Blackjack Farms - Equine Manual - 2014
POLICIES, ETIQUETTE & PROCEDURES
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Horse Records and Files
a) Negative Coggins: All horses stabled at BjF must have a current Negative Coggins
report from a licensed Veterinarian.
b) Bill of Sale for Ownership: We recommend that each horse have a signed Bill of
Sale for proof of ownership. ( Very important for show entries )
c) Vaccination History: All horses are required to have a report of current
vaccinations kept in their vet files at the main barn.
d) Stall Rental Agreement: All boarding agreements should be updated annually –
January of each New Year.
e) Breed Records: Horse owners may keep records in our files at Blackjack Farms. All
diet instructions must be written and signed by owner and placed in file.
Insurance
a) Insurance Company / Numbers: For quick reference, please submit the Agency
name, address and phone number of each insured horse.
b) Waiver of Subrogation: All horse owners, students, and guests are advised that a
Waiver of Subrogation is understood and written within the text of Blackjack Farms
Equine Boarding Agreement Release & Waiver.
Safety Procedures
a) Riding Release Waiver: All riders and parents of riders under 21, are required to
read and sign a Riding Hold Harmless Release
b) Riding Helmet: Junior riders 18 and under are required to wear approved ASTM /
SEI riding helmets while mounted. Adult riders are encouraged to wear same.
c) Vehicle Speed Limit: 15 MPH speed limit on all roads within the property of
Blackjack Farms is mandatory.
d) Queenstown Loop: Queenstown Loop is private property; you may use this road at
your own risk. There are several blind curves.
e) Pasture Procedures – Children: No children are permitted in Pastures or
Paddocks without permission from BjF personnel.
f) Grazing Areas – Horses: Please graze your horse away from the front of the Main
Barn, along the pasture fencing and roads is permissible.
g) Turnout Procedures – Horses: Horses are turned out 6 days each week weather
permitting (Sunday is stall rest day). If your horse needs to have special boots, halter
or cribbing strap - please advise barn personnel of all Special Needs and Care ( SNC )
h) Leather / Breakaway Halters: We recommend that you buy a break-away halter
for your horse to use for grooming, turn out and shipping.
i) Equipment: No customers or students are permitted to use any BjF vehicles, or
equipment without specific permission and supervision of owner or instructors.
j) Dogs: Please be advised that we do not condone bringing dogs to Blackjack Farms
premises or into the barn as we cannot be responsible for any injury to them and
they may be a nuisance to horses on the property.
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Personnel Phone Numbers & Email
Main Billing Office: Samantha Waid 836 – 2933
JMH: 283 – 3082 [email protected]
Ellen Gorrie Walker: 602 – 3000 [email protected]
Ellen Bethea Blalock: 901 – 8261 [email protected]
Monthly Billing and Costs
a) Office Personnel: Samantha Waid [email protected]
836 – 2933 Monday through Friday 9:00 am to 4:30 pm.
b) 15 days: All services should be paid within 15 days of receiving your invoice.
c) Customer Service Fee: Personal shopping, outside expenses paid in advance
and items sold through Blackjack Farms will incur a 10 % service fee.
Veterinarian Procedures
a) Veterinarian of Choice: All boarders are required to make Blackjack Farms
personnel aware of their Vet of choice to be kept in our records and files.
b) Veterinarians: Dr. Barbara Benhart - Pager 954 – 0740 or Phone 655 - 3472. Dr.
Jody Wagner, DVM / Coosa Valley Vet Hospital - located in Pell City, AL at exit 256
Interstate 20 east - Phone 205 – 338 – 1111
c) Horse Emergency Procedures: If you see a horse rolling in the stall or cast up
side down with their legs banging against stall walls – please call or contact BjF staff
personnel for assistance – Do Not attempt to get the horse up or free the horse
yourself. Colic procedures are posted on each feed room door.
d) Colic Signs: A horse or pony may be showing signs of Colic or stress if; their
temperature is above 100.1, and by laying down, rolling or thrashing in their stall
repeatedly while looking back at their stomach.
e) Special Needs and Care ( SNC ): SNC services are listed in the BjF Rate Sheet.
All SNC are billed at the end of each month.
f) Lay Ups, SNC and Stall Rest Horses: All written instructions given by your
Veterinarian and a copy of each vet visit should be posted in the Feed Room of the
Main Barn to insure proper follow up of all SNC procedures.
Daily & Weekly Barn Schedule
a) Daily / Weekly Schedule: Employee work hours are Monday through Friday 8:00
am to 6:15 pm & Saturday 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. Closed Sunday for Lessons
b) Arena Availability: Due to inclement weather during Winter months - please make
arrangements to ride and exercise your horse(s) before or after lessons. After school
lessons are M – F 3:00 to 6:00 pm. Saturday - 9:00 am to 3:00 pm.
c) Jumping On Grounds: The owners and/or management of Blackjack Farms do
not promote or condone jumping over obstacles on grounds without the supervision
of a Blackjack Farms Instructor, Manager or assistant.
d) Trail Rides: All boarders, guests and students at Blackjack Farms interested in using
trails must be trail proficient. In addition, with regard to trail riding; All visitors must
record their name and address in our guest book, read and sign a waiver riding
release, and show a negative Coggins for each horse brought in from outside farm
property.
e) Turnout Schedule: We make every effort to have all horses turned out each day
( Monday – Saturday ) for up to 3 hours. On Sunday the farm is closed for lessons
and turnout – workers are only required to clean stalls, feed, hay and water. You may
turn-out or ride your horse at your own risk on Sunday.
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Lessons and Training
JMH - Schedule: By Appt.
Ellen Bethea Blalock: By Appt
Costs: All rates are listed in the Blackjack Farms Services and Rate Sheet.
Lessons: All lesson charges are billed at the end of each month.
Grooming & Tacking Up: Always allow at least 20 – 25 minutes to groom and
tack up your horse before and after each ride. Lesson horse assignments are
assigned each week. One “ no show “ or late cancellation per school semester is
allowed without charge – as per the instructors discretion.
Wash Racks: Please help to keep the wash areas clean. Pick up after your horse and
put away your supplies after each bathing session. Allow enough time to give your
horse the pampering it deserves, however, please do not go over 15 – 25 minutes.
Soap, Sponges, Towels, Sweat Scrapers, and Buckets are supplied.
Grooming Areas: Please help to keep all grooming areas neat and functional. We
ask that you pick up after your horse and put away your supplies after each grooming
session. Be courteous by being prompt.
Lesson Tack and Supplies: All students using Blackjack tack are required to clean
tack after each lesson and horse show. Tack cleaning stations are provided in each
barn. We supply leather cleaning spray, sponges, saddle oil, shoe polish, brushes,
towels, minor cut medication, and salves.
Saddles and Saddle Pads: Blackjack saddles and saddle pads are supplied for the
riding program – we require that you clean the lesson saddles after each lesson.
Exercising of Lesson Horses: Occasionally, our lesson horses need to be
exercised – please call JMH or EBB to schedule at no charge.
“Outside“ Training for Lessons and Shows: While boarding horses or taking
lessons at Blackjack Farms, all customers are required to use the instructors/ trainers
employed by Blackjack Farms. No outside trainers are permitted to provide training
or services at BjF. While participating at horse shows, clinics or any other outside
activity – customers shall use services of BjF instructors/ trainers if available at such
activities. Blackjack Farms personnel will make arrangements for outside training at
horse shows at the request of customer if needed.
Horse Shows – Yearly Schedule – Memberships:
a) Rates / Costs / Rate Sheet: The Equine Rate Sheet is posted in the Main Barn.
b) Equine Expense Budget: You may inquire about a yearly expense Budget by
calling JMH to schedule a budget planning consultation at no charge.
c) Horse Shows / Entries: Planning for local and National horse shows should be
made at least one month in advance of the show date. We recommend that you keep
a rider / horse travel file with the following information: Entry forms, Membership
cards, Horse Registration number, Pony Measurement card, Prize Lists. National
horse shows require a non – refundable, signed check for each horse stall
reservation. Entries can be sent with a blank signed check.
d) Yearly Schedule: The yearly Show schedule is tentative and strictly based upon our
rider interest level and commitment.
e) AHJA Membership - Alabama Hunter Jumper Association: Membership is
required to show in all AHJA horses shows. < www.alabamahunterjumpers.com >
f) USEF Membership: Membership is required to show in all USEF horse shows.
The United States Equestrian Federation web site is < www.USEF.org >
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Sport Horse Sales – Guidelines, Procedures & Policies:
a) Commitment to Purchase: We recommend that all equine purchases be planned
well in advance of ownership. Consultation with JMH and MEB before you make
your decision to buy a horse is required. Your search for purchase or lease will take
between 6 months to one year.
b) Out of Town Search – Costs: In the case of trying and/or evaluating a horse out
of town – customer/buyer will pay for costs associated with the search process
including hotel, food and travel expenses.
c) Trial Period to Purchase Horse at BjF – Costs: While stabling a horse at BjF for
a “trial to purchase “, prospective buyer is responsible to pay all costs for stabling/
lessons associated with trial horse for the length of time horse is boarded. Boarding
costs are prorated and based on monthly BjF fees.
d) Buying a Horse with Blackjack Farms as Agent: To enhance your chances for a
positive buying experience - we recommend 4 areas to concentrate on while
acquiring information about horses for sale: 1) Picture(s)of sale horse in
competition 2) Video(s) of sale horse in competition 3) Trial Period for sale horse 1 7 Days. 4) In addition, we recommend that you try prospective purchases at a Horse
Show venue. Our duty is to negotiate a Fair Market Price for your purchase. All
customers using BJF as agent for sales have first preference for stall boarding at BJF
as per availability. Any horse(s) deemed unruly and responsible for damaging BJF
property will be subject to reimbursement for all damages and repairs caused by said
horse.
e) Sales, Purchase, Lease Commission: 15% Standard fee.
f) Finders Fee Commission: A Finders Fee is assessed to the sale of a horse when
BjF trainer/instructor directs a customer to a horse purchase, but did not negotiate
the final sale/price. 5 % commission is customary.
g) Purchasing a Horse: Please refer to our Guidelines for Purchasing or Leasing a
horse when making the decision to own a horse.
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Blackjack Farms / Rate Sheet & Surcharges:
a) Costs: All expenses associated with boarding, training, shows and lessons at
Blackjack Farms Equine division are outlined in the BjF Manual Rate Sheet.
b) Monthly Surcharges: Surcharges may be assessed to your monthly invoice
due to the fluctuations in prices for the following items: Premium Alfalfa,
Hay, Feed, Supplements, Medication and Fuel for transport.