Choosing the Right Place to Board Your Horse

Horse owners fall into two groups:

Those that have their own place to keep their horse, and
those that board their horse.

Each scenario has its own pros and cons for sure, but in this case, let’s focus on the ups and downs of situation #2.

Any experienced boarder knows that boarding a horse can be an interesting undertaking. You never really know until you move in at a farm what daily life there will be like. So it pays off to do your homework.

Recommendations When Your Board Your Horse...

Visit the facility, especially if you can drop by unannounced. Speak to current boarders.
When you visit, pay attention to the condition of the horses there. Are they in good weight with a healthy appearance?
What are the turnouts like? Are they big enough to comfortably hold the number of horses living there? Is the fencing safe and sturdy-looking? Does the farm give you turnout options such as individual or group? Are the horses out all day or for a limited time?
If your horse requires a special diet, can the farm owners accommodate you? Can you continue to use your current vet, farrier, trainer, etc.?
What does the barn look like? The most important aspect is that it’s safe. In the stalls and in the aisle ways. Are the stalls big enough for your horse? Is the bedding sufficient? Are the aisles clear or filled with clutter?

Remember to ask lots of questions during your visit. Write them down if you have to so you don’t forget any.

Finding the Right Farm to Board Your Horse

The farm you’re considering should meet your riding needs and goals. If trail riding is your thing, you probably won’t be happy at a farm located next to a big subdivision with no woods or fields in sight. If you’re a hunter/jumper rider, you might not be satisfied boarding at a dressage facility.

If you’ve boarded in the past, you know that there’s no such thing as the perfect boarding facility. Most places will have features that you may not care for. What you have to decide is if that particular thing is a deal breaker or if it’s something you can live with. And only you can determine that. Also, realize that in boarding your horse, you won’t have the control over his care that you would if you stabled him at home. So know going into it what you can and can’t give up.

Finally, after you visit your horse’s potential new home, think about what your overall impression of the place was. Did anything in particular raise a red flag or did you generally feel good about it?

Ask people you know their opinion of the farm if they’re familiar with it. Just beware that one person’s “standards” of acceptability may be different from yours. For instance, I was considering boarding at a particular farm. I asked an acquaintance about the place and she felt strongly that the paddocks were too rocky. I disagreed with her. However, she happened to own a horse that would frequently injure himself in turnout because he was rambunctious. My horse, on the other hand, is always sane when turned out so rocky paddocks weren’t such a big deal to me.

When shopping for a place to board be sure that you know what you want from a facility and that they’re the best place to meet your needs.