Keeping a horse at home is a privilege that belongs to the very rich, and a time gone by. Nowadays, most people are forced, for financial reasons, to keep their horses at horse stables that someone else owns and manages. This means leaving your beloved pet in the hands of someone else, so it makes sense to be careful when choosing.
When shopping for a stable, remember to think in terms of things that are good for horses, not people. Many people make the mistake of thinking that a closed-up, warm barn would be better than a drafty barn and some blankets. But horses are not people, and they are not made to live indoors. Horses that are stabled in closed barns have much higher rates of illness than those living outdoors or in barns with lots of airflow, provided that they are all blanketed as needed.
The size of the stalls offered by various barns differs, and you should choose a stall size that is comfortable for your horse. A pony can live in less space than a draft horse, so don't consider all stalls the same. 12x12 feet is the industry standard, and is appropriate for horses up to about a thousand pounds.
Consider what the cleaning schedule for the barn is. Some barns provide full service, while others will expect you to do a certain amount of the work. Occasionally, you can find a barn where you get a reduced rate for providing all of your horse's care. Whatever the situation, if you are not responsible for cleaning every day, ask how often the stall will be cleaned. At least every day is best for your health reasons.
Bedding comes in multiple different types, and as long as your horse has no problems with them, any type is potentially fine. Straw, shavings, pellets, and sawdust are all common. With the exception of possible dust issues with the sawdust, the use of any of these is a matter of personal preference and budget. Straw is cheap but a relatively difficult material to use, while pellets are expensive but easy to clean.
The riding arenas at boarding facilities are often in use a lot of the time. Make sure that you understand the policies concerning the use of the riding areas, and what their general availability is like, before you sign up to board your horse. Ask about the different times of the day that you might be riding, because availability can vary drastically between mid-morning and after school.
Choosing the cheapest option is appealing for a number of reasons. And it's alright to do so, as long as you've investigated thoroughly and made sure that they aren't cutting corners on important parts of their horses' care. Likewise, choosing the most expensive option you can afford is also fine, but be equally careful that they provide what you need.
Take yourself on a tour of the facilities before you sign any contracts. Make sure that the other horses boarded are healthy looking, in clean stalls, and have fresh water and bedding. If you want to, ask for references. Then read the entire contract very carefully. Remember, your horse is counting on you to look out for him.
When shopping for a stable, remember to think in terms of things that are good for horses, not people. Many people make the mistake of thinking that a closed-up, warm barn would be better than a drafty barn and some blankets. But horses are not people, and they are not made to live indoors. Horses that are stabled in closed barns have much higher rates of illness than those living outdoors or in barns with lots of airflow, provided that they are all blanketed as needed.
The size of the stalls offered by various barns differs, and you should choose a stall size that is comfortable for your horse. A pony can live in less space than a draft horse, so don't consider all stalls the same. 12x12 feet is the industry standard, and is appropriate for horses up to about a thousand pounds.
Consider what the cleaning schedule for the barn is. Some barns provide full service, while others will expect you to do a certain amount of the work. Occasionally, you can find a barn where you get a reduced rate for providing all of your horse's care. Whatever the situation, if you are not responsible for cleaning every day, ask how often the stall will be cleaned. At least every day is best for your health reasons.
Bedding comes in multiple different types, and as long as your horse has no problems with them, any type is potentially fine. Straw, shavings, pellets, and sawdust are all common. With the exception of possible dust issues with the sawdust, the use of any of these is a matter of personal preference and budget. Straw is cheap but a relatively difficult material to use, while pellets are expensive but easy to clean.
The riding arenas at boarding facilities are often in use a lot of the time. Make sure that you understand the policies concerning the use of the riding areas, and what their general availability is like, before you sign up to board your horse. Ask about the different times of the day that you might be riding, because availability can vary drastically between mid-morning and after school.
Choosing the cheapest option is appealing for a number of reasons. And it's alright to do so, as long as you've investigated thoroughly and made sure that they aren't cutting corners on important parts of their horses' care. Likewise, choosing the most expensive option you can afford is also fine, but be equally careful that they provide what you need.
Take yourself on a tour of the facilities before you sign any contracts. Make sure that the other horses boarded are healthy looking, in clean stalls, and have fresh water and bedding. If you want to, ask for references. Then read the entire contract very carefully. Remember, your horse is counting on you to look out for him.
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Get exclusive inside info on how and where to find proper horse stables now in our complete guide to all you need to know about equestrian buildings in the United Kingdom .
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