Clean It Up
SBS Equine Products has introduced a new disinfectant, Biocheck, which is designed to help reduce the spread of dangerous pathogens on hard, nonporous surfaces called Biocheck. The EPA-registered formula is a hospital-grade concentrate that can be used on mats, stalls, horse trailers, farrier tools and other animal care areas. Biocheck can be spread by mop, sponge or sprayed on. The cleaner comes in a one-gallon economy size, which will produce 256 gallons of spray when mixed with water, say manufacturers.
For more information, contact SBS Equine Products at (239) 354-3361 or check out their website at www.sbsequine.com.
Neither Rain Nor Wind
Cover-All Building Systems has launched and re-engineered its Titan Building Series. According to designers, the structural design of the series is able to achieve wind and snow ratings with a wider bay spacing with fewer foundation points.
More specifically, in the Series 2 and 3 buildings, there are fewer trusses and anchoring points and the round steel tubing has been changed to square steel tubing in the truss chords and purlins.
Cover-All buildings are available in clear span widths from 18 to 160 feet and are pre-engineered to meet structural requirements in Canada and the U.S.
For more information, call Cover-All Building Systems at 1-800-268-3768 or check out their website at www.coverall.net.
Big Air
Big Ass Fans has introduced a more affordable option to its line of large, high-volume, low-speed fans called the Big EZ. The Big EZ comes in two sizes, 10 feet and 14 feet, and runs at a continuous speed in either forward or reverse. The units require no separate fan controllers and little electrical work.
According to manufacturers, the Big EZ can move 96,533 cubic feet of air per minute for cooling. In the winter, the fan can be reversed to bring down warmer air from the ceiling areas.
For more information, contact Big Ass Fans at 1-877-BIG-FANS or visit www.BigAssFans.com.
FINDING OUT
8/25/2010
Re: When is a boader's selfishness too much? This is why I could never be a dog trainer or pet sitter - in my opinion, no one can take as good of care as their dog as I could and it would drive me crazy.
As a barn manager, you don't have a say in alot of how an owner manages her horse, e.g. riding after a long layoff. However, you do have control over the mechanics of your barn. You have a perfect right to say "no" to the lights for both the expense and the mesquito issue with not only her horse, but others as well.
Not all horses need blankets on in the winter. It is always better to underblanket. Horses can always keep warm by walking around their stall. Also, the process of eating hay is also another way they keep warm. So winter may not be so much of a worry.
I understand about fading, but that should only be relevant if the horse is turnoud out. If he's in his stall, he doesn't need a blanket of any kind. If she is expecting you to put blankets on, tell her you don't offer blanketing services in the summer.
Finally, tell her that blanketing a horse to keep from growing a coat is a myth. It does nothing to keep their hair from growing or not - it has to do with the amount of daylight and the horse's own internal clock. Horses who are blanketed all the time LOOK like they don't have a coat, but they really do - it's just flattened down by the weight of the blanket. If they were to be left unblanketed, the fur would pop up to provide insulation.
Finally, I agree that as barn manager, you have the right to ask her to leave. I would say it by saying, "Boarder, it sounds like you aren't happy with the way I run things around here and I cannot provide the special services you require. As per our boarding agreement, I would like to ask that you leave at the end of the 30 days. I'm sure there is another barn that can better meet your needs."
8/25/2010
Re: When is a boader's selfishness too much? Hmm.. llights on in the summer when the sun doesn't go down until almost 10 pm.. odd. My barn (I own it) we do have 'some' that blanket in the summer. They use a light weight so the horse doesn't hair up or get dirty. In the winter we do have a few that have llights on above their stall (my show reiners included) HOWEVER, they are on a timer and go off and on at certain times of the night. Calling the animal warden I don't think will work. Though if the horse is heavily blanketed, one.. I would take it off. If the woman contiues to put it on, I would call the warden for sure so he/she can see the horse sweating to death. Then I would tell the woman "My Barn. My Rules.' I have needed to say that a few times to folks. Here at Green Ridge the full care boarders trust my judgement as far as blankets are concerned. I blanket and unblanket as I see fit. Full care boarders must also provide fly spray so I can use it on their horse. This woman doesn't sound like the quailty of person I personally would want in my barn. I would hand her a 30 notice and mail a registered letter of evection. If she didn't leave at the end of her 30 notice for some thing like, " I can't find a place for my horse," tell her it's not your problem and you'll help her load her stuff up cause she is going. I have done that with non-payment boarders. Get tough. One unpleasant boarder ruins the fun for the rest. Sounds like she needs educated on equine care. The same blanket 365 days of the year isn't going to provide warmth in the winter. I have one boarder that lunges her horse in the arena when I am working my reiners. I just ride around the lunging. She complained about it the other day and I told her not to worry about it, I won't run in to her or her horse. She isn't happy but hell the arena is for riding not lunging. Do it in the grass like the other folks here. Do I care if she leaves? Nope. It's impolite to lunge in the middle of a persons ride. I'm sort of looking forward to the day she decides to lunge in the arena again when I am working my horses. Especiall whn I've kicked a cow out and I'm taking it down the fence.
8/4/2010
Re: Night Turn Out Speaking as a boarding facility, I bring the horses in at night once it reaches about 35* and during warm weather, leave them outside in shadeless turnouts (4 yr old shade trees) until the owners start to squirm. Then I leave the horses inside during the day and turnout during cooler nighttimes. However, my boarders pay a good price for the privileges of full care which means a stall. If they want their horse inside, so be it. They are not paying for pasture board.
7/27/2010
Re: What are you doing to diversify and add $$$ revenue? Don't forget that if barn's are having tough economic times, so are their boarders. Many people have lost their job and are trying to decide which bills to pay - including the barn bill! Having extra events is a great idea, but hoping boarders will have the extra money to pay isn't realistic.
Right now in these tough economic times, I think it's imperative for barns to make sure that their current boarders are happy and not thinking of leaving. Little things like a potluck BBQ or tack swap or somthing no/low cost to bring the group together and make them feel valued.
Now is a great time to start that barn newsletter or start a barn page on Facebook and let boarders feel appreciated.
It might be time for your barn to be part of the community as well. Can you host an Open House for kids that may not have been around horses before to see them. Perhaps your boarders would want to act as demo riders and show them some basic dressage or jumping or reining. Boarders love to show off their horse and their skills and gives them an opportunity to work together to help others.
Is there a local vet school in your area? Would vet students want to come to your barn and do some basic exams on boarder's horses? They get real experience and boarders get a free horse checkup and a chance to talk to a vet-in-training.
These are just some ideas on how a barn can make sure their boarders are happy, have nice things to say about your barn, and want to stay!
BARNS
