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What Do You Want from Your Boarding Barn?

Around The Farm
#21

[QUOTE=Abbie.S;7316827]
What do you absolutely have to have in a boarding situation, regardless of the price of board?[/QUOTE]

Safe fencing is very important. Really good, knowledgeable employees is also important unless you can go to the boarding barn everyday (and that is not something that I wish to do). I think that a safe, well ran facility is most important. I like to board at a place reliable enough that I don’t worry when I can’t be there.

An indoor arena is wonderful for the climate I am in - it allows me to ride when it is raining or muddy outside. A heated tack room is also nice as I leave my tack at the barn.
I am probably a bit of an anomaly on this, but I’ve always appreciated the fact that we are charged extra for blanketing, deworming, or holding for the vet or farrier rather than simply increasing the cost of board. It allows me to save some money at times. I do know that a lot of people don’t like to be nickeled and dimed, which I can understand but I also board at a place where some people do not blanket or are able to be there whenever the vet/farrier is there. Personally I like not having to pay for services that I don’t use.
I think that extras like massage, etc. would be nice to have available.

Fine, as long as they allow me to ride around my work schedule. I would be reluctant to board anywhere if I wasn’t able to ride in the arena during lesson times. I usually ride immediately after work, which would probably be a popular time for lessons. I also love to ride on Saturday mornings, another time when a lot of people take lessons. Where I board lesson students have the right-of-way, but I would hate to have to try to coordinate my own schedule with the lesson schedule. It is hard enough sometimes to make time to ride, and I would never add a bunch of additional complications to that goal.
I also think that they have to be flexible. There are definitely situations where people will want to be there at other times - such as when leaving for or returning from a show or other event at odd hours. I have had to treat various medical situations when the barn was closed, and I would never board somewhere with barn hours so set in stone that I wouldn’t be able to come and provide vet recommended care if it couldn’t be done during regular hours.

I think it is nice for things to be well-maintained. For example, for things to be painted as they need to be and for broken things to be fixed in a timely manner and for there not to be piles of trash everywhere. Other than that, it isn’t very important.

[QUOTE=Abbie.S;7316827]How much control over your horse’s diet, turnout, etc are you willing to hand over to the BO (reasonably speaking, here)? I ask because I have run into situations where a horse is a danger to himself or others in pasture situation, horse is constantly losing weight and owner doesn’t want to increase feed, horse got injured and owner was doing wound care but very poorly and inconsistently and horse suffered for it…situations where, in general, it would be very difficult for me as a barn owner and manager to not step in and say “we need to handle this differently, or you need to leave” sort of thing…
How do you feel about other sorts of animals being housed on the property separate from the equines? Chickens, goats, beef cattle, etc…[/QUOTE]

I like that my barn allows you to supply your own grain if you want. I know my own barn owner wouldn’t allow me to keep my horse there if he was getting thin and I wouldn’t do anything about it or if there was an untreated injury. Once my horse was injured in turnout and I was at work and the barn owner cleaned up the injury and charged me for it. A couple of other times the barn owner has contacted the vet about an injury before contacting me, which I completely understand. I do trust the barn owner’s judgment in those cases and believe that she wants my horse to be healthy and happy just as I do. At the same time, I am a bit of a nerd and I like the freedom to be able to change my horse’s feed if I feel the barn’s grain isn’t working for his needs. I also appreciate that the barn will add supplements or meet other special feed requirements (hay cubes, etc.). There is an extra charge for supplements and I am sure there is an extra charge for cubes or other special services, but it is nice to be able to do that if you wish.
As far as other animals, my only real concern would be that maybe I wouldn’t be able to get my horse accustomed to them and might be injured trying. I’d be open to it especially if the barn owner was knowledgeable and could help me get my horse acclimated to those animals if he had a meltdown. As long as I felt safe to ride, I think it would be fun.
ETA: My horse is not actually a hot horse, and I am pretty sure there wouldn’t be any problems with other animals. At the same time, you never know for sure and sometimes horses can be afraid of other animals. I believe that it would be possible to get most horses to be okay with that, but it would be nice to have some help and support during the transition.

#22

Seeing as how I’m currently at a barn that I am extremely happy with, which is a small acreage farm & very small, I’m hoping my answers (I’ll try to keep it short!) might be helpful!

What do you absolutely have to have in a boarding situation? Large stalls, clean facility (kept reasonable swept, stalls mucked every day, organized), opportunity for ample turnout (current barn turns out every day weather permitting), indoor ring.

What are worthwhile “extras”? I’ve always considered a wash stall with hot/cold water to be standard but if we’re listing as an extra, then that’s definitely a large bonus for me. The ability to increase my horse’s feed (to a reasonable degree) without extra charges. A heated tack room or lounge area to defrost in winter.

How do you feel about barn hours, if reasonably set? I’ve always gone by the assumption that most BOs don’t want boarders on the property at ridiculous (i.e. after 10pm on weekdays) hours. However, flexibility based on situation is always very nice. For example, I’m hoping to be a trauma nurse in a few years and I know my shifts will be variable, so an understanding BO who will allow me to ride early mornings would be lovely.

Is the physical appearance of the barn important to you? To a degree, it is. If the barn looks well-kept and cared for, regardless of whether it was freshly painted or older looking, then that really speaks to me about how my horse will be treated.

What would you want/expect out of barn that charges 400 for full care board?/What do you pay for board now? I currently pay $415 for full board, which includes daily turnout (individual for now, hopefully paired soon), free choice hay, blanket changing if necessary, morning/nighttime checks, and BO lives on premises.

On the flip side of the above question, what services would you LIKE that aren’t provided? The only service I would like would be holding for vet or farrier (if notified ahead of time) without a charge. However, the BO has a job outside of the facility, so I understand why this is not provided.

How much control over your horse’s diet, turnout, etc are you willing to hand over to the BO (reasonably speaking, here)? I appreciate input and advice but then again, I don’t think I’m the type of person who would brush off someone who was genuinely interested in the well-being of my horse. I like a degree of independence.

How do you feel about other sorts of animals being housed on the property separate from the equines? The only other types of animals I’ve ever had to deal with are the usual barn cats and dogs. I’m not sure how I’d feel about other farm animals. Goats probably wouldn’t both me much but cows and chickens just have a different (awful to me!) smell than horses and I probably wouldn’t enjoy it much.

The only other thing I have to add is that I personally think an indoor arena is very important for a boarding barn to have. I’m the type of rider who rides year round and so I couldn’t board at a barn that didn’t have an indoor facility. Also, I do live in an area where snow happens and rain tends to turn the ground into mush, so riding outside in those conditions isn’t enjoyable or advisable. My current barn has a small indoor but all the other positives outweighed the size of the ring and so I’m not so bothered by it.

#23

Consistency would be nice, I think. I have issues at my current barn where the barn hours change from day to day, the feed times vary, when they do the stall varies, horses aren’t watered every day, etc.

I wouldn’t tolerate it in any other circumstance but I am paying a very low rate a month and I am out every day to feed, water, and muck the stall. I am paying for full board but really it is a self-care situation. Since it is temporary, I am okay with it, but in the long run I could never handle that kind of inconsistency.

#24

[QUOTE=Abbie.S;7316827]
What do you absolutely have to have in a boarding situation, regardless of the price of board?[/QUOTE]

Safe fencing, adequate shelter, good hay, good hay distribution, clean and fresh water, minimal to no children present, good footing in the arena, some amount of trails, good lighting in the arena if it’s only an outdoor, trailer parking, tack storage, safety for my trailer and tack

Grooming stall, wash stall, tack room, blanket changes, fly mask on/off

Not a fan.

It doesn’t have to be fancy, but clean (well, clean for a barn), well lit, well ventilated, and well maintained. I’d rather be in an older barn that’s well kept with good care than in a fancy place where I constantly worry over my horse.

$400 for full care board I expect: feeding 2x/day, hay, water, shelter, blanket changes, turn in/out if stalled, fly mask on/off, mucking if stalled, shavings provided if stalled

$500 - 700 Same things, just would expect nicer facilities

$415 and am moving to a place that’s $425 with an indoor and feeding 2x/day, hay, water, shelter, blanket changes, turn in/out, fly mask on/off, mucking, shavings provided

At the new place, I would like more trails. At the old place, well, there’s just too much wrong to list.

[QUOTE=Abbie.S;7316827]How much control over your horse’s diet, turnout, etc are you willing to hand over to the BO (reasonably speaking, here)? I ask because I have run into situations where a horse is a danger to himself or others in pasture situation, horse is constantly losing weight and owner doesn’t want to increase feed, horse got injured and owner was doing wound care but very poorly and inconsistently and horse suffered for it…situations where, in general, it would be very difficult for me as a barn owner and manager to not step in and say “we need to handle this differently, or you need to leave” sort of thing…
How do you feel about other sorts of animals being housed on the property separate from the equines? Chickens, goats, beef cattle, etc…[/QUOTE]

Little to none, but I am very hands-on and involved with my horse, and I like to believe that I am an educated horse owner.

As long as the other animals are healthy, safely confined and I was allowed to occasionally let my horse be desensitized (or even interact!) with them, then br

Hm other things:

  • Good, reliable help
  • Honesty
  • Integrity
  • An actual visual examination of each horse when brought in for feeding
#25

My biggest boarding gripe is about feed. Just because your warmbloods on winter rest can maintain on 2 flakes of crap hay and a half scoop of grain does not mean my hard keeper TB fox hunter in heavy work can do the same. After all… He’s smaller, right? Ugh! I’ve had several BMs question my feeding directions, short my horse on feed and at one point she was about a body condition 2.5 with spine and every rib sticking out and I was still being treated like an idiot. Amazing how quick she gained with free choice quality hay after we left!

So happy to have my horses at home :slight_smile:

Bedding was an issue at one place. They had stall mattresses but only added 2-3 big shovels of sawdust to the top. Not enough to absorb 24 hours of urine and there was always a soggy puddle in the middle.

#26

[QUOTE=ElementFarm;7317101]
snow fox, interesting. I’ve never been lucky enough to board at a facility with 2 indoors, and most lesson programs go ‘after school’ hours, which tend to be very similar to “after work” hours. If I work till 6pm, I want to head right over to ride before rushing home for dinner and family time. I can’t wait around till 7:30 or 8pm when the lessons wrap up. As long as the lessons are small (1-2 students) a boarder or two should be able to ride too, so long as everyone understands the lesson kids have right-of-way. That’s been the ROE for most of the barns I’ve ridden in (7 states, 3 countries). If, as a potetial boarder, I was told “sorry, you can’t ride from 3-8pm every weekday because we’ve closed the ring for our lessons”, I would immediately turn around, get back in my car, and go look at boarding programs elsewhere.
And I do take lessons myself (either at my own barn, or as a haul-in) and I’ve never had a problem with this from the other side either.[/QUOTE]
I would find that totally unacceptable–Distracting and unsafe for the lesson kids. If I would go and see that at a farm, I would write them off right away. And to put it into perspective I can make in 2 hours of teaching about the same amount as 1 boarder’s entire month of board.
I do not label myself as a boarding barn at all, although I do have a handful of boarders. All students who have bought horses.
I have an indoor and an outdoor. I teach 2 hours Monday-Thur. Whatever ring I’m teaching in is closed during my lesson times.

#27

[QUOTE=Snowfox;7318922]
I would find that totally unacceptable–Distracting and unsafe for the lesson kids. If I would go and see that at a farm, I would write them off right away. And to put it into perspective I can make in 2 hours of teaching about the same amount as 1 boarder’s entire month of board.
I do not label myself as a boarding barn at all, although I do have a handful of boarders. All students who have bought horses.
I have an indoor and an outdoor. I teach 2 hours Monday-Thur. Whatever ring I’m teaching in is closed during my lesson times.[/QUOTE]

Ok- first, I “liked” this by accident. What I meant to “reply w/ quote” was along the lines of, I have boarded at 2 very prestigous A barns, boarders could ride when lessons were going on. I don’t think it is unacceptable at all, but that’s what make the world go.

Less advanced kids can often benefit from watching older kids ride and be inspired. More advanced kids get a kick if they are asked to demostrate something for the lesson. I have seen it at some top quality barns and there is nothing yahoo about it.

#28

Lots of good advice here, but I’ll add my two cents. There are two “intangibles” that I always wanted at a boarding barn:

1 - A clear understanding about what was and was not included and then having the BO continue to do those things. For example, if a stall is included in board, I expect my horse to be in that stall for the agreed amount of time. I don’t want to find out down the road that the horse is only in the stall when its 20below and snowing a blizzard. Likewise, if you’re not going to do blanketing, make that clear. Boarders will either be OK with it or not, but clarity in what is and is not included - and then STICKING TO THAT - is critical.

2 - I expect to be treated like a paying client. Obviously, this means different things based on what is included in board and how fancy the facility is, and clearly I’d need to hold up my end of that arrangement and be a responsible, respectful boarder. But at the end of the day, the BO needs to remember that I’m paying them money every month for a service. I’m not the help. I’m not even (at times) a friend (although I’ve been friends with several BOs and trainers). When we’re talking about care of my horse and the barn - I AM A CLIENT. I’ve seen this line blur for too many people too often, but I’ve also seen plenty of professionals (and my current trainer is one of these people) who clearly recognize the difference between a “client” conversation and a “friend” conversation. This means don’t expect your boarders to be constantly “helping out” with farm work. Don’t treat them like they aren’t paying you enough to take care of the basics. If you’re not getting paid enough, that’s not the client’s fault. Raise your rates, but don’t be bitter at the client who thinks they’re paying for a service.

I realize that all of this is a two way street, and there are plenty of lousy boarders out there. But there are plenty of people who don’t go into boarding horses as a business, and don’t treat their boarding operation like one. Its completely possible to be both clear and professional and still maintain a warm and friendly farm. Its just not always done that way and can really sour a barn, no matter how nice the facilities.

#29

[QUOTE=Pennywell Bay;7319078]
Ok- first, I “liked” this by accident. What I meant to “reply w/ quote” was along the lines of, I have boarded at 2 very prestigous A barns, boarders could ride when lessons were going on. I don’t think it is unacceptable at all, but that’s what make the world go.

Less advanced kids can often benefit from watching older kids ride and be inspired. More advanced kids get a kick if they are asked to demostrate something for the lesson. I have seen it at some top quality barns and there is nothing yahoo about it.[/QUOTE]

I agree with PennywellBay. I had the opportunity to have (not intentional) complete ring to myself/other lessoners as well as sharing with other people. I will go with other people any day as long as the lessoners have right of way and it is safe.

It teaches them passing, paying attention to where their horse is (and others!) as well as how to act when people are passing them (both passing in the same, and opposite directions). When I first started riding I was by myself in the ring (just how schedules worked out) and my first show I nearly wrecked (pony saved my arse thank goodness) as I didn’t know how to handle having others around me. Now I really enjoy and prefer riding with others. It doesn’t distract me at all and I know for a fact I can handle myself in busy situations.

eta: I have been in a ring at times where there is TOO much going on during a lesson. I’m no longer at that place as it was a disaster and dangerous and honestly the trainer should have said no after the fifth person entered (it was a very small indoor). So I get why things may get dangerous but as long as there is enough room to pass and give the lessoners a wide berth, it’s beneficial for when they get to the show/warm up ring.

#30

I’m currently at the place of my dreams - except for the nightmare of a BO. She is extremely controlling and micro-managerial. Hello - I’m an adult woman with a mom still living, don’t need another one. And, also…the horse is MINE - if I tell you what my horse needs to be fed, just feed the @&#$ feed and let it be.

So, I guess my answer would be - safety, quality feed and hay, turnout and a SANE BO.

#31

Ok, I’ll take a stab at this:

What do you absolutely have to have in a boarding situation, regardless of the price of board?

  • clean, plentiful hay, feed and water. Safe pastures. Safe and reliable access to my horses on my schedule.

What are worthwhile “extras” (for example, a grooming/wash stall, heated tack room, blanket changes/dewormers/vet or farrier holding included in board, massage/alternative therapies, etc)?
- I don’t really consider all of these extras… a place to groom and tack, and store tack and equipment, that is safe and secure and out of the weather. A heated bathroom with working toilet and warm water for washing hands. A place on the property - tack room, office, lounge - to get warm in winter or sit and have lunch/supper or wait for the vet in the middle of the night. A place to park a trailer, or truck and trailer, with year-round access (ie, not buried under a snowbank) A safe and separate place for vet and farrier to work, for their own comfort as well as the quality of care they can provide when they’re in a suitable location.

How do you feel about barn hours, if reasonably set?
- don’t like them.

Is the physical appearance of the barn important to you? I’m not talking about safety or cleanliness, but just the “niceness” factor of the barn. (And be honest! I sure think it is, but everyone’s opinion differs.)
- good facility maintenance shows a general attention to detail and care for equipment that I would hope extends to horses, barn animals and humans.

How much control over your horse’s diet, turnout, etc are you willing to hand over to the BO (reasonably speaking, here)?
- truly, I prefer a self-care model where the owner drives the horse’s care, to the point where I’d be willing to fill baggies and provide feed, and/or stuff hay nets, so things are done consistently as directed. That said, many things are open to discussion - specific turnout groups are a great example. I may want my horse in a certain group but if the barn mgr. says they’d rather have them elsewhere for a good reason, I’m probably ok with that.

How do you feel about other sorts of animals being housed on the property separate from the equines? Chickens, goats, beef cattle, etc…
- my experience is that the more species, the less care seems to be provided to each.

#32

The obvious has been covered, so I’ll see if I can touch on some other things.

I personally hate to be nickeled and dimed for every day things. Board should include IMO spraying horses for flies/adding fly mask or sheet in warm weather, blanketing appropriately if needed in cold weather, putting turnout boots on.
My barn will also do the following at no extra charge (we run about 20 horses boarded): Check and record temp if horse has been ill. Thrush treat if horse is thrushy. Hand walk once/day if horse on stall rest. Give meds as needed. Hold the feisty ones for vet.
Our barn manager keeps a diary in the feed room. Any unusual sightings, cuts etc, management issues, marked down by staff. Night check is noted. Eye treatments, meds are noted. It took some pressure on early staff to get them in the routine, but its a valuable record to have, especially in the event of someone questioning care or if the barn gets sued for something crazy.
Our horses are out all am; stalls are picked at least twice between then and 7 pm, so VERY clean. Pastures are picked daily. Arena picked by users mostly.

Re hours, most places I’ve boarded at have had something like arena lights off at 9 pm; barn open for use at whatever time the first staff person shows up. Rules have never restricted access for coming/going to shows, or if horse is not well.
I’ve NEVER been restricted from using arena while lessons are going on. It is presumed that lesson people have right of way and some may not steer so well. That would be a deal breaker for me…
Dogs must be leashed and picked up after if they poop.
WISH I had access to some trails…Wish the barn had planned better for trailer parking.
In your area, be sure to have some all weather turnout areas.
Our barn manager is great on feeding - If horse looks a bit lean, she discusses w/owner possible changes. If horse is too fat, same thing. If someone new comes in she will recommend a feed if we can’t get what they currently eat.
Our rings are dragged daily.

DONT underestimate the importance of your staff. They need horse knowledge obviously, but also people skills, and a sense of pride in what they do. It takes a village to run a good barn…

#33

[QUOTE=Abbie.S;7316827]

What do you absolutely have to have in a boarding situation, regardless of the price of board?[/QUOTE]
I look for a knowledgeable barn manager most importantly. Also, individual turnout is a must. A riding arena is also a huge plus. A trainer/instructor isn’t a must-have, but is nice. The care must be consistent and individualized for each horse’s needs. (The usual . . . stalls mucked out daily, water buckets filled, grain fed 2x daily, and hay given. But also, if the horse needs any medication that should be given as well.) Turnout should be organized and same w/ barn.

[QUOTE=Abbie.S;7316827]What are worthwhile "extras"?[/QUOTE]

An indoor arena is a HUGE plus, but is hard to find in our area. A walker is nice for recently laid up horses, so that is a plus as well. A trainer on site is def. nice. A tack room is also a very nice plus. Other boarders to ride w/ is also a great extra. A wash stall is also a great extra, but not necessary.

[QUOTE=Abbie.S;7316827]How do you feel about barn hours, if reasonably set?[/QUOTE]

I’m not against barn hours, but I do think the barn should be open to boarders for as long as possible. I think 5:30am-10pm sounds reasonable on normal non-show days.

Is the physical appearance of the barn important to you? I'm not talking about safety or cleanliness, but just the "niceness" factor of the barn.

The physical appearance to me is not too important to some degree. I don’t need a fancy barn, but I want it free of debris and working condition. If any huge repairs need done, they should be done asap.

[QUOTE=Abbie.S;7316827]What would you want/expect out of barn that charges 400 for full care board? 500? 600? 700+?[/QUOTE]
In our area, $400 gets you a decent full-care boarding facility. There's no indoor arena and probably won't be a show barn. You usually get an outdoor arena w/ trails. Most often an instructor on site. The board covers the cost of feed, hay, holding for farrier/vet, 12x12 stall, bedding, and turnout. In the high $500's and all the way up to $700's you usually get the above + and indoor arena and a fancier barn. 

[QUOTE=Abbie.S;7316827]What do you pay for board currently, and what services are provided to you?[/QUOTE]

I pay $385 for full care board right now. The board covers the cost of feed, hay, holding for farrier/vet, 12x12 stall, bedding, and individual turnout atm. They muck stalls daily and his water bucket is always filled. They also feed 2x daily and do turnout. Pretty much what a lot of full care facilities do. :slight_smile: There is a large outdoor arena and access to some trails around property. There is also a walker that is a plus def. There is a very large tackroom and wash stall. Also, barn manager is very knowledgeable about horses. And supplements/medications are fed free of extra charge.

[QUOTE=Abbie.S;7316827]How much control over your horse's diet, turnout, etc are you willing to hand over to the BO (reasonably speaking, here)?[/QUOTE]

I think it is sort of like a partnership. Although, I think the owner should be able to have a large say in diet and turnout, etc. I think it depends on how much control the owner wants as well. Some owners may want the bm/bo to manage their horse bc they are not as knowledgeable/not frequently visiting their horse. I like to watch my horse’s diet and be able to choose if he should get more/less. Also, I like to know how long my horse is turned out and that he is out individually.

[QUOTE=Abbie.S;7316827]How do you feel about other sorts of animals being housed on the property separate from the equines? Chickens, goats, beef cattle, etc…[/QUOTE]

I’m totally fine w/ these animals as long as they are pastured alone and not causing havoc over the property. Like the chickens should have their own pen and goats should have their own paddocks separate from the horses.

#34

The expectations have been pretty well covered. These are the things that have made me crazy or leave barns:

    BO that treats me like I know nothing about horses or horse care, insists that even in the first week the horse is there they know better than I do what his behavior will be in a given situation or refuses to make changes I ask for that, I swear, make sense and follow best practices in horse care, like feed my horse a NSC beet pulp based feed even when they use that feed for other horses there but it isn't the feed a previous trainer asked for. Risky practices continued after horses are injured. BO that does not feel the need to tell me when they change my horse's feed, turn out, stalling, worm my horse, etc. Barns where teens/children do most of the chores but are not supervised so the quality of care varies greatly from one day to the next, directions aren't followed, supplements may or may not be given or may even be given double or horses sometimes get left for the night in a dirty stall or with an empty water bucket because, "that's not my job, so-and-so was supposed to do it." Rationing hay. The horses should not have to go 10 to 12 hours with not a morsel to eat because they finish their allotment of hay in 30 minutes. If you don't want to put in more than a couple of flakes so they won't waste it, then please feed hay more than twice a day. Barns where these things are ignored: neglect (hoof trimming, dental, wound care), abuse (whipping, punching or kicking), leaving horse in stall tied in some sort of position, refusing to call vet for significant injuries (fetlock swollen with horse not wanting to use that leg) or very old horses clearly suffering with owners refusing to put down (horse down in stall in -20 degree weather for over 14 hours and owner just couldn't bear to see him like that so he laid there alone).

I want a barn that insists on generally accepted standards of care and humane treatment. It doesn’t have to be excessive, just feet done at least 4 times a year, dental exam annually, waterproof turnout if the horse is pasture boarded during freezing rain and no obviously abusive practices.

I’m in your area and pay $500 which is about all I can afford. It seems like that should be enough to guarantee a pretty good standard of care with an indoor and decent footing. I know that a BO will never do things exactly the way I would but it doesn’t seem too much to ask for adequate hay, water buckets kept at least half full, clean stall every day with enough bedding to absorb urine and safe turnout.

#35

I want exactly what I and my horse are getting, plus a round pen!

#36

Unfortunately, boarders have to take what they get. While there may be penalties for a boarder not following rules, the BO is in total control. If a barn doesn’t live up to expectations, to rules or even a signed contract, about all you can do is move on.

#37

I expect good quality grain (and beet pulp for my guy) to be fed in adequate amounts and at least 1.5% of body weight in hay spread out into at least 2 feedings but preferably more.

I expect full day or night turnout with hay provided if there is not grass.

Safe stalls that are cleaned properly daily. They do not need to be deep, I like no more than 3" of bedding so it recycles and doesn’t get dusty.

Clean fresh water at all times. I do not let buckets get slimy or water troughs get green.

I expect injuries to get noticed. I really don’t care about scrapes and bumps but I dont like to find marshmellow legs and get the “I dunno” face when I ask how long they have been that way.

As barn staff I understand the importance of barn hours but there needs to be flexibility. Example, when I was a boarder we had a heat wave and the only time I felt my horse could be worked safely was before I went to the office which was about 5 am. I am mindful not to make noise or get in anyone’s way.

I dont expect daily blanket changes but if its 70 out and horse has a midweight on it makes me unhappy.

Hot cold wash stall.

Indoor.

Dressage ring is a huge bonus but I can go without. Somewhere to set up jumps is mandatory. Trails or trail access is a huge bonus.

I will also add that I find the idea of not being able to ride when a lesson is going on quite absurd. As long as you are respectful and give right of way this should not be a problem. How are these poor snowflakes ever going to deal with a warm up ring?

#38

In answer to the OPs question:

  1. Sanity
  2. Common sense

Both can be in short supply.

#39

Must haves:

SAFE ! Safety is not negotiable. The stalls should be free of exposed nails, not gaping beneath the doors, secure doors, etc. Also a must in my book is a gate to close off the entrance to the farm and preventing horses from getting on the road. Doesn’t have to be a big fancy one, but a simple farm gate that can be closed if need be and always at nite.

NO DRAMA ! I emphasize this because I have been in some farms where it has been nothing but a drama factory and it frustrated me to no end. I can’t stand someone bashing other people’s horses or style of riding. No one type is better than another. I also am annoyed when people insult other’s horses. Regardless of what the horse is, if it isn’t being mistreated, then it’s not your business.

A maintained arena. It can be indoor or outdoor. Our weather is mild enough that I don’t particularly care. An indoor is nice but as long as it’s a decent outdoor I’m happy.

An open farrier and vet policy. Open trainer is nice, but I can go to their farm for lessons if need be. But if I have a hoof or physical issue that needs treated, I’m not using a vet I’m not confident in. Good ones are worth their weight in gold. Bad ones are worthless and can cause damage. That’s a non negotiable and I have left barns due to this very policy.

I don’t want a barn with a lesson requirement. My schedule can be a nightmare at times and accomodating, especially a busy lesson program schedule, can be a real challenge, and I’m not paying for lessons I don’t take. That just doesn’t work for me. I know it does for some though, but not for me.

Lesson students that are accomodating with the boarders. I’ve grown up riding in boarding barns and riding around lessons is understood. Also, my schedule as stated earlier is crazy at times, so I can’t stick to “boarder only” times, however I understand that lessons do have right of way.

Responsible competent managing staff.

Nice to haves:
Indoor Arena
Heated/Cooled tack room or break room
Other people of my chosen discipline
Turnout

What do I expect to pay?
If I am doing everything myself - $150-$200 stall is the going rate for a facility that gets all the must haves and several of the nice ones

General board - no indoor between $350-$400

With indoor - $350-$450 range

Above that it better be a facility that can pretty much stand up and dance !

#40

[QUOTE=pezk;7319843]
In answer to the OPs question:

  1. Sanity
  2. Common sense

Both can be in short supply.[/QUOTE]

Amen, pez, amen.

This is all SO beyond helpful, folks. Repeats are fine, it’s nice to have an idea of how many people think certain things are important, but the “non-tangibles” are also great.

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