How to get back into horses, especially boarding

[HappyHorsey]

Hi! I had horses of my own for many years but have been away from it for a while. After a lot of thought about just doing lessons or leasing, I decided that I’d really like to own another horse again. I’m fortunate that I’m financially able to do so at this time. The problem is that I’ve been away and don’t really know how to start again - even with horse shopping!

COTHers, what’s your advice for getting back into the horse scene? If you’ve gone through this, what worked for you and what didn’t? I don’t have a trainer anymore. I had wonderful vets and farriers, but it’s been a while now. I’m not even sure what’s available for boarding in my area. Should I start asking around at boarding barns? I don’t want them to feel like I’m wasting their time and of course I wouldn’t expect them to hold any stalls, but eventually I’ll need somewhere to keep a horse. Thanks for any words of wisdom with this situation!

[clanter]

@HappyHorsey

and of course I wouldn’t expect them to hold any stalls,

a lease could be signed for the “Horse” where it requires the same payment no matter if there is horse or not… but I do not suggest that this be done unless there actually no room in the inn anywhere near where the need be

Have you decided on a discipline? If so, join one of the trade organizations that supports that discipline to gain an understanding of just where that discipline is headed

[LCDR]

Find a mentor or riding friend who will help you with re-introducing yourself to the horse world. Maybe a person you can help out as groomer and gofer at shows for a while.

[atomicfriday]

I’m also getting back into horses after a ten year hiatus. Honestly, do a map search of boarding barns by you and then ask to have tours. Select the best one for your preferences, let them know you’re in the market and about when you’ll need availability. As far as looking for a horse, visit your local feed stores and ask around. Do a search for “horses for sale” and a number of sites will pop up and you can enter your criteria. Craigslist can also be an option. Best of luck to you, it can be be trying but the end result is the most rewarding

[dmveventer]

Find a barn with a trainer you like, tell them you’d like to take lessons or lease for a few months to get back into things and then will be looking to buy. You’ll want to have that relationship established before you start seriously shopping; a lot of good barns these days have waitlists or give preference to existing clients bringing in new horses. Once the trainer gets to know you a bit they can help you shop and leverage their contacts on your behalf.

[2DogsFarm]

Define the “while” you’ve been away.
And what discipline are you riding now or want to pursue?
Both will impact your choices.

I started as a H/J re-rider after a 15yr hiatus.
But that was back in {coughcough} 1985.
I rode & showed schoolies & shareboarded (not a lease contract) for 4yrs before buying my Very.First.Horseofmyown.

I understand, from posts on this BB, that finding a program with school horses can be problematic now.
IIWM, today, I’d lease before buying.
Gives you a chance to ease back in & determine what trainer suits you.
I might even dabble in other disciplines to see if my desire to ride one in particular has changed*.

*I took up Driving in my late 50s.
Took a vacation from that for several years, bought my Driving mini at age 66

[Halt_Near_X]

I went out and bought a foal, then sorted everything else out, but that’s definitely not the recommended approach. That said, my filly is boarding with a breeder, so she doesn’t factor into the next steps for me (other than the cost).

I am auditing clinics and attending shows to watch how local trainers interact with students. You have to make allowances for the clinic/show environments, but it’s a good way to see a lot of student/trainer interactions in a short period of time. At shows, I spend more time watching the warmup ring & at the in gate than I do watching actual classes.

I’ve also asked for recommendations on a few FB groups. Not everyone is hooked into social media, though, so this is useful but hardly comprehensive. It’s a good way to see who gets recommended by several people in multiple groups and who is advertising themselves on every ISO post within minutes of it appearing .

Other than that, make appointments at barns. Watch some lessons. Get some tours. Take a lesson or two if you can. I’m just doing ground work lessons right now (a gap in my skills) but when I am ready to ride, I’ll probably do as others have mentioned and reach out to ask trainers about leasing opportunities (current trainer is too far for me to board at/ride regularly but it’s doable for 1x/week).

Remember that you don’t have to find the perfect barn off the bat. Find one you are happy with for now; you’ll build more connections and get tuned in better to the local scene & can adjust as you need to.

[findeight]

I would wait on buying until you have regained your skills or decided on what level you are comfortable at with your current body and mind. Meaning figure out where you are now, today. Don’t dwell on where you were 15, 20 years ago. We have had lots of threads lately where returning adults buy the horse they loved at 18 which they now find a totally unsuitable mismatch at age 40.

You also need to do your own investigation on where to ride and who to ride with. The only way to really do that is in person. Visit at least several barns. Watch them teach, watch them work with clients at horse shows. Take a test lesson. Might require a part lease but be sure to make it month to month with a signed contract so if it goes south, you are not sure or you want to explore other options? You can walk.

Be sure you get current rate information, including show rates you plan on showing as well as commissions on buy, sell and lease. Good barns either have this on their website or will provide you the rate sheet. Compare them before deciding.

Don’t be afraid to explore other disciplines. Maybe you thought you wanted to jump but find it less appealing now. Maybe you never jumped but now want to? Maybe you decide you want to switch from English to Western or vice versa? Get all this sorted out before buying anything, can save you a world of hurt not to mention $$$$$.

Remember, as a non owner, you have Flexibility…which is greatly diminished when you make the long term commitment of buying the horse. Take your time and be sure its the right horse, boarding situation and trainer for you.

[Impractical_Horsewoman]

Yes, I understand that some people go “all in” right away, but why not take lessons at one or two barns. Even if they’re terrible, you’ll know what to keep away from!

Also, why not look at the websites of boarding barns near you? Most don’t list prices, but some might (even if they are outdated ones). Join the local Facebook community for your area. You might hear about trainers looking for students, and can check out their web pages, as well as horses for sale and lease, or barns with openings. Also you might find people to avoid!