Boarding a friend's horse

[Twisting]

I mentioned recently that I just bought a horse property with a 3 stall barn. I only have the one pony so far, and I am on the hunt for a second horse. The neighbors have horses who’s paddock is fairly close to mine so I was hoping they would provide enough of a herd to keep my fairly independent pony happy, but another situation has turned up.

A friend messaged me and their family is moving to my area at the same time I am. They are planning on buying a farm but are having trouble finding just what they want, and are pretty sure they will have to build at least the barn and arenas after finding a suitable property. Two of their horses are competition horses and will be staying in full time training/care until they are settled. The third is a mini who’s primary job is smiling for cookies. They, understandably, are less than enthused about paying full board for the cutie pie. My pony and their mini were turn-out buddies at a previous barn, and get along like gangbusters. It seems like a win-win to have her stay at my place. It gives them a cheaper option for her until their property is ready (and they can still visit), and it takes the pressure off me for finding another horse ASAP.

I agreed to let her stay with us. I will provide all of the care, feeding, mucking, turnout, holding for the farrier, anything that requires a physical presence. She will provide the funding for the pony’s care. My question is what paperwork do I need to make sure everything is clearly laid out and understood by both parties, and to protect myself. Should I write up a boarding agreement? Do I need liability insurance? Or, rather, more liability insurance. Should I not accept payment because that will make me a commercial enterprise? I wouldn’t mind feeding the pony out of pocket, she eats next to nothing. Would it be better if I leased the pony for $1 a month or something like that?

35 years in horses has taught me that everything works out better and fewer feelings are hurt when everything is in writing. I am just not sure what the best course of action in this situation would be. For what it is worth I trust the individual, and they have never shirked their equine responsibilities before.

[clanter]

might want to check local ordinances (if any) just to have idea as to how to navigate through livestock being maintained at a residence, here we have a lot of restrictions but none are really unwarranted due to earlier peoples’ failures infringing upon others’ rights

As you said, it is best to have a clearly written and excecated document stating just what is being done and how the relationship will reach termination .

Personally I would lease the mini so that it would fit under my current insurance.

From my experience one mini is pretty much equal to a third of horse in up keep but can cause three times the trouble of one horse. (we have three minis here with the four horses)

Your freind could donate $ for the care as it will need the same care as a real horse.

My grand daughters have “their” goats here but the goats are in our name.

[Twisting]

I have read through the city ordinances. I can have up to 5 full sized horses or 20 miniature horses, though I would need 2 more “containment” structures. I currently have suitable containment/shelter for up to 3, I also have a manure management plan sketched out. That is all the requirements outline.

Five is way more than I will ever have, regardless of what size they are. I can only imagine the chaos having 20 minis on my small parcel would be.

I can also have up to 50 chickens… I’m thinking 4-5.

[enjoytheride]

I would get a boarding/liability contract and get her to sign that. You can purchase separate “care custody and control” insurance or make sure that your regular home owner’s insurance has a high enough rate to cover any sort of issues.

[clanter]

@Twisting

5 full sized horses or 20 miniature

much more liberal than here, the ratio is 1 Large Animal (50 inches and over) equals 3 Small Animals (under 50 inches) height to be measured at the withers

The ordinance has a pretty expulsive How To Measure included. This was added after I took our 14.1 Pony and our 15.2 Horse to the meeting asking the “experts” to tell me which if either was a pony. All pointed to the Horse.

So, wording was changed to include a specific height rather than pony or horse

Just wanted to make sure those enforcing the law had a clear method rather than getting into a battle with words.

[chestnutmarebeware]

I won’t comment on the paperwork, but this could easily become the fast track to losing the friend.

It’s much easier to be assertive and call out issues with a stranger than it is for a friend.

It my work out fine, but then again, it could end in you being angry/resenting her and the end of friendship.

[Alpha_Mare]

I hope it all continues to work out for you and your friend.

What would be useful is written notice of what to do in an emergency if friend cannot be reached. For example, would you be authorized to obtain emergency colic surgery? Or put the mini down? Barns of friends have a list of ‘go to hospital for colic surgery’ horses and, specifically named, those that will NOT be sent for surgery.

Some of it is a concern for $ and some of it is concern for rehab after injury/illness and resulting quality of life.

We have a mini and have had others in the past and they are excellent companions for the horses.

wishing you the best.

[SMF11]

Don’t charge board or you become a commercial horse boarding operation, and your homeowner’s insurance won’t cover you.

I have had friends board with me, and I have become friends with some of my boarders, and thankfully it has always been a good experience. But I screen prospective boarders really carefully. It is important for you to have good boundaries.

[Weezer]

I’ve dealt with similar situations and have become frustrated with the friend. In the end I took the perspective that she is helping me by providing a companion horse without me having to buy another horse so it’s really a compromise relationship rather than a professional relationship. I run the type of casual place where I’ve never had a contract for a boarder so I think you need to do whatever you think is suitable for the dynamic between you and your friend. If your gut tells you that this might be a challenging situation, I suggest you listen to that.

[enjoytheride]

@SMF11

Don’t charge board or you become a commercial horse boarding operation, and your homeowner’s insurance won’t cover you.

I have had friends board with me, and I have become friends with some of my boarders, and thankfully it has always been a good experience. But I screen prospective boarders really carefully. It is important for you to have good boundaries.

This is not actually true and can really depend on your home owner’s insurance policy.