Since my first horse purchase, I have boarded at four different facilities, the first was the longest time frame, almost ten years. In addition to the facilities I have kept my own horses at, I have also visited many more to compare the quality of care and available amenities.
Interestingly, I have heard the owner of one local facility (not one I have boarded at) set up a Facebook page for people to “Rate” their boarding facility. ironically, none of her clients are allowed to comment on her own place.
Indoor Arena
There is a lot of differences between boarding facilities, so let’s talk about some. Canada has miserable weather, for most of the year, varying between rain, wind and snow. While some horse people don’t mind riding in the cooler seasons others avoid it altogether. So there is a practical “need” for an indoor arena. On the other hand, since heated indoor arenas are rare – if you don’t ride when it’s cold, it won’t matter to you.
Handling your Horses
Are you comfortable with the facility owner moving your horse from inside to out side, blanketing and deworming when they want to? Will you allow your horse(s) to be used in a lesson programme? Do you need an exercise rider?
Enquire as to how many other boarders will have access to interact with your horse, and check if you like the way they treat their own. Also be mindful that many other boarders may go around treating your horse with carrots, etc. Horses should never be turned out with a halter on them, they cold get caught up on a nail, a tree branch or part of a fence or run in and get seriously injured or killed.
Indoor or Outdoor Board
Some facilities will provide only indoor board, which is typically more expensive than leaving your horse out 24/7 (this is my personal preference). Some will charge extra for a stall as well as bringing them in and turning them out. There may also be extra charges for graining, blanket changes and other “extras”. I have seen at least one facility where the horses are kept inside for 23 hours each day with only a one hour daily turn out.
Free or Restrictive Feeding Regimes
Access to hay can be an issue both from a perspective of having too much or having too little. I like my horses to have access to hay or limited pasture 24/7 but I also don’t want them eating like Sumo wrestlers. Hay nets are helpful for making hay available, saving on spillage, and slowing horses down when eating. Check the quality of the hay, some facilities have performance blends that are high in carbohydrates (usually alfalfa) and not appropriate for horses that get limited exercise or are prone to laminitis.
Is access to hay adequate for the size of the herd? If there is a herd of ten horses but only four can be at the feeder at any one time, there will be more conflicts and some horses will become heavier than others. Frequency of feeding is a consideration, do they constantly, or near constantly, have feed available? Some boarding facilities are better than others at staying on a timely feed regimen – some slack off.
The plastic net used to wrap and protect hay bales must be removed before feeding or they could cause colic. Moldy hay is a real issue in a damp environment, some boarding facilities buy cheap, low grade, even moldy hay – in fact I have seen this problem at several local barns. Some leave manure and urine soaked hay on the ground around feeders for the horses to eat after they run out of hay (prior to replacing the bale) – this is an unhealthy practice.
Rodents carry diseases, and possums (urine) can be lethal to horses, check to see if any are getting into feed rooms and hay lofts.
Most domestic horses really don’t need much, if anything, in the way of supplements as much as they need exercise – if you are concerned about your horse’s health ride it more, or pay someone else to ride it, don’t waste money on fad supplements.
Water
Some barns have free access water and may use heated water fountains, these are the best ( as long as the water is coming from a quality source). Some other barns use buckets, barrels or tubs. Putting fish in the water “to keep it clean” tells you the barn owner is lazy – standing water should be changed and the containers cleaned and disinfected regularly.
Security
Often times electric fences are not properly wired, shorted out, or not connected. Electric fences that are not properly maintained could be dangerous horses can get tangled up in them. Wood fences must be strong enough to withstand a 1,200 pound horse rubbing up against them. That is quite a very common issue. Be wary of temporary “T” post fences, they must have properly installed plastic or rubber caps on them to prevent percussion injuries, a horse could slam its head down on one and get seriously injured.
Make sure that gates are properly affixed to fence posts and can be adequately secured while you are away. Check stalls to ensure they are safe and secure and that there are no windows in the stall that are not properly covered with strong bars to prevent the horse pushing its head through the glass.
Maintenance
Enquire as to how responsive the barn owners are to maintenance requests – a visual inspection should suffice. Don’t be misled by the barn owner sharing his or her dreams about sprinkler systems, new fences, arenas, etc., if they are on top of these things it will show as well as if they aren’t.
Remember, barn owners are in business, and you are their client(s) ask yourself if they are dismissive, or if they address your concerns in a timely manner. A badly hinged gate can lead to horses pushing it off its hinges when rubbing against it.
Herds
Herd size relates to more than just access to feeders, when horses are overcrowded injuries occur at higher rates. Mixed gender herds can also lead to higher ratios f conflicts and injuries. Turnouts should be large enough to allow horses to roam and run. Manure ought to be cleaned up regularly to reduce bacterial infections and flies.
You
Don’t forget about you, think about washroom facilities, first aid boxes, showers, viewing areas, tack storage, the social environment, activities around the facility that involve other people. Perhaps you need lessons or coaching, you should ensure your discipline is represented.
The barn should provide the kind of exercise facilities you want or need, such as trails, indoor and outdoor arenas, round pens jumps and other equipment. Gender mix for people is just as important as gender mix for horse herds. It seems that more females participate in equestrian activities than males.
Insurance
Enquire if the facility has adequate insurance to cover vet bills should something happen to your horse as a result of some form of negligence.
My top picks, and these are mine, not necessarily yours, are I want secure fences, I prefer smaller turnouts, free feed hay, I like hay nets and water fountains. I like an indoor arena, some access to trails – I have a trailer so I can go other places and it is nice to be able to drop my trailer at the barn.
Personally, I have an aversion to people, I am an introvert and prefer to be left alone – although I can be social (all introverts can) unless the conversation is something I am passionate about, I’d rather not! I do not go to the barn to socialize, although I have met a few wonderful people at various barns.
At the end of the day, taking into consideration some of the basics, security, quality of feed and water, which I think we can all agree are fundamentals, pick your poison – what is important to you? That will help you determine the “best” boarding facility.