My trainer/barn manager is trying to control how I own my horse?

Kendall, I think the trainer/owner quite correctly believes that since you're a MINOR, she therefore has the right to tell you what to do with your horses and stand in the place of your parents at other times. After all, YOU aren't the one who's paying the bills here, because you can't write checks, get credit, or sign documents like boarding contracts yet. It's your parents who are doing all of this, because you aren't old enough to do it. The reason the other boarders don't have to put up with all the restrictions that you and your friend do is because they are ADULTS. When you turn 18 and become a legal adult, I suspect that the trainer/owner will treat you differently, because if she doesn't then you're within your rights to LEAVE and take your horse and your business elsewhere. The best solution to your problem, as I see it, is to stick it out for awhile and wait for your 18th birthday to come and go. Once that happens, you'll be able to basically tell the manager that she will either treat you the same as everyone else, or you'll find someone else who will. And stick to your guns on this, too. If it gets really bad, then have you told your folks about what's going on at the barn and how you're being treated? If not, I'd do that, and ask for their help in setting the record straight about what you are and aren't allowed to do.

The rule about jumping is as much to have SOMEONE there in the event of an asccident as not. Think about it, if you are alone and get thrown and maybe dragged who will call 911? your horse maybe?

The rule about 2 days off is plain silly. Too many TOP trainers dispute this as long as the riding is not he!! for leather, 100 miles in 12 hours, or something of that type.

Bringing the horses in is a good idea if they are clipped and just silly if they are not. You are not in Iceland are you? She charges $10 a day just to put them in?? Really!? That is expensive and unjustified.

You wanna chase cans? Evidently you need another barn.

Look for one with paddocks and run ins, wash rack, hot walker, 40'-50' round pen, arena, can course, and some simple jumps in the pasture. With an on call vet and farrier, and trailers available to rent (if you need).

A beginner/intermediate confidence course is always a plus but also rare.

The jumping issue I can understand. You're a minor and she might get sued. It might be in her insurance paperwork that minors cannot jump without professional assistance or something. Who knows.

I'm not sure what your fuss is over with the 3 days / 5 days thing. You say you only ride 3 days a week. But she wants you to give them 2 days off. I don't see what the issue is there.

Anyhow, if you signed a contract that horses will be brought in during inclement weather... you signed a contract.

The jumps vs. barrels issue is certainly nit-picking on her part. For sure.

Sounds like you're unhappy anyhow. Look at other stables. But try to see some of this from a barn owners view.

Sounds like a bunch of BS. I certainly would not board my horse there. Its true, giving your a horse a day or two off is a good idea, but nobody should have the right to tell you when you can and cant ride or how you ride so long as your safe and wearing protective gear (helmet) and your not hurting your horse (suggesting hes in shape to be doing jumping), Your certainly old enough to control what you do with your horse, and the random 10$ charges sound illegal. I agree that someone should always be around while your jumping though, maybe not in the arena with you but atleast around, no matter what age you are....If i were you I wouldn't even bother trying to confront her, id pack up and leave. If you absolutely must stay, have an honest but calm talk with her. State why you feel you should be able to ride on your terms and that you pay a lot of money to keep your horse there and would appreciate respect in your decision making with your horse.

This might not be the right barn for you. It sounds like the focus is on H/J, not Western, and with a show-circuit mindset.

> She will also bring horses into the barn if it's cold and charge pasture

> boarders $10 without consent.

>I also can only ride my horse 5 days a week because she wants us

> to give two days off.

Good. The horses' well-being comes first.

As far as your jumping restrictions go... I've seen that rule at other barns, including my own. You're new there; perhaps she will relax that rule once you've demonstrated that you're responsible enough to jump unsupervised.

I think I'd like this place. I'm a safety-conscious horseman. Unsupervised jumping is not risk free, and doesn't do much to train either the horse or rider.

I own my own facility. With that being said. We have the same rule in place. Nobody is allowed to jump without someone over 18 being present. It s strictly a safety issue. Also being a minor there are additional rules. We don t require adults to wear a helmet (most of our western rider adults don t) but all minors are required to regardless. Also, unfortunately, HER barn, HER rules. Period! When you own your own facility you can run it the way you want on YOUR property. Think about it your rules at home. When your an adult and have your own place, you can do what you want. Also, insurance does play an issue into it. I have insurance on the facility and the boarders, and that can dictate rules as well. But, your more than welcome to see if you can purchase your own insurance, to cover you. There are several companies available, for liability and riders insurance. But your going to pay. If your new, give it time. Prove your a good boarder, and maybe she relax a little. She has to get to know you. Rules are often made because of a past incident that you may not have been aware of. As for the charges for being brought in during bad weather, is that in your contract? If so, you unfortunately agreed to it. Years ago, I boarder at a facility who did that as well. The owner worried about them because she had a incident. She had several trees that fell and lightning killed one. I know it s not the answer you want to hear, but like everyone said, look into other areas barns if this one is to difficult to live with. You should always enjoy your time with your horse and not be stressed over being there.

girl I had this same exact problem! It might be a show barn thing because all the show barns I've been to have bee snotty :/ just understand it YOUR HORSE! they cannot tell you what to do with your horse. if you don't like the facility and how they run things ( like charging extra for nothing - my barn used to do that-) I would get out ASAP! horseback riding shoud be fun and you should be able to have and many freedoms with YOUR horse as if it lived at your house! honestly I would try to stay away from show barns because they tend to be extreamly controlling, if you like showing maybe go to a normal boarding barn and trailer your horse to shows! trust me it'll be way better. good luck!

The jumping rule is quite common in a lot of yards for safety so I wouldn't consider that unusual, or at least adults may jump on their own but not children/teenagers unless under supervision.

What would bother me is charging for little things when she hasn't asked or not clearing the arena when it should always be cleared away unless there's going to be a lesson or show on. With that said if she doesn't treat other people this way then you do need to speak to her, or maybe have your parents speak with you.

That's really weird. I'd have your parents have a chat with this trainer. If they can not come to terms, find a new place. Too strange.

Find a new yard. Simple.

Rules should apply to everyone and not certain individuals, and this yard does not sound it will benefit you or your horse and sounds like, in the future, it won't be as enjoyable with such unrealistic restrictions.