Idle Hour, Matagorda, and Wintergreen Farm
I am writing down all those names! Just in case they are needed someday! THANKS!!!
Maltreatment and Fraudulent Charges at KY Boarding Farms
Moderators: Roguelet, hpkingjr, WaveMaster
hi BJ
You wrote "Your suggested approach makes sense. On the other hand, some might prefer to pay for a lower day rate and then get an itemized accounting for "extras". That way, one has a RECORD of if and when a horse received its last worming, was last shod, etc. It's much easier for all to keep track of things that way, IMO. And, it gives one the sense, however real or imagined, that the horse is getting more attention that way."
BJ...I didn't intend to make it sound like the costs of "extras" (your word) such as halters, wormers, farrier, equine dentist etc etc etc should be absorbed or built into the day rate (regrets if that's the way it might have sounded to you) or that all of these "extras" (as you describe them) should not be itemized on the monthy bill to the client...I believe they should be.
I believe that what I recommend is very similar (or possibly exactly the same) to what I understand is your basic premise...include on the billing "an itemized accounting for "extras" (your words). And I suggest, don't make the "mickey mouse" markups.
BJ, you wrote "...some might prefer to pay for a lower day rate and then get an itemized accounting for "extras." Fair enough...but I've NEVER heard of a farm offering choices such as 1/ a lower day-rate coupled with marked-up "extras," or 2/ a higher day-rate with no mark-ups on "extras."
All I'm suggesting is that nickle-dime markups (in and of themselves) expose something about a boarding facility that causes pause for reflection. I expect that many (if not most or all) clients/boarders are aware of them, but probably bite-their-tongue and say nothing. That doesn't make it right...but I expect it's possibly a pet peeve to many and might stick in ones' craw.
My suggestion is that boarding farms should set their day rate(s) based on All Things Considered...and the "extras" (your word) should be billed at "cost"...not cost-plus. Why expose themselves to unnecessary scrutiny (or possible ridicule) over such nickle-dime mark-ups.
To me it's almost laughable. Think about this scenario...boarding at a multi-milion-dollar facility...paying a $20,000 (or whatever) stud fee (plus tax of course)...being charged an agreed-upon board rate (maybe $22 to $35 per day)...but being Marked-Up $8 once a month (which averages out to approx 27 cents a day) for a dose of wormer. What's wrong with this picture?
On the flipside...I'm open to hearing someone making a case that suggests that cutting some slack for the family-run and/or mom-and-pop and/or thriftier operations (for lack of a better description) that offer a significantly lower day-rate to attract (and maintain) clientele, might be the right thing to do...but the facilities charging the bigger day rates...now that's another story !!!
It's probably fair to say though...regardless of our opinions...they'll do whatever they want...only supply and demand might dictate.
Best to you.
Respectfully
You wrote "Your suggested approach makes sense. On the other hand, some might prefer to pay for a lower day rate and then get an itemized accounting for "extras". That way, one has a RECORD of if and when a horse received its last worming, was last shod, etc. It's much easier for all to keep track of things that way, IMO. And, it gives one the sense, however real or imagined, that the horse is getting more attention that way."
BJ...I didn't intend to make it sound like the costs of "extras" (your word) such as halters, wormers, farrier, equine dentist etc etc etc should be absorbed or built into the day rate (regrets if that's the way it might have sounded to you) or that all of these "extras" (as you describe them) should not be itemized on the monthy bill to the client...I believe they should be.
I believe that what I recommend is very similar (or possibly exactly the same) to what I understand is your basic premise...include on the billing "an itemized accounting for "extras" (your words). And I suggest, don't make the "mickey mouse" markups.
BJ, you wrote "...some might prefer to pay for a lower day rate and then get an itemized accounting for "extras." Fair enough...but I've NEVER heard of a farm offering choices such as 1/ a lower day-rate coupled with marked-up "extras," or 2/ a higher day-rate with no mark-ups on "extras."
All I'm suggesting is that nickle-dime markups (in and of themselves) expose something about a boarding facility that causes pause for reflection. I expect that many (if not most or all) clients/boarders are aware of them, but probably bite-their-tongue and say nothing. That doesn't make it right...but I expect it's possibly a pet peeve to many and might stick in ones' craw.
My suggestion is that boarding farms should set their day rate(s) based on All Things Considered...and the "extras" (your word) should be billed at "cost"...not cost-plus. Why expose themselves to unnecessary scrutiny (or possible ridicule) over such nickle-dime mark-ups.
To me it's almost laughable. Think about this scenario...boarding at a multi-milion-dollar facility...paying a $20,000 (or whatever) stud fee (plus tax of course)...being charged an agreed-upon board rate (maybe $22 to $35 per day)...but being Marked-Up $8 once a month (which averages out to approx 27 cents a day) for a dose of wormer. What's wrong with this picture?
On the flipside...I'm open to hearing someone making a case that suggests that cutting some slack for the family-run and/or mom-and-pop and/or thriftier operations (for lack of a better description) that offer a significantly lower day-rate to attract (and maintain) clientele, might be the right thing to do...but the facilities charging the bigger day rates...now that's another story !!!
It's probably fair to say though...regardless of our opinions...they'll do whatever they want...only supply and demand might dictate.
Best to you.
Respectfully
FOS
I just checked one of my billings from the ranch where I board my fillies & mares. There is a charge for "Worm, Flu/Rhino" @ $32.00
Don't have a clue if that is "average", high, low
Other charges are $17.00 for West Nile;
$40.00 Farrier (front only)
$65.00 Farrier (all 4 feet)...I believe that is for shoes, not trim...but it doesn't really say.
So...am I getting those Mickey Mouse mark-ups? I haven't a clue. I do know my horses get good care...possibly because they know I visit my horses at least once a week and that, to me, they are all Secretariats
I just checked one of my billings from the ranch where I board my fillies & mares. There is a charge for "Worm, Flu/Rhino" @ $32.00
Don't have a clue if that is "average", high, low
Other charges are $17.00 for West Nile;
$40.00 Farrier (front only)
$65.00 Farrier (all 4 feet)...I believe that is for shoes, not trim...but it doesn't really say.
So...am I getting those Mickey Mouse mark-ups? I haven't a clue. I do know my horses get good care...possibly because they know I visit my horses at least once a week and that, to me, they are all Secretariats
Since you guys are naming names, a couple of years ago I sent a mare to Applebite for her to foal and be bred back. They had advertised that they imprint the foals. When the mare and baby got back home, the baby would not tolerate being touched and it took weeks before it would let me approach it without running away. It was not halter broken at all. Hmmm
i agree with all you have said......i check up on my horses all the time....arrive when i want. you know what ? the farm my broodmare and yearling and weanling are at "onteora farm" in upstate NY.......i could go away for a year and believe you me the horses would be in tremendous shape. i have seen alot of farms in NY...but this one is exceptional !! the brewer family takes excellent care of all there horses....boarders or there own.i cant say enough about them.excellent horse people. and a pleasure to do buissness with.LSB wrote:Owners need to be their horses' best advocates. I would never just send off a horse and assume it was going to be well treated, no matter what the reputation of the place I was dealing with. Any boarding farm I deal with needs to earn my trust before I give it to them.
And if I personally delivered my mare to a farm that was an over-crowded mud pit housing skeletal horses, I would think I had only myself to blame if when I arrived to retrieve her I found her skeletal and standing in mud.
A great man cannot help himself," "He can see things that other men cannot see themselves, and his greatness lies in doing whatever is necessary to make his vision real
Wandering off-topic a bit...
The farms I worked at (Calumet, Margaux, and Payson) have the same policy most farms have: hire cheap. So when Joe Blow (who dropped out of high school and can't run a cash register) has been at Farm X for twenty years, and has seniority, he becomes the farm manager when the old one retires.
And he still doesn't know anything about equine psychology and little about reproduction.
The fourth farm - Lane's End - wasn't so bad about that.
Don't know anything about billing, but I would sure have liked to get a bonus when dealing with scours.
The farms I worked at (Calumet, Margaux, and Payson) have the same policy most farms have: hire cheap. So when Joe Blow (who dropped out of high school and can't run a cash register) has been at Farm X for twenty years, and has seniority, he becomes the farm manager when the old one retires.
And he still doesn't know anything about equine psychology and little about reproduction.
The fourth farm - Lane's End - wasn't so bad about that.
Don't know anything about billing, but I would sure have liked to get a bonus when dealing with scours.
And thou fly without wings, and conquer without any sword. Oh, horse. - The Qur'an
...at the very least, enough to buy some new jeans !!!
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marknickolas
- Suckling
- Posts: 21
- Joined: Sun Oct 03, 2004 7:29 pm
marknickolas wrote:Anyone have experience with Shadynook Farm in Versailles, KY? They advertise a $17/day rate for seasonal broodmares in Blood Horse and other places and wanted to get some recommendations, good or bad.
I would ask them for client references. If they balk at that, I would steer clear. My belief is most places would be proud to share their references.
I just wanted to say after reading the commets on this post just after posting a subject in which I advised Bop as a stallion. I do really like him as a stallion prospect but have never seen or been or know anything about the farm he is currently at in WV and as myself or anyone you have to do your homework on such things before you make those decisions. Its just like confomation & or just a general idea of the stallion you are thinking about breeding too you must go check him out in the flesh before hand. I dont want anyone to do any unnessary bashing but I agree that everyone should post names and be very open & truthful about their experiences with certain farms as it is very helpful to others that are thinking of future dealings & it is greatly appericated.
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secretlink
- 2yo Maiden
- Posts: 93
- Joined: Sun Dec 12, 2004 5:45 pm
- Location: Charlotte, Vt
I feel very lucky 
to have had my first experience into Thoroughbred breeding be with Rhapsody Farm in NY. They took care of everything, I just got my mare Taylors Hope who I had not yet met back (after their 90 days in NY) with her strapping colt at her side. She is round and dappled and pregnant again, he is sweet and easy. Both very healthy and well adjusted. Excellent! She will be going back there to foal next year, and my colt will be going there to prep for the sales next year also!
to have had my first experience into Thoroughbred breeding be with Rhapsody Farm in NY. They took care of everything, I just got my mare Taylors Hope who I had not yet met back (after their 90 days in NY) with her strapping colt at her side. She is round and dappled and pregnant again, he is sweet and easy. Both very healthy and well adjusted. Excellent! She will be going back there to foal next year, and my colt will be going there to prep for the sales next year also! Zoe Williams
marknickolas wrote:Anyone have experience with Shadynook Farm in Versailles, KY? They advertise a $17/day rate for seasonal broodmares in Blood Horse and other places and wanted to get some recommendations, good or bad.
I don't have any experience with Shadynook (or even know who they are) but I live in Versailles and $17. a day would be considered quite inexpensive around here. Not to say that they aren't good people, but I'd probably do some more checking before sending them a mare.
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roving boy
- Allowance Winner
- Posts: 294
- Joined: Wed Dec 01, 2004 2:18 pm
- Location: Kentucky
In response to War Horse's post naming Calumet, Margaux & Payson - things may have changed since you were there. Stuart Angus is now the manager at Payson and is top notch; as is John Rasmussen at Margaux. Do not know who is running the ship at Calumet right now (they have had a fair bit of change since Henryck died), but as they are not a very public "boarding farm" it may not matter.
Roving Boy