Boggle- USA bound!

[Trouper]

You just may find that Bog relaxes more with other horses if the overall atmosphere of the place is relaxed. While maintaining standards for Bog, do what is easiest for you for this (first?) move - he owes you!!! Barn A sounds great to me - you can't put a price on having a another pair of knowledgeable eyes on him through your friend - just in case he dreams up another drama.

 

[Surbie]

Barn A would be my choice, for the relaxed atmosphere, the lower price and for the shorter journey. It sounds really lovely.

 

[Asha]

Barn A .
Just have a chat with barn owner about services so you don’t feel awkward asking for help

 

[splashgirl45]

Barn A, nice to have a friend who can keep an eye on Bog, could you help each other out so you cut down the amount of time you need to go. Also I like the sound of how relaxed it is, would be good for Bog while he is not being ridden, if it isn’t right you could move somewhere else ..

 

[Peglo]

I also say yard A. It sounds lovely and relaxed. Good turnout and heated stables when needed, sounds ideal.

When we went to look at the small white pony he just wandered about the farm free range. The owners were very experienced people but it must’ve just suited him/them.

 

[LadyGascoyne]

I might go for barn B.

Feeling awkward about asking about services or feeling something like someone was doing me a favour, wouldn’t really work for me in a professional relationship. And that’s just me, so feel free to ignore.

Because I work so much, it is really important to me to feel like my life is organised and well-supported. I want to be able to confident and comfortable in any service-provision contract, and to know that the service will run well and professionally.

I would consider - how would you feel handling an issue if your horse caused a problem, or if their handling of a situation caused a problem?

My mares went to a social acquaintance’s yard for a few weeks whilst I was sorting out sycamores at home, on full price livery. They were (totally uncharacteristically) ghastly. They yelled their heads off, broke a fence rail and trashed the fence line in the field. I was so embarrassed, and offered to replace it and sent an apology card. And I still feel bad!

However, they were put in a separate stable block behind the yard full of other horses, so they could hear lots of horses but not see them. And they were turned out at night when those horses had come in for the night, so they never got to lay eyes on their neighbours but they could hear all the comings and goings. I mentioned this as a potential cause - and there were lots of free stables on the main yard - but the YO brushed it off. I didn’t feel like I could push back and get it changed, and I spent the rest of the time there cringing over their behavior, and very worried about an injury.

If I’d been at our usual livery option when the horses aren’t home, which in hindsight would have been the right answer, I would have felt no hesitation in asking the staff to move their stables, or turn out differently. (Our usual place is twice the cost, so effectively £1000pm a horse whereas this was just over £1000pm for two - I went for less expense).

The other thing I’d consider is that if it didn’t work, would you ruin the friendship? I brought my horses home early, and although I thanked the YO, had a lovely chat with her and left a beautiful big bunch of flowers, I still worry about whether she thinks badly of me as a result of our time there not working.

So for me it’s professional yard all the way, as long as I felt the horse would be equally happy, but I appreciate we all have different priorities and needs so I am an outlier on that.

 

[Yeomans]

Hi Michen, this little story might make you laugh. When I had my horses at home there was a big pig called Butter that all my horses loved and even groomed her. One day I went to Tescos and left my garage door open and when I came back in the drive there was Stella lager cans all over the drive that she had opened with her teeth. Butter had come up the field and helped herself to a 24 can tray of Stella lager and was completely p***ed in the drive. I had to phone my neighbour and they bought a trailer round and it took 4 of us to drag her into the trailer and take her home. She slept for 2 days in a stable sleeping it off and the owner had to buy me a replacement tray of lager. So moral is dont leave any cans lying about.

 

[AmyMay]

Barn A, providing they understand that services will be needed.

 

[DabDab]

Barn A, because after everything that has happened some quiet months in a relaxed atmosphere sounds just the ticket.

And then barn B can be a backup if you find that you really do need reliable/guilt free services on tap.

 

[Ahrena]

Barn A I reckon - I loved it when I had Lexi at the private yard (where she had Pesto). It was ‘private’ in a sense though I didn’t know the YO when I moved there but I was the only livery.

We set up expectations in terms of what I needed for livery before I moved there. Probably the happiest I’ve been at a yard other than Hillside despite lack of facilities.

Plus it gives you the opportunity to save a bit of cash towards your lovely vet bills and if there’s an option eventually for you to afford another in the future if you can’t ride Bog again, then it’s nice to have the option.

 

[brighteyes]

Hehe. I’ll let you know how it goes. Aiming to move him a week Monday after his re check, although I need to write a pros/cons list to be sure on barn. Which I’ll prob post on here

I think a collective blame sharing would reduce your self-flagellation to a manageable level. We could each own a pro or con for which all negative outcomes are to be directed solely towards.

 

[brighteyes]

Barn A but don’t tell them about this thread…

Just kidding but Barn A sounds way more relaxed and when he pulls his next stunt, you’re 35 mins closer

 

[myheartinahoofbeat]

Barn A.....From the sounds of it, Bog will let you know if he doesn't like it and then you have B as a back up.
I was at a yard once where they had one horse that just wandered around loose. It was great, all the other horses were very chilled too.

 

[meggymoo]

Barn A but don’t tell them about this thread…

Just kidding but Barn A sounds way more relaxed and when he pulls his next stunt, you’re 35 mins closer

And $400 a month closer to paying the bill

 

[Michen]

It’s actually more like $625 a month less than the other barn! And $875 less than current.

Thanks everyone that’s been really helpful.

 

[Northern Hare]

It’s actually more like $625 a month less than the other barn! And $875 less than current.

Thanks everyone that’s been really helpful.

That's a no brainer then - Barn A it is then!

I'm sure you will anyway, but I'd recommend having the discussion before you arrive at the new yard on how extras will be dealt with. I personally always preferred to be on a business like footing, so you didn't always feel like you were asking for favours.

 

[SEL]

I have owned the wandering around loose horse (beautiful Militaire now wandering around the paddock in the clouds). He was a horse who loved people so everyone would say hello and I never, ever met another horse who had an issue with him. He gave off good vibes.

If barn A would be ok with helping you out when you need it - just ask them - then I'd head that way. I've tended to find people in the US much more acceptable to providing services anyway so long as there's a thanks / rewards / asked politely and I'm pretty sure you'd be all over that. The cost difference could really help you out with vet bill payments or even finding something to ride whilst Bog recuperates

 

[Michen]

Thanks so much. I’m going to try barn A.

I still feel like I’m living in some sort of nightmare that this has happened and I think being around my friend, and at a very quiet barn, might do my soul some good atm- and hopefully Boggles!

 

[Honey08]

Just make sure you have a really good chat about extras. I’ve had liveries that wanted more and more extras, when I really didn’t want to do many, and it got irritating in the end. Plus you do have to go away frequently and he could well need treatments giving etc. I don’t want to rain on your parade, I love the sound of the barn other than the issue of extras. Which is quite a big issue that needs to be sorted.

 

[Michen]

To be honest there aren’t really any extras other than steaming his hay which they are happy to do. And medications, which he’s sooo easy for. And my friend can help if needed.

So should be all good, but we will see!

 

[Michen]

Bog such a little monster banging on the gate with his hoof because he’s seen my car and I haven’t immediately arrived with his meds (in a small feed)

He’s looking good, steroids are tapering to every other day from tomorrow. Doseage has been reduced over last four days. Please cross fingers for no relapse!!

This bit feels like I’m not seeing any more improvement, I guess because he looks normal now in pasture. But it’s hard because in the back of my mind I’m praying for a full recovery. I need to forget it and be thrilled with what I currently have.

 

[Cragrat]

No regression as the steroids reduce surely is progress though? And to be already pasture safe, after such a short time, and to have the balance and coordination (and the attitude!) to bang his gate, is fantastic !

 

[Michen]

Yes- it is! I need to keep reminding myself of that. It’s such a weird thing I guess because with an injury or whatnot you know what it is. You know the likely outcome etc.

This feels like blind faith. I have no clue what happened only guesses and I don’t know the chances of it happening again etc.

It’s really odd not having a diagnosis, I think. But I still stand by not doing more tests because even if he wasn’t ataxic it’s still a GA for no reason other than “to know for sure”.

 

[Michen]

No regression as the steroids reduce surely is progress though? And to be already pasture safe, after such a short time, and to have the balance and coordination (and the attitude!) to bang his gate, is fantastic !

Ps and yes the gate banging is ridiculous he balances his whole hoof on the bottom rail and then waves it up and down.

That said he tried to hop around on three legs a couple of days ago whilst I picked his feet out, and ended up on his knees. Then looked at me like it was my fault!!!

 

[Ahrena]

To be fair, Pesto does that half the time I pick out his feet so it may be a twat thing rather than an ataxic thing

He’s doing grand - and you wouldn’t be human if you weren’t praying for a full recovery. I know you love him more than riding but losing that is still a big loss and it’s totally normal to grieve that and hope for a recovery whilst being grateful he’s made it this far

 

[Michen]

To be fair, Pesto does that half the time I pick out his feet so it may be a twat thing rather than an ataxic thing

He’s doing grand - and you wouldn’t be human if you weren’t praying for a full recovery. I know you love him more than riding but losing that is still a big loss and it’s totally normal to grieve that and hope for a recovery whilst being grateful he’s made it this far

Haha he used to hop around on 3 feet happily so I know its a new thing. Flexible Pesto

Yes you are right

 

[SO1]

I would not be surprised if you find he is rideable again. His recovery is really quick.

 

[JGC]

I'd definitely give Barn A a go. Hopefully as it's nearer, there'll be less asking for services anyway, and you might be able to coordinate a bit more with your friend too. And if Barn B would still be an option later, it seems worth a go.

 

[Michen]

Bog in good spirits today! First day without pain relief so I’m happy to see that.

Spoke to my UK vet which was very comforting. He said to stay the course.. he’s seen horses come back fully from this and of course it’s Boggle.

 

[meesha]

Fantastic news, must be hard not to get your hopes up as it all sounds very positive