Boarding

[Lexie]

I will soon be heading off to college and want to bring my horse ("full size"). Unfortunately, I live 5 hours away and going around looking at barns just isn't doable. So, what questions would you ask the barns? So far I've thought of price, stall size, turnout and how often they feed. Anything else you guys can think of?

Sorry if this is posted in the wrong place, I wasn't sure where to put it.

 

[disneyhorse]

Type of fencing for stall/turnout. Type of waterers. Type of feeders in stall. How much of the stall is sheltered. Amenities such as washrack, farrier area, arena, trails close by, what is paved, what areas have a cover? Extras such as flyspray system or hot water. Are there restrooms there? How often do they clean the stall? Who feeds and cleans, do they tie your horse when they clean, how do they handle your horse when you're not there? Is there a vet/farrier near by or on call? What sort of security measures do they take?

What sort of leniency do they have for late board? Do they have a place to store your tack? Store extra feed?

Is the area perimeter fenced in case a horse gets out? Do they allow stallions? How busy are common areas such as arenas (sometimes there is a trainer that reserves time). How soft are the stalls (lots of pressure sores on the horses in the barn? Do you have to bed the stall yourself or do they provide bedding?). How muddy is it during the rainy season? Do the stalls get flooded? How do they maintain the pee spots in a stall?

What areas are lighted (such as arena) for after-dark visits?

Let me think on it some more. I have boarded my horses all of my life, my parents never had horse property!

Andrea

 

[targetsmom]

Do they offer lessons? Do they offer reduced board if they use your horse for lessons? What kind of arrangements can be made for medical treatment - e.g. bandaging, giving antibiotics, applying ointment, etc.? Hours and days of operation (one barn was closed Mondays). How long have they owned the barn - (and do they plan to stay in business)? When was the facility built? Get a copy of the boarding agreement. I like to see a middle of the road set of rules - not "anything goes". Try to talk to some of the boarders and beware of a barn where the boarders don't know each other very well. I boarded big horses at lots of barns until 4 years ago and just recently found out that at one of the barns they were using my horse for lessons WITHOUT MY KNOWLEDGE! If I had known other boarders better, I would hope that someone would have told me. And I rode my horse every day myself - but always after work.

Good luck!

 

[Marty]

Visit without an appoinment.

I would ask them to supply you with references from boarders.........do a complete background check, and include their vet as one of them. I would most certainly be checking them out in every way.