Finding the Right Boarding Faciality
Owning a horse comes with a great deal of responsibility, the least of which is where are they going to live. If you are faced with the task of finding a new boarding facility like I was you will find using this logical approach will take some of the stress out of finding a new barn. There is a wide variety of facilities available which can make finding the right one even harder. The best approach is to start with an outline of what your non – negotiables are and what you can afford. From there make a list of what amenities would be nice to have but are not necessities. Once you have these thing clear in your mind you are ready to start looking for a barn.
Where to start looking for barns to consider.
- Ask your veterinarian, farrier or friends.
- Check the local horse association for list of trainers
- If you are moving out of the area check with your national organization for list of trainers and barns.
- Boarding facilities do advertise.
- Equine chat boards online
- Go to horse shows and clinics in an area to meet people and learn about the types of facilities that are available in an area.
Facility’s Condition, take a complete tour.
- Stall size should be large enough to allow your horse to lay down and get up without the risk of getting cast.
- The stalls should be structurally sound. With smooth walls and no nails or splinters.
- The stall doors should operate smoothly latch securely
- The flooring in the stall should be level and rubber mats should be flat.
- Ask about smoke detectors, and fire extinguishers Some barns have sprinkler systems.
- Security – are there cameras monitoring the premises.
- The paddocks and pastures should have well maintained fencing, secure gates, shade and water. Check that the areas are free of toxic plants and have sufficient drainage to prevent mud and standing water.
Irish in his new field - Is there a wash area with hot and cold water available all year?
- Is there an area for tacking up your horse?
- Is there an area for the horse to receive veterinary and farrier care?
- Arena should have the correct type of footing for the type of riding you do and it should be maintained regularly
- Is there an indoor and outdoor arena and are they an appropriate size for the type of riding you do?
- Tack room – is there an area that you can secure your belongings and is it large enough to hold everything you need?
- The barn should be dry, clean and well ventilated. If there is an ammonia smell it is often a sign of lack of cleanliness or ventilation problems.
- Are their trails available?
- Is there a round pen?
- Is there a laundry for washing horse equipment?
- Is there a high turnover of boarders?
Care of your horse
- Feeding – how much and how often are the horse fed grain and hay and who is responsible for taking care of that? Are the feed buckets clean?
- Is the hay of good quality and free of dust and mold?
- Is the grain kept in such a way that vermin cannot get to it easily?
- Medications and supplements – will they take care of giving daily medications and supplements?
- How often are the horses turned out and in what manner? Are they in group fields, or solo paddocks?
- Can you use your own veterinarian and farrier?
- Do they provide blanketing, fly masking and fly spraying?
- How often are the stalls cleaned and the bedding changed?
- How often are the water levels checked in the water buckets and are they cleaned regularly. Are the automatic waters checked to be sure they are clean and operational?
- How are emergencies handled?
- Is there someone that lives on the property?
- Does the facility require a negative Coggins test and Certificate of Veterinary Inspections when new horses come to the facility?
- Check the conditions of the resident horses to be sure they look healthy and have a relaxed attitude around people.
- Meet the people that will be handling your horse.
- Have the employees been working there for a while or do they have a high turnover of help?
- Who checks the horses for any changes in their overall condition and how often are they checked?
- How is deworming handled?
- Is there a pest control system for flies and rodents?
Types of boarding
Self-care – which requires you to do all the daily care for your horse and provide all feed and bedding.
Partial care – which requires you to do half the care of your horse when the barn staff is not on site. Often you will need to feed once a day and clean the stall.
Full care – all the daily care of the horse is done for you.
Field board – your horse is kept in an outdoor area
Stall board – your horse is in a stall with possible turn out time
Contracts
- Be sure to outline in writing exactly what is included in your board fee. Ask if there are additional fees for extra hay or feed, holding a horse for the veterinarian or farrier, blanketing, turnout, giving medications, supplements or sports medicine care.
- Know when board payments are due. Be aware that in some state the owner of a facility can put a lien on your horse and sell it to recoup money that they are owed.
- Know how much notice needs to be given to terminate the boarding contract.
Personal Considerations
- How far is the facility from home or work?
- Your budget needs to be realistic.
- Is there a trainer on site for you and your horse?
- How much do lessons cost and are they group or private?
- Can you bring your own trainer in for lessons?
- Does the trainer go to shows and will they go with you to those shows?
- Do the other people ride in the same discipline you do?
- Know if there are restrictions on when you can ride.
- Is there a place to store your trailer or is there a trailer you can use if needed?
- Meet the other boarders?
This post outlines many of the factors that go into choosing a boarding facility. Do your homework before you move your horse to a new barn. Don’t be afraid to ask as many questions as you need to. A well-managed facility will be more than willing to answer your questions and be happy to tell you about all they can offer you and your horse. Take your time, you and your horse will be much happier if you choose the best fit for both of you.