Questions to ask when looking for boarding

The lovely barn that I have boarded at for more than 10 years has just announced that it is closing Oct 31.

It has been so long since I have moved my horse, that I don’t even know what to ask barn managers.

opening hours
feed options
fencing
heated water in paddocks in winter
shelters
footing in ring / arena
lessons - own coach
own farrier / vet

I recall there was an informative thread about this topic some time ago, but cannot find it.

I am trying not to panic, but the “good” barns with good care, proper feeding, safe fencing and decent footing within an hour’s drive have waiting lists. I am north of Toronto, Ontario.

Any suggestions of questions to ask, red flags to watch out for, are welcome.

What type of horse do you have and what do you do with it?

I’m from the GTA, so perhaps I could help with some recommendations?

15.2 mare
I am a lower level eventer, do not need an eventing barn, just a few jumps that I can set up 2 or 3 times a month.

Turn out policy (including inclement weather like rain, ice, and snow).

What does their pricing actually include vs what do they offer as “add ons” (fly sheet/masks, boots for turn out, feeding a daily supplement/medication or what have you)

What is their waste management (and fly management). What is their policy on cleaning stalls.

i also like to ask if they have any “projects” planned and what the timeline for those are - things like completely redoing footing, changing out fencing, etc. I like to know what is on their radar and what their timing is for those things (are they going to be inconveniencing their clientele).

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Wow not a lot of notice :no:

I’d add trailer parking, if you have a trailer. I couldn’t tell when said set up jumps, if you have your own? So definitely ask if either they have jumps, you are permitted to use/move, or if you have your own, can you store them somewhere handy. I’d also start checking with trusted professionals (vet, farrier, body work person, your trainer) about private barns since you said all the good places have waiting lists.

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Feed/hay storage if you need to provide your own grain/hay if your horse’s needs something they don’t provide

Tack storage

Blanketing policy/fees

Emergency plans (fire, evacuation, etc)

If trainer on site, are you allowed to ride during lessons?

Ask for a list of barn rules and a copy of the boarding agreement - sometimes there are odd things in there that may or may not be deal breakers.

Then be sure to ask if the barn has any rules about jumping outside of lessons, or if there are any requirements associated with jumping on your own.

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How many different people are responsible for feed, turnout, mucking etc. and how long each of them have been there.

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Can you be more specific about where north of Toronto? I have a couple of suggestions in mind depending where you are

I assume these are screening questions that are used to determine if you wish to visit the barn. I think you learn more about a boarding barn by visiting in person. It is important to understand the BO’s philosophy and management style. As a BO, I am looking for a good fit for what I have to offer. I am not looking for someone who wants to change my operations to suit their wishes. BTW, I think everyone is entitled to their opinion of hose case AND there are very few hard and fast “right ways” to do things. I just want boarders to be happy with what I have to offer. It makes life so much easier all around if that happens. I don’t accept boarders that I can’t meet in advance for this reason.

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If you are in the GTA
Do you own your farm or do you lease it? Because GTA barns open and close over night!
Do you own your own trailer for medical emergencies? because…horses…

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Many good points above.

The good news is that you should learn most of this on the initial walk-around where the BM shows you how things are. With luck they will have it in writing.

But do have a list, and don’t hesitate to look at it and check off things during your first visit. The BM won’t think that’s rude, they will be happy that you are making sure to have your questions answered before you commit, only to later find something that is a deal-breaker for you. :slight_smile:

Storage for your stuff, and how it is arranged (space in the tack room? locker? trunk in front of the stall?) is very important and will have everything to do with how well your time in the barn will go. It isn’t until a few weeks or months in that this really comes home! Also, make sure to understand blanket storage, and think about all of the layers and weights of blankets you commonly use in your climate.

I also recommend asking about farrier and vet. Some barns schedule regular farrier/vet visits for routine care of all of the horses, others leave it to the owners to do it on their own. Some barns want all boarders to use their own farrier/vet. Those may routinely hold horses if the owner isn’t there. Others encourage specific farriers and vets, and will cooperatively help with those visits if the owner can’t be there. But in that case they usually will not help with an outside farrier or vet. And other barns never help with vet/farrier visits, and you’ll have to make arrangements accordingly.

Some barns will pay the farrier, even the vet, and then bill boarders for the cost. Others want a check ready from the owner.

Be aware that if a vet is doing routine vaccinations, floats, and minor injury care for all of the horses, and is billing the barn for all on one bill, you will probably not have a separate identifiable record for your horse. It may be only “vaccinations for 12 horses at Sunny Acres Farm”. Something to ask about if the barn is arranging all of this.

Look at the the feet of the horses in the barn carefully and see what you think you can live with, if the barn is arranging the farrier care. There are BM’s that are somewhat indifferent to good farriery, and of course others who are very particular.

Ask about worming protocol. Does the barn have all the horses on the same worming routine? Do they handle it themselves to make sure it is done effectively? Do they test before deciding on wormer and when to worm?

Someone mentioned fly control. Does the barn put all of the horses on a feed-through? My current board barn does and it is working well. It has less fly problems than anywhere else I’ve boarded.

Everything mentioned in this thread are things that sound very detailed at the beginning, but they are important details to live with in a board barn. Don’t assume that everything will somehow be peachy keen, do ask about everything you are curious about. Good BM/BO’s will be glad to answer and have a new boarder who is well informed up front. If the BM/BO sounds reluctant or uncomfortable to answer, move on to another barn. :slight_smile:

Do they have check list!!! As in DOUBLE CHECKING
that every horse has had hay and water before leaving. You know, the simple stuff. It’s the three or four most basic things that I found you can’t be sure happen. Hay, water, stall cleaned, gates shut. Water in outside trough. Sorry. Venting

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Where are you located? I live just north of Toronto and have my own farm but I board out during the winter months at the most amazing place thats close to me. I can PM you the details if you would like!

great info everyone.
Thank you.
Big Mama and Diamond Jubilee - I am looking in the area bounded by Newmarket to the north, Stouffville to the East,
Nobleton / schomberg to the west.
Not necessarily fixed boundaries, but I would not want to go far beyond that zone.

Have a look at Raynham Stables on 8th Concession in Nobleton / Schomberg

Very, very true. It is surprising what can be overlooked by barn workers, who can be somewhat overwhelmed by a thousand details to take care of.

In one case that I personally know of, the feeders weren’t giving feed or hay if the horse was not in the stall at feed time - that is, if the owner was riding, as several owners did at feed time in that barn, due to personal vs barn schedules. I’m not sure why the feeding staff seemed to think that the horse was never returning to its own stall. Once it was brought to the attention of the BM she immediately corrected the problem. But it was interesting that a boarder was the one who raised the alert, because none of the staff noticed or mentioned it.

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Yep. I’ve seen this many times.

Wow! Not as much notice as one would like. You may have to find something temporary, even if it’s farther away than you would like, and then consider moving your horse after a space opens somewhere else.
I would start with a list of the things that you find most important. For me, this list is different than it might be for another horse owner. Of course, some of the list may be based on characteristics of your horse. A barn that works beautifully for one horse may not for another.
Definitely look for a barn that provides care that you find close to ideal care. I really like having the option of having a slow feed option for hay. The last place I boarded hated hay nets, slow feeders, etc. It just didn’t work for their system, and they didn’t feel that either was necessary and generally disliked them. Ultimately, I found that I was happier at a place that already used options like that.
I also find the hours to be very important. If you have a very flexible schedule, that may not be as important. For me I have a very set schedule even on days when I’m not working, so it may be very important for me to be able to ride at specific times. I don’t want to ride in the middle of the night, but I probably do want to ride at 7 am in the heat of the summer, or in the evening at around 7 to 8 pm. I’ve found that this can be unreasonable for some barn owners that cater to school children.

This for sure!
There are also a number of places in that general area that do not always feed…so pm me if you find a place.