You want a horse but don’t have the land to keep one. How do you solve this problem? Horse boarding stables are a perfect answer!
If you’re thinking of keeping your horse in horse boarding stables, there is so much to consider, so many things that you need to ask and so much to do. It can be quite overwhelming. Hopefully, this article will put things into perspective for you and make the task a little easier.
Things to Decide
- What features do you want in horse boarding stables?
- What is really important to you?
- What things would you like to see as a “bonus” added in?
Things to Consider
Here is a list of things that you need to consider when looking for horse boarding stables.
Where are the Stables Located?
This is an important factor in the cost. The closer to the city that the stable is, the more it will cost you. You also need to think about how far you live from the stables because of the gas expense.
What are the Facilities Like?
There are many types of common facilities to consider:
- Turnout
- Show jumps
- Stalls
- Tack storage area
- Riding arenas
- Round pen
- Trailer parking
- Trails
- On-site instructor/trainer
This can also add to the cost of the horse boarding fees. Just make sure that you find horse boarding stables that meet your and your horse’s needs.
What Services are Provided?
This will depend on how much you are wanting to pay and what kind of boarding that you choose. It ranges anywhere from a complete full boarding all the way down to pasture boarding. Usually, there are other fees that you will need to pay on top of the monthly boarding fee.
Make sure that everything is included in your contract and there are no hidden fees.
What Type of Boarding is Available?
You have some choices when it comes to horse boarding stables as far as what type of boarding you want. It all depends on what you can afford or what you are wanting to spend. If you know the facilities that you need and what you want, it will help you to decide.
What Does A ‘Full-Board’ Offer?
Full board means that the horse boarding stables supply the hay and bedding, the feed, and a stall for your horse with a pasture to graze in. The chores are all done by the staff – things like watering and feeding your horse, cleaning the stall, grooming, blanketing, and turnout when it is necessary.
This is perfect if you are busy and do not have much time to spend with your horse. Full boarding will usually cost you anywhere from three hundred to seven hundred dollars a month.
There are horse boarding stables that cost as much as two thousand to three thousand dollars because of the location.
To have full boarding usually includes scheduled routine visits from the vet and the farrier, a special place for your equipment, and riding trails and arenas.
Some, though not all, stables will include training and/or exercising, and some lessons. Most stables charge extra for these things.
What Does ‘Partial Boarding’ Offer?
Money is tight for almost everyone right now. To have partial boarding is only about half the cost of full boarding. If the stables charge you six hundred dollars for full boarding, you will only pay three hundred dollars for partial boarding.
The actual arrangement for partial boarding differs with each stable. For example, one stable might ask you to be responsible for your horse and the chores in the morning while they take over everything in the evening.
You can also allow others to ride your horse for riding lessons or as a sharer and they pay part of the cost. But you need to make sure that this is written in the contract.
What is ‘Self-Care’ Boarding?
For those who have the time, then self-boarding is the way to go. The horse boarding stables provide the facility for you, but you have to do all of the chores.
The normal cost of self-boarding is usually between one hundred to two hundred dollars. This includes the pasture, stall, and sometimes the use of the arena to ride in.
You will have to be there for the vet and the farrier. You have to buy the feed, hay, and bedding. This is a major commitment, and you need to be at the stable once a day, at least.
On the positive side, you are able to spend more time with your horse. You can also work with the other boarders to take turns taking care of each other’s horse.
What is ‘Pasture-Boarding’?
There are many pros to pasture boarding. Your horse can live there all year long. You get all of the benefits of full boarding, but the cost is much less expensive. You’re looking at anywhere from one hundred to four hundred dollars.
The stable will offer to shelter, water, and feed your horse and take care of all the daily needs. They check for illness and injuries too.
The pros for pasture boarding are:
- Your horse is moving all of the time.
- It prevents your horse from becoming bored.
- It’s great for his digestive system.
- It is an inexpensive choice.
- It’s perfect for horse owners who can’t be there all of the time.
- Peace of mind for the owner knowing the horse is taken care of.
The one drawback to this is that your horse will be out in whatever weather conditions come along.
Full Board Extras You’ll Need to Pay For
You will need to pay extra for things like special feed if your horse needs that, mane pulling, supplements, clipping, training, exercising, lessons, and parking the horse trailer.
Details of a Horse Boarding Contract
The horse boarding contract should consist of:
- The details of your horse
- The owner’s name
- The details of the services that are provided
- The liabilities
- Any required vaccinations
- Your boarding cost and the date it’s due on
- The terms of the agreement
What Other Additional Costs Will I Need to Pay For?
- Around every six weeks, your horse will need the farrier to come in for hoof care.
- Annual vaccines need to be given.
- There will be unexpected costs for emergencies such as if your horse becomes ill or gets injured.
- You have to purchase “equine insurance”.
Inexpensive Ways to Board a Horse
- There are some horse boarding stables that will reduce your cost in return for you doing chores at the stables.
- Allow others to use your horse for riding lessons and share in the cost of the boarding.
- Get pasture boarding because it’s the cheapest boarding option.
How to Find Horse Boarding Stables
There are three main ways to find horse boarding stables.
Online Searches
This is the fastest way to find any horse boarding stables within your area. An easy way to find out most of the information that you need is to go to each website and read through them. They normally have their services listed. This is a great way to find out which stables have the services that you’re looking for and which ones don’t.
Word of Mouth
Ask people that you know and trust who have horses. Online searches may be the fastest, but word of mouth is the most reliable. Talk to your farrier or vet. These people will know the reputations of the stables around you.
What Do I Need To Do?
Once you have a list of the stables that you are interested in, the first thing to do is to start calling them.
Contact the Stables
Calling each of the stables in your list is the only real way to find out all of the correct information that you need. Make sure you have written down any and all questions that you have. Let the staff know that you want to schedule a time to tour the facility.
Ask Questions!
What is the cost?
Find out what their rate is for the boarding type you’re looking for.
What are the stable’s rules and regulations?
All stables have their own rules that you must follow. It helps to keep the stable running smoothly and be more organized. Please follow all of the rules and regulations.
When are the stalls cleaned?
If you are partial boarding or self-boarding you will need to know this so you can be there to clean the stall at the allotted time.
What hours can I be there?
Stables have certain hours that they are open, find out what they are so you don’t end up driving all the way for nothing.
Can I bring my kids and pets?
Some horse boarding stables allow this, and some do not. Find out ahead of time.
When can I use the arena?
Sometimes the arena is off-limits if a lesson is being given or for other reasons.
Is there a restroom I am able to use?
Most stables have a bathroom facility for guests and boarders but there are a few that do not.
What chores am I expected to do?
None, if you are paying for full boarding. Otherwise, make sure to write down a list of the chores you are expected to do so you don’t forget anything.
Making Sure It’s the Right Stable for Your Horse
Your horse is just like any other pet, he is a member of the family. You want to make sure that you are comfortable with the stable that you choose for him.
Tour the Stables
Schedule a time to be able to visit each stable that you are interested in. Let the staff know that you would like to see their normal, everyday activities. Talk to each staff member who will be feeding or handling your horse, anyone cleaning his stall, or having anything to do with him.
Inspect the Stalls and Barn
Make sure to walk around, check the stalls to see if they’re big enough and if they look like they are regularly cleaned. Go and look at the other horses being boarded to see if they are well taken care of. If anything causes you concern, ask about it. Maybe you need to consider a different stable.
Check Out the Grounds
Walk the grounds! Do they have enough space for the horse to be able to get in plenty of exercising? Take a stroll along the fence lines to see if there are areas of standing water or if there are areas that need repairing. Don’t be afraid to ask questions about anything you see that concerns you.
Meet the Trainer/Instructor
If you plan on taking riding lessons then meet with the instructor. Schedule a time where you can watch a riding lesson so you can decide if you like the instructor’s method of teaching and so you can know what to expect.
Ask for References from Other Boarders
Talk with the manager, request to speak to others who have boarded with the facility. If none are available then request contact information for them. If a stable refuses to give you the contact information, find another stable.
Find out from others who have used that stable, anything that you need to know. Ask about the trainers. Ask about the staff and stable employees. Find out if the boarding services that are promised are actually being delivered.
Being able to talk with others who have used the stable gives you the opportunity to find out if the staff has been honest and truthful with you.
Compare the Stable’s Choices and Make your Decision
Decisions like this can seem overwhelming and difficult. The best way to make your decision is to bring a notepad with you. Write down all the pros and cons of each of the horse boarding stables. When you get home, go over everything you have written down for each stable then make your decision.
Read Over the Contract and Sign It
Once you have made your decision, visit the stable again, inform them of your decision and discuss the type of boarding you would like and the price. Speak with the manager about exactly what you want to be put into the contract.
As always, before you sign anything, read everything. Make sure that everything that needs to be in there, is in there.
If you are going to allow someone to use your horse for training lessons or just to ride in exchange for them paying part of the boarding fee, it needs to be in the contract.
Whatever boarding type you have decided on, it should be in the contract. Any rules that go with that boarding (full boarding – the stable takes care of everything, partial boarding – exactly what your responsibility is and what the stable’s responsibility is) needs to be in the contract.
Conclusion
Hopefully, this has given you a better idea of what you need to do and questions you need to ask. Looking after your horse is so important so it’s important to make sure it will be taken care of, whatever stable you decide to use.