Boarding Your Horse

Boarding is expensive, and there are times it is tempting to choose the cheapest place to keep your horse. There are many things you need to consider before you make a decision as to where your horse is going to live.

You must consider how much time you have to devote to your horse. Are you going to be seeing your horse on a daily basis or only once a week? Do you have to travel? How long will it be that you don't see your horse at all? Days? Weeks? A month?

If you are going to have to periodically leave your horse completely to the care of others then you need to have great confidence in the people caring for it. It won't do to have the stable owner, manager and employees slack off on the care of your horse just because you aren't going to be there to keep an eye on things.

A more expensive stable may be a safer choice, but not always. The real questions are not about expense, but knowledge and trustworthiness of the stables owners and managers. Once you find a place where you have confidence in the people then there are other considerations you need to look at.

Is the stable compatible with your riding style and goals? If you are interested in showing Hunters then you would not do well at a stable that specializes in endurance riding. Riding to the hunt requires still a different environment. Dressage wouldn't be a good mix for a rider whose goal is barrel racing.

There is also the social aspect of the place you choose to keep your horse. Are you surrounded by people all week and only want to have quiet rides and time with your horse? Are you a social person who likes to make friends where ever you go and think a dozen people chatting to you at the barn is great?

Different stables attract different types of people and it is a good idea to visit several times in order to be certain just what kind of atmosphere is really prevalent at a stable. One visit may be on an unusual day and not give you a realistic view of the place. Take the time to go several times on different days at different times.

Will the stable do things your way or their way? This can be extremely important depending on the level of knowledge required to keep your horse in good health. A place that won't make allowances for horses that should not have grain or need medications may not be the best place for your horse. On the other hand if you know absolutely nothing about the care of horses then you need a stable that does know what is needed to keep your horse in excellent health. This is where you need to get references from other people. If a place won't provide you with names of people you can talk to then be leery.

Don't be surprised if a well-run stable wants your references as well. No one wants to be left with a horse whose owner won't pay their bills in a timely manner or tends to cause problems among other owners.

Do your homework and check the stables available carefully before making your choice and you should have an enjoyable experience with your horse.