Horse Stables: What to Look For When Boarding

There are many good articles out there when it comes to finding horse stables to board at that cover the primary aspects not to overlook. For instance, the facilities themselves, whether you’re stalling or pasturing your horse, the level of care they provide and the riding facilities. None of these are something that you would miss when you’re looking for a stable.
But what if you find two or three that are all providing what you want? What are some other factors to consider? Once you’ve got to that point, and after considering your budget, here are some other points to look at.

) Transportation
If you don’t have your own method of hauling, be it your own truck and trailer or a friend’s, what kind of transportation are you able to get at this stable? Do they have a communal effort? For instance, if they have an instructor on-site, will they take people to shows in their own trailer? Or do you have to find your own hauling method?
Another consideration is if you do have your own trailer, would you be permitted to leave it at the stable? Do they have parking space available? Especially if you cannot park it at your own home.
2) Veterinarian/Farrier care
Does the facility have its own vet and/or farrier that they use? If they do, are you required to be there during routine visits? Or would they be willing to hold your horse for you? Also, if there is an emergency, will they call the vet first or you? Make sure you know their emergency plan of action.
If you already have an established relationship with a vet and/or farrier, be sure they are willing to go the new stable. Especially if it is a further distance, it may be out of their area. Also, check to see if the stable permits another vet or farrier to come on-site.
3) Lessons
If you are interested in starting or continuing riding lessons, you should find out if there is an instructor on-site. If they are, and you do not already have an instructor you feel comfortable with, consider whether you would want to begin lessons with them.
If you already have an instructor you are working with, you need to work with them to sort out the arrangements. If they want to come to your stable, make sure the stable allows that. They may have their own rules for what insurance coverage is required when it comes to instructors.
If they will not allow another instructor to come on the grounds, you need to think about whether or not its worth hauling your horse to your trainer on a regular basis.
4) Insurance
Find out what kind of insurance coverage the stable has and what you will be personally responsible for. Are you responsible for your tack if there’s a robbery? Make sure you know what kind of insurance you need to be holding for your horse and tack. (If you choose to carry insurance.)
5) Other animals on the premises
Make sure you know what other animals are on the property. If your horse doesn’t like dogs, find out if there are dogs on the stable grounds that could be an issue with the horses. They may also have livestock on the property. Make sure you know where they’re located so you can avoid them if necessary.
Now, these are all secondary considerations to help you with a tie breaker between stables that are offering what you want in your primary considerations. Good luck in choosing your horse stables!

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Horseback Riding: Finding Your Way in the Horse World

Horseback riding is a fantastic hobby, but if you want to, it can turn into a very fulfilling sport as well.  Many people start out horseback riding as just a hobby, riding with friends on the trails or taking riding lessons at a local barn.  First time riding lessons all have the same basics, no matter whether you start Western or English.  You may not even know what the other seat is at first, if you’re starting out without official lessons.  As you grow and learn though, you start to realize just what a good horse and rider team are capable of. 

You may happen to catch the rare horse show on TV when the Olympics are on, or attend a local rodeo and see the speed classes.  If you’re with an instructor, they may take you to a schooling show with other students.  However you are exposed to these different forms of horseback riding, chances are you are going to be hooked and want to move past your current level.

There are several ways to do that.  One of the easiest is if you are already with an instructor.  There’s a good chance they have competed in the professional horse world at some point in their life if they are getting paid for riding instruction.  They can give you ideas on what types of competitions are out there and help you find resources for your interests.  An instructor can also help you advance, and good instructors will admit when they can no longer help you and usually will assist you in finding a higher-level instructor so you can keep moving forward or in a different direction.

If you aren’t already with an instructor, this is a good time to start looking.  If you want to move higher in your level, you can benefit tremendously from having guidance.  Look into what local trainers are in your area.  If you can’t find any in the phone book, equestrian publications or on the internet, ask around at your local feed and tack store or vet’s office.  Local show circuits tend to post their show bills at the stores as well.  Go to a show and look around.  If you see several horses at one trailer, all with different riders, chances are good it will be an instructor with their students.

If you would rather research your choice of discipline first, the internet is a great place to start.  Almost all equestrian sports have some kind of organization, and very likely, there is a regional chapter all online.  Some examples are the United Stages Dressage Federation (USDF), National Reining Horse Association (NRHA), United States Hunter/Jumper Association (USHJA) and the Pony Club, which is international.  If you want to go breed specific, every registered breed has an organization.  For example, there’s the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA), The Jockey Club (for Thoroughbreds), Arabian Horse Association (AHA) and the American Saddlebred Horse Association.  These organizations’ websites are always a wealth of information.  They often list local breeders in the area and many organizations also list instructors and local show barns.  Don’t be afraid to reach out via the contact information.  Most horseback riders have no problem with either providing information for you or pointing you in the right directions.

If you own your own horse, you want to consider their capabilities in your decision as well.  Does their conformation allow them to move in the direction you want to go?  Do they have any chronic health or lameness issues that might halt their progress?  Are they older and not able to handle the sustained, more intense work that a show career requires?  The answer to any of these questions may require you needing to think about another horse.  If you want to give your current horse a good retirement, are you financially able to afford two horses?

One possibility if you do not want to actually go out and buy a new horse is to lease a horse.  This could give you a good prospect for whatever sport you choose without the permanent obligation.  Buying or leasing a horse is a whole other article, however, so I will not go into the details here.

If you aren’t financially able to travel down this path yet, it never hurts to do the research anyway.  There are so many sources out there today, the hardest part is finding the one that’s reliable.  National and regional organizations are typically a safe bet for reliable information, as are actual published books.  Try your local library first to see what content they have and take advantage of the inter-library loans to seek out more information.  Breed and event organizations will also typically send out packets of information if you ask for it.  If you do not have access to riding yet and want to try to start, some instructors are willing to trade out work for lessons if you cannot afford to pay.  It never hurts to ask.  If that particular instructor is not willing to do that, they may know someone who is.  If you truly want to compete in the horse world, networking is crucial.  The horse world is smaller  than many people realize, and there is a wealth of information and contacts out there.  Ask around and someone will help out in some way, maybe by just loaning a book or offering to give you an introduction lesson.   Good luck in your journey!

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