Find a Boarding Stable for Your Horse

Congratulations. Your dream has come true and you are getting a horse.

The excitement level around your house has no bounds. Here you are, aged 10, horse crazy and you think you are in heaven. In your mind, the only thing better in this whole horse thing would be having him or her in your backyard acres.

Horses Can Be a Lot of Work

But take heart – backyarding a horse is lots of work, responsibility, care, worry, and (did I say) work. Sometimes all that work puts a quick kabash on your enthusiasm. I always say that you can park a boat or bike when it’s cold outside or when you want a few extra minutes curled up in bed, but you cannot park a horse – he needs to eat, and get mucked out, and exercised, and he’d mostly like a lot of your attention.

Instead, you are truly lucky if you can begin your horse ownership at a boarding stable.

It’s Up to You to Keep Your Commitment

Your parents have already endorsed your commitment to a horse with one of their own – covering the expenses. It is up to you to keep your commitment to both horse and to your parents.

Now then, lets get your horse settled in a boarding stable. I’m pretty sure that your parents have already completed the research on local stables. I’m likewise sure that driving distance and cost is a factor in your decision in all decisions. You’ll also add safety and well-being of the horse as criteria.

You have narrowed down the stables to one or two. Everyone is in agreement with location, driving distance, expense. So go and interview the stable owners. You’ll be asking a lot of questions and I suggest you go with a list of them. Cover all the bases at the beginning so you can make an informed choice. If you are interviewing several stables, ask the same questions, make the same inspections, and bring the family for their input.

First Impressions Checklist

Upon arriving at the stable, check out the layout, the surroundings and the cleanliness. Here is a first impression/upon arrival checklist:

* Are the fences around ring and pastures sound and well maintained?

* What type of fencing surrounds the fields and pastures. Is it electric, wire mesh, board?

* If electric or wire fencing is used, are there safety boards across the top, tapes, etc.

* If wire fencing is used, could a horse get a foot through the holes in the fencing?

* Is the fencing barbed wire? If that answer is yes, my instant advice would be NO – don’t put your horse into that danger.

* Are the fences high enough that you horse cannot escape by jumping out?

* Are the fields well maintained with minimal soiled areas and no overgrown weeds?

* Is the stable located on a major roadway?

* Are there rocks, tree stumps, holes or obstacles in the pasture?

* Does the facility have a riding ring. Even better and in addition, does it have an indoor riding ring?

You Have Found THE Stable

Your first impression is, “I love it.” Great! So, have a look around. If this is an impromptu (no appointment with owners) visit, is anyone there to greet you or check you out? You might plan a surprise visit initially, but when you’re really serious about moving your horse in, I suggest a set appointment with the owners.

You will have a close look around inside. Are the stalls large, roomy and bright. Are the walls safe and secure. Are the horses able to look out of a window that has a steel grate or heavy mesh covering over the glass? Can the horses see you approach at the stall door? How many horses are boarded/do the owners keep some horses of their own? Are the stalls clean? Are there strong urine or feces odors? Are the horses clean and well kept and in good flesh? Can you hear horses kicking or cribbing?

As you can see, there are many questions. But you have fallen in love with your horse already and you want to be sure he is safe in his new home, right?

As they say, “All systems are go.” Everyone agrees this particular stable is the ideal place.

The Real Important Stuff – Your Boarding Checklist

Now, I highly recommend that you make a definitive agreement with the owners that clearly states all parties’ responsibilities. You’ll decide whether to full-board your horse: the stable feeds, cleans, and - based on agreement - handles and turns your horse out and brings him in daily; or stall only: you will need to feed at least twice daily, morning and night; or rough board: your horse is turned out and has a run in.

If your plans are to take lessons on your horse, to show your horse, to trail ride him, and to spend every spare minute of time loving him, then you will most likely elect the full-board option.

Here are your checkpoints using the full-board choice – discuss everything fully with the stable owners and, preferably for everyone’s best interests, enter into a written agreement:

* Board payment is due, promptly and in full, on the first of every month.

* How often can you visit – use the facilities – set clearly defined guidelines here. Ideally, you’ll be able to visit your horse daily or close to it. If it’s only weekly, use of the facilities for you and your horse during the visit becomes increasingly important since others may also be there and you’ll all share.

* Discuss feed schedules, amount of grain/hay/vitamins, etc.

* How is mucking and manure disposal handled at the stable? What is used for bedding. Is the stall mucked out daily? Good idea for you to “apple pick” when you visit. Your horse will get to have you around and learn your ways. Just be careful. Don’t get kicked. Use your best judgment.

* Is there a worming schedule?

* Will your horse go out to pasture daily? Will he be turned out with other horses? Is there a source of water? Shelter? If the weather turns inclement, will someone get him in ahead of normal schedule?

* How many people board and ride at the stable?

* Where will you leave your tack? Is there a tack room?

* Is there a toilet facility for the humans that visit the horses?

* If you have a horse trailer, can you park it at the stable?

* What arrangements does the stable have with a blacksmith? If you have a blacksmith in mind for your horse other than the stable farrier, are you permitted to bring him/her in to shoe your horse?

* Vet care and dental are very important issues. Who is the stable’s vet? Are regular inoculation visits set up. Is there a regular horse dentist? Does the stable use a blanket cleaning service?

Well, enough already. I have given you many pointers and some very important questions that should be asked. By no means is this list complete, so feel free to add and tweak the list. When you are ready, you will be able to make an informed choice and you parents will be so totally impressed with you!

This is another article on horses, horse care or horse blanket care by The Old Gray Mare. Additional articles by The Old Gray Mare can be found at website DressYourHorse.com.