How to Board a Horse

Horses need continuous attention, care and exercise. If you can't tend to your horse's daily needs yourself, you'll want to find just the right person who can.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Enclosed Stalls
• Horse Vaccinations
• Water
• Equine Veterinarian
• Shelter
• Paddock
• Water

Check Out the Stables

1. Visit the facility several times to observe the horses and the staff.

2. Look around the stables. Is the property in good repair? Do the horses look well taken care of?

3. Talk to the owner.

4. Find out who is in charge of the horses and how experienced he or she is.

5. Inspect the tack rooms. There should be a locked storage area where you can stow your tack. Ask who has access to the room.

Examine Your Horse's Future Stall

6. Check to see whether the stalls have lights or whether lights can be installed. (Night-lights prevent horses from growing winter coats and keep them in shape for showing.)

7. Request a stall that has access to an electrical outlet if you want to run a fan in the summer months.

8. Ask how often the stalls are cleaned or mucked.

Find a Good Stable Near You

9. Check the phone book, or call your Chamber of Commerce for a listing of stables in your area.

10. Talk to friends with horses, and ask for their opinions on the facilities they use.

11. Call all of the facilities within a comfortable commuting distance from your home, and find out whether they can meet your horse's needs.

Tips & Warnings

• Think about whether your horse requires an indoor arena, a fenced outdoor area for exercising, or a round pen. Are you looking for convenient access to trails?
• Consider whether you want your horse to be kept in a stall or pasture. Keep in mind that horses are herd animals and don't like to be isolated in their stalls for extended periods of time. If you choose to have your horse pastured, ask those at your facility how they will protect your horse from bad weather.
• Determine whether the facility is secure. Are there gates that are locked at night?
• You'll want to make sure that those caring for your animal know how to spot signs of a dangerous gastrointestinal condition called colic. Ask them what their standard course of action is in case of an emergency.
• Keep your eyes open for anything that can hurt your animal. Check for hazards such as brick walls in stalls, barbed wire, protruding bolts or low entrances.
• Make sure all the other horses are current on their inoculations.
• Find out whether there is a vet in the area who makes barn calls, and locate the equine veterinary hospital nearest the boarding facility.

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on 7/30/2007 Make sure the "style" of the barn fits you--if you only trail ride Western, don't choose an English show barn.

on 8/8/2006 Make sure that fences are made of wood, vinyl, or electrified rope or tape, not barbed wire or high tensile wire. A perimeter fence is helpful, so that if a horse gets loose he cannot get out on the road.

Grain should be kept in a locked room so that if a horse does get loose, he cannot gorge on grain (this can cause colic or laminitis). There should be no smoking signs posted in the barn, and fire extinguishers readily available.

on 1/13/2006 Although quieter stables may be nicer to the rider, the horse will probably enjoy large, busy stables with a lot of horses and a lot of movement to keep him from being bored. Sometimes the barn will install stall guards so the horse can comfortably stick it's head out to see what's going on.

Also, to avoid boredom you can get a jolly ball or a toy that dispenses treats. Or, if you don't want to spend the money (they cost around 25.00) you can simply take an empty gallon milk jug and tie it on the stall wall.

Make sure that your horse is turned out at least a few times a week-preferably every day.

on 11/22/2005 Find the best stable for your horse. If they can't adjust to your horse's needs, then don't board there. If you aren't thrilled with the personalities of the people there, then go to a different barn. You want absolutely the best care for your horse.