Leaving Hubby to watch the Farm

[KnKShowmom]

I am having to leave DH to take care of things for 5 days. I would not say that he is not horse wise, he used to help me (many) years ago do everything from foaling to starting yearlings for the track.

However, since we have had DD's horse, we boarded until just a few months ago when we brought him home. Now we have 3 horses at home: DD's horse, a pasture pal, and a really nice jumper who is our boarder. DH has not spent much time in the barn and he was supposed to be coming with us but the farm sitter I had lined up fell through so someone has to stay home. I would prefer to do it, but DD wants me with her at the show and DH can't polish boots as well as I can. :winkgrin:

For the past week, we have been showing him the routine, I have made charts and lists and labeled everything but the cat, but still have that OMG feeling. Has anyone else had to do this and am I being paranoid?

I think I am more nervous about this trip than DD and she is the one showing!!!

[Petstorejunkie]

My boyfriend who knows ZERO about horses has to take care of a barn of 3 when i leave town. i have a job that require 30% travel. Everything is labeled, i have him feed the day before i go every time just so that i know he remembers the routine. He has a copy of hands on horse care with the flow charts to follow on NQR horses. I dont worry, if he has trouble he calls me.

[Chief2]

I spent years being a farm sitter. Every client I ever took on had paranoia to some extent, usually from either not having gone on vacation for 20 years, or having experienced a poor farm sitter. A phone call home each night relieves much anxiety!

Tips from a pro:
Streamline, streamline, streamline! If you are worried about a major error on his part, don't go on and on about keeping business as usual, throwing in all kinds of this and thats at him. Make everything idiot proof (not that he is, but that's how you work the variables). Pretend you are putting this together for an 11 year old to be able to do. Pre-bag all meals and supplements, and label them as such and group them together by horse. Poof! There goes the worry about feeding the horses incorrectly. Preset the automatic hay feeders and place the timers so he can't knock the pins. Place the hose reel within easy reach, and use larger than normal muck tubs or troughs for watering. Place all cleaning supplies together with the muck forks, brooms and shovels. Place flysprays and masks on the stalls of the horses, not in one general area in the feed room. If he's going to be grooming or picking hooves, place all of those trays together as well so his life becomes that much easier.

Put your first aid supplies in one place, and leave the emergency numbers listed together in an easy to find place. The easier it is for him, the better the show will be for you. Of all of the farms I took care of over the years, only one had the forethought to group things together in easy to reach places, and that job was a breeze to do! I never minded caring for that farm one bit.

Enjoy the show, don't pester the poor guy or he'll never do it again for you, and remember to take the boot rag.

[KitKat987]

I feel your pain! Every time I leave the hubs in charge I have to fight the urge to call him and make sure he remembered to feed everyone. Between him and my neighbours, they're all quite used to the gigantic lists of instructions they get every time I leave town ;-)

[KnKShowmom]

Make everything idiot proof (not that he is, but that's how you work the variables). Pretend you are putting this together for an 11 year old to be able to do. Pre-bag all meals and supplements, and label them as such and group them together by horse. Poof!

Each horse gets a different feed so I always prefix all meals anyway - just needed to add a few containers so that was easy. Making a hay chart since we have several different kinds and thank god he knows timothy from alfalfa! I have pretty much broken down the day on a time line, since not everyone goes out together and I have left phone numbers for 3 vets, 1 farrier, the boarder and 2 horse friends who can help till the vet gets there. I have even called the vets to let them know I am going to be away and that if DH calls it would be better to come take a look, I'll gladly pay the farm call to have a professional opinion!

Guess the next time I say "Dear, you really should spend more time in the barn in case something happens to me" he will think better of it!

[jennywho]

No matter what, they will all survive. Not to scare you, but this still cracks me up a few years later.

The first time I left my SO alone with the ponies was over Christmas a few years back. I left after feeding the morning of the 24th and planned to be home in time to feed on the 25th (It's a 6 hour drive one way).

Christmas morning I get a phone call - "I can't catch Kana (weanling filly)"

Me - Huh, isn't she in her stall?

SO - yeah I can't catch her

ARGH, Kana ended up staying inside all day and SO has cared for horses for me uneventfully a few times since.

[KnKShowmom]

Yes, I know I am being paranoid - I guess if it were only my horses, it wouldn't be so bad, but the boarder horse is a NICE jumper and I am exhausted from trying to get things set at home and pack to go away so right now my head is swimming.

I feel like the little smiley who spins around with its hands in the air.....where is that one anyway!

I stayed home to take care of things when DH took DD to Zones - this will teach me to be unprepared for the unexpected. I am going to find and train someone as soon as I get back so they will be ready for the next trip!

Maybe I should leave him my COTH login if he has any questions........... :D

[WWGeorgeMorrisD]

Take a lot of valium :)

[KnKShowmom]

The glass of wine (whine) at the end of the day is the carrot on a stick for this old girl!

[Jaegermonster]

This is what I did:
I sat down at the computer and typed out horse instructions and dog instructions.
On each one, I started at the beginning (for the horses, it was "grab masters medicine from off the kitchen window sill on the way out the door" up to fly spray everyone before turning out) and typed out detailed step by step instructions for each one as if I were doing it myself.
I also made sure to note on the instructions where water shut offs were, fire extinguishers, and put the complete property address with directions from the east and west most main roads just in case.
Also put vet and emergency vets numbers for dogs, horse vets number, and the number of a nearby horsey friend that could help if needed.
Then I made sure to clearly label and bag any meds, locations of various things etc.
I even drew a map of inside my house of where all the dogs bowls are, with how much food each gets written on each bowl in it's location (i have 12 dogs so there are a lot of bowls). They all know where their bowl is so it's important they are in the same place each time so they don't fight.

I put each page in a page protector. The dog one is clipped with a magnet on the refrigerator, and the horse one is on the bulletin board in the feedroom. I update them about once a month or so.
This way it's all there for anyone who is feeding while I am gone, and I don't have to worry that I will forget anything in a last minute rush.
Since I am here alone while hubby is deployed, an added benefit is that if something happened and I had to call a neighbor or friend to come over and help they would have at least some instructions.

And as Chief said, group things and leave them in logical places. I try to make sure that no one has to go hunting anything. I even do that for myself to make things more efficient.

[BEARCAT]

When I leave, I simplify everything.
Truly, as long as they have hay and water, most horses will be just fine for a few days.
Whether it's hubby or a friend feeding, I feel better knowing that they, as well as my horses are safe. Even though I have well behaved, mellow horses, I feel better knowing that a non horse person won't be entering the paddock, especially at feeding time.

[atr]

I baggie and label everything, make sure the troughs are full, leave #s for knowledgeable friends and vets. Make sure halters and ropes are obviously available. Make sure the first aid kit is up to snuff. Walk the fenceline the night before I leave.

In fire season, I leave the trailer hitched up in the driveway.

I still have some of the notes my dear mother used to leave for us as kids when she went out of town and we had to look after her large and assorted menagerie. The are always guaranteed to bring a smile to my face.

[HuntJumpSC]

I went to Vegas for 5 days to spend time with my brother only a few months after hubby & I started dating. He loves horses (and would really like one of his own if he had time), but lacks experience, like a lot of bf's & dh's do. At the time, I was down to five, so I did a "run-through" with him several times, and had him shadow me. Showed him who went where, when & what order, also what NOT to do! Made lots of lists & labels, along with phone numbers in the order to call. Did feed & supplements in individual baggies. The only thing I didn't get to do was to show him how to get the silly little arab mare who was boarding how to cross a mud puddle into the turnout (of course drought turned to rain while I was gone). She reared and bopped her head on the ceiling~ he got behind her and swatted her butt with a broom. He said the look on her face was priceless...not a smart move, but I couldn't help but laugh.

As someone else mentioned, some valium or zanax, along with a martini or two should do the trick and take the edge off your nerves! :cool:

[ShotenStar]

I went to a simplified / everything labeled routine years ago, when I traveled for work and Husband Person had to do the barn routine. All the labels and procedure sheets have stayed up since then .... which came in Very Handy when I broke my leg in November and was hauled off in an ambulance, with Husband Person following. The neighbors stepped in and did barn chores that night and had no problems, thanks to all the lists posted in various places.

*star*

[MistyBlue]

Maybe I should leave him my COTH login if he has any questions...........

That's probably not a bad idea, LOL! Of course it can backfire on you...he could get addicted to Coth and take up all your free computer time. :winkgrin:

I could leave the property for a single day, over that it's a no-go. Hubby would be great at caring for the boys. A little too great. His greatest joy is feeding them. If I'm not around he'd gleefully open every bale on the property and feed it all out...topped off with a few truckloads of carrots and apples. He understands the "no extra grain" thing but I just can NOT convince him that the horses are lying to him and really aren't starving to death. So if I left for a week...I'd come home to no hay and horses that each weighed about 3500 lbs.

[Nikki17]

This is what I tell everyone....it's all easy and fine as long as things go as normal, but when things go into the shi**er this job gets REAL HARD. Can your hubby handle an emergency? If so, than things should be fine. If not, well get someone else.

[KnKShowmom]

I have left a long list of vets to call (he already knows the ones NOT to call) plus several horse friends. The one good thing about DH is he knows when to throw in the towel and call for help - as I have said, I told the vets if he calls, come out whether or not it sounds like they need to.

So far I have all of the feed prep'd, hay chart and bales labeled, a blanket chart, a daily time line of who goes where and for how long, telephone numbers for everyone I can think he might need, and a page of things to "remember" - he has done am, pm and night check a few times and I guess at this point the guys will tell him if he is messing up.

The one good thing is DD says she thinks he does a great stall so I don't think I need to worry about that!

Now if I can just finished the piles of laundry and pack - hope he thinks the house needs cleaning and is inspired!

[KnKShowmom]

This is what I tell everyone....it's all easy and fine as long as things go as normal, but when things go into the shi**er this job gets REAL HARD. Can your hubby handle an emergency? If so, than things should be fine. If not, well get someone else.

As I said, this is plan C - he was supposed to be coming with us. When plans A and B blew up, some one has to stay and someone has to go with DD and she said she wasn't going unless I go so this is what I am left with.

Just hoping that someone will jar my memory of something I might be forgetting to do before I go.

[county]

Unless someones a total idiot how hard can it be to take care of 3 horses? I think your being paranoid

[twofatponies]

Unless someones a total idiot how hard can it be to take care of 3 horses? I think your being paranoid

I've helped the vacation helpers learn the feeding routine a couple times at a friend's small barn over the years. The most unexpected thing (and it happened with two different temporary helpers) was that no one thought to label the HORSES. You'd think that would be a no brainer, but not everyone has a knack for distinguishing similar markings and coloration (I remember being at a barn with four chestnut warmbloods with variations on a blaze and four socks...took me a while!). I put a big piece of masking tape with horse's name on it on every turnout blanket, to help them keep it straight!

[webmistress32]

My husband loves to do the chores without me hanging over him making comments.

I chart everything, including who goes where and in what order for bring in. also I leave a list of "where to find things you might need" like supplies and new bags of feed, which hay is which and a list of phone numbers.

my phone number list includes not only the vet and farrier but also neighbors and friends with horses who he can call and ask for advice or have someone come over really quick to double check something (like an injury) if he doesn't know what he's looking at.

[KnKShowmom]

Well, everything is packed, labeled, set, and noted or explained on about 4 pages of everything-you-ever-wanted-to-know-about-the-horses that I have left.

The support group has been alerted and is on standby and we are out of here in the am.

Probably will be the quietest weekend around here in a long time and that is fine with me......

Thank you to everyone who helped me with their thoughts/suggestions, it did give me some piece of mind.

[Foxtrot's]

Just leave - I guarantee all four legs, on each beast, will be pointing down when you come back. Give the guy some credit and bring back chocolates, Scotch, or whatever! I do.

[nightsong]

While it may be a little too late for the Original Poster, I strongly suggest having an experienced horseperson come in to do this type of thing. Save hubby for an emergency!!!

[KitKat987]

Have a good trip. It amazes me how well my horses behave when someone else is watching them for a few days. Usually it is either my parents, hubby or neighbours. Some horsey, some non. But without fail they always tell me how totally wonderful the horses are while I'm gone. This is after my warnings about how they will each do this and that and watch out for ....... They are like kids, apparently they only like to pull the bratty stuff with me!