Hello, 

We are a small private boarding facility. Our boarders are welcome to come and ride/ see their horses just about any time. One of our boarders is a sweet fifteen years old teen.   This past weekend her family dropped her off early in the morning and left her there until mid afternoon.  My husband and I already had plans for the day.  I had plans to go out with some friends and I was not going to be home until late afternoon and my husband was going to be in and out the farm.  We did not think much of it but the situation made us a bit uneasy.  First of all, she was riding by herself at our place, no one around so safety wise not the smartest thing.  Also, she is a minor, and the only person in and out of the farm is my husband, and let's face it but nowadays you can't be too careful. So my question to you guys is, are we being too paranoid? Should we address it? what are your thoughts? 

Do ya'll have a contract in place for accidents that may happen? No one under the age of 18 should be allowed to ride alone on the facility without the parent or guardian present. That's what a contract said when I boarded several years ago. 

I know times have changed but this kind of thing makes me sad. I used to do whatever it took to get to where my horse was as a kid as early as possible on Saturdays (during school year) and every day during the summer. And I didn't want to go no matter how late it was that someone figured out I wasn't home yet. I would ride and ride and build shelters and hideouts and swim and when the other kids finally showed up we'd have water balloon fights or play ditchum or whatever was the flavor for the day. Then they would leave and I'd go back to riding alone or cleaning the barn. How sad that nowadays kids can't do those things!! 

When I was younger my parents would drop me off at the barn so I could ride. There was a contract boarder/ guardian signed saying ride at your own risk and minors had to wear a helmet. That was a long time ago though, lol.

It has changed way too much but with people being so sue happy nowadays you have to protect yourself.  The contract isnt in place to protect the boarders anymore,  it's to protect the barn owners! My trainer has just a tiny little place, very small barn, nothing fancy and a nice roping pen and a small round pen. He always has different people coming to rope or ride for lessons whatnot... he told me just recently he has to put up a sign to protect himself in case someone gets hurt on their horse while on his property, his homeowners insurance required it that he will not be held liable. He said hes had some nasty spills out there and never gave it much thought 

I've boarded at 6 places in the 20+ years I've had them, one place went through 3 owners during that time and there was never any rules about being a minor. Where I'm at now they do lessons & require a helmet if under 18. Other places had that rule as well, but parents could sign a special waiver, to waive that for their kid. Everywhere has always just had a liability waiver to sign, no rules about anyone having to be there. If I had only been able to ride when someone else was present I would probably have maybe 20 rides on my horse the last 20 years. Nobody ever thought anything about it, if you fell off and got hurt someone would find you eventaully lol. But it is a different time, I would say just require a helmet under 18 and make sure there's a waiver releasing you in case of injury. Maybe suggest to the family that if she is riding alone on days you're not home to call/text & check in with them every so often. 

We grew up in a horse property community with trails behind the houses and then an arena down the road just for members of that community.  I remember several times I fell off or got bucked off and my naughty little devil shetland pony knew his way home thru the trails, he also knew how to open the gate to get into our backyard where our barn was. My parents knew that if they saw mighty Max coming thru the gate without me, I'd most likely be along in about a half hour, if not, they come looking lol!!! I had to walk home more times than I care to admit. I'm betting that community has completely changed its rules of trail riding and arena use 

Times have changed for sure!  It is a sad day when a man is afraid to have a teenager running around the barn unsupervised with no one else aroud.  Please don't get this the wrong way, but you hear so many horrible stories that makes you think twice about putting yourself in a situation where you can be compromised. A few years back no one would have thought a thing about it, now you have to consider all the negative posibilities. 

You could try putting up some cameras just in case. The ibaby monitors work to be able to see whats going on from the app on your phone. I think you can save the video too in case you need to look back. Something to think about & walmart has them for decent prices 

Why dont you just have a conversation with this childs parents about your concerns? 

yes maam, planning on it.  There is nothing that the kid did wrong AT ALL and we love having her around.  But once again, it comes down to "better safe than sorry" kind of thing. 

Not a good ideal to have a 15 year old girl on your place with only hubby around, if your there no problems, buttttt I just dont trust to many anymore, it would be her word against his word if anything did come up. And whos side do you think they would take?!!!!

Oh gosh Trust me! that's why we are addressing it today.  I work in the education system so I know that is the biggest NO NO !  Sad times that we can't open up our home to a child that really wants to enjoy hanging out with horses and having some nice and quiet barn time but we do have to be cautious and protect ourselves.

Times has change for SURE!!!! Some young girl can cry wolf and every body is ready to hang a man befor the details are out there, just dam scary.. I had male friends that were teachers and dealing with some of the young high school girls was really a challenge and one a bus driver, well he didnt drive for too long because of a few teen girls that would not leave him along, one girl would just come and flop down on his lap while he was driving, good thing some of these buses had video camera's installed, He was like to he** with this not worth the risk.