Many people cannot keep their horses at their home. Some for lack of space, some need to be by their trainer, some want the social interaction of a barn. Below are some things to consider both for people searching for a barn and for those thinking about opening a boarding facility. If you have suggestions, please feel free to add them in the comments section below and I will add them in this post.
There are many things to consider when choosing a facility for your horse including safety, price, facilities, atmosphere, etc. For the most successful boarding experience, research and consideration must be given to all of these aspects as well as visits to several facilities to select from Take your time and choose wisely. Good luck!
1) What does boarding cost in South Florida - I have seen board as low as $150/mo for simply having a place for your horse to stay all the way up to $2,000/mo for the cream of the crop facilities
2) What does full board and half board mean? - "Full board" normally means the barn takes care of mucking the stalls, feeding the horses, turnout, etc. "Half board" normally means you will have to do some of the work yourself, maybe mucking the stalls, feeding, or all of it. "Pasture board" might also be available. Ask exactly what you get with your "plan". Can you work around the barn to pay for part of your board?
3) What is included in my boarding package? ask and get in writing what is and is not included or what is "extra", ie:
- turn-out (how often, how long and with what companions)
- fans - for the hot summer months are fans provided? If not can you bring your own? Will it cost you more?
- fly spray - do they have an automatic fly spray system?
- feed and hay - do you have to provide your own? can you specify a specific feed? will it cost you more?
- medicine - will they administer special medicines?
- exercise - if you are not able to exercise your horse often enough, do they provide someone who can? a hot-walker? what is the cost?
- Insurance - will you need any special insurance?
- routine farrier and equine dentistry care - do they help organize a routine visit from the farrier and equine dentist for all of the horses? what is the cost? what about routine vet care?
- tack-up and cool-down/wash services - some places will tack your horse up and cool them off/wash them for you when you are done. Does this barn do that? Is is part of the regular board or is it extra?
- blanketing - if you are not able, will they blanket your horse in cold weather or put on the fly blanket/masks in the summer?
- lessons - are any lessons included in your package? if not, do they offer lessons and at what cost?
4) Rules - what rules does the facility have that apply to the following items? what else is important to you? Ask to see the rules!
- Radios, Ipods, cell phones? - what do they allow and not allow? and if so, when and where? (ie not while riding, etc.)
- Children - what is the general atmosphere with the children? does it suit your needs? are there facilities and additional places for children to play? Do many children board there?
- Wardrobe - are you expected to dress a certain way? "Proper" English? Will you fit in with the other boarders?
- Horse grooming - are your horses expected to look a certain way? ie a dressage barn might expect you to roach or hogg the mane
- Arena time - what is the process for having time in the arena, ring, field? Will you have to share? Are there going to be classes going on at the same time?
- Stallions - are stallions kept on premises? If so, what is done to protect their safety as well as the other boarders and horses?
5) Maintenance - Check how often and WHO maintains and cleans the following:
- the arenas, rings or pens (ie sand, jumps, equipment, etc.)
- the fields
- the fences
- the tack room
- the barn aisles
- water buckets, trough, etc.
- how is the manure and used shavings handled?
6) Facilities - are any of the following facilities and features important to you?
- rubber mats in stalls
- sprinklers for the arenas or rings to keep the dust down on dry days
- a covered observation area for sunny days
- long term parking for your horse trailer
- shower for you and changing facilities
- storage and or lockers for your gear
- laundry facilities for blankets, saddle pads etc.
- playground
- lounge area (under AC?)
- A vet's office and/or area
- automatic watering system, water treatment system
- fly-spray system
- lit arenas and rings for night-riding
- Covered arenas for winter riding
- Accessibility to trails
- Fire sprinkler and alarm
- Specific size and shaped arenas, rings or pens for your style riding, as well as needed equipment (ie jumps, barrels, mirrors, etc.)
7) Staff - who will be providing the day to day care of your horses?
- Try and observe them during their shift, do you like how they interact with the horses?
- Do they have experience with horses? Ie would they be able to spot trouble ie colic, etc. in time to notify you?
- If there an on-site trainer?
- Does anyone stay all night at the facility?
- How is access controlled at night?
8) Emergency planning - what do they have planned in case of:
- Fire? What do they do to prevent it (ie hay storage, clearance of aisles, maintenance of lights and other electrical items) and what is their emergency plan in case one breaks out?
- Natural events such as tornadoes, hurricanes, flooding, etc. whatever is likely in your area?
- Sick or hurt horse? or communicable disease outbreak?
- Ask to see their emergency medical kit
9) Things to look out for regarding the well being of your horse:
- Ventilation - horses need lots of ventilation to keep their lungs healthy and happy, especially around hay and dust
- How often, how deep and with what stalls floors are covered (ie shavings, hay, etc.)
- Water quality
- Fire prevention
- Holes and other safety concerns immediately addressed
- What are the aisles, stalls and other floors constructed of?
- Are there barn dogs? How do they react around the animals?
10) Social - what is the social make up of the barn? You will be spending a lot of time there, do you have things in common with the other boarders? What is the social vibe of the barn? Relaxed? Formal? Structured? Do you feel welcome there? Do they spend a lot of time socializing? Do they have parties, shows, events? Do they help out when you might need it? Do they practice the same discipline of riding? Riding and horses means different things to different people. To some it is a rigid structured discipline. To others it is a fun, relaxing past time. To others it is spending time with good friends and family, both two and four legged. Finding a barn that has similar ideas as you do about horses, riding and care will be essential to finding a happy home for you.
11) Legalities - what if:
- You can't pay your bill? Do they have a right to keep your horse?
- You aren't able or available to take emergency care of your horse? Do they have the right to do so on your behalf at your cost?
- What is you or someone is hurt?
- What if your horse is hurt?
- When and how much can they raise the board?
- Get a written contract.
- If you would like to open a boarding facility, here is a great resource for the legalities
- How long of a contract is required?
Here is a great resouce to help get your started:
Janie Coffey
Owner/Broker, GRI, TRC, QSC
cell: 786-252-4970
email: janie@papillonllc.com
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