I'm thinking about moving my guys. At least two other boarders and I have been complaining, and things seem to be getting worse. I'm not sure what's going on, but I'm hoping to talk to the owner sometime this weekend to let her know how concerned I am, and then give it a couple weeks to turn around. If nothing changes, or, heaven forbid, if the quality of care gets worse, then I'll need a new barn.
For anyone who reads this, please let me know if you know of any barns in or near (less than 20 minutes) Olympia which have the following minimum requirements:
- Daily turnout in a big enough space to run around (this doesn't have to be all day, but a few hours per horse)
- Staff who know horses well enough to recognize a swollen leg or sheath or etc. injury and call the owner and vet when appropriate
- Staff who can follow instructions and can feed the right thing consistently and whatever quirks the owner has (like, for example, "keep blanket on" means don't take it off)
- Decent sized stalls (Willig is pretty big for an "average" stall)
- Safe facilities - no crazy nails poking out or barbed wire
- Covered arena that is lit and is a decent size (doesn't have to be huge)
- Feeds twice a day; waters all the time
- Time for the boarders to ride on evenings and weekends
- Place for boarders to park trailers
- Lockers for boarders (big enough for two saddles)
- Cross-ties
These are bonuses but I would love to find a place that also has them:
- Feeds THREE times a day
- Trails
- Water (to practice crossing or, better yet, jumping into)
- Cross country course
- Jumps
- Huge indoor arena
- Outdoor arena
- Less than $350/month per horse
- Staff who can do medical care (like bute, eye ointment, soak feet, hold for farrier)
- No gossip/drama/cliques
- Hot water wash rack
- Experienced trainers who come for lessons (dressage, jumping, x-country)
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