Picking the right boarding barn can be overwhelming
Let's make sure you get a good fit the first time
Boarding at a barn that isn’t a good fit for you or worse yet doesn’t meet the needs of your horse can be miserable! It can be super stressful for both you and your horse to move to a new barn so why not be sure you are choosing one that will be a great match for both you and your equine friend.
Finding a great match doesn’t to be overwhelming if you keep a few important points in mind…
Do the barn hours meet the needs of your schedule? If you are choosing a barn that has everything you want and everything your horse needs but you are not able to make the hours that they are open to spend time with your horse then it’s not a good match. I know of plenty of barn owners that have tried to be flexible with hours to make exceptions so that they are able to accommodate a new boarder but you will need to be realistic that that exception could be adjusted or eliminated at any time so if you have the option to pick a barn that has offers the hours you need upfront then it’s worth moving it up the list.
Does the turnout meet the needs of your horse? Being realistic about what is ideal for your horse day in and day out, is very important and can save you a ton of money on vet bills and supplements. For example if you have the option of choosing a barn that is slightly more expensive each month to board at but it has large pastures and long turnout hours for your horse to be out in the fresh air getting natural exercise all day, you could easily end up saving a ton of money not having to spend so much on the chiropractor, veterinarian, and supplements because your horse is staying fit and active all on his own the way he is designed to. Choosing a facility that is designed to keep your horse active will also mean that you won’t have to spend so much time conditioning him so your precious horse time can be spent working on reaching your goals together rather than just trying to maintain your horse.
Do the barn owner and other boards follow similar equine practices as you do? Lots of boarding barns offer services to different disciplines of riding and different breeds of horses, being at a barn with variety can be a great way to learn new things and meet different types of people, which can help you become an even better horseman. What you don’t want is to be the only one that is different, say if you moved to a barn that is all dressage riders and your chosen discipline is reining, if you needed to ask for advice on something specific to your horse’s needs chances are those around you would struggle to relate to your issues and not be very helpful. You also don’t want to get to a barn to find that they are not following the same care and handling practices that you believe in. Your horse is counting on you to do your research so that his mental, physical, and emotional needs will be met where ever you choose to keep him. Prioritizing things that are important to you and your horse and looking objectively at the options available to you is worth spending some extra time on especially if it means you are not having to move your horse again a year from now.
Remember you usually get what you pay for so looking at all the barns that are within the set distance you are willing to travel to and comparing their features, facility, and services are crucial in finding the right fit. Comparing pricing should come last as you wouldn’t want to rule out a barn that is a few dollars more each month but could save you tons of money in maintenance expenses or tons of time that you could be spending with your horse. If at first glance a place seems to reasonable or too expensive find out why before making any judgment to move to it or to rule it out.
The right barn can make all the difference. Doing a little extra digging and getting answers to these three questions can help you narrow down the options so you can find the perfect fit where you both can thrive.
Do the barn hours meet the needs of your schedule?
If you are choosing a barn that has everything you want and everything your horse needs but you are not able to make the hours that they are open to spend time with your horse then it’s not a good match. I know of plenty of barn owners that have tried to be flexible with hours to make exceptions so that they are able to accommodate a new boarder but you will need to be realistic that that exception could be adjusted or eliminated at any time so if you have the option to pick a barn that has offers the hours you need upfront then it’s worth moving it up the list.
Does the turnout meet the needs of your horse?
Being realistic about what is ideal for your horse day in and day out, is very important and can save you a ton of money on vet bills and supplements. For example if you have the option of choosing a barn that is slightly more expensive each month to board at but it has large pastures and long turnout hours for your horse to be out in the fresh air getting natural exercise all day, you could easily end up saving a ton of money not having to spend so much on the chiropractor, veterinarian, and supplements because your horse is staying fit and active all on his own the way he is designed to. Choosing a facility that is designed to keep your horse active will also mean that you won’t have to spend so much time conditioning him so your precious horse time can be spent working on reaching your goals together rather than just trying to maintain your horse.
Do the barn owner and other boards follow similar equine practices as you do?
Lots of boarding barns offer services to different disciplines of riding and different breeds of horses, being at a barn with variety can be a great way to learn new things and meet different types of people, which can help you become an even better horseman. What you don’t want is to be the only one that is different, say if you moved to a barn that is all dressage riders and your chosen discipline is reining, if you needed to ask for advice on something specific to your horse’s needs chances are those around you would struggle to relate to your issues and not be very helpful. You also don’t want to get to a barn to find that they are not following the same care and handling practices that you believe in. Your horse is counting on you to do your research so that his mental, physical, and emotional needs will be met where ever you choose to keep him. Prioritizing things that are important to you and your horse and looking objectively at the options available to you is worth spending some extra time on especially if it means you are not having to move your horse again a year from now.
Remember you usually get what you pay for so looking at all the barns that are within the set distance you are willing to travel to and comparing their features, facility, and services are crucial in finding the right fit. Comparing pricing should come last as you wouldn’t want to rule out a barn that is a few dollars more each month but could save you tons of money in maintenance expenses or tons of time that you could be spending with your horse. If at first glance a place seems to reasonable or too expensive find out why before making any judgment to move to it or to rule it out.
The right barn can make all the difference. Doing a little extra digging and getting answers to these three questions can help you narrow down the options so you can find the perfect fit where you both can thrive.