The Barn

thelmanelle · The Barn

Okay, so times are tight. For everyone. I talk with a friend and she is paying much less than me at the same barn. Yet, MD's wife. I am paying board, training and lessons.

So I called the lady who let me have Josh, my dog. Same thing? She was being overcharged...but my friend was not.

They were catering to her due to three kids and the future potential...I guess money. They choose that over the regulars? Go figure?

So I will most likely not take Summer back and ride her here. Go pick the rest of my stuff and be done with it.

I hate it . Summer loved it there. But, people show you who they really are...I was never meant to show anyways.

cynthia peterson

Sonya, is that all that is going on? Before you leave, maybe double check and see if she isn't doing chores, or traded a saddle, or a cousin of a cousin (family.) I know in my little town and country ways around here there is always a backstory that makes me say, "oh that's WHY he gets to rent the Farm even if he's a poor farmer, blah, blah, it's his wife's brother's SIL's kid, duh!"

Of course, if they are just over charging you, ya, I would feel defensive. Especially if I was helping pay the bills with all the money you have spent there. B/c I know you are not the type to be fussing over them giving her a break because of kids, etc. I know you are the the type that would do it yourself if you seen it was just that.

thelmanelle

I am sweeping and cleaning, too. Which is why I ask?

Edit: I even buy things for the barn. Toilet paper, Paper towels, etc. Maybe I do too much?

thelmanelle

When she shows up the horse is saddled, etc. for her and her family.

She is use to this being from the TWH showing crowd. I am not use to it, just getting into it and seeing it with full eyes if it is only about money.

I have to back away.

Yes_But_Neigh

Thelmanelle: This is really sad. My first show barn I went to, there was a client like that at the barn. The little girl never did anything with her pony but ride and show it like crazy. The mare was always tacked up and cooled down for the little girl and the trainer treated her and her family, like royalty. I, like you, spent a lot of money on board, lessons and training and did the same thing. Felt like crap and when my horse coliced and I found tons of mold in the hay, I was told I could leave! Not cool! We spent so much money at that barn, yet if the little princess rider would have complained of something, the trainer/owner would have bent over backwards to fix it AND apologize. It just isn't fair

I am sorry that you have to go through this.

Oh ps: This little rider also threw HUGE fits if her pony didn't win! I was at one show and beat (that's a bad word, but I got 1st place, she 3rd) her pony and the husband threw a HUGE fit demanding that there MUST be SOMETHING wrong with the horse for the team to lose. The trainer dropped everything she was doing, coaching kids that were going in the ring next etc, and took the pony to the stall and came up with some BS excuse as to why the pony/girl didn't win (I think it was like, oh her tail got caught between her leg or she's tired or something) and the wife stormed out of the barn and drove home. NOPE couldn't POSSIBLY be the rider! The treatment that trainers give clients with money is RIDICULOUS! Even when it sounds like you are spending more.

cynthia peterson

Well, Sonya, I sure wouldn't want to have you leave if I was them! Wait until they find out there is no more toilet paper! That's get them where it hurts

I'm thinking this would be interesting to watch how this person can get this much going on for her. It might be handy to have that kind of knowledge for a backup. You know, like when you want to have your husband let you do something, or want him to do something

Not that us gentle ladies would even consider the thought of using this kind of tactics, (put the carrot stick down!)

becdubie

Boy I don't know what to say on the surface it doesn't sound fair, but here are some things you might want to think about..
Comparing it to other Barns, are you paying too much? I guess as the barn owners they can make whatever deals they want with whomever they want and they really don't have to tell you about it. It doesn't seem fair in your eyes, but maybe there are people who pay more than you and never sweep, buy tp or paper towels.
Maybe just talk to the barn owners about it and ask if there is a way you can get a better deal.

I'm so glad I get to keep mine at home.

thelmanelle

All of mine are at home except her. She does not do well on pasture... so I chose this place to help her gain muscle and weight. She loves it there. So I struggle with the choice. If she comes here, she loses weight. She is very happy there. But, they are taking advantage of me. That makes me sad and I have to decide.

becdubie

Don't be shy, talk with the owners to see if you can work out a better deal. If it's a good place for you girl, its worth bringing up.

thelmanelle

Okay, she pays much less year than I do? I just figured it out. I am trying not to be upset, but this is not fair. Yes, the trainer is good.But, there are other trainers and my husband put lights out for me....so it is what it is. I will leave my horse at my place and go pick up my stuff and look for a trainer who will come to my place as it is ready for that action, too.

thelmanelle

To keep her there for me and some others is $ 1250. or more a month. Just not affordable. While my friend's horse is ridden and she pays maybe $450.00 a month. So you see, it is a struggle. Times are tight and if I have to bring her home I have to bring her home.

thelmanelle

Things are looking up. My friend wanted a 2nd horse to be trained by the trainer... quote was $1000.00 a month. Now, she sees what I am saying. I have a dressage arena and lights. We can get another trainer. And it cost us both, much less. For all three horses involved whether we show or not. To me, the point is to have fun...not show.

Before I left for Montana and got sick, I paid for him to ride my horse...nothing was moved from her tack box...that tells me something?

I was not born yesterday. My horse is here. I will get my stuff next. Other former barn folks expressed the same. So I think my impressions might be right?

becdubie

$1250/month Yikes that is a bit high. I see what you mean. Sounds like a good solution to bring her home, much more convenient for you.

Were you just in MT visiting? Mind if I ask whereabouts?

PasoBaby_CarolU

Good heavens Sonya, for a few month's board, you could build a beautiful barn for her at your place AND get regular lessons. Most trainers charge $35-50 an hour. I'm sure there are others around you.

misstux

thelmanelle

She is home and in the pasture. I have a dressage arena here with lights for the winter. She is getting along with the four geldings and other mare. They just got their hooves done yesterday and vetted today.

So, I plan not to burn a bridge, but to go and explain finances are tight and I need to move her home. Get my things and remain friends.

One friend wanted to take a second horse out there for training...they just told her the REAL price. So she back down. Also, if they up her price on the one she has out there, she is taking him home.

We did talk about the one she has at her house and my arena. Perhaps, we can ride here. Still go to shows and enjoy.

All is not lost.

But, if you realize you are being taken advantage of...you lose the joy of it. So it's time to get back to the joy of it.

Summer is home.

PasoBaby_CarolU

I am sure she'll benefit by the additional attention she'll get at home.

You could check around, maybe host a dressage clinic at your house once a week and get your lesson free, for the 'cost' of using your arena. Just an idea. We bring Christie in from Idaho for a weekend once a month. One person has an arena and Christie stays at her house. We all chip in for gas and food. It keeps the lesson price reasonable.

carefreegirl

thelmanelle

Just got back from bringing Summer stuff home and leaving on good terms.

Chablis

misstux

I am trying really really hard to leave my barn on good terms. It's very hard, especially as I have paid $700 for my last month's training after giving notice and have received zero training so far. I didn't want to lose the $700 deposit for leaving without notice.... There are so many things wrong. I want to say congratulations on a difficult job well done.

thelmanelle

It was hard. Several reasons, but doing it being polite was best for me.

Back in July,we had a clinic and I was asked to get 14 gifts donated from my feed store to put in a bag that they had for the clinic attendees. The owner said that the barn never did business with them, but he'd see what he could do. I dislike asking for things.

So the day before the clinic, he called and I came and he gave me 14 bags with 5 items in each bag. Each bag had, a wormer, fly spray, curry comb, hoof pick and vet wrap as a gift. I was shocked. That was a lot.

I took them to the barn. During the clinic, the barn never gave us the new bag I was told about and they took the wormers out of each of the 14 bags to keep for their own use. They gave credit to themselves for getting the items.

That did not sit well with me.

Then, I realized the pricing difference.

Later, I began to see that I was doing all the things for my horse and paying and she was not being ridden by the trainer.

My friend said trainers do not ride horses that do not show at training barns. But if you pay, they should.

Another boarder was buying her own hay and they took it to feed their horses.

So it was best to leave and not let a flood gate of accusations fly out. It would have only made me more angry.

Now, I can just have my horses at home. Cut my losses and learn not to go there again.

My friend is stuff presently, but she will eventually realize after my ordeal and all the dishonesty that she will have to bring her daughter's horse home, too.

Then, we can start again. Fresh slate...new trainer, but our dressage arena.

Sometimes, it is best to cut your losses. I still had till Sept. 9 ob boarding and through the end of the month on training. But, if they are not doing any thing but feeding, turning her out? I can do that at home and ride her here once the herd settles with her.