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Discussion on My barn manager uses wet bedding
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New Member:
writer
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Posted on Monday, Apr 12, 2010 - 2:22 pm:
I just discovered that my barn manager add "not quite used up" pellets from one stall to another horse's stall to stretch bedding. I am horrified, but when other people have protested, she has responded by saying "Horses share the same pasture." Although it's obvious that a 12 x 12 stall with someone else's bedding in it is different, I can't find any information about the health risks of "shared" bedding. I really need to hear your responses to this issue. Thanks
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Member:
stek
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Posted on Monday, Apr 12, 2010 - 4:17 pm:
I can't imagine what the purpose would be? Why would you spend the effort moving used bedding from one stall to another?
I'm not sure about health risks .. parasite contamination might be an issue though I would hope all the horses on the farm are on the same deworming program.
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Member:
canter
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Posted on Wednesday, Apr 14, 2010 - 7:10 pm:
Doesn't make sense, does it - a lot of work for no gain other than saving money. I would be concerned about the potential for spreading a viral or bacterial infection. Even with horses sharing pasture, the enclosed space of a stall seems to make it more likely that an infection would be spread.
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Member:
scooter
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Posted on Wednesday, Apr 14, 2010 - 7:59 pm:
I'm kind of scratching my head on this one, why would she move it and not just leave it in the original horses stall until it was used up???..doesn't even make sense. I used to clean stalls at a boarding barn, and the last thing that wouldn't make sense is moving bedding... there is no reason to when the original horse can use it up.
Have you asked her about it or seen her do this???
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New Member:
writer
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Posted on Thursday, Apr 15, 2010 - 3:35 pm:
I don't have to ask my barn manager, since she has said she reuses bedding when other boarders bring it up.
When she's stripping one stall, she uses the best of the bedding in another stall to enable that horse to "go another day or two."
I know it's nuts, but I'm more concerned about the impact it could have on my horse's health.
Dr. O, could I ask for your opinion here? Should I be worried--or merely find it pretty icky?
Thanks for everyone's comments.
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Member:
dsibley
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Posted on Thursday, Apr 15, 2010 - 9:30 pm:
I operate a boarding stable, and let me tell you I think it's just plain poor practice. In my opinion I think it would be akin to the staff at a hotel reusing bedding for the next customer because it doesn't 'look too dirty'. No, you might not catch anything, but...it's just gross.
Sorry, just my humble but sometimes outspoken opinion. I know you wanted a veterinary opinion as to the health risks...sorry.
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Member:
pattyb
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Posted on Thursday, Apr 15, 2010 - 11:11 pm:
Well, to add my nickle's worth....
I fail to see the logic in moving the bedding to another stall. If I have more bedding on the floor than I need, I push it to a corner and bring it back out as I need it. Moving it to the next stall is a waste of time and very poor practise....what the heck is she thinking?  Baffled on this one............
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New Member:
kimaz
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Posted on Friday, Apr 16, 2010 - 12:27 am:
From my understanding, isn't fresh clean bedding part of your boarding charges? I am sorry you have to experience this challenge.
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Member:
kriseyc
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Posted on Friday, Apr 16, 2010 - 9:07 pm:
Writer, I too find it "Icky" I can certainly be sympathetic with costs of bedding and labor, but COME ON!! I agree with the analogy of paying for a hotel room and getting sheets that "aren't too bad" and re-using them.
I'm curious if the barn would be offering you a rebate at the end of the month for the clean shavings that they DIDN'T use and you paid for. I think sometimes that boarding facilities forget that we are paying everyday for full care of our horse. Feed, cleaning, turnout, etc, etc...and that should be done every day!
Good luck with your situation...
IKE
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Member:
kriseyc
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Posted on Friday, Apr 16, 2010 - 9:10 pm:
Writer, I too find it "Icky" I can certainly be sympathetic with costs of bedding and labor, but COME ON!! I agree with the analogy of paying for a hotel room and getting sheets that "aren't too bad" and re-using them.
I'm curious if the barn would be offering you a rebate at the end of the month for the clean shavings that they DIDN'T use and you paid for. I think sometimes that boarding facilities forget that we are paying everyday for full care of our horse. Feed, cleaning, turnout, etc, etc...and that should be done every day!
Good luck with your situation...
IKE
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Member:
vickiann
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Posted on Saturday, Apr 17, 2010 - 11:32 am:
What a very strange practice.
When I was traveling with my horse, at most barns one was required to entirely strip and dispose of all of the used bedding out of a stall (clean or dirty) that had been used or pay a striping fee/penalty.
It seems to me that this was required because it would help prevent the spread of illness.
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Member:
ekaufman
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Posted on Saturday, Apr 17, 2010 - 10:29 pm:
I also operate a boarding stable, and would not support this practice. I suppose there are potential health issues (parasites come to mind, or any illness spread by horse ooze), but the obvious immediate problem is with human customer satisfaction.
I do have some sympathy for this barn owner, who is clearly in a position where she can better afford the hours of labor than she can fresh bedding. Bedding is incredibly expensive. I've cut back a LOT on bedding in my barn, and offer my clients the option of paying extra if they want a horse bedded deeper or differently.
It does make me curious what folks are paying per month at this barn, and whether the board fees are sufficient to support the operation and expectations of care.
- elk
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New Member:
writer
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Posted on Tuesday, Apr 20, 2010 - 3:26 pm:
I really appreciate hearing from other barn owners and managers,as I know from keeping my own horses in my own barn exactly how expensive bedding is--and how much time good care can take.
This owner charges from $500 - 550 per month. In our rural-ish area, that's the highest board around.
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Member:
canter
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Posted on Tuesday, Apr 20, 2010 - 4:31 pm:
Where in MI are you, Writer? I'm in MI too and the $500 is quite expensive for my particular area, but may not be for the other side of the state.
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New Member:
writer
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Posted on Tuesday, Apr 20, 2010 - 5:23 pm:
We're in northeast Indiana, about 20 minutes from Valparaiso. Most of the barns around us charge around $350.
We don't get a rebate at the end of the month for the bedding our horses don't use!
I would rather have the clean bedding than the money.
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Member:
canter
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Posted on Tuesday, Apr 20, 2010 - 9:28 pm:
Your profile says Michigan, that's why I asked, but I travel right by you several times a month. I agree - I'd rather have the clean bedding too...have they explained why they do this?
I can't figure out the logic behind this practice...still scratching my head. Very strange!
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