Breaking the news to the BO?

Question

well I'm moving my horse Sonny because I feel he isn't getting the care he should be...and I'm being treated like c**p just like any other client of hers....

How do I break the news that I'm leaving? The BO is REALLLLY hard up on money and I know she'll be totally POed with me leaving. I want to be able to give her enough notice, but then I don't want to because I'm afraid of what she might do.

Any ideas?

There was nothing in the contract saying that I had to give her 30 days notice

Answer 1

Just be straight up with her at least 5 days before your moving, explain to her that you fell you horse isn't receiving care that is up to your standards and you have found somewhere else to move it to.  I've had BO's like that before, who didn't take care of my horse.  remember your paying her for a service and if she isn't completeing the service to your standards you shouldn't continue to pay her for them.  just be honest and dont tell anyone out at the barn until you have spoken with her

Answer 2

if shes that bad, just leave, pay for that week (or whatever your pay) and tell her to get over it! well thats what i would do!

Answer 3

Give her at least two weeks notice.  She has no right to be ticked at you because you are the one paying the bills.  If she is paying others to take care of the horses, explain your feelings.  There is really nothing she can do.

Answer 4

I would have it all lined up and just show up with the trailer and pull the horse out.

I am not sure if a horse stall rental qualifies under the same laws as a house rental.

That states that if you rent month to month you must give 30 days notice or you will be responsible for 30 days after you leave.

ie .  If you leave on say Aug 15 you have already paid for that month of August...but you will be responsible for Septembers rent too....IF you don't give notice.

That is if horse barn rental falls under the same laws as a month to month apartment rental.

Me...I showed up one day with my trailer and the owner said "what are you doing?"

Me:  "Taking my horse and leaving."

him:  "Why?"

Me:  "The care and treatment my horse has been getting is not up to par so I am going elsewhere"

and I left.

Something else you can do is say

"I am starting lessons with a particular trainer and she has an open stall for me.  It would be easier for both of us if I moved over there, plus it's closer to my house.  I hope you understand"

Then discuss the move out day and if she requires a 30 day notice.  If she says no...have her sign a letter typed up and stating that she is allowing you to leave without having a 30 day notice and no $ for any damages are required. If you want to be polite. :)

Answer 5

Gypsy Vanner's scare me.

Anyway, I'd tell her the day before and say something like "Sonny is going to be changing barns this week... I don't know when the trailer will come... could be tomorrow, could be in 2 or 3 days, but I'm paid until the 24th, so I'll be gone then or before then."

If she gets upset, just say something like "I feel like I've gotten as far as I can get here and I just feel like it's time for a change of pace." If she's at all a professional, she won't take it out on your horse. Just in case, I'd ask one or two of the other clients to make sure that Sonny always has some hay in his stall, or to make sure he's being fed while you're not around.

Sorry that things ended up this way, and good luck in moving your horse out of there as quickly as possible!

Answer 6

If there is nothing in your boarding contract, just leave.......drive your trailer up, load your horse, and take off. You can hand her a letter and not even speak a word to her. If there is something in your boarding contract, then your in a pickle, cuz she can sue you for breach of contract.

Answer 7

I think you should give 30 days notice.  If you are concerned that your horse is not receiving the care you expect then move the horse.  The board is a seperate issue.  You may have to pay the next month board and not have your horse there.  It is a small price to pay for the security of knowing that your horse is safe and well cared for.  Don't burn bridges.  Give the notice, pay the board and GET OUT NOW!

Answer 8

if yor not satisfied with the services your getting and its not just personal  then move your horse for the sake of its care and if my horse was in danger of abuse  i wouldnt give a notice untill i came to pic him up but make sure there is a claus in the rental agreement for a notice of leaving

Answer 9

If there's absolutely nothing in your boarding contract about giving notice, you don't have to.

Also, you are not responsible for this person's financial affairs nor her lot in life.  So if you leave and she's goes bankrupt, how is that your fault?

You are responsible for you.  If she treats others poorly and has treated you poorly - and especially if someone has tried to teach her differently without success - then she doesn't want to learn and grow, which will be the root cause of her downfall.

Find another place for the horse, make arrangements for it to be moved, and tell the current barn owner as early as possible without potential mistreatment of your horse that you are leaving.

For example, the day you are leaving, after you know the horse has been fed and cared for as normal, tell her you'll be moving it.  You may even wish to make arrangements to be at the barn the morning of the move - and you don't have to tell why - if you are moving the horse say at noon.  showing up at 10 am just like you're going to ride, securing the horse either in it's stall or pasture, then telling her you'll begin removing your personal belongings in preparation for the move - stay with the horse, keep it within your control until it's on the trailer and all your stuff's loaded up.

You have to do what you have to do for yourself.  If you truly think she'll harm your horse, steal or harm your belongings or make it difficult for you upon removing the horse, then don't tell her until the trailer arrives and you're ready to load the horse.  Heck, if you regularly trailer the horse to a show or to ride, don't even tell her until the horse is gone if you think it'll be really bad.

I say these things with the assumption that your board is paid and you've met all your obligations to the barn owner.  I have no idea if perhaps the owner is treating you poorly due to late board payments or something - some people cannot handle confrontation and rather than talk to a late payer, will simply treat them like c**p because they can't do anything else.

Above all, during the whole time, do not stoop to blaming or ranting or saying things to try to teach her how awful she was.  If she was the type of person who wanted to know why you were leaving, she'd ask.  then you'd be honest with her, but not abusive.

You see, when two people enter into any kind of contract - each has an obligation that's outlined in the contract and each has obligations that are put forth by normal society.  For example, cussing and swearing at animals or people or about them is something that is incorrect naturally, shouldn't have to be spelled out in a contract.  You, as the boarder really do have an obligation to express your dissatisfaction at the owner's antics - and if the owner gets nasty to you, you immediately have an obligation to get out of the contract.

I have seen instances where a barn owner really didn't realize something large or small they were doing really upset someone.  Relationships have been broken because one party or the other is too afraid to confront the other on the problem.

Good luck.

Answer 10

as a former barn manager i'd like to think that the BO woldnt do anything to hurt your horse, and you could give her some notice and things would be good, but as a realist i know that this is not always the case..

if you are really concerned that she might do something to your horse, then by all means, just show up with trailer and take your horse and go... even if its in your boarding contract that you have to give notice, she CANNOT keep your horse!!! to intentionaly deprive you of access to your horse is theft and she would then be criminally liable... if notice is required then she still has to let you leave, and can then sue you for the appropriate amount... if she does try to sue you then you want as much proof as you can get that you were concerned about your horse's safety...

if she tries to stop you from taking your horse then you get to call law enforcement... try to have a few people with you when you go to get your horse.... you'll want to do things as quickly as possible...have a copy of your boarding contract handy if it says you dont have to give notice...do NOT go into the situation armed, and do not cause a physical conflict... call the police the moment it gets a little weird.. let them deal with it if it comes to that...remind them that by not letting you take your horse she is intentionally depriving you of your property and that you will consider pressing charges...as it will be happening in their view its pretty much an instant cuff em and stuff em deal... she'll probably back down real quick...

Answer 11

Her money issues can't be your problem, your horses safety has to come first.

Be honest with her and tell her that you are leaving because of the things happening - she may need to hear this before others start leaving too...

She may get mad, but that is a consequence shell need to deal with for the actions toward you and your horse....good luck

Answer 12

from your description, it sounds reasonable to assume she may take her anger out on the horse.  In this situation, the horse comes first.  Arrange to move the horse ASAP and you owe her no notice in advance.  Your are being mistreated and have reason to fear for your horse's well being...even if you had a contract requiring notice, those terms are negated by the way she is treating you.

Are you more concerned about her being POed, or about your horse?  The answer is obvious.  Never stay in a place where the management is mismanaging...that's what I hear you describing here.

I was in a situation once where the recovering alcoholic barn owner relapsed and became increasingly nasty, and I was concerned for my horse.  I was under no obligation, either legally or morally, to discuss my concerns with him.  He was at fault, and violated standards of conduct that removed any responsibility on my part to deal with him.  I left without notice and didn't look back.  I'm sure he was outraged, but he didn't get the chance to take anything out on my horse. Be sure you are paid up in full when you leave.  Don't concern yourself with her financial situation. Her financial burdens are hers....not yours.

Answer 13

i tell a month in advance so they can have another boared ready to come take the stall when you leave.  its onyl 4 weeks you will survive.

Answer 14

I moved from a stable about 20 years ago when they started feeding loose alfafa instead of hay.  Just brought my truck and trailer and moved out 8 head of horses in a couple of hours.  

The owner of the stable knew what they were doing was wrong, so they didn't dare say a word about it.  

Several years later they had massive deaths at their stable because of what they'd been feeding (Old produce was added to the alfafa powder by that time.) and they were closed down.

If your Stable Owner knows she's treating you unfairly then she shouldn't whine when you pull in and haul out.

Answer 15

Tell her about 1-2 weeks in advance. Say "My horse is moving because we found a place [closer,cheaper,or anything really] so I'm giving you the notice now.

But it's YOUR horse, and there is nothing she can do about it if you want to move your horse.

Answer 16

If there isn't anything in your contract that says that you have to give notice, then move now. She can't do anything to you unless you owe her money.

Answer 17

Well it's your horse.  It's July 18.. so she might make you pay for the whole month of July... so just keep him there until the last week in July, then show up with the trailer and say "sorry i found a dif. barn that shows a little more respect and need to move my horse. im sorry.

if you cant wait that long, then do the math and pay for the weeks he's been at the barn this month and tell her that you refuse to pay the whole month.

hope this helps

EDIT:

i agree with galloppal... just come up with your trailer, load all your stuff and horse, and get out of there.. dont worry about financial issues because of the situation. paying for the whole month sounds like its worth it to get your horse out of there