Horse Boarder Checklist
After being under the blanket of winter and all its hibernating tendencies, I feel like a flower surfacing in the onset of warmth. With the embrace of spring in the air, new found energy and enthusiasm emerges that I left behind somewhere in November. I am eager to spend more time with the horses and look ahead in the direction of the events yet to transpire. We are in the final stages of preparing our home for its sale. The expected date of the long awaited “for sale” sign in the yard is scheduled for April 30. We are all scurrying to finish the “to do list” and finally have it down to just a few minor things – Yeah!
In the meantime, our horses have endured several major changes in the past months and now have adjusted quite well in a different facility. The changes have been a valuable lesson learned for us. Until we move to our farm, our horses are boarded at a public facility. The current property is not the first facility we have experienced with our horses. Gosh, what horror stories they and we have encountered in previous arrangements. With the benefit of hindsight, we realize we did not pay attention to the “writing on the stall” at the other barns.
Many of the properties in our area were similar, and the barns held indicators in common. Whether through business or pleasure, exposure to many properties have allowed me to pay attention to many details. Some gauges can be easily seen and determined in one visit to the facility, but only after concluding a boarding commitment did the care and treatment become apparent, or an unforeseen attitude detected. Locally, even though many equine owners are hungry for a "professional" facility, for some reason, they do not offer any criticism on their experiences with local operations. This leaves the problem for horse owners to endure the "bad" ones before finding the "good".
Having a guide one could use when looking for a boarding facility will aid in this important decision. From our experiences, we designed a checklist consisting of areas requiring attention and questions to ask. It covers an array of elements one should consider and is a handy tool that will enlighten the route, through knowledge, when considering properties. Review the checklist and find the answers to the questions that arise. Be resourceful, it is to the advantage of you and your horse. Answers will avoid problems that will crop up; they are the “writing on the stall”.
Additionally, we designed a website for those dealing with businesses in the equine industry. This site allows one to rate the business based on their personal experiences; anonymously, if preferred. This can be an added tool for the equine owner. Visit ...www.agreenhorse.com and make a comment to help the horses and others.
BOARDER CHECKLIST
The most important factor to consider is your horse. Different horses have different characteristics and requirements. Your horse is the one who will live there - no matter how much time you spend with him or her. Regarding age, health, physical, mental and emotional requirements, experience and history of your equine will serve him/her well.
What type of facility are you interested in?
Your interests and activities should play an important role in your decision making. Housing your horse with others whose owners share common interests creates a sense of cooperation and community. What expectations do you have?
Management of services varies between individual facilities; understand what you expect and what is expected of you.
A ) GENERAL:
I - Location:
- Distance from Home
- Distance from Work
- Ease of Access during Times of
- Rush Hours
- Emergencies
- Monthly Board Cost
- Fee Structure Provided for Services
- Yearly Board Increase
- Other Reoccurring Fees / Charges
- How Long in Business
- Hours of Operation Posted
- Holiday / Special Event Closures
- Any Restrictions on Access to Your Horse or the Barn
- Does the Barn Cater to Certain Disciplines
- Boarder Turnover
- Review Policies, Fees, Conditions
- Security Deposit Required
- Written Contact Available
- Notice Requirements to Cancel Contract
- Types of Insurance the Barn Carries
- Stalls Available vs. Waiting List
- Security Provided
- Is a Referral List Available
B ) VISIT the FACILITY:
Make Notes of Your First Impression on:
- Property Appearance - Inside and Outside
- Appearance and Behavior of Horses
- Staff
- Other Boarders
- Assess Peak Hours at the Facility
- Ask if You can Take Pictures of the Facility
I) HORSES
- How are New Horses Acclimated into the Herd?
- Quarantine Area for New / Sick Horses
- Ask to See the Area
- Process for Disinfecting Holding Areas, Barn, Stalls,etc. See...Disinfect Your Barn
- How are New Horses Adjusted to Feed / Routine Changes
- Does the Barn Supply or Can You Use Your Own Heath Care Professional?
- Does Horse Owner Need to be Present?
- Who Holds the Horse for these Services?
- Fee if Available through Barn
2) Health/Care:
Veterinarian
- Vaccination Schedule
- Mandatory Negative Coggins Test - Yearly
- Other Medical Requirements for Health Record Maintenance
- Medication Administered - Fees
- Other Specialized Medical Care Offered - Fees
- Worming Program
- Are Horses Required to be on the Same Schedule
Farrier
- Required Schedule
Dentist or Other Professions
- Required Schedule
Emergencies
- Natural Disaster Evacuation Plan / Posted
- Fire Evacuation Plan / Posted
- Injured Horse Procedures / Notification
- Emergency Transportation Available
- Fees for Emergency Care
- Release Required Granting the Facility Permission to Acquire Veterinarian Services for Sick or Injured Horses
Additional Care
- Blankets / Sheets, Masks, Boots, etc. Service Available - Fees
- Grooming, Bathing, Braiding, Clipping, etc. Service Available - Fees
- Exercise Service - Fees
II) OWNER/MANAGEMENT/STAFF
- Is Anyone on Premises 24 Hours?
- Manager Experience / Background
- Professionalism / Reliability
- Instincts / Attitude / Dedication
- Leadership - See ... "Treat with Respect".
- Individualized Care / Flexibility
- Staff to Horse Ratio - 1 for Every 10 Horses is a Good Rule
III) GENERAL SAFETY
- Communication w/ Boarders
- Whiteboard / blackboard
- Injury Notification / Emergencies
- Owner / Manager / Staff Phone Numbers Posted
- Facility Rules / Restrictions Posted and Enforced
- Helmet Requirements
- Fire System See ...Fireproof Your Barn
- Alarms / Detectors
- Extinguishers- Inspected
- Evacuation Plan / Posted
- Pest Control See...Horse Pest Control
- Visible Rodent, Bird or Other Vermin Problems
- Manure Disposal / Procedures
IV) PASTURES / PADDOCKS
- Access / Layout
- Acreage / Size
- Pasture / Horse Ratio - First Horse, 2 Acres and 1 Additional Acre for Every 1 Horse thereafter
- Number of Pastures
- Rotation of Pastures
- Clean of Debris
- Holes
- Drainage
- Soil Type
- Quantity and Quality of Grass
- Available Water thought out Seasons
- Adequate Shelter / Run Ins Available
- Amount and Type of Trees / Weeds
- Manure Quantity in Pastures / Paddocks
- Frequency of Monitoring Horses
- Fencing
- Safety
V) BARN
- Structure and Roof
- Maintenance of Facility
- Cleanliness / Organization
- Evidence of Vermin, Birds or Heavy Insect Infestation / Cob Webs
- Free of Debris
- Safety
- Ventilation
- Open in Day and Close at Night
- Windows
- Any Odors
- Fans
- Natural Sunlight
- Safety of Electrical Work
- Aisle Flooring
VI) STALLS
- Clean and Dry
- Odors
- Dimensions (12 x 12 is an Adequate Size) - Consider Height
- Can Horses Relate to Each Other Through Visual Pathways
- Safety
- Flooring / Mats
- Bedding Type
- Mucking Practice / Frequency
- Water Availability
- Feed / Water Buckets Clean
- Salt / Mineral Availability
- Lighting
- Electrical
- Evidence of Vermin, Birds or Heavy Insect Infestation / Cob Webs
- Tack / Blanket / Saddle Hooks
- Routine for Stalling Horses / Turnout
- Inclement Weather Procedures
- Frequency on Monitoring Horses / Night Checks
VII) FEED / HAY
- What is the Daily Routine for Supplying Horses Feed / Hay
- Feed / Hay Choices Available
- Quality
- Quantity Offered
- Extra Hay Available - Fees
- Special Diets Administered - Fees
- Supplement Care Provided - Fees
VIII) GENERAL AREAS / STORAGE ROOMS
- View Feed / Hay / Bedding Storage Areas
- Clean and Organized
- Evidence of Vermin, Birds or Heavy Insect Infestation / Cob Webs
- Food / Drink Facilities
- Lounge / Changing Area / Restrooms
- - Climate Controlled
- Tack Room
- Lockable
- Wash Stall
- Hot and Cold Water
- Heated Areas
- Tack Cleaning Area
- Storage of Combustible Materials
- Recycle Options Available
- Parking Areas and Accessibility
- Trailer
- Hitching Posts or Other Forms of Securing Horses throughout Property
- Trails
- Posted Rules / Guidelines
- Maintenance / Accessibility
- Hazards (Roads, Water, etc)
- Wildlife Precautions (Coyote, Bear, Snake, etc)
IX) EXERCISE / TRAINING RING or ARENA
- Rules and Regulations Posted
- Size
- Lighting - Indoor and Outdoor
- Sound System
- Flooring / Footing / Maintenance
- Proximity to Barn
- Mirrors, Jumps, Barrels, Posts, Tires or Other Obstacles You Wish to Use
- Instructors / Trainers / Coaches
- Disciplines
- Lesson Program / Schedule
- Individual or Group - Fees
- Cancellation Policy
- Are Outside Professionals Permitted
- Horse Shows
- Grooming, Braiding, Clipping or Other Services - Fees
Tips from the Trail
Try to speak to as many people as you can when visiting the facility. You will gain a sense of the energy and attitudes of that facility.
Talk with your vet, tack/feed store and farrier. Professional opinions often focus on the way the facility operates on a business level. Their information can provide insight to the general well-being of the horses at the facility.
A careful study of the available stables and their methods of operation can result in a healthier horse.
Assess peak facility activity. Take in how the people interact with each other as well as the interactions between the people and when they are with the horses.
Communication is a key element in the relationship between you and the property owner/manager/staff. The importance of understanding the commitments between the two parties for the care of the horse avoids serious issues.
Always keep a copy of what you sign.
Your horse’s new boarding facility will be different for him or her. Changes to their daily routine should be introduced gradually.
Happy Barn Hunting and Good Luck!
On to the future and with the arrival of spring, plans are in place outlining the preparations of the barn for the coming season. Management of a horse property is a major undertaking and dividing the responsibility biannually distributes the labor and streamlines effort. "Winterize Your Horse..." and "Spring Clean Your Barn..." will give a full year regime to prepare and maintain your facility. The heavy cover of winter and the past now lifted, we are moving forward with a new found barn, our big move just around the corner and the beauty of spring – brighter days are ahead!
Gather your spirits and flourish with the season.
Go Green Tips:
- Find a local farmer or gardener who will take the manure from your property
- If your boarding facility does not recycle, have a plan and present it to the manager. There is great information supplied by your local government. The Public Works Waste Management Division is a great place to start, move on and gather as much knowledge for a creative recycling plan for your facility. Private barns should consider recycling options too
Any Go Green Ideas?
Email us: info@agreenhorse.com
Don't be the rider who gallops all night and never sees the horse that is beneath him
Jelaluddin Rumi Alarms
Don't be the rider who gallops all night and never sees the horse that is beneath him
Jelaluddin Rumi Alarms
