remove infertile meadows.

We don't know that howrse is actually is going to take away the ability to reserve at this point. We could have misunderstood the statement "Ownership of boxes is removed"
Honestly, I am thinking it has something to do with selling boxes and that it was poorly translated from French. Or it could mean we now reserve EC spots rather than specific boxes. I would wait and see --wait until the prepod players get answers and test this feature before getting upset, because it could be something really cool that has nothing to do with reservations.

How ever if that is not what they mean, then why aren't we getting a reply on prepod?

I'm really struggling trying to keep a positive attitude. But I cannot

I honestly doubt they would remove the option to reserve boxes. I suspect they do know the impact it would create on players who are trying to hold 60e, or just like having shower boxes reserved to themselves. I finally got my EC back to 60e (though it dropped for an unknown reason last night) and if that indeed was the change, I would probably abandon my EC altogether.

The only response we have received on preprod was an admin asking where we heard about "ownership being removed"

I don't know prepod and how fast you usually get answers and how much the staff pay attention to the forums there, But with Fanta's remark that an Admin asked where you had heard that, I am now thinking that was an error--maybe a translation issue, or maybe a proposed idea that somehow, despite not being approved, made it's way onto a list of features to be tested.

If it's reserving spots, rather than boxes, I like that idea.

But no, the only rumors around about him are that he's either going to be in the next promo/GC or that he's the son of Tianma and a new female divine. There is no official confirmation about him yet.

Since the feature is not being tested on preprod yet. It is still unknown if "Ownership is removed" is related to box reservations or not.
Our concerns and comments on prepod will be forwarded to the Howrse team.

Thank you to the mod that posted.

The ownership of a box to be removed hasn't been tested in preprod yet. An admin responded to our questions and said
" a feature that is not yet on preprod and not yet tested. For this reason, I don't have the details about it yet to let you know if "Ownership is removed" is related to box reservations or not."

The next phase

To be released mid October

Equestrian center prestige changes
A comfort rating indicates box size, type of bedding, fodder, treats, and available equipment. This rating impacts center prestige.
The occupancy rate is taken into account in prestige calculation.
Boarders' prestige is revised in order to take the best skill of each boarder into account.
Lessons are no longer taken into account in general prestige. Lesson pricing directly depends on boarders' prestige.

Box changes
Ownership is removed.
Bedding quantity impacts morale loss and energy recovery when sending a horse to his box.
Box quality impacts morale and energy recovery when a horse wakes up.
The boxes and boarders pages are merged.
Boarding fees changes
Boarding fees range from 20 to 200 Equus.
Centers can offer equipment and food to boarders.
Center managers can pick a minimum boarding duration, from 3 to 30 days.

Meadow page changes
Meadow-related information are displayed in a clearer fashion.
You can now filter your meadows according to land surface, fertility, and use (fallow, pasture, or crops)
You can now purchase meadows from the meadows page.
Equestrian center office changes
It is back and now integrates the changes made to center management
Some elements (forum configuration, admin tab) have been moved.
The center registry is added to this page.

Removal of jobs
Bedding will be changed automatically so, grooms are no longer needed.
Instead of saddlers, equestrian centers can provide equipment to boarders, if they have some available.
The riding instructor no longer impacts the lesson fee, which now only depends from boarders' prestige.
A privilege that gives Equus is provided during the tutorial in order to help new players.
What's next...
Here is an overview of what we are planning next.
We will provide further details on each feature as the release date approaches.
The competition management page is updated: competition related info is easier to find and edit.
Inventories, breeder storage, and equestrian center storage are merged.
You pick a location for your equestrian center: the beach, the mountain, or the forest. This location defines the main resource you can obtain (sand, iron or wood).
Production cycles are added to allow harvests, crafting, and product selling.
Rides are easier to manage.
You can now add improvements to your structures in order to improve their quality or output.
Lessons are now missions. Missions allow the horse to receive experience. Howrse owners receive Equus from them, and equestrian centers receive resources.
A tutorial is available when setting up equestrian centers.
Workhorses are added to the game.
And maybe other features to be added in the meantime.

Thank you for the link.

It appears that this topic is about a feature that is not yet on preprod and not yet tested. For this reason, I don't have the details about it yet to let you know if "Ownership is removed" is related to box reservations or not.

What I would like to do is keep this topic running for feedback on upcoming Box changes and at the end of this Preprod session I will submit your comments to our team.

If I'm able to answer any of your questions before then, I'll add information here.

Cheers,