Tractors are not toys! Blowing off some steam!!!

[horse7]

Where is the so called barn manager while this person is perambulating about the property using equipment? This sounds more like the barn manager's responsibility than the owner's responsibility (other than the owner will pay for the machine damage and possibly increased insurance rates if there are injuries). Reading between the lines, it seems like you like the barn manager, dislike the fiance' of the barn manager, the pair aren't listening to you and since your horse is there you are stuck in the middle. Ratting to the owner has distinct down sides. As the barn turns soap opera... seen it over and over and over again and been caught in that sort of maelstrom before.

The first priority is for the proper care and safety of the horses-- if you think the owner really does care about how the farm is run (vs., as long as the job gets done by some method, cheaper is better) then perhaps the owner needs to unexpectedly return from work on a few (hint) select days. If things get bad enough, you have to decide to stick it out, or leave before disaster strikes.

I've given up on the low cost hired help, as long as they aren't dangerous (about 20% are dangerous, either incredibly incompetent or worse. You might think the fiance' is bad, but there are much worse possibilities) I tend to work around the stupid actions:
-- kids festooning the tractor while bush hogging (what seat belt? what is a ROPS for? yeah, but "they're my kids" so I'll do what I want (keep in mind that any accident will suddenly become a cost to the insurance company... or owner. I have yet to see any low cost hired help stand on their hind legs and take responsibility for catastrophic avoidable actions))
-- buzzing around on a riding mower with horses turned out (vet bills from flying objects aren't the worker's responsibility are they?)
-- yes, the chainsaw chain has 1" of droop below the bar, but "I've been using it that way for a long time". Without gloves, chaps, or hearing protection...
-- going out to party while leaving the Christmas tree lights on (live tree, living area attached to barn)
-- yes, the horse has been limping for a few days, you mean I should tell someone competent?? (one horse lost an eye due to not getting prompt care...)
-- the list could go on forever.

 

[samandmax]

I would approach the owner about his liability when the guy gets hurt or hurts someone else. Now, how do you know about the use of lime when getting rid of him?

 

[horse7]

Who needs lime? If you have 6 months to a year, just use a round bale. Don't forget that prosthetic devices are serial numbered.... and the round bales won't get rid of ceramics or (some? many?) dental metals.

A properly prepared round bale will consume an entire cow in a year, with barely a bone fragment left. With a little extra work and decent conditions, 6 months is adequate (the DC area is quite suitable).

 

[ShenandoahJoe]

Horse7, remind me never to get on your bad side.

 

[tungularafishcamp]

Nothing makes me madder than when someone does not understand cost of an item and thinks that they are entitled to use it.

The barn manager's (doesn't own farm or equipment) fianc馥 moved in with her two weeks ago onto the farm. He has since become a real jerk, was ok before. He told me that he HAD to use the tractor to PUSH the little blue truck ( think really small) stuck on the hill full of square hay bales! This was with no tractor training, no supervision, he PUSHED a farm truck with flat tires ( oh yeah, he forgot to fill the tires that leak). This was all while the farm owner was away for the weekend because he is not supposed use the tractor! Also he got offended last time he drove the truck to do this and left hay in it and the farm owner asked him to sweep it out.

So now the FEL is clicking and pssting when it is raised or lowered. Great, maybe getting a chain and pulling it was to much for him to figure out!!!

Also, I was moving a no till drill I rented from the county Soil Conservation Department and I asked him to help me hook it up to my truck ( I was finally was lined up according to him and I got out and the hitch was below both tongue pieces the pin goes through, he didn't know to raise and lower the equipment to get the hitch between them). So I said to him you back the truck and I will hook it up. When I was informed he can't drive a manual.

Now we have a GST Kubota, but there is STILL a clutch and a clutch pedal ( what the heck does he think the clutch pedal was for)!!! He told me that he just puts it to the number speed he wants and drives!

He also wants to use the finish mower that I paid to have fixed! Every (and I mean every) time he uses the riding mowers or the ATV he runs them out of gas and has to walk to the small equipment shed for the gas can! Last weekend the riding mower he was on died and he called it a "piece of crap"! About he finishing mower asked him if he knew how to check the gear oil and grease zerks and he said it was not his job. Fortunately, I think he is smart enough to know he is to stupid to try and hook it up!

Well yesterday I get a call from the other woman that rides my horse saying that he was whipping around the area by the arena with the tractor back filling in a flimsy retaining wall he built and she asked him to stop, so he went and got the ATV and dumped hay in the barn aisle so she could not get the completely tacked up horse out for her lesson she was paying for until she helped him move the hay.

The owner is at work during this so I am pretty sure that he did not have permission to be using the tractor at this time either!

We have a fully manual tractor, so if he breaks the Kubota I will still be able to mow my fields, but the lack of concern pisses me off! I told him to always wear his seat belt even with the ROPS, his response was he doesn't drive crazy like me. I don't drive crazy and ALWAYS wear my seatbelt!

I am going to say something to the owner in passing, he and I have a great relationship. But I needed to vent/see if anyone had any suggestions.

Also, he has made some comments about how I am a woman and should not be farming (bordering on questioning my sexuality, I am happily married {to a man})! I have the lime, the tractor ( if he hasn't busted the FEL) and plenty of places to hide a body, haha! Just kidding!

Just have the barn manager read this thread and especially your last part, hopefully she will either straighten him out or send him packing!

 

[5030]

Who needs lime? If you have 6 months to a year, just use a round bale. Don't forget that prosthetic devices are serial numbered.... and the round bales won't get rid of ceramics or (some? many?) dental metals.

A properly prepared round bale will consume an entire cow in a year, with barely a bone fragment left. With a little extra work and decent conditions, 6 months is adequate (the DC area is quite suitable).

You need some beneficial bacteria and some additional N with the green matter. We compost regularly, it's a permitted farm use here in Michigan. I can fully compost a 1200 pound steer, including skull and hip bones in one summer. Cow manure is a much better medium. It already has the necessary nutrients. All it needs is a dead body.

 

[BethesdaEC]

You need some beneficial bacteria and some additional N with the green matter. We compost regularly, it's a permitted farm use here in Michigan. I can fully compost a 1200 pound steer, including skull and hip bones in one summer. Cow manure is a much better medium. It already has the necessary nutrients. All it needs is a dead body.

I'll have to remember this when my daughter starts dating.

 

[RickB]

13 days later and no word from the OP.
I'm calling BS on this one.

 

[5030]

I'll have to remember this when my daughter starts dating.

Could have very well been what happened to Jimmy Hoffa. There were horse operations near where he was last seen north of Detroit.

No trace was ever found despite serious detective work.

Composting would destroy all DNA and any traceability and composting of carcasses has been around for hundreds of years.

 

[Learning to Farm]

Rick, don't call BS. It was just a vent, didn't expect so much support but I really appreciate all you guys give. I am not sure what is going to happen. I have not had time to work at the farm, which is probably for the better (husband is working on the West Coast so I have to pull double work at home). Stupid fiancé took barn manager on a cruise to the Bahamas and I get a call from someone who takes lessons on my really nice eventing horse that his bucket was empty when she went to take him out of his stall and he drank a full bucket when he got back from her lesson (he didnt sweat during the lesson). Turns out that his water trough was bone dry for 12 hours. This is because the barn manager left 8 different feeders and her mother ( who knows nothing about horses) in charge. I was called by one of the feeders to put out big bales in the field (because no one else is allowed to use the tractor). The mother flew into a tizzy (I think she is intimidated thinking I am trying to take the managers job, sorry mine pays to much to give up, haha) yelling at me that the horses don't need hay. I flew off the handle and yelled at her over the tractor "just like water?" she went on and on it was just ONE mistake. "Yeah, a huge one" I said. So I spoke to the manager when she got back, she said her mom talked to the feeder and she doesn't think she needs to because it is over and done with. So I am kind of just stuck right now, not using the tractor to mow, really frustrated.