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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 425
 
Location: California | So I have 4 horses total. (one is a weanling). For the last 5 years, I had them on my ex's property and did my own self care.
Now I board again, and it just seems ridiculous to me! I was paying $375 each for 3 horses, was not paying for the foal until she was weaned. Once weaned, I moved the mare & foal to my aunts house a couple hours away (which I planned on the whole time).
Now they are raising the board to $450 each. The manager keeps telling me how I'll still be saving money (even though I obviously still have to pay my aunt for the mare/foal). The horses are both in a paddock with no shelter. & no I can't put them in the same paddock. I also can't put them in the mare motel where it would be cheaper, because my horses are "too big" (they are both under 15.2). I'm seriously annoyed at this point. I've tried to explain to the manager that I cannot afford the $450 price, but she just tells me how I'm saving money from before.
Looking at new places to board and trying to figure out what to do!
One place is closer to home, nice area except they have Chalk Rock which can cause respiratory problems & bone disease. However the horses out there now seem to be doing just fine.
The other place, my horses would be a little farther out-in a shared paddock. Each paddock has 2 horses-both my two horses would be with another horse instead of mine together. The paddocks are on a hill, not really any flat area. My horses have never been on a hill before.
In case you've read this far down-you're awesome & I appreciate you!
Welcoming all advise !!!
Edited by ccarpe18 2018-03-27 1:00 PM
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 Can You Hear Me Now?
Location: When you hit the middle of nowhere .. Keep driving | Hugs its not easy when your dependant on other people to look after your babies. I don't think I could go back to not having them in my back yard. The one with the hill is there no flat space in their paddock so to speak? I mean its not necessarily horrible if the drainage is there it will always be nicer then having sitting water (IMO) my guys do quite well on their hillside but have a little space at the bottom where they can go sleep or stand. Dependant on the rock situation as well at least you would be closer and can love them up and watch them more. Do they have to be on it 24/7 or is there areas where they can escape?
I know it's frustrating when the prices go up as well but sometimes people have to do it to cover costs. I am feeding my guys hay, grain and mineral right now and its costing me on average about $600 a week for 22; I am eagerly awaiting summer but hoping its dryer then last year so our hay quality is there again and I get a good crop and don't have to supplement as much as I am.
Edited by ndiehl 2018-02-28 2:19 PM
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 A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
 
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | ccarpe18 - 2018-02-28 2:07 PM So I have 4 horses total. (one is a weanling). For the last 5 years, I had them on my ex's property and did my own self care.
Now I board again, and it just seems ridiculous to me! I was paying $375 each for 3 horses, was not paying for the foal until she was weaned. Once weaned, I moved the mare & foal to my aunts house a couple hours away (which I planned on the whole time).
Now they are raising the board to $450 each. The manager keeps telling me how I'll still be saving money (even though I obviously still have to pay my aunt for the mare/foal). The horses are both in a paddock with no shelter. & no I can't put them in the same paddock. I also can't put them in the mare motel where it would be cheaper, because my horses are "too big" (they are both under 15.2). I'm seriously annoyed at this point. I've tried to explain to the manager that I cannot afford the $450 price, but she just tells me how I'm saving money from before.
Looking at new places to board and trying to figure out what to do!
One place is closer to home, nice area except they have Chalk Rock which can cause respiratory problems & bone disease. However the horses out there now seem to be doing just fine.
The other place, my horses would be a little farther out-in a shared paddock. Each paddock has 2 horses-both my two horses would be with another horse instead of mine together. The paddocks are on a hill, not really any flat area. My horses have never been on a hill before.
In case you've read this far down-you're awesome & I appreciate you!
Welcoming all advise !!!
Yept, read the whole thing, lol.. I feel for you I dont have any advice but sending you good wish's  , is there any pastures that maybe you could least for your horses? | |
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Expert
Posts: 2531
Location: WI | Is your only complaint about the current place the price? If so, can you cut down on your herd? Finding a good place is not an easy!
I'd rather keep 1 horse at an awesome facility than have 2 at a mediocre place. | |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 1182
Location: Do I hear Banjos? | $375 to $450 seems like an awfully big jump. What has changed that the price is going up that much? I get that things can increase in price...but not that abruptly.
Yes...look at possibly leasing pasture somewhere. Does this place you are now have any amenities? Arena trails etc? If not...a pasture may be just as good especially if the paddock you pay that much for doesn't even have a shelter!.
As far as the hilly place. I live in Arkansas in the Ouachitas. We don't have much of a flat spot anywhere and our horses are perfectly happy. They nap up on the hill side by choice instead of the more flat lower pasture. So that wouldn't be a concern to me.
I don't know anything about chalk rock. can't give an opinion there. | |
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 Mouhahaha
Posts: 1786
Location: British Columbia | That is not expensive for board . It's the sacrifice of not owning your own property. As someone who has boarded horses before for others, it's very little reward and very little money . | |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 425
Location: California | If I sold any of the horses, it would be the broodmare & foal. I actually plan to do that anyway.
The broodmare was skinny when I first brought her in about 4 months ago. She has hardly gained any weight since. I moved her to my aunts house and in one week, was already noticeably fatter. When i mentioned this to the ranch manager, she said she doubted my mare really gained that much-except I saw it with my own eyes. When she was hardly gaining weight, I asked how much she was fed & was told 2 flakes both am & pm. I was never there for AM feeding, but PM was always one flake. There's no grass to graze on. & they feed alfalfa.
Another issue is before I moved the broodie, I found her cast in the pen. I had recently moved the foal w/my other mare. They first tried to say she was probably trying to lay down to nurse through the fence, until I told them she was on a different fence line not near the foal. Then they tried to tell me she was colicing. She had food in her feed bin that she never touched. I had a very hard time believing the skinny broodie didn't touch her food. OH & when i found her, she was showing ZERO colic symtoms. She was totally fine. I think she was stuck in the fence the whole time & they didn't see her when they fed. I can't imagine this horse would lay down AFTER being fed. Also, getting her up-they insisted we FLIP her. Which if she had been colicing, why on earth would you flip her?! I tried to tell then no, slide her out & they didn't listen & flipped her anyway.
I mean I understand things happen. When I called her out on it, I was told again she was colicing. I told them no she wasn't, then they said well she was pacing because of the baby. All in all, they supposedly noticed "something" off, fed anyway and never notified me.
Edited by ccarpe18 2018-02-28 3:36 PM
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 425
Location: California | Also, I know someone asked about the amenities.
They feed twice a day & clean the pens once a week. The ranch has 2 arenas and a round pen. No trails. | |
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Location: Not Where I Want to Be | ccarpe18 - 2018-02-28 4:33 PM If I sold any of the horses, it would be the broodmare & foal. I actually plan to do that anyway.
The broodmare was skinny when I first brought her in about 4 months ago. She has hardly gained any weight since. I moved her to my aunts house and in one week, was already noticeably fatter. When i mentioned this to the ranch manager, she said she doubted my mare really gained that much-except I saw it with my own eyes. When she was hardly gaining weight, I asked how much she was fed & was told 2 flakes both am & pm. I was never there for AM feeding, but PM was always one flake. There's no grass to graze on. & they feed alfalfa.
Another issue is before I moved the broodie, I found her cast in the pen. I had recently moved the foal w/my other mare. They first tried to say she was probably trying to lay down to nurse through the fence, until I told them she was on a different fence line not near the foal. Then they tried to tell me she was colicing. She had food in her feed bin that she never touched. I had a very hard time believing the skinny broodie didn't touch her food. OH & when i found her, she was showing ZERO colic symtoms. She was totally fine. I think she was stuck in the fence the whole time & they didn't see her when they fed. I can't imagine this horse would lay down AFTER being fed. Also, getting her up-they insisted we FLIP her. Which if she had been colicing, why on earth would you flip her?! I tried to tell then no, slide her out & they didn't listen & flipped her anyway.
I mean I understand things happen. When I called her out on it, I was told again she was colicing. I told them no she wasn't, then they said well she was pacing because of the baby. All in all, they supposedly noticed "something" off, fed anyway and never notified me.
Just throwing this out there for conversations sake
but maybe it's you
I don't know, because not there but,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, | |
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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 595
Location: North Dakota | That is a large jump in price and I would be irritated as well. I have boarded at the same place for 14 years now. When we first got there board was $175, went up to $200 then $225, then $250, and now $275. That is all over the course of 14 years. That is the price with doing chores 1x per week per horse you have boarded.
I am sorry you are in a tough spot. I wouldn't hesitate to look at other places and ask around because private places might be a better option as the people are less in it for the large profit and more so just to help pay some bills.
I have to board some where that I have the option to work off some board as I can't afford full price. Maybe that could be an option for you too that you can find? | |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 425
Location: California | 1DSoon - 2018-02-28 2:26 PM ccarpe18 - 2018-02-28 4:33 PM If I sold any of the horses, it would be the broodmare & foal. I actually plan to do that anyway.
The broodmare was skinny when I first brought her in about 4 months ago. She has hardly gained any weight since. I moved her to my aunts house and in one week, was already noticeably fatter. When i mentioned this to the ranch manager, she said she doubted my mare really gained that much-except I saw it with my own eyes. When she was hardly gaining weight, I asked how much she was fed & was told 2 flakes both am & pm. I was never there for AM feeding, but PM was always one flake. There's no grass to graze on. & they feed alfalfa.
Another issue is before I moved the broodie, I found her cast in the pen. I had recently moved the foal w/my other mare. They first tried to say she was probably trying to lay down to nurse through the fence, until I told them she was on a different fence line not near the foal. Then they tried to tell me she was colicing. She had food in her feed bin that she never touched. I had a very hard time believing the skinny broodie didn't touch her food. OH & when i found her, she was showing ZERO colic symtoms. She was totally fine. I think she was stuck in the fence the whole time & they didn't see her when they fed. I can't imagine this horse would lay down AFTER being fed. Also, getting her up-they insisted we FLIP her. Which if she had been colicing, why on earth would you flip her?! I tried to tell then no, slide her out & they didn't listen & flipped her anyway.
I mean I understand things happen. When I called her out on it, I was told again she was colicing. I told them no she wasn't, then they said well she was pacing because of the baby. All in all, they supposedly noticed "something" off, fed anyway and never notified me. Just throwing this out there for conversations sake
but maybe it's you
I don't know, because not there but,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
How would it be me? Please elaborate? | |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 897
| I understand your frustration! Boarding is tough..Why the jump in price?
I board, and pay a flat fee of $385.00. Indoor and outdoor arena, free choice hay, grain 2x day, blanketing, fly spray, etc. Trying to put weight on my guy so I pay extra for a bag or two of Sentinel Senior a month, so my bill is around $430 a month, but if I didn't feed Sentinel Senior it would be $385.00. It doesn't sound to me that much is included in your board. | |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 534
Location: Ohio girl moved to PA | I feel for you, Ive boarded my horses all my life and just recently got lucky enought that they will get to be in my back yard soon, but i would first ask why the big jump in price. That is a big difference. And it sounds like your current place isnt that great. Not trying to be rude but, thats horrible. And for them to just keep giving you the ring around? YOU are paying THEM to take care of your babies and it doesnt sound like they are doing a very good job.
Dont worry about the hill, mine are on acres of hills and they love it, plus they all have nice butts from walking up and down them on their own. haha
i would most certainly be looking for other options. Even ask friends, see if they know of anyone that has open stalls at their home/private barn and see if you can work off board. Thats currently what im doing untill i move them home. I feed, do stalls and whatever else they need and in turn only pay for the sawdust my horses use. I got very lucky, but im sure they arent the only ones out there that do this. Dont be afraid to ask people. Good luck, i hope you can find a solution soon! | |
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Meanest Teacher!!!
Posts: 8555
Location: sunny california | What part of california are you in? Board varies a lot in this state depending on where you are 450 is not cheap for some little paddock and not enough feed
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 The One
Posts: 7998
Location: South Georgia | I'd try to negotiate with the owner (although it sounds like you already have), and if she wouldn't budge, maybe it's time to find somewhere else. I pay $350 for stall board with daily turnout into a large pasture with 4 other mares. There is some grass in the pasture and a rounbdale. She is fed grain two times a day in her stall, along with free choice hay in the stall. I provide alfalfa for her becuase of her ulcers so I take on that additional cost. There is a covered arena, a large outdoor that is lighted, 2 washracks, 3 tack rooms (I dont use them), and free trailer parking. If I ever have a concern, I voice it and they make adjustments, whether it is the choice of pasture, amount she is fed, turnout time, etc.
I'd look elsewhere if at all an option.
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Red Bull Agressive
Posts: 5981
Location: North Dakota | Things like this just make me appreciate my barn so much. I've got 2 outdoor arenas, a round pen, heated barn (including the indoor arena and wash stall), access to trails, and a quiet laid back atmosphere. And the barn manager is a farrier. I pay $175/mo but the most expensive option is $375 for full care with a dry lot during the day and heated stall at night. Of the options you listed, having them turned out on a hill wouldn't be a problem if I were looking for a barn. It's amazing how much regional costs change. | |
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 I hate cooking and cleaning
Posts: 3314
Location: Jersey Girl | ccarpe18 - 2018-02-28 3:07 PM So I have 4 horses total. (one is a weanling). For the last 5 years, I had them on my ex's property and did my own self care.
Now I board again, and it just seems ridiculous to me! I was paying $375 each for 3 horses, was not paying for the foal until she was weaned. Once weaned, I moved the mare & foal to my aunts house a couple hours away (which I planned on the whole time).
Now they are raising the board to $450 each. The manager keeps telling me how I'll still be saving money (even though I obviously still have to pay my aunt for the mare/foal). The horses are both in a paddock with no shelter. & no I can't put them in the same paddock. I also can't put them in the mare motel where it would be cheaper, because my horses are "too big" (they are both under 15.2). I'm seriously annoyed at this point. I've tried to explain to the manager that I cannot afford the $450 price, but she just tells me how I'm saving money from before.
Looking at new places to board and trying to figure out what to do!
One place is closer to home, nice area except they have Chalk Rock which can cause respiratory problems & bone disease. However the horses out there now seem to be doing just fine.
The other place, my horses would be a little farther out-in a shared paddock. Each paddock has 2 horses-both my two horses would be with another horse instead of mine together. The paddocks are on a hill, not really any flat area. My horses have never been on a hill before.
In case you've read this far down-you're awesome & I appreciate you!
Welcoming all advise !!!
I've, unfortunately, boarded for YEARS because I can't afford my own farm so I can feel your pain.
Does the current farm you are at offer a work for board option? Or maybe you can find a place close to home to do self care, or as already suggested reduce your herd.
Edited to add: I pay $225 a horse and supply everything but the farm owner does the work. After doing self care for years it is a nice break. My 2 horses get excellent care and as an added bonus she also barrel races.
Edited by fulltiltfilly 2018-03-01 9:14 AM
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I just read the headlines
Posts: 4483
| What about contacting someone with vacant acreage and asking if you can lease it for grazing? Just make sure there is water and get a contract made up. | |
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Expert
Posts: 1314
Location: North Central Iowa Land of white frozen grass | Why on earth do you have 4 horses if you have to pay $ 450 a month. I would be down to 1 horse fast even if I had to give 3 of them away for free. Each one of them is going to cost you $5,400 a year to board. I am sorry your in this spot but lets look at pure economics here. You could pay the payment on your own place for the $16,200 you would save on boarding costs. | |
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 Reaching for the stars....
Posts: 12708
| Way back in 1999 the company I worked for asked if I would move to the San Jose area to stay with my boss who was promoted to Pres of that division.
I checked into prices for living for both me and my horse. The consensus was that I could go with my horse, but I'd have to share the stall with her!! Board then was over $1500 per month.
I know San Jose may be a different part of the state, and one of the pricier ones at that, but even in my part of VA board starts at $500 per month for field board and goes up to over $2000 per month in a high status hunter barn.
I would try to find a private owner who could handle 2 more horses. I board a friends horse for no profit, but she helps out with particular things (delivering hay and feeding for me if I'm gone or real sick, filling water tanks, helping build fence lines or fixing other broken stuff).
I don't think I could ever be in a boarding situation again. It's tough enough sending one to a trainer. | |
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