I've decided to channel my frustrations with boarders into writing instead of neck-wringing. 
Keep in mind these seem like little things but when we have a lot of horses to take care of, chores build up fast. Also I just don't understand some people's logic.
1) If your horse is a wuss in the cold, and it's the beginning of November, does he really need to be clipped? Really? Especially if he's semi-retired but still fit and rarely breaks a sweat under saddle?
2) If your horse fits in category #1 & is clipped against advisement anyway, he doesn't need three (!) heavy blankets on him when we live in the South and the low for the night only reaches 40 degrees.
3) Please try to understand why there's an extra blanketing fee for clipped horses. They usually require more blankets/more changing of blankets than everyone else. Also, I'm not the BO or BM, I'm just an employee and I don't make the rules, so cornering me about it isn't going to solve the issue.
4) Please do not turn your horse out in a stable sheet or blanket or cooler for an extended period of time. There is mud, and he WILL roll, and those things aren't waterproof or as endurable as turn-out blankets. Let me count how many times I've seen a horse standing out there with a muddy cooler flipped over his shoulders, one side dangling by his feet.
5) If we accidentally mistake your horse's sheet for another horse's exact same sheet in color and size, it's not the end of the world. Please stop yelling.
Okay, those are my rants.
Here are more positive tips:
4) Understand that we will happily change blankets out during the day for the horses' comfort once the temperature rises. It's a job that takes awhile, but it's not hard. That said, we really appreciate it if you can keep an eye on your blankets. Notice when buckles are broken or missing. Keep an eye out for when they need to be washed, or when they cease to be waterproof. Often the barn staff will notice these things because we're here every day, but it helps to be attentive too!
5) Please KNOW how your horse handles blanketing. Some don't care. Some do. Some only hate the buckles at the chest and pin their ears (side note: why is that the area that so many horses dislike?) Some dislike all buckling and will threaten to bite. Some will kick. If you know this about your horse, TELL US! We're not afraid to get in there and do it- it's our job, after all- but we need the precautions.
6) We work for the BO, but we also work for you. If something isn't working, or you're not happy with how we're blanketing, please communicate with us! There's no need to come to the barn every night to micromanage the weight of the blanket Dobbin gets that night. A text, a conversation, an outline of temperatures and corresponding blankets- whatever you need. We are willing to work with you, we just need communication!
As such ends the PSA. Granted, most boarders are great and don't cause a problem, but for others, this season brings out the crazy.
Keep in mind these seem like little things but when we have a lot of horses to take care of, chores build up fast. Also I just don't understand some people's logic.1) If your horse is a wuss in the cold, and it's the beginning of November, does he really need to be clipped? Really? Especially if he's semi-retired but still fit and rarely breaks a sweat under saddle?
2) If your horse fits in category #1 & is clipped against advisement anyway, he doesn't need three (!) heavy blankets on him when we live in the South and the low for the night only reaches 40 degrees.
3) Please try to understand why there's an extra blanketing fee for clipped horses. They usually require more blankets/more changing of blankets than everyone else. Also, I'm not the BO or BM, I'm just an employee and I don't make the rules, so cornering me about it isn't going to solve the issue.
4) Please do not turn your horse out in a stable sheet or blanket or cooler for an extended period of time. There is mud, and he WILL roll, and those things aren't waterproof or as endurable as turn-out blankets. Let me count how many times I've seen a horse standing out there with a muddy cooler flipped over his shoulders, one side dangling by his feet.
5) If we accidentally mistake your horse's sheet for another horse's exact same sheet in color and size, it's not the end of the world. Please stop yelling.
Okay, those are my rants.
Here are more positive tips:4) Understand that we will happily change blankets out during the day for the horses' comfort once the temperature rises. It's a job that takes awhile, but it's not hard. That said, we really appreciate it if you can keep an eye on your blankets. Notice when buckles are broken or missing. Keep an eye out for when they need to be washed, or when they cease to be waterproof. Often the barn staff will notice these things because we're here every day, but it helps to be attentive too!
5) Please KNOW how your horse handles blanketing. Some don't care. Some do. Some only hate the buckles at the chest and pin their ears (side note: why is that the area that so many horses dislike?) Some dislike all buckling and will threaten to bite. Some will kick. If you know this about your horse, TELL US! We're not afraid to get in there and do it- it's our job, after all- but we need the precautions.
6) We work for the BO, but we also work for you. If something isn't working, or you're not happy with how we're blanketing, please communicate with us! There's no need to come to the barn every night to micromanage the weight of the blanket Dobbin gets that night. A text, a conversation, an outline of temperatures and corresponding blankets- whatever you need. We are willing to work with you, we just need communication!
As such ends the PSA. Granted, most boarders are great and don't cause a problem, but for others, this season brings out the crazy.
) at night and a midweight T/O blanket when they went out during the day. Then everyone in the barn thought that was the thing to do (because they have no idea that someone actually has to, you know, do it. At o'dark-thirty when the horses are getting irritated with me for bugging them while they ate and getting impatient to go outside). Going stall to stall to unblanket, reblanket, fold and rack 15 horses worth of blankets added an HOUR of totally pointless hassle to my morning routine that I was not compensated for. Even if I was, I can guarantee I had more important tasks I could have been doing instead of pointless blanket rearranging.
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90% of boarders are helpful and kind and have common sense. This is meant for the 10% who are new owners, new boarders, new blanketers, or those unfamiliar with how barn workers handle blankets at full-service barns.)
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