know immediately.

[tpup]

Is it possible the flare-up happened quickly and acutely?

I assume when you moved your horse to this barn she was aware that your horse was prone to this condition. If so, I don't think it's unreasonable to ask that they keep an eye on her legs for signs. Example: I have an older horse and my horse was just treated for ulcers - had a mild colic - wasn't eating, other issues. I am fairly certain if my horse stopped eating again, left food in his bucket and/or started producing less manure in his stall, he would notice and tell me. He has also informed me when he felt my horse's manure was looser than normal (even slight changes). I don't know.....3 times in 8 months might push me over the edge as after the first time, it was clear she needed to be on the lookout for it.

[merrygoround]

I would expect a phone call, an email only if you are a person who checks it frequently.

[yellowbritches]

Seriously? I might not run my hand down every leg every day, but I sure as hell take a good look at them at some point every day. And if I had a horse like this in my care, I probably would check her legs every day and probably discuss with the owner treatment protocol and start it myself if I noticed a flare up. Maybe I am lucky eough to have a small barn (12 horses) or it's the fact that I don't just run a boarding barn, but a training facility, but I can't imagine not at least giving each horse a quick look over every day. I might miss the occasional cut or scrape, but I sure can spot a fat leg. :mad:

The boss and I had a conversation along these lines the other day. One of our clients horses has a broken jaw. We noticed the morning we discovered it that he hadn't drank any water or finished his dinner hay from the night before. This got our mind rolling and we started to try and figure out what was up. A small swelling on his face prompted us to call the vet. After the vet left and we had our diagnosis, we wondered about other barns and whether they would have caught something like that. The BM in question probably wouldn't have. :no:

It aggrevates me that so many people who are supposed to be professionals and experts can't be bothered to look for simple, little things like this. I would be SO pissed off in the OP's case, especially since the BM KNOWS the issue and has missed it in the past!

[rainechyldes]

Haven't boarded in forever. However if there's a known chronic issue with a horse, I'd expect the BO/BM to take an extra second to check on said issue.

[MsM]

Have you spoken to the BO/BM? What was her response? It might be possible to offer a bit more $$$ for a daily checkover. Still I would be worried about her ability to notice problems. A good horseperson would have been concerned after the first event and have kept a better eye out. Watching for this is a bit more than routine but not so much that IMO it is unreasonable to expect the care!
Some feel like they provide food and housing and if the horse can walk to the stall, that is all they can/will notice. If this is the case, I would find a barn that can keep a better eye on your horse.

[Jsalem]

In answer to your question, I would have to say, "It depends." The boarding rate should be a function of area (land values, competition), amenities (type of barn, type of fencing, arenas, laundry, etc) and level of care. Back yard, cheap type places are not going to have that level of professional care. Anyone with a crude shelter and a patch of grass can make a few bucks boarding. That's the trade off for "cheap."

So I would say, "What type of barn is this?" If it's a professionally run barn catering to educated horse owners and they are offering responsible, experienced care (and priced as such), then you should certainly expect such things to be caught and dealt with promptly.

I run a barn and manage 35 horses. My boarding rate is not cheap, but we have all the amenities and a full-time, live-in, experienced staff. I would have a fit if something like that was not caught. BUT, I own a 4 year old that I board in Alabama for a college girl to work. I pay the going rate for full board in that area. I am blown away by the standard of care there. They did not catch my filly standing on 3 legs with a huge leg; they do not do any kind of blanket changes (if that heavy blanket is on at night, 30 degrees, it stays on all day at 65 degrees; they want to charge extra if it's storming and you ASK to have the horse left in. Thank goodness, the college girl is very experienced and watches her like a hawk. Needless to say, filly is moving to another barn tomorrow. I did not feel that the first barn fulfilled their responsibility for the amount I was paying. No drama; notice given; off we go.

[yellowbritches]

In answer to your question, I would have to say, "It depends." The boarding rate should be a function of area (land values, competition), amenities (type of barn, type of fencing, arenas, laundry, etc) and level of care. Back yard, cheap type places are not going to have that level of professional care. Anyone with a crude shelter and a patch of grass can make a few bucks boarding. That's the trade off for "cheap."

So I would say, "What type of barn is this?" If it's a professionally run barn catering to educated horse owners and they are offering responsible, experienced care (and priced as such), then you should certainly expect such things to be caught and dealt with promptly.

I run a barn and manage 35 horses. My boarding rate is not cheap, but we have all the amenities and a full-time, live-in, experienced staff. I would have a fit if something like that was not caught. BUT, I own a 4 year old that I board in Alabama for a college girl to work. I pay the going rate for full board in that area. I am blown away by the standard of care there. They did not catch my filly standing on 3 legs with a huge leg; they do not do any kind of blanket changes (if that heavy blanket is on at night, 30 degrees, it stays on all day at 65 degrees; they want to charge extra if it's storming and you ASK to have the horse left in. Thank goodness, the college girl is very experienced and watches her like a hawk. Needless to say, filly is moving to another barn tomorrow. I did not feel that the first barn fulfilled their responsibility for the amount I was paying. No drama; notice given; off we go.
You make an excellent point and one I agree with...I still find it sad, though, that things like there aren't caught. Three legged lame or a leg the size of a tree trunk even the dullest of caregivers should be able to note and know something isn't right and a call at least to the owner is in order, preferably sooner than later. Apparently, this is too much for some. :no:

[Lucassb]

JSalem beat me to it... it really depends on what type of barn you board at.

I board in a professional's barn and would definitely expect something like that to be noticed - but that is one of the reasons that I pay over a grand a month. There are plenty of barns out there that are set up more along the lines of simple rentals; they offer a stall, bedding, and feeding but not necessarily personal attention or oversight.

I agree with the poster who suggested speaking to the BO if you are otherwise satisfied with the barn. "I wonder if we could talk about how to manage Poopsie's leg issue. Could I pay a bit extra to have you keep an eye on it....?"

Yes, I agree that it would be great if all BMs noticed this kind of stuff and yes, I agree that the consequences can be serious if they do not. This is why it is so hard to find a boarding situation, and almost always requires a tradeoff between how much you pay and how often you have to come out yourself to make sure your horse is being taken care of the way you'd like. But to stand up for the many decent BO/BMs out there, I will also point out that there are plenty of us clients who expect a lot more service than they are willing to pay for. Very few people make ANY money on boarding...many actually subsidize their clients' hobby from that perspective and only make $$$ from sales, training and lessons. So I think it makes sense, if you want more service than you are getting, to offer to compensate the provider accordingly.

[WalkInTheWoods]

In answer to your question, I would have to say, "It depends." The boarding rate should be a function of area (land values, competition), amenities (type of barn, type of fencing, arenas, laundry, etc) and level of care. Back yard, cheap type places are not going to have that level of professional care. Anyone with a crude shelter and a patch of grass can make a few bucks boarding. That's the trade off for "cheap."

So I would say, "What type of barn is this?" If it's a professionally run barn catering to educated horse owners and they are offering responsible, experienced care (and priced as such), then you should certainly expect such things to be caught and dealt with promptly.

I run a barn and manage 35 horses. My boarding rate is not cheap, but we have all the amenities and a full-time, live-in, experienced staff. I would have a fit if something like that was not caught..........

Excuse me, but that is a load of elitist crap. Sometimes the showiest facillites with all the supposed amenities are the worst places to keep a horse. One crappy caretaker can ruin the whole plan. Sometimes the back yard private places will give a horse the most care and attention.

It all boils down to the expertise and diligence of the BM whether the place is big enough to have staff or not.

[Brockstables]

I am currently primary caregiver for the barn of 6 horses, and I turn out and bring in, and clean stalls and drop feed most days. Every horse gets the "once over" when they go out and when they come in. I check blankets, that feed is gone, I check for injury and general condition/attitude, and keep an eye on manure/eating/drinking while cleaning stalls. They are also checked throughout the day while turned out, by various people.
I expect anyone who takes care of the horses in my absence to do the same. It does not take alot of my time, but could certainly avoid alot of time and expense down the road.

[Im Natives Last]

My friend has a horse with chronic lymphangitis and his temperature is taken every night, and he is checked for swelling. For a chronic problem, I don't think this is too much to ask.

[atr]

I'd expect a phone call. I wouldn't expect treatment unless it was an acute issue and I was stuck somewhere and couldn't get there immediately. Then I'd expect to pay for it.

If you know horses at all, you should be in tune to something potentially not being right and deserving a second look.

I arrived at one barn one evening, BM and I crossed paths at the barn door, as she was leaving to go home. My horse, about, oh, 20 feet down the aisle, was obviously distressed and colicking, and must have been for a while from the state of him. She'd not noticed. I left shortly after. Too much stress.

[asbjockey]

I am currently primary caregiver for the barn of 6 horses, and I turn out and bring in, and clean stalls and drop feed most days. Every horse gets the "once over" when they go out and when they come in. I check blankets, that feed is gone, I check for injury and general condition/attitude, and keep an eye on manure/eating/drinking while cleaning stalls. They are also checked throughout the day while turned out, by various people.
I expect anyone who takes care of the horses in my absence to do the same. It does not take alot of my time, but could certainly avoid alot of time and expense down the road.

I'm in a co-op barn right now. While I do the same stuff as Brockstables, my barn mates do not. I've gotten to the barn to find the troughs almost bone dry. No-one else ever adds/removes blankets - what they are wearing stays on them unless I change/add them. Last week was the first week in a month that my guy was given his "grain" at every meal(since I balance his diet and have him on a joint supp, I pre-package his meals and make enough to last exactly one week). I could go on and on.

I've been on a waiting list for a couple of months at a barn that is 5 minutes from my house. They finally have an opening for April 1st.

[Thomas_1]

It depends .... what service are you actually paying for.

Is it a full managed service or a part or d-i-y board livery arrangement.

What does your contract say?

If it's a full managed service then I'd say the Proprietor is negligent. If this is what you're paying for then IMO the horses should be checked over at least daily by a competent member of staff who knows and recognises a healthy horse when they lead it in and groom it. Sounds to me like you need to assure yourself that if you're paying for a high rate professional service that you need to check the credentials, staffing arrangements and expertise of those you're paying to take charge of your horse. Ask them what their daily routines for horse management are. And ask them very specifically why if they're being paid to manage the horse how they don't notice such an obvious problem.

If it's a part service then I'd say you ought to be clearer about what is and isn't provided.

[pj]

Whoever is feeding should look over horses every single time they feed. A once over doesn't take but a minute and shouldn't add anything at all to the board bill. You've got to be there anyhow so.... It doesn't matter if it's an expensive barn or pasture board. You feed you look horses over!!
When I was bm I would check horses again about eleven to twelve at night before I went to bed. Now that I only have two at home I still do the same.

[Milocalwinnings]

Since this is a known condition, I would expect the BO to be on the alert and paying particular attention to things like this.

At one barn I worked at, I was taught that you look over every single horse, every single time you feed- especially paying attention to legs. Yes, sometimes things get missed... and if swelling is subtle then I could understand, but what you describe doesn't sound subtle to me.

My gelding is a choker... in the past 6 months he's choked 2 or 3 times (first time in 3 years)- and both times the BO and/or BM noticed quickly, brought him in and gave me a call. (yes, we are taking precautions to make sure he doesn't choke again).

I do not think your expectations are too high. I can understand missing something small and subtle- but this isn't the first time it's happened and it sounds like it should be fairly easy to spot. I'd probably think about looking for a new barn with a BO/BM who will pay attention to things like this.

[Stacie]

I'm lucky to be at a place where the BO notices *everything*. But it has been hard to find. So I actually expect most places to not notice things and am soo thankful that I am somewhere where the BO is so observant and caring.

[Brockstables]

ASB, too bad you are in IL, we would make room for you here! LOL

[LuvMyTB]

Hi all--thanks for all the opinions/suggestions/advice. You've no idea how helpful you've been!

This is a fairly large boarding barn--no lessons, no in-house trainer. Probably 45 stalled horses and 40-50 pastured horses. Options are stall board or pasture board--no partial or self care. Stall board includes stall, shavings, grain & hay 2x/day, turnout 6 days a week. Will feed supps at no charge and will do SOME medicating. No blanketing services.

BO is the BM and her only job is taking care of the barn/horses. She has a "staff" but that consists of some stall cleaners/turn-out guys who do not speak any English and have very limited horse experience--I doubt they'd notice anything that wasn't bleeding profusely or hanging at an odd angle.

A month or so ago, my horse was off her feed & the BM did notice and call me. First thing I asked was "are any of her legs swollen?" She had not checked, nor did she offer to check legs or temperature (was getting ready to leave). I had to go out myself to do it; thank god I have a very flexible work schedule. BINGO--leg was swollen with cellulitis. She was also colicing (impaction). I have no idea how long she'd been having the cellulitis flareup before she colicked; it was right after the holidays and I hadn't been out for a few days (3 at the most).

I believe the fever/cellulitis infection caused her to go off her feed and water; then she got dehydrated and that caused the impaction and subsequent colic.

I pay about $400/month; that's not going to get me a first-rate barn, but it should (I think) get me good, consistent horse care. I moved to this barn because she advertised excellent horse care above all else, and that's what I wanted. And for a while, that's what I got; she has designed a few different feeding programs for my horse, researched and recommended feeds, stayed up with me until 1am when my horse was extremely ill, etc etc.

But lately (6 months or so) I am noticing a slow decline in the standard of horse care being provided. I already have a difficult time managing the cellulitis/lymphangitis/chronic scratches; it's even harder when I feel like I have not even an extra set of eyes to help out when I can't be there. :no:

It's kind of a shame; I really love this BO and there are a lot of great things about her barn. If I lived 5 mins away, things would be different.....but I'm a good 30 minutes away and I just cannot get there every single day to check on my horse.

FWIW: my horse arrived at this barn thin (thanks to previous boarding barn) but with NONE of these conditions. All issues have developed in the last 8-10 months.

[Thomas_1]

One person and nigh on 100 horses?!!? So divide that time by say an 8 hour day and that's absolutely no more than about 5 minutes dedicated time per day.

Heck I'm thinking she's going to be lucky if she can manage to see if each and every one is standing and count that they're all there!

$400 a month!?? You're paying less for a month than what I charge for a week's full serviced livery.

Do the maths your horse is not going to get much more than checking he's standing up each day on top of feeding and mucking out for that price.

You might want to ask the barn owner what she would need to help to ensure your horse has extra time and attention or else move elsewhere and where there's sufficient trained and competent staff who are paid to properly manage your horse each and every day.

[carp]

Normally I'd say that I'd expect the barn manager to give each horse a quick check for medical problems at least once a day and preferably several times. However, your barn's ratio of 100 horses to one trained horse person puts a different complexion on the situation. There is simply no way the barn manager could have time to properly monitor this number of horses. I'd count myself lucky if she kept up with the hay, water, mucking, and fencing. So, no, I don't think your expectations are reasonable given the staff to equine ratio.

[VCT]

Move to someplace with less horses. That number of horses is impossible for one set of educated eyes to keep good track of really. I'm not saying the way it's being done is all right, but that is how it is and it's just too many horses for one person. Your horse has special issues and needs to be somewhere where she can get more personalized attention. Doesn't have to be someplace real pricey either.

I have ten stalls here and a pasture with a run in shed. I know all of the horses individual habits. How they eat, where/how they stand in their stalls, normal behavior outside, normal napping spots, etc etc. Everyone gets a once over during the walk out to turnout and on the walk back and another once over at night check. I know them so well that before I even see something wrong, I can usually sense something is wrong.

[Summit Springs Farm]

Well one suggestion would be if you can't pay Jsalems board, maybe you could fine a small barn with someone like me.:winkgrin:

I have a small barn with 5 stalls, beautiful turn out and a lovely ring. I board 2-3 horses and they have excellent care, provided by myself in terms of caring for them and barn staff who cares for their stall and hay and turn out.

I do everything else including checking the horses every morning and when they come in from the fields, I also do a night check and feeding. I have in the past wrapped, cold hosed, medicated, whatever is necessary to provide excellent care for the horses under my roof.

I arrange the farrier, vet, chiro, dentist, you name it, I stay involved with each horse and owner. It is my pleasure to do all that I do, I love it.
And do I make much money for all I do, NO!! But whats a horse woman to do!!

Seriously, I can't have as many horses as I would like so I get to take care of others as well as mine, so its a win win.!

[Rienzi]

It sounds like they are just not able to meet your mare's needs here. I would say look for another place. You will sleep a lot better.

[Brockstables]

Yup, time to find a small barn that has time to check on your horse. I was floored by the OP's statement that the horse's leg was swollen, AND the horse was suffering impaction colic, but the barn owner was leaving right after the courtesy call. (DID I READ THAT RIGHT?!)
Apparently the BO's responsibilities for the health/safety of the horse are rather limited.
Geesh!
For $400/month you should be able to find someone willing to take the time and effort to be sure your horse is healthy and safe every day.

[Lucassb]

Depends on where the OP lives. In my area, you couldn't find a decent barn for double that amount.

I agree that a ratio of one person to 80-100 horses means NO horse is going to get any personal attention. Sounds like if you cannot be there every day, you are going to have to find another situation.

As an aside, the level of detail/care declines somewhat in a lot of barns this time of year. I'm not endorsing it, but the reality is that the middle of winter can be add a measure of misery to an already difficult and sometimes thankless job. Taking care of boarders' horses is hard work - and I am a boarder - although I've managed barns in the past.

It is one thing to be working in the barn on a beautiful warm spring day, or during the height of fall when the air is crisp and cool and you can enjoy the horses as they cavort around the fields. It is entirely another matter to be staring down the second half of a freezing cold day when you have to break the ice in the buckets, scrape yourself off a path to the manure pile so you don't break your neck cleaning the stalls, or not have a moment to even warm your frozen fingers as you work all the sticky latches on the doors to get horses in and out... and you've done this day after freezing day - with more than a month of the same to come. The motivation does tend to wane a bit.

I think the BO in this situation has done pretty well in terms of notifying the OP when her horse was unwell, particularly given how many horses they look after on a daily basis. It doesn't sound like the arrangement includes special care or grooming services, so getting the phone call might be the level of service offered, and if the OP needs more than that quick once-over glance (and a phone call) then it's probably time to find a new arrangement. Just my $.02.

[carrievalentino]

I take care of 32 horses a day more than 1/2 are pasture board. I look at them all at least 2x/day (the parts I can now being winter blanket season).

I notice changes easily and often more so than the owners. This is not because I am wonderful it is because I am experienced and have been trained and continue to learn from people much better than myself. I often don't know what to do about bumps, lumps lameness... but I notice and report to owner and/or vet - I feel this is my job.

OP, if I took on a horse like yours (actually I have one) I would certainly pay attention to that particular chronic problem first. And if I owned this animal I would make sure its primary care giver had the skill to notice a change.

I guess what I am saying is, perhaps it is not a case of laziness rather a case of ignorance.

Price of board doesn't seem to have any bearing with this particular issue in my experience. I have worked in many farms in different price ranges and disciplines and have found both good and bad care in this regard.

I know very knowledgeable people who feed well and have great facilities/training but hire a person who is not particularity skilled and it becomes all for nothing.

Teach your BO/BM if necessary, pay more if necessary or check your horse daily. If none of these are possible move your horse and consider the BO/BM higher on your list of priorities.

[maxxtrot]

i have a private smallish barn and take in a couple of boarders. i live on the property, and was an equine vet tech for 7yrs. i do look at all horses coming in or going out,sometimes things are not there as horses have been out moving around, they come in and if there is a scratch some swell can start to happen. i check again at lunch. so, have i missed a smallish scratch or a little filling in a lower leg, yes. but all the horses here on my farm are treated as if they were my own, and i take wonderful care of any horses on my farm. i feel as most of the time i go above and beyond what most would do for what i charge. 500.00 full board.but i love the horses and am interested in their best care possible. i do night check, blanket changes, cold hosing, wrapping(if client can't get to barn) give meds ect... i arrange all vet,farrier visits.i will custom order any type of grain you want ect...
if i was to have a client whose horse had the problems your's did(the op) i would be checking the temp and legs several times a day. i hope you find somewhere that will take good care of your special guy.

[BornToRide]

It sounds like they are just not able to meet your mare's needs here. I would say look for another place. You will sleep a lot better.I feel the same , especially since your mare had no such problems before. I am wondering if she's also getting everything nutritionally as she needs it. There's usually a reason for things turning chronic like this and often it comes from the inside out.

[ThirdCharm]

Move. You are not going to get the care you need at this barn, because the barn owner is an IDIOT and you can't fix stupid.

And she's not an idiot because she didn't notice your mare's problem.... as noted she has almost 100 horses to care for! But because it didn't occur to her with approximately $30,000/month in board being paid in (assuming around $200/month for pasture board), that she should try to maybe hire at least ONE competent english-speaking individual to help out. If she's not making enough to do that, all she would have to do would be to raise the board on each horse $20 to be able to offer a reasonable salary for one competent person. Probably less because they could replace one of the unskilled laborers...

Jennifer

[Chall]

If you stay at this barn, try posting a flyer "Please watch for swelling of the legs when feeding this horse. Watch for rolling in the stall, sweating. Call me at xxx-xxx-xxxx " in the language of the grooms (usually Spanish). Waterproof it with a baggie or Syran wrap and tie it on the bars next to the feed bucket.

[Crooked Horse]

The stalls aren't kept as I'd like at my current barn, but I get a call if he has so much as a scratch. Fair trade.

[yellowbritches]

I agree with move. That many horses is very hard to give good, quality care to. I worked in a barn for a short time with 60ish horses, with going on 10 trained horse people, and it was still very frustrating for me to not be able to give each horse really good attention. I was better with 20 and 2 good humans...12 and 2 is fantastic because I know every horse SO well. Find a smaller place that can give better care because they aren't stretched thin.

It bothers me so much that this BM wouldn't even take the time to check a horse's legs and temp for an owner. Personally, I think if a BM spots something wrong, they should at least wait until the owner and get there and take over. But again, maybe I think the title of Barn Manager means more than most. :no:

[spotmenow]

Excuse me, but that is a load of elitist crap. Sometimes the showiest facillites with all the supposed amenities are the worst places to keep a horse. One crappy caretaker can ruin the whole plan. Sometimes the back yard private places will give a horse the most care and attention.

It all boils down to the expertise and diligence of the BM whether the place is big enough to have staff or not.

THANK YOU! We are one of the private places and even though you have to go into our house if you don't want to squat in a stall to pee (sorry, no public bathroom here), our boarders constantly tell me that they have never received such good care. And both my husband and I work full time. Our secret? We won't have more than 10 horses (4 are ours), we treat every single one like our own, we carefully screen boarders (the people, not the horses :-) and I am PASSIONATE about horse care. Also, we don't need to make a living off of it. I LOVE caring for horses, both mine and those boarded.

I would be appalled if a horse in my care had repeated flare-ups like you described. You are not expecting too much-start looking around for another barn!

[LuvMyTB]

Well one suggestion would be if you can't pay Jsalems board, maybe you could fine a small barn with someone like me.:winkgrin:

I have a small barn with 5 stalls, beautiful turn out and a lovely ring. I board 2-3 horses and they have excellent care, provided by myself in terms of caring for them and barn staff who cares for their stall and hay and turn out.

I do everything else including checking the horses every morning and when they come in from the fields, I also do a night check and feeding. I have in the past wrapped, cold hosed, medicated, whatever is necessary to provide excellent care for the horses under my roof.

I arrange the farrier, vet, chiro, dentist, you name it, I stay involved with each horse and owner. It is my pleasure to do all that I do, I love it.
And do I make much money for all I do, NO!! But whats a horse woman to do!!

Seriously, I can't have as many horses as I would like so I get to take care of others as well as mine, so its a win win.!

Your setup sounds perfect.....exactly what I would be looking for. I was thinking yesterday that maybe I'd start driving around and leaving notes in people's mailboxes, asking if they ever take on boarders, LOL.

I do want to say a couple things: first, the BO is not stupid, as someone else said. She is a really, really nice person who truly does care about the horses. That being said, I do think she has too many horses (I never stopped to think of how many until I posted it earlier) and may not have the time/inclination to deal with anything that's not low-maintenance.

Second, for whomever was talking about possible nutritional deficiencies: you are probably right. I had hoped to get the hay analyzed to find out what was lacking, but our hay comes from various fields and cuttings, so there's kinda no point (so I've been told). She is currently on TC Complete, but a friend has given me a lot of information to read/research, including stuff from Dr. Kellon, so I'm diving into that to see if I can figure out a better feed for her.

Overall.....I think that this barn was a great fit for me and my mare when we moved in a few years ago. Now, with the issues she's developed, maybe it's not such a great fit anymore.

Thank you all again for the advice/opinions/support. I was really torn in trying to figure out what to do here--not wanting to leave b/c of unreasonable expectations--but you all have helped me figure it out. COTHers are great!

[luvmywalkers]

[QUOTE=LuvMyTB;3847094]I ask because I'm not sure if my expectations are too high.

...

Is this level of attention too much to expect? I am not trying to be critical. If it is, then I'll consider moving the horse to a facility closer to my house where I can check on her every day.
QUOTE]

It most certainly is not too much, regardless of how much or how little you pay. When you take in a horse, you assume a level of responsibility - even if you were to do it for free.

[Sansena]

I expect horses to be fed as agreed upon, in the amounts and general timings as outlined.

I expect stall cleaning & rebedding to be maintained as discussed, or witnessed/ established by myself at initial move-in.

If part of the board payment, I expect blanket changes for minor weather changes. If not included, I expect blanket changes when drastic weather changes will impact horse's health.

I expect exposed body parts to be gone over 2x a day, at bring in/ turn - out/ feedings. If blanketed, I expect horse to be checked under clothing once a day.

If injuries are found, I expect a phone call ASA feasibly possible. If I'm unreachable, I expect care to be executed as previously outlined w/BO/M/Vet, and to be charged accordingly. This includes handwalking, hosing, bandage changes, etc.

I expect to have an intelligent conversation with the BO/M if they notice anything unusual, ie: weight gain/ loss, tearing of eye, nose drainage, etc. I also expect BO/BM to tell me if they notice any difference in bathroom/ eating habits.

Suffice to say, the care of the horse is something we undertake together.