This may be lengthy. But I promise, it is not just drama (although a little) and a worthwhile read. We own two horses, one in his teens, Krewe, and one in his twenties, Cappy. We have been horse owners for almost ten years. We have also ridden and shown several other horses and worked with three different trainers in the area. I have boarded at 5 places. Admittedly, some might call me a barn hopper. I am also not a perfect boarder. I sometimes pay late---but I always pay. I am sometimes messy with my equipment. However, I have always left a place, even if we did not part ways amicably, without making too much of a stink about it.
That was until now.
I started boarding at Witham Farms, aka Phoenix stables, a few years ago. It was nice. The owners were kind and accommodating. They were communicative. They genuinely cared about our horses. Little did I know how drastically this would change.
In 2020, we lost a horse there due to colic. It was hard. Devastating really. But I knew it wasn't anyone's fault. It was something that happens often to horses. It started sometime in the night, and we were too late. But Dru stayed with us the whole time. He helped walk our boy. He stayed with us but also gave us space when we euthanized. He covered him up when he passed, because he fell in the arena. He then buried Knox by a tree in the back, which was a really nice spot. So, even though it was hard to see that empty stall, we stayed. And we were grateful to have the compassion that was shown to us.
Now fast forward to 2021. The owners are going through some personal issues, and we are told that there will be a new barn manager. I did not really know her, but Grace ended up being competent and forthcoming. Then a new trainer moved in and we did not have access to the arena space like we used to. There was a schedule that I received twice, but was password protected, so I never actually got a schedule. But most days lessons would begin at 2 and end after 7. So it was very inconvenient. However, I knew that it would probably only be that way through the winter. December and January are usually moot anyway because we have an event based business.
Then last month, we were informed that the barn manager had been let go. As in, her horse had to be moved out in three days. As in, she was no longer allowed in the barn. I was informed that there would be several people taking care of my horse. One of which knows very little about horses. She laughed about the big condoms she found in the office (for collection). She had no idea about what a breeding stock was used for. She doesn't know how to properly attach a halter. My 20-something horse was circling around her yesterday when she was "leading" him up. Somewhat comical, but not really, when she is supposed to be the one alerting me if there is something wrong with my horse. She is supposed to be the one I trust to care for my animals when I am not able to be there.
I was not informed that this same horse, who is on 2-1/2 pills a day for Cushings (a pituitary disorder that can lead to kidney problems, weight loss, laminitis, and neurological disorders if left unchecked) that his medication was out. He had one pill left when I was informed. I was lucky that I saw my vet there that day. She was able to get his meds shipped there the next day. Still, this is unacceptable. I was not informed that our horse feed had changed in December. The owner blamed it on the old barn manager who was not there to defend herself.
The final straw came when one of the lesson horses, Jackie, a sweet old girl who taught so many young ones, died. Jackie never got upset when new riders tugged her face or bounced on her back. She worked when she had saddle sores. She was kind and gentle. Sometimes a little sassy at the waterer. But such a kind girl. She was old; late twenties. She died in a run-in, covered in sweat, with a feed bowl next to her head. She was never covered up. She was just left there. A boarder stumbled upon her. Being distraught at this finding, she called out to someone about it. She was told it was being handled. That was it.
Yesterday, I was threatened that if I did not return a trunk that I took (that housed my belongings) back, that they would keep my horses. I, of course, returned the trunk and collected a few more of my things; which were tossed on the grass outside of the barn. I did tell the owner that she was being petty, and that my horses were worth more than her trunk----ok, I was being petty, too. When we returned with the truck, I was informed that the horses had been moved out of their stalls to "a stall in the back" and would be brought to me. I was told that the sheriff was on call and I was not to step foot in the barn. I had to ask permission for my child to use the bathroom. It is shameful. read more
