above/beyond care and boarding barns

[champagnetaste]

Hi,

I live and work (full time) about 40 minutes away from the boarding barn where I keep my 15 year old OTTB -- moved there about six months ago. When I moved there, they had a barn manager who was available to do special care. Now she is gone, and they basically have the owner acting (reluctantly) as barn manager, an instructor, and barn workers.

My horse has had repeated abscesses, and the first time I could manage it by going out to the barn daily. Now, due to severity (he has a big hole in the bottom of his foot), he needs the wrap looked at and/or replaced twice a day. Did I mention I work full time? All horses are turned out including mine, and he has a number of turnout boots that I'm rotating through.

The workers and owner are not interested in assisting with care (basically checking his foot and wrapping as needed in the am), at my suggestd rate of $10 per wrap job. I hired a young lesson kid to do it, but I think she needs on-site supervision that I can't provide.

I came out today to find my horse's boot and wrap gone & the hole in his foot filthy. Am at a loss. Do I need to move him? Is the pay amount too low?
I just cannot go out to the barn twice a day for any length of time...

Help.

[trubandloki]

Unless I was at a big time full care show type facility I would never ever consider the re-wrapping and caring for an abscessed foot as normal BO responsibility.

And I for sure is worth more than $10 if they are even willing to add it to their day.

If this barn can not offer what you want then yes, move. I am guessing it will cost you quite a bit more to get what your are looking for though.

[Lori B]

How are they about other stuff? Blankets? Meds? Water checks?

If it's truly impractical to move him in the near term, it's summer -- you could contact a local pony club and see if any older students nearby could be hired. A teenager w/ proper skills could do it, right? Is your guy hard to handle or ok?

[champagnetaste]

trubandloki I wouldn't expect a BO to do it as part of regular service either! But I thought it was reasonable to pay someone for the service -- when I approached the BO-acting-as-mgr we never got to the specifics of fees, she didn't have time. Blanketing, special turnout, bellboot/boots on/off are part of the regular care and they're pretty good about it. If a horse is injured as part of turnout they DO do the initial wrapping/emergency care. I'm not dissing the barn for not providing this as a free service, but I expected to be able to GET the service with adequate compensation.

This place is sort of far from anything -- six miles from the nearest small town. What would you consider a reasonable/attractive fee for wrapping a foot? It's something I do in about 1/2 hour, and of course I provide supplies. My horse is reasonable about it.

[Lori B]

ct, I feel your pain, I've been handgrazing for almost 5 months, 7 days a week. If I couldn't hire a barn girl to cover me a couple days a week, I would be in deep trouble.

[joiedevie99]

Unless it is in your contract that additional services are available for a charge, don't expect anything. Many barn workers are stretched thin in terms of time, and just can't add something like that into their day. Others have no desire to - its just not part of their business.

I've been in this position before, and I paid the vet to come out three mornings, and I went out twice on the other days (woke up at 4 am to spend two hours am and pm with horsie as was necessary). If you can't find a responsible teenager, or pay the vet to do it, my best suggestion is to improve the wrapping skills to keep dirt out and medicine in as best you can and leave the wrap on for 24 hours. It's obviously not ideal, but with a good layer of medication, 1/4-1/2 inch thick rolled cotton or sheet cottons, vet wrap, duct tape, and possibly a boot- I've made 2.5 days when I had to.

[magnolia73]

Your options:
Move immediately if you find an adequate place. You might be able to get out of notice given the circumstances. OR someone might take your horse as a rehab for a short term. A vet clinic etc.

Pay someone- pony clubber, vet tech or barn staff- more than $10 per time.

You go out twice a day.

If it were me and no one on the property would do it, I'd call a vet with boarding or a full care facility, see what they would charge to take the horse in for the duration of the treatment. Tell the current BO you'll be back, ask for a board discount, don't be suprised if none offered, ship the horse to the new facility for the duration. OR, figure out how much it costs to go to the full care place temporarily and see if the BO/BM will do the wrap for more money. Or put a price on your time- if board at the vet clinic is $50 a day.... you might decide it is worth it to get up at 5am and treat the foot before and after work.

[champagnetaste]

joiedevie99 I was thinking of doing this -- I can certainly wrap a foot well enuf to stay on 24 hours, but not to be turned out in, in all kinds of weather. I would need to request that he stay in, which the barn owner/mgr does not like to do. I do think my horse appreciates the time outside too.

Thanks for all the suggestions. IF $10 for a foot wrap is not enough, what amount IS enough? $25? $50? Im wondering if my farrier would do it, but I almost feel bad asking -- it seems like menial work and I might risk offending him.


There is a barn closer to me, that has a barn manager on site, who I feel would do that work w/o much muss or fuss. But the turnout there is not as nice. I don't want to short-change my horse when he is well :-(

[Come Shine]

If your horse has had *repeated* abcesses requiring care, then perhaps another reason the staff don't want to do it is because it is setting a precedent for long term involvement. I think that you need to move your horse to a facility that is able to provide the care it sounds like your horse needs.

[Lori B]

I'm paying girls that muck stalls at the barn (so they are already on site) $15 to hand graze my horse, pick out her feet, give her a quick groom, and walk her around the indoor for a bit. I'm getting a deal, I know, because they are very conscientious (and my BM wouldn't have them working there if they weren't quite capable). The catch you are facing is that whoever you get has to go there 2x a day, and it's driving time that is burdensome, from a time and gas cost perspective.

Could you do the early early a.m. check yourself and get someone to check around dinner time?

Good luck. I hope you can get his feet sorted.

[2foals]

It doesn't sound like your current facility is set up to provide the care your horse needs, no matter how much you pay. If you are serious about him healing, you might need to move him.

[joiedevie99]

joiedevie99 I was thinking of doing this -- I can certainly wrap a foot well enuf to stay on 24 hours, but not to be turned out in, in all kinds of weather. I would need to request that he stay in, which the barn owner/mgr does not like to do. I do think my horse appreciates the time outside too.

Thanks for all the suggestions. IF $10 for a foot wrap is not enough, what amount IS enough? $25? $50? Im wondering if my farrier would do it, but I almost feel bad asking -- it seems like menial work and I might risk offending him.


There is a barn closer to me, that has a barn manager on site, who I feel would do that work w/o much muss or fuss. But the turnout there is not as nice. I don't want to short-change my horse when he is well :-(

It's not easy- but its possible. The horse I had that had to keep the wrap on 2.5 days was on 24/7 turnout. I may even have pics (don't ask how I have perfected hoof wrapping). pm me if you want them.

[TrotTrotPumpkn]

If it were me, I would move the horse to a vet clinic/rehab. You may be suprised--it could be cheaper than you think.

I know it ended up that it would have been cheaper for my friend to have just left her horse at the clinic for a month (eye issue--pump kept breaking) than it was to haul down for check-ups and pay the BO to medicate multiple times a day.

If you like the place for everything else or can't find something you are happy with ASAP, then I would do that. You will have to pay double board for a month then, though, to keep your spot.

[saultgirl]

Maybe you could bargain with some of your fellow employees to try to get a week off from work? Crummy way to spend a vacation, for sure, but if you could manage it for a good 9-10 days straight, you should be well on the way to healing?

[DressageGeek "Ribbon Ho"]

If you stay - do you wrap and then send out with an easy boot? This has worked for my abcess-prone boy. (In fact, if a front hoof, I put on two boots to keep him balanced in front, the sensitive weenie.)

Could you do as suggested above, keep the place, but remove him for 2 weeks/whatever until this heals? I think if you approach this in the right way, the manager will understand.

[champagnetaste]

Hi,

Just to clarify -- The helper would only need to do the wrapping 1x a day, am or pm (I can almost always get out once), and the people I asked are there daily anyway. But, it's certainly their choice, and we've all got other lives.

I did check into a layup facility at one point for another horse, and if it comes down to that, I'll do it. The vet is coming out Friday am to do x-rays, and if they go an invasive route there will be more care, and i'll almost certainly have to move him. Ironically, the BO where he is at now actually IS a vet tech.

EVERYONE where I work is taking vacation Mid-June to Mid-July -- we're down from eight people to 3 people, and I've already missed two days to drive and get pain meds, buy medicine boots, etc. Quel hassle.

All you handwalking, foot-wrapping folks, I feel your pain!!!

[Come Shine]

Yikes, you're in a tough spot. Hopefully you will have good news on Friday.

[BoysNightOut]

Wow, for $10 a wrap...sign me up!

IMO, it all depends on what's in your board contract. I was a BM at a fancy show barn, and doing stuff like this was in my daily routine...but board prices reflect those perks.

Honestly, I've been really lucky with boarding my guy, who is an accident-prone goofball. The first barn I kept him at, my Best Friend owns/runs it, and always made sure he was cold-hosed/wrapped/walked/injections if needed just because she is a great friend and a caring horsewoman. The barn I have him at now has had to deal with him hurt a couple of times (cellulitis re-occurance, twig stuck in the frog), and they have been so nice in making sure he got his SMZ's, bute, & injections of Penicillin in the AM when I had to work. Board cost is very reasonable there...but the BM/BO's are truly nice people who care about the horses' well being and understand most of us have full-time jobs (I too, work about 45 min from my home and Vin's barn).

So, I guess my suggestion would be to find a barn closer to home, or look for a 4-H'r, Pony Clubber, or any hard working barn kid who can maybe help you out.

I know what a tough situation that can be....best of luck to you both!

[InstigatorKate]

Well, where are you? Maybe a little word of mouth could help :-)

[Ride'emCO]

Seriously - where are you located? There could just be a CoTHer that has time on his/her hands in your area...

[mvp]

Seriously, I'll come and doctor your horse's damned foot.

It's scary to learn that a BO categorically won't do some care a horse legitimately needs. If you can go somewhere else for this phase of his recovery, it might be easier all the way around if you do. And know that you might run into this wall again.

It happens to me from time to time and my only solution is to get up earlier and deal myself.

I don't think more money offered will solve the problem, though it might if you really jacked up the price to have someone like a vet tech, your vet or a farrier make the special trip once a day.

In your position, I'd start with my vet. I'd ask if the foot *really* needs 2x per day and then see if the vet can suggest a willing and able wrapper of feet. Word of mouth is great for this kind of temporary problem. Or I'd think hard about modifying the wrap, boots, T/O to accommodate the once-a-day wrapping job.

I know, all options suck to an extent. Let's hope your horse gets past this little high-maintenance fork in the road PDQ.

[janedoe726]

Was your horse prone to abscesses before he was at this barn? I have a horse who had great feet the first 5 years we had him. We moved him to a different barn and all of a sudden he had constant abscesses. As in stayed lame! All we can guess it that it was something in the soil at that particular barn because once we moved him (to yet another location), no more problems. A move just might solve all your problems. Something to look into....

[SMF11]

I've resisted chiming on this thread . . . There are all different levels of care available out there. Not every barn can offer every service, from total self care to total care including tacking your horse up and handing the reins to you when you ride, to something in the middle.

The variable is available labor. If there are more people available to do more things, they have to be paid to be available, and therefore the board costs more.

I obviously don't know where the OP's barn is on that sliding scale, but it doesn't sound like there are many workers there.

I offer boarding at my private barn, and I am the only one doing all the work. I learned the hard way that something as simple as keeping an abcess wrapped can end up being a lot of time! In my case, the horse needed her foot wrapped for two weeks. At 1/2 hour a go once a day, that added up to seven hours over two weeks. In other words, almost a full day's extra work.

I ended up not charging that owner, but because of her I have a new policy, which is I will do the first wrap (or care) free, after that they need to do it, or pay me $20/hour. That's above market, and I hope that will encourage them to either do it themselves or arrange for someone else (cheaper!) who can.

[trubandloki]

Well said SMF.

People do not realize that it is not just one horse.

Maybe right now it is just your horse that needs to be wrapped one time per day. But what about two days from now when someone else realizes your horse is getting that extra care and they want that extra care for their horse?

[justdandy]

OP - since you can get out at least once a day, have you tried treating/wrapping the foot and putting it in a boot? An Easyboot (as someone suggested earlier) might be okay, but I've found that they don't stay on all the time. I can't stand them. I've used both Old Mac and Cavallo boots. I prefer the Cavallo because it's all velcro...SO much easier to deal with.

Trust me....I know this!:winkgrin: I have a mare now that needs to have her foot wrapped every day and the boot put on before going out and I work full-time with a 2 hr. commute each way. It takes all of 10 minutes (tops) to wrap her foot and turn her out.

ETA - As for treating the foot, have you tried using epsom salt poultice instead of soaking? What I do since I have limited time is use ES poultice, wrap with a diaper (or sheet cotton and vetrap) and put the boot over that. It's always worked. I hope your horse is better soon!!!!!

[AppendixQHLover]

I would contact local 4-h groups or pony clubbers to see if they are willign to make some extra money. I have read at least 3 ads of kids begging for work to do related to horses. If all else fails I would look into a layup facility.

[see u at x]

Wow...I knew this before reading this thread, but I am blessed to board where I do. My horse had an eye abscess a year and a half ago that was so bad, she almost lost the eye. I don't know what I would have done without the diligent care of my barn owner's assistant and the resident riding instructor. They administered medicine every 4-6 hours round the clock for her and I was never, ever charged a dime. If a horse gets a hoof abscess, they don't charge for that, either, but they do expect that you provide the products to wrap it, etc.

Because they don't charge extra, those of us with injured horses either just give them money anyway or do whatever we can to help out around the farm, which is just as much appreciated as the financial compensation. Our barn isn't fancy, but I feel really, really lucky, because at every other barn I've been at, there's no way I would have gotten that kind of care. I live 45 minutes away from my barn, too, and my horse was on stall rest and medication for 4 months. There's no way I could have done that on my own.

[tabula rashah]

Barns that I've worked at absolutely would bandage 2x's day and the only surcharge would have been the supplies.
Hey I've you're anywhere near me, I'll gladly do a foot wrap for $10/ time:)

[atr]

If you like everything else about this barn, I'd work out a way to make it so you just have to dress it once a day.

Those velcro-on boots (Cavallos?) over a dressing would do the trick, I think.

Has the abscess popped yet, or did you get it opened? If so once the drainage has stopped--which should only take about 4 days, then your blacksmith should be able to put a shoe and pad--preferably leather--packed with antiseptic soaked oakum on it to protect it--or a hospital plate? Expensive, but easier to deal with than what you are at the moment.

And try using magnapaste or ichthammol instead of soaking--you can just slap it on a dressing and leave it to draw.

[champagnetaste]

He abscessed in March. Now again, same foot, same location, 2 weeks and no sign of improvement. I'm very worried, vet is coming Friday to x-ray. I bought cavallo boots but they're a bit unwieldy looking and while he's being turned out I'd rather not hinder his ability to walk more than it already is. There are times I'm afraid he'll fall (turning, etc). The poultice/vetwrap /dutcttape/hoofsock has been pastureworthy and seems safest for now. I have used epsom and animalintex (not at the same time).

During the dry spell weather, I could wrap once a day and it would last. This week, with the rain, the wrap gets wet and needs am attention. I live in eastern PA, north of Allentown.

The vet comes friday to x-ray, then I'll hopefully know how long term of a proposition this is. I have a second horse, a near-retiree, at a barn closer to home, and if necessary I could swap them.

I don't mean to diss the barn owner in any way. She has combed the pasture for my boy's missing boot and done other kindnesses that are appreciated.

[bambam]

I bought cavallo boots but they're a bit unwieldy looking and while he's being turned out I'd rather not hinder his ability to walk more than it already is. There are times I'm afraid he'll fall (turning, etc).

I would use the boots way before I would consider moving my horse for a short-term issue like an abscess. I always thought my Old Macs looked unwieldy (one of my friend's called them my gelding's galoshes when he went out in them 24/7 for a couple of weeks) but even my dingbat, clumsy, accident prone, gelding had no problems with them and I saw him cantering around in them so they did not appear to be the kind of hindrance I would have thought based on appearances. As long as they fit well and do not cause rubs, do yourself a favor and use sturdy boots that can hold up to turnout- that is my advice as an option to try before these more extreme alternatives.

[DressageGeek "Ribbon Ho"]

GET CLEAN TRAX.

Really - thanks to other COTHers, who clued me in - that just nailed a very nasty and ongoing abcess my boy had.

When we have the normal variety of abcess, I soak in epsom salts plus a bit of lysol - actually very relaxing for the two of us unless it is absolutely freezing or nasty horrible heat. Then wrap with sole pack and gauze and the easy boot. Mine takes a 0 and these guys seemed to hold on the best when he was outside (we're clay over rock). The trick to getting them off is a flat edged screwdriver.

And I must say, I am so fortunate in my barn. When this stuff happens, I go out once a day - thankfully, mine is not a 9-5 job, so the down of that is I work crazy hours, but the up of it is that I can work things around. He is an hour away, so that eats up gas and time to do 2X/day, but I've done that. On the other hand, if I was sick, out of town - I know my barn would do it. I would offer to pay, but this is why I am always happy to help out - like giving hay at night if needed, so the trainer doesn't have to come down at night when I'm already there, little things like that. Because I so appreciate when they do things for me.

I so hope your problem resolves soon. And really - clean trax!!!

[justdandy]

He abscessed in March. Now again, same foot, same location, 2 weeks and no sign of improvement. I'm very worried, vet is coming Friday to x-ray. I bought cavallo boots but they're a bit unwieldy looking and while he's being turned out I'd rather not hinder his ability to walk more than it already is. There are times I'm afraid he'll fall (turning, etc). The poultice/vetwrap /dutcttape/hoofsock has been pastureworthy and seems safest for now. I have used epsom and animalintex (not at the same time).

During the dry spell weather, I could wrap once a day and it would last. This week, with the rain, the wrap gets wet and needs am attention. I live in eastern PA, north of Allentown.

The vet comes friday to x-ray, then I'll hopefully know how long term of a proposition this is. I have a second horse, a near-retiree, at a barn closer to home, and if necessary I could swap them.

I don't mean to diss the barn owner in any way. She has combed the pasture for my boy's missing boot and done other kindnesses that are appreciated.

The Cavallos do look unwieldy, but once they realize it's there you shouldn't have a problem. Last night was the first night my mare actually felt good. I turned her out and she TOOK OFF!!! Bucking, farting and galloping! She even put in a pretty decent looking extended trot.:lol: It scared the bejeezus out of me to watch her, but she had no problems with the boot.