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Discussion on Feeding Schedule Controversy
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New Member:
Dr3ssag3
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Posted on Monday, Jul 10, 2006 - 8:05 pm:
Greetings, all.
I work and board at a barn that is a weekend co-op (every 5 weeks each boarder takes turns caring for horses on the weekend). The setup seems to work well, as boarders are really in tune with each others' horses, but we've had a bit of a disagreement of late that I could use some outside input on, as the owner of the barn doesn't seem compelled to state a firm position.
One of our boarders routinely shows up after 9 am to feed, meaning that often horses aren't fed until close to 10. This same boarder also shifts the lunch and dinner schedules to be close to 2:00 or 2:30 pm and 7:00 to 8:00 respectively. During the week, they are fed between 6:30 and 7:00 am for breakfast, 11:30 to 12:00 for lunch and 6:00 and 6:45 pm for dinner.
This past weekend, a couple of the boarders "got into it" with the aforementioned boarder, because they got to the barn to ride their horses and found that the feeder was just returning from a lengthy trail ride at 1:30. They thus had to put their riding plans on hold to allow their horses enough time to eat some lunch. The feeder was super-defensive and seemed unable to understand why there was a problem. (I personally like to ride early in the a.m., and when I arrive after 9 and find my horse STILL hasn't eaten, I get a bit disgruntled.)
I'm personally of the opinion that while horses shouldn't be fed up to the minute, that they do depend on a particular schedule and can get distressed when their needs aren't met in a timely manner. I have heard that horses sensitive to changes in feeding schedules can go into a colic. Is this true?
Does anyone have any ideas as to how to handle this situation or are we all overreacting?
Thanks!
Dawn
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Member:
Vickiann
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Posted on Monday, Jul 10, 2006 - 9:23 pm:
My personal opinion is that horses should be kept on a very flexible schedule so they do not get distressed if the feeder is not there on-the-dot. However, I do believe there are a few horses that cannot adapt to a flexible system and may even colic if the schedule gets too far off for them. If horses expect a meal at a given time they will stand around and even begin to fight and injure each other while waiting. I own my own farm and can observe how my horses react, so I am comfortable with keeping a flexible plan with the equines I own. In a boarding situation the fact that riders will want to take the horses out in the morning should, in my opinion, be given the utmost consideration.
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Member:
Sjeys
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Posted on Monday, Jul 10, 2006 - 11:06 pm:
That is a bummer to get there and not be able to ride due to an unusual feeding time. So, here's my two cents. Since you all share responsibility, maybe you could have a meeting and ask for input on feeding times. I suspect the person who is feeding late is one of those people who just doesn't get up until later in the day or who has a work schedule or family schedule that requires them to be somewhere else during a typical morning feed.
So, I'd just talk to her and ask if she has constraints that require her to only feed at a later time; the only reason you ask is that horses the rest of the time are fed several hours earlier and the other boarders count on this to schedule their riding times. If that's the only time she can do it, its fine; its only every five weeks and you'll have to mark your calendar that those weeks you'll have to bump your ride up or back. You may also be able to ride before breakfast as well if its a light ride. (I'm assuming horses get hay throughout the night).
This just sounds like you need to talk it through. It isn't fun to postpone your riding but maybe you can schedule around it if she cannot move the time. I'd just be as nice as possible about it. It sounds like she's defensive because she knows the time is already a bit odd...you don't get defensive if you are genuinely perplexed  so I'd try to work it with her and see what her constraints are.
It may also be a good time to write down what is expected of all boarders and agree on it for current and future boarders.
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Member:
Jojo15
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Posted on Monday, Jul 10, 2006 - 11:33 pm:
You wouldn't by any chance be talking about Saddle up would you? grin... my old place had the same kind of setup. BUT, and a big BUT, the horses had to be kept on a schedule of 7 am to 8:30am Morning feed only. It is the owner of the horses responsibility to feed any lunch and dinner.... This was to ensure the horses were fed at least once a day. This was a partial board setup... not full...Which leads me to ask if this is a full board setup why are boarders feeding?
My advice is everyone is doing this for free. Taking turns on their time off to feed and water other peoples horses... If you or anyone has strict rules for their horse, than they should be there to make sure they are followed, or do it themselves.
If someone has a ride scheduled than they should make sure the horse is fed on time to their schedule. This is not the responsibility of someone doing something for free. And shouldn't be made to feel guilty or bad about it.
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New Member:
Dr3ssag3
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Posted on Tuesday, Jul 11, 2006 - 1:08 am:
Thanks for the input, everyone. I definitely want to bring the issue up with this particular boarder (I think having a meeting would end up in a gang-up session), and you've given me some ideas on how to frame my arguments.
The co-op setup works for the most part as a way to cut down on board costs (our board is $530/mo while other barns nearby are $700 and up). Having the boarders do the work on weekends means the owner doesn't have to pay someone to do it. I work there during the week in exchange for board, but I also am required to participate in the co-op rotation. I admittedly get a bit frazzled on weekends, because I run a "tight ship" during the week and chaos inevitably ensues when the weekend comes around. ;)
The owner of the barn had posted a "Weekend Warrior" fact sheet for new boarders that stated that horses should be fed AND turned out by 9 am. Unfortunately, this boarder has translated that to mean "show up around 9ish (more like 9:30) and have them out sometime before noon." I've tried to clarify this with her but she takes a very nonchalant attitude, literally saying "Well nobody's died YET." ACK!
I think the thing that has me the most aggravated about the whole situation is that she lives less than 2 minutes from the barn...and in my mind, if it's only one day every 5 weeks, one should be able to get up early without a problem. Heck, she could roll out of bed in her p.j.'s, feed / turn out horses, and head back to bed. To me it's all about where one's priorities lie: mine are always with my horse.
At any rate, thanks for letting me vent!
Cheers!
Dawn
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Tuesday, Jul 11, 2006 - 6:01 am:
From a health standpoint these changes are not important Dawn but obviously there are other considerations.
DrO
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Member:
Stevens
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Posted on Tuesday, Jul 11, 2006 - 10:48 am:
Dawn,
Is it possible to vote the offending person off the island so to speak? If expectations have been clearly communicated and she isn't as concerned about when her horse gets fed, why not let her assume responsibility for her horse alone? The owner will still have this boarder and the other horses will still get fed "on time". Yes, her horse will likely get upset when everyone else is eating, but that's her problem.
While I am in a full board situation, there are a few of us who help each other out with turn out and supplements. It doesn't take long to figure out who's compatible and who isn't.
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Member:
Maggienm
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Posted on Tuesday, Jul 11, 2006 - 1:22 pm:
Wow, what smart people on this board.
I would take these suggestions, write them down and then approach the person with one other person with you.
The reason I suggest bringing someone(I know you said she was defensive adn may feel ganged up on)is to provide backup for what is said.
Provide her with your reasons for requiring an earlier feed schedule(Ithink you already have,but bear with me)
Give her options; get with the program, get out of the program,
have her decide what she is going to do, this is her choice.
Is it one day or one weekend every five weeks?
On the other hand I don't think it is detrimental to the horse to go for a ride before breakfast once every five weeks.
What does the owner of the barn feel?
Why are you having to deal with this?
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Member:
Djws
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Posted on Tuesday, Jul 11, 2006 - 2:03 pm:
WOW! $530.00 a month for board. Where I live, it's $150.00 to $200.00-nice barns, lush pastures. I mow fields, feed twice a day, groom, repair fences,etc. for my board...how lucky I am.
My opinion is that everyone should adhere to the same schedule. It should be written and posted for all the boarders that are in the co-op and participate in the 5 week rotation. Perhaps this would stop any animosity between all the boarders.
WHY DOESN'T THE BARN OWNER TAKE CHARGE? Who sets the other standards and rules for this property?
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New Member:
Dr3ssag3
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Posted on Tuesday, Jul 11, 2006 - 9:38 pm:
Ultimately the owner of the barn agrees with myself and the other boarders, and has "clarified" the feeding preferences with this particular person, but for whatever reason hasn't laid down the law, as it were. She tends to be a bit too diplomatic sometimes, and has become more and more reliant on me (mostly because I'm far too responsible a person for my own good) so I end up having to do the dirty work. I also end up spending way more time at the barn than she does, as she travels frequently. I guess one could say I "manage" the place (although the pay certainly doesn't reflect that). My husband thinks I'll be up for sainthood.
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Member:
Djws
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Posted on Tuesday, Jul 11, 2006 - 11:49 pm:
Maybe she can officially give you the title of "manager" and let YOU lay down the law.
Perhaps a raise would follow that accomplishment! (Sounds like you have a lot of responsibility).
I'd make darn sure I had her support and permission before I did ANY dirty work.
Don't end up on the wrong side of the barn-the problem might not be worth falling on your pitchfork for...you may be the one that gets stuck.
Good luck, Saint Dawn!
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New Member:
Dr3ssag3
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Posted on Wednesday, Jul 12, 2006 - 10:04 am:
Amen, DJ!
The other boarders definitely think I should be getting money for the extra work I do (mucking paddocks, removing cobwebs, organizing and routinely cleaning the feed room, to say the least) but I don't see it happening in the near future...I brought it up once and the owner said that I was choosing to do the extra work...which is true, but from my standpoint, I'm doing it for the horses (and a sick side of me that actually derives pleasure from mucking). To be fair, the owner of the barn has treated me to quite a few massages to compensate for the achy muscles. Besides, I'm fortunate enough to not have to have a REAL job (thanks to my husband being a saint as well), so I try to make myself as useful as possible. This of course has boarders translating that to mean that since I manage the day-to-day goings on, I'm the one to call for any problems that arise (you'd be surprised how many weekend phone calls I get), especially since the owner is out of town a lot. Overall, I do feel appreciated by everyone, but some extra dough would be nice. Call me a sucker, but I'm loving what I do...overall (this message string being one exception).
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Member:
Djws
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Posted on Wednesday, Jul 12, 2006 - 3:52 pm:
Dawn-
It's great that you love what you are doing. I consider what you do as a "real" job. When you contribute, produce, take pride in what you do, are dependable, etc., and get paid for it...it's a job. What you do "extra" IS a choice.
It's hard to say "no" when you care. In caring, we sometimes become overwhelmed, and too involved.
If you are receiving these calls on a regular basis, perhaps you should refer them directly to the owner. Maybe she would be more prone to solving problems if she heard everything first hand, and had to deal with the interruption of HER weekends, evenings, etc. Ultimately, she does have the final word.
Does she have a cell phone when she travels? If not, maybe they can leave her a voice mail on her home phone, or a note for when she returns.
The boarders should not assume that you are the person to call, UNLESS she delegates that position to you, and formally posts it. They could be putting a lot of pressure and responsibility on you that they shouldn't. It's really not fair to you, but you have to be the one to control the situation.
I have found through the years (being an aggressive, caring, try to please everyone type)that it can bite you in the butt! You are better off just doing what you are paid to do, do extra work if you choose (don't expect anything for it), and stay out of the business affairs unless you are asked to do so by the owner.
The other boarders shouldn't know what you are being paid. That's private information. If you are telling them, that's your prerogative. However, it's not professional. (Personally, as a business owner myself, it would make me angry with my employee). I would want them to come to me, not my clients if they weren't happy. Maybe the boarders (that feel you are underpaid) should tell your boss how much they appreciate you.
If the boarders see you as a manager, you should be a good listener, but don't give your opinion IF it's against the owner's. Nor should you complain to them about anything pertaining to your employment. She is the one signing your paycheck. Tell them you are not in the position to make changes, etc. Refer them to her. Don't take on the stress of solving problems that only the owner has the ability to change.
People talk. I am sure some boarders repeat to her about what is being said amongst everyone. It only keeps the "pot stirred". You don't want to end up in the kettle!
I truly do understand how these situations occur. I've been there.
It all starts out innocently. You do your best, you do some more because you care, you want to be appreciated, you take on more than you should, you feel unappreciated, you get involved, you share your feelings, you enjoy being needed...it's a vicious cycle. It makes us feel important when others look to us for answers and guidance (human nature).
Somehow, the good guy in the middle usually gets crushed.
Tread lightly...I worry that this could result in one of these "she said, he said" sagas.
You can bet that the owner knows what is going on. Some of these problems dissipate over time with no interference by the owner. She may feel that she has bigger problems to solve than this one (not always fair, either). Everyone operates differently. If she has a good place of business, she got there by making decent decisions. Let HER keep making them.
Enjoy your job. Keep loving what you do!
Taking on the weight of the world will only make it more difficult for you to carry your saddle!
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