New Eventer Touring New Stables

[Henlie]

I am in the process of moving to a new city, in a new country, hopefully with a new (green) horse, so needless to say I am in full-blown List Mode. I have a list of my top potential show stables nearby where I would be boarding and riding, and I just emailed all of them about coming to tour the facilities when my husband and I go to visit the area in a little over a month. The issue is that there are 7-8 different stables that I can’t narrow down any further without seeing them in person, so I need a killer checklist to take with me when we go to be able to compare pros & cons of each facility.

For background, I have a 15 years of mostly hunter/jumper experience, but have been dreaming for years about moving to eventing (not very big where I am currently). A couple of my top-choice stables I’ll be looking at are eventing stables, and most of them have high-level competitive programs. I’m worried about making a low-stress move for this horse, so I’m trying to choose the best long-term environment for her, and while she will need a couple months of intensive training, I don’t want to sacrifice my competitive goals.

Just hoping to get recommendations on the most important things to each of you when it comes to choosing a new stables, as I have never had this many options before when moving to a new area and have always had to pick by convenience (which hasn’t always worked out well). As a young adult, this will also be my first time boarding my own horse at a riding stables since I was a kid; I’ve been leasing and riding lesson horses since I was 15. Any advice/tips/recommendations on what to avoid/red flags, or what you would add to my checklist of Must Haves? Definitely a whole new world for me!

Thanks in advance from a stressed hopeful horse mom <3

[Willesdon]

You don’t say which city in which country so the question is vast.

If you have been doing online research you will already have a list of available facilities and some idea about the professional skill and experience of the staff.

Then there are the things that your horse needs or would benefit from and the things that you would benefit from… for which I presume you have already made a list.

Then general points to consider:

A) Are the horses you see at the stables relaxed and bright eyed and come to greet you at their door? Or are they dull, sour and keep their quarters turned to you? Basic stable stuff. No flies, no smells, no random straw blowing around in the breeze, no nails sticking out of the woodwork.
B) Do you like the atmosphere when you visit? Calm and relaxed or buzzy and noisy? Which suits your horse?
C) Do the people ask YOU good questions about your ambitions, your horse, your expectations, your requirements.
D) Are the other clients friendly towards you as a visitor?
E) Is the muck heap well managed? Weird one but I always find a good stable has a good muck heap/muck disposal system.
F) Is stable location good for access to events? Would it be an easy journey back late at night when you are tired?

[asterix]

I agree that some notion of where this is would be helpful. If both you and the horse are new to eventing, I’d be less focused on a high level competition program and more focused on a barn that caters to amateurs learning the sport. It’s much more fun to do conditioning sets and cross country schooling with friends, and you will learn from them as much as from a trainer.
You will want good turnout, access to trails and fields for riding out, and bonus points for a regulation size dressage school or ability to make one.
What kind of competitions does the barn go to? How do riders get to competitions? In the US, eventing is much more do it yourself than H/J - many adults haul themselves to competitions, another reason to look for a place with adult ammies at your level.

[Scribbler]

An appropriate level for you and a competent trainer are key. I would think most credible training barns would have acceptable care with some variations based on size of property, amount of available turnout, etc.

All other things being more or less equal I would put a priority on a place having a functional cross country practice area, a groomed field with jumps. Trails access is also useful. You can’t really school cc with an arena bound horse and agoraphobic rider.

Convenience to your own home and work are also important.

But if you don’t like the trainer it won’t work.

[Henlie]

@Willesdon

You don’t say which city in which country so the question is vast.

If you have been doing online research you will already have a list of available facilities and some idea about the professional skill and experience of the staff.

Then there are the things that your horse needs or would benefit from and the things that you would benefit from… for which I presume you have already made a list.

It’s just a US to Canada move, but I feel pretty good about that transition. It’s a suburban area about 2 hours from Toronto where all the bigger events happen, so not too terrible of a trip, but they do a lot of local shows as well.

[Henlie]

Thanks everyone for the advice! As mentioned, I am definitely most nervous about finding a place that is a good fit for me level-wise, but still has room for me to grow as a rider and competitor, and for my horse to grow as well as she continues her training. I was pretty competitive before having to take a break for medical & financial reasons, and now that I’m working my way back up I don’t want to sacrifice my goals because of a move. Super excited to finally live in an area where boarding stables have their own XC courses, that’s a huge thing for me and the primary reason I haven’t been able to get into eventing yet.
Again, thanks so much for your help and additions, I definitely have quite a list going now!

[CHT]

If competition is important to you, perhaps check out which events (or other types of competitions) that they went to this year to see if that type of showing is what you are wanting to do. If it is a high level coach, it might be important to also ask if they have someone take over lessons when the main coach is on the road.

[Scribbler]

Also you can always move barns if it turns out to not be a great match for you.