Vet: Dr. Susan Tavernier phone number: (517) 203-4331
Susan is a very skilled vet with an excellent “bedside” manner. She is a no-nonsense woman who knows what needs to be done–and she just does it. I highly recommend her. She has worked with many famous names in the horse industry, but grew weary of traveling and settled here. We’re lucky to have her. She’s 1/2 mile away at Sandhill Stables, on Sandhill Road.
**********************************************************************************************************
Farrier: Vaughn Parrish
Trims are $30/horse
Shoes are $60 to put on a front pair of shoes
I switched to using Vaughn Parrish as our farrier after having a few incidents with various others. .
**********************************************************************************************************
Teeth: Dr. Sue Tavernier
For information, see above.
*********************************************************************************************
NOTE:
There is no holding fee if you have your horse trimmed or vaccinated with the rest of the barn. There is no charge for barn-scheduled trims or vaccinations only. You should arrange times and payment ($10 per hour if over an hour, or $10 per session) with me if I must hold your horse for a personal need beyond that of the rest of the barn.
###################################################################################
GRAIN
We feed Purina Feeds, a low-starch low-carb diet. We feed Purina Junior, Purina Healthy Edge, and Purina Strategy. We’re happy to supply up to 6lbs of grain per day for your horse. If you feel more is necessary, there will be an extra charge.
SUPPLEMENTS
We feed our horses supplements from Smartpak, and they’re all shipped together. In order to be a part of our “Buddy” shipment, please contact me. I don’t mind if you wish to have another company ship supplements directly here–they can be waiting for you at the supplement counter in the barn. (Yes, we have a supplement counter in the kitchen for preparing your supplements.) If you do not get Smartpaks, we ask you to package up your supplements in small, labelled containers that are easy to open and put into the food each day. There is no cost for feeding this type of pre-packaged supplement. Liquids can be contained in small bottles. If we must scoop the supplements for you, there is a $10/month charge.
###############################################################################
FEEDING HORSES
If your horse becomes thin, please tell us immediately. We can increase hay and/or grain, add rice bran or soybean oil (as a supplement you provide,) feed him/her lunch, or keep him/her in a stall in the morning or evening for an extra time while they eat. Healthy horses should NOT show ribs if they are under the age of 25, and even then, I don’t like to see ribs on any horse. We strive to keep weight on your horse and make this the least-stressful experience possible. My horses are well fed; yours will be, too.
PASTURE/HAY
We have plenty of pasture that we rotate and drag frequently to keep parasite counts low. In the field during the fall/winter/spring, each horse is given 2 flakes of hay in the morning and in the evening. On especially cold days or days that are difficult on the horses (wind, rain, hail) we frequently will give an extra flake to each horse during daytime hours. We grow much of our own hay on site–a mix of grass and clover hay. Mike Smalley’s crew does a great job making sure it’s dry and safe to bale before it ever comes into the barn.
MOLDY HAY?
As far as I’m concerned, feeding moldy hay to a horse is like feeding rancid meat to a child. You just don’t do it. If you ever see moldy hay in my barn, I expect you to tell me immediately. The bales will be dealt with in an appropriate manner.
#################################################################################
LESSONS/TRAINING
If you are interested in having lessons on your horse, I will gladly teach you. Lessons for boarders, on your personal horse, are $25/lesson. Training sessions are $15 per half-hour if I work with you and your horse; if I work with your horse alone training is based upon the individual horse’s temperament and play drive.
You are welcome to bring your approved, insured trainer. I wish to personally speak to all trainers before they enter the grounds, as I do not want someone on site with the common “show trainer” personality. We’re happy and relaxed here; we want to keep it that way. We don’t want to “win at all costs”–we want happy horses who feel safe, respected, and loved.
##################################################################################
BLANKETS, FLY MASKS
It’s wonderful to keep your horse bundled from the elements, whether flies or cold. If you wish, at no extra cost, I will remove your horse’s blanket when I remove my horse’s blanket. The same goes for fly masks and fly sheets. This will only be done for fully trained horses that are easily caught. (I will not be able to spend more than 10 minutes, per horse, on this task.)
##################################################################################
FACILITY
We have a shower and bathroom available for your use in the tackroom. Feel free to take advantage of it–that’s what it’s there for! People have busy schedules and busy lives. You should not leave the barn smelling like a manure pile. We’ll provide the shower stall, towel bar, and hot water–but you have to supply your own shampoo and towel.
We have a kitchen with a full-sized refrigerator, a sink, and an oven. Need to eat before you head off to work or class? That’s not a problem here. Please label any food with your name and the date before you place it in the fridge. Labels will be provided for you. Food over a week old will be removed and thrown out.
#################################################################################
OTHER CONCERNS
If something is wrong with your horse or you see something of concern to you, please let me know. Speak to me in a calm, relaxed manner. We’re all here because we love horses. Drama, gossip, and rudeness have no place at our barn. People who show any of the three aforementioned traits will be asked to leave.
