Thank you all so much for your feedback. Man, did it ever feel better just typing my woes and reading different views of the situation.
For now I am going to stay put (paid for board until the end of May so giving myself that window of reflection) and see what I can learn about the extent of this issue. I have asked the previous BO if I can come back for June 1st, so that is in place if that is what I decide.
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| I took Shiraz for a hand walk down the path directly off Shiraz's new paddock. It heads right into the park and to the xc course. |
I talked to the BO and he was very kind and open about what he knew of it--that two of the horses had longstanding chronic issues but more had only started coughing just this spring. A vet was out and suggested the very dry spring we are having is increasing dust in general plus there could be a pollen component. He described his hay feeding practice and was not open to watering down the hay as there were just too many horses/hay piles and he could not add that to his chores.
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| Heading further into the park the path lined with wood shavings much of the way. |
I am considering buying a watering can (no hoses reach that back paddock) and watering down the hay piles in Shiraz's paddock when I am there, with the BO's permission. Would that be securing my position as
that boarder? Probably? Do I care as long as my mare has less dusty hay when possible? Nope.
For now, we are loving the location.
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| Next time I may try riding this path. Hopefully I can coordinate going with some other riders. |
I am dreading the deadline of telling either new place I am leaving or old place that I am not coming back after all. Either way a bridge will probably be burned.
Fingers crossed that there is a good resolution for you two
ReplyDeleteman for some reason my feed reader keeps dropping your updates. grrr. i'll see it on the list but then it disappears and i end up late to the post!! :(
ReplyDeleteanyways tho. yea. buying a little time seems like a solid plan. hopefully the extra time brings a little clarity to your mind on which situation is really the best choice for you and Shiraz, independently of what others may wish or choose for you. i read once that if we're struggling with indecision, we should flip a coin for ourselves. and.... if we don't like the coin flip result, then maybe we weren't so undecided after all ;) good luck!
As you know I know nothing about horses. I was doing a crossword this afternoon and it asked something about horses and I had to cheat and look in the answers. But I do love your pictures and reading all about your beautiful creatures.
ReplyDeleteThis is such a frustrating situation to be in. It's so hard to balance a horse's mental happiness with their physical well being. No barn is ever perfect, and trying to pick the least bad can be so hard. I hope you are able to resolve this without burning any bridges. I hate, hate, hate round bales and am convinced that that's how Ozzy got EPM. I have seen horses who move to a new barn and are instantly happier (and vice versa). Are there any options for you other than old barn or current barn?
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