Solved ;)

[atr]

Expensive doesn't always equate with the best of care, unfortunately. I'd be looking for another barn this weekend.

[Percheron X]

Now, one of you legal experts will have to set me straight on this... If someone rides my horse, without my permission or knowledge, and they fall off and break an arm, I'm expected to fork out the cash to cover it?

Heaven forbid anyone be responsible for their own actions... No way in hell I'd be paying for someone else's stupidity. (Mine gets me in trouble often enough as is! Razz)

NowThatsATrot.

I also agree that a horse owner would normally not be liable for such damages.

However, I think if a horse owner suspects that their horse has been ridden without their permission, believes that it may likely happen again, and if the horse owner fails to act responsibly to prevent the horse from being ridden again, then someone might try to make the argument that the horse owner is partly reasonable for any damages incurred by the use of their horse because they did not make an appropriate effort to prevent it.

I believe that such a claim would probably never hold up in court, but it would still cost time and money to defend against.

It would be wise to take all the appropriate steps to prevent the horse from being ridden again (police reports and certified letters if necessary), and given the seemingly careless attitude of the barn management in this case, moving the horse to another barn might be the most responsible thing to do.

[TripleRipple]

Okay, you really do want to stay there. One last try - people who lie about riding your horse will likely lie about having had your permission to ride in the first place, esp if there is an accident. Squirrelly people are like that. Don't hang around with or do business with squirrelly people. That is a good way to avoid problems - by avoiding squirrelly people.

If you stay there, look into buying a third party bodily injury/property damage equine insurance policy. Do a google and you may find one that suits your situation.

[SBT]

LEAVE LEAVE LEAVE LEAVE LEAVE!

The mere fact that the BO/BM is not concerned enough to return your phone call/message would be enough for me to show up with a trailer TODAY.

Get out ASAP...if horses are being ridden "by mistake," who knows what else is going on? I've worked at a lot of barns over the years and can tell you there are PLENTY of things owners never hear about, even at the nicest of barns. Usually it's minor stuff, but my general experience is that BO's don't want to deal with boarders going ape$hit, nor do they want to be held responsible for their errors. So they just don't say anything.

Until you can move your horse, get a livestock marker in a bright color (waterproof and safe, used for marking cattle) and write on your horse: DO NOT RIDE. Boarders and employees might think you're nuts, but that'll be all the more reason for everyone to steer clear of you and your horse.

Good luck and GET OUT of that barn.

[Moonie]

Okie, if he is going to be wearing a blankie...

I like the thread idea... and what about calling the cops, having them come out and you say "I think someone is riding my horse...blah blah blah" when there are a few people around. That would scare anyone thinking of riding your horse.

Also, what about when you cross the belly straps, you twist them a few times together, and then buckle. I dont know ANYONE who twists them, so they fit like an X with the twist/roll in the middle of the X.

And, you can always say he was checked by the vet for some skin infection that is contagious, so you have to be careful to keep him seperated, and pretend to use a "topical spray" IE water, and spray it on him all the time. Who wants to touch an infected horse? And if they use your tack to ride him, you will know because of how you put it away, right? lol

[Penthilisea]

I left a barn in less then 5 days for this offence. I found out they had been letting a student lesson on my horse without my explicit permission. I don't like surprises. God forbid the horse were to get hurt during these illicit rides your equine insurance probably would NOT cover it. I like the sharpie on the butt idea.

Also- you could get a webcam and install it in his stall. OR a video camera OR even a fake one to fake out the SNEAKY THIEF!


The worst part of all of our stories is that if we had been approached properly "X doesn't have money for a horse, could she hop on Scooby once a week for a little hack?" We might have said yes. But the idea of someone going behind our backs- anathema. Unforgivable. Mistakes are mistakes- repetitions are deliberate.

[Just My Style]

I would leave asap! I allowed the barn owner to use my retired show hunter for a few up/ down lessons per week when I was pregnant with my son. He was totally made and totally safe. Riders would ALWAYS be supervised. Sounds perfect, right? Wrong! My angel of a horse had a beginner adult on him who was still getting the basics of steering at the trot. Guess what? She steered my horse toward a big oxer at the trot. Guess what? He jumped it! (Why not. If he hadn't stopped in 20 years, why would he start now? Plus, a former Eq horse will jump anything from a trot. ) She fell off and BROKE HER COLLARBONE. Horrible. I was so upset. And my poor horse was like- "what the he11 just happened here??? After that, I vowed to not let others ride my horse. Too big of a liability. If you can't trust the barn owner to protect you- move out.

[2DogsFarm]

You say the Bm/head trainer are the same person?
There's your answer. Trainer needs a schoolie, knows you are there infrequently...Bingo! Extra school horse!
I agree with everyone who has said M-O-V-E.
If you even have to think your horse was used without your knowledge you need to get out.
The place is just not that "nice" if this kind of thing is permitted to happen.
In the meantime I also agree with those who suggested marking your horse so this "mistake" won't happen until you can move.
I'm seeing furazone spray...International Symbol For No...painted over the word RIDE on each side.
People will probably give you crap about this, but it will make whomever think twice before using your horse.
I would find a place to move to before doing this as it will likely also make you persona non grata at this barn.
Good Luck

[villagepacer]

Iknow that the OP is in a difficult situation being a college student, but I would try going out to the barn at random times of the day and sometimes more than once. Your times may have become predictable, try to come out for a few minutes to give him a treat and possibly even let people hear you say that you can't ride that day and then show up later to ride. I really wonder about a facility that has employees that can't identify horses other than "the grey". Do you mean to tell me that there is only one horse of each color there except for the greys; quite a rainbow Labeling the horse's halter is a must but I don't think that would stop anything because it is being done on purpose. The OP has been very accommadating to everyone and giving people an out in order to be fair and I applaud the attitude but you are the one paying board and you deserve respect and to have your horse well taken care of. A letter on attorney's letterhead to the BO with a copy to the BM would be in line. All this time a new barn should be found. Don't burn bridges as I have known boarders that have gotten bad reputations for going nuts and then employees taking the incident and blowing it up and telling everyone in a 50 mile radius so that no barn would take them. Not their fault but people can be weird when it comes to covering their butts.

[samburu97]

Not only could there be a problem is sone person were to be injured but what is going to happen is your horse is injured during an "illegal" ride? Who is going to foot the vet bills? If nobody will owe up to the fact that they are riding your horse now they will certainly leave you holding the bag on an injury to your horse. Bowed tendons take a long time to heal.

[philosoraptor]

I'd move for no other reason than because the BO doesn't appear to give a rat's ass what goes on. What has she done to investigate? Prevent it from happening? Sounds like she hasn't lifted a finger.... in the end I blame HER not the eq club rider or the nasty employee.

Start shopping for new barns now before you come in one day to find your horse lame from overwork and "nobody" saw it happen.

[Phaxxton]

Okay, I've read the entire OP's post and all the responses... and what I have to say to the OP is -

Stop letting the fact that you're young and not one of the "high end" clients stop you from making a HUGE stink about this. You ARE a client at the barn. You deserve the same service and level of care as anyone else boarding at that barn. You need to demand that or get out. If the BO hasn't called you, call her right now. If she doesn't respond within 24 hours, call her again. In the meantime, write a letter to the BO detailing everything that has happened and your concerns. Be very clear that you are extremely concerned about your horse's welfare, as well as the liability concerns affecting you and the barn. When you speak to the BO personally, inform her that you will go to an attorney if the situation is not immediately rectified.

And I say throw in all of the information about the extremely inappropriate employee, too. It makes it that much more obvious that this is an inside job. In the meantime, start looking for another barn. Most expensive does NOT necessarily equal the best care. I just moved to a less expensive barn about 5 months ago and the care is better than the barns that charge 4x as much in this area. We may not have an indoor arena or heated wash stalls, but the horses are better cared for than anyplace else I've ever boarded.

I have to agree with (I think it was MistyBlue) who said that no one is "mistaking" your horse for another grey. I also find it really hard to believe the first time was an accident. I agree with those who think this is a situation of the assistant trainer using him as a schoolie... and the first story was merely an excuse to make you think it was an accident. Every single horse at my current barn happens to be blood bay. No one's mistaken one for another, yet...

Finally (((((HUGS))))) to you. This is not an easy situation to deal with. You really have to be firm and strong about this, though. You are right and the BO should be doing EVERYTHING in her power to get to the bottom of this situation IMMEDIATELY. It really sounds like you want what is best for the horse. Don't make excuses for others anymore - be firm about this - alert other boarders to please keep an eye out - and start looking for a new barn!

[SoEasy]

I seem to remember someone around the BB who's horse was injured and had to be put down during an 'illegal' ride ... and somehow, the owner ended up the 'bad guy' and owing the vet ...

I'm in the move YOUR horse before worse happens camp.

[imissvixen]

I would move my horse.

[mairzeadoats]

Breakaway, if it was me, I'd move my horse NOW.

30 some years ago I found saddle marks on my horse when I returned from 2 weeks vacation. The problems continued. My horse ended up mysteriously fracturing his hock and had to be put down.

There is no excuse for other people riding your horse -- NONE.

And there is no excuse for rudeness to a customer -- NONE.

[goeslikestink]

EXCUSE ME YOU GO TO COLLEGE YOU AN ADULT A PYING CLIENT AND A WROTHY ONE that said

right read the whole thing my opnion - you arnt going to get any joy from bm bo or employees they know when you come they know when you go they know of whome you ride with -- period

they are using your horse for there own benifit peroid -- becuase you arnt there to see ---- they do it when and during the day --


LEAVE MOVE BARNS AND LEAVE BEOFRE YOU HORSE SUFERS AN INJURY THAT YOU CANT AFFORD AND FOR WHAT

you right o be angry and upset but so far you havent had a phone call back a answer or a reason

done say i trust them and oyu keep himthere becuase its dear -- god a little corner palce down the road would take you more sriously and give your horse a home for half the price whreby you could see him more often-- come on girl tell the others where you are or near to i am sure they can recomend or maybe perhaps have a psce in there yards closer to you --

so get out now -- right you lot can any ones surgest a better home for this poor kid and her lovely horse

[coco]

Let's just assume that you are mistaken, and that the marks you see are indeed 2 weeks old the YOU left them there the last time YOU rode him in a saddle.

Let's just assmue that in fact no one really is riding your horse behind your back.

It doesn't matter. In your mind, it has happened and you will never ever have peace of mind while your horse remains at this barn.

Never.

So leave.

[perpetual_novice]

Move now!

If they are using your horse, they don't care about you as a person and they certainly don't care about the well being of your horse.

I gave a letter to my barn owner last summer after I had a similiar situation with my mare. Once they realized I was not going to budge on letting them get away with using my horse, the standard of care given my horse (a middle aged hard keeper with some medical issues) began to deteriorate. Consequently I gave notice. We were due to move September 1st. On August 5, my mare died after colic surgery.

[Lucille]

Originally posted by Breakaway hAlter:
Wow, guys, thank you for all of the advice. I knew you guys would help!



The first time this happened - it was done by people who do not know the horses at this barn. It truly could have been a mixup if they were just told to grab the grey. This is why the school horses are now kept separately from the boarder's horses. Either way, it never should have happened.

I don't have time to respond to each post/question individualy right now because I'm going to go out and ride/check on him, but I'll get back to you guys soon. THANK YOU for the wonderful suggestions. I've begun asking about other barns, it may come to that.

I love the ideas about dying his tail or drawing on him.. does anyone have any booby-trap ideas, by chance? In the meantime it would be great if I could set something up so that I know if anyone messes with him. He'll have his blanket on for the next few days, atleast, so maybe that is a good way to set something up...
any ideas?

It seems obvious your horse is being ridden, why bother with "setting" someone up? I would stop playing games and get your horse out of there PRONTO.

[Huntertwo]

I also have to add, since the B.O. and her cronies are acting very non-chalant about the whole situation, I'm assuming it is one of them who is riding your horse??

They must be there all day, so wouldn't they notice if a student was accidently using your horse? Or wouldn't the other boarders tell you that a student or other boarder was riding your horse?

It would be less obvious to the other boarders if the B.O. or instructors is using your horse, because they may think you have a deal worked out with the management.