4 Concerns When Choosing a Boarding Stable

Choosing a boarding stable for your horse is an important decision. After all, you have to worry about the health and safety of your animal when you aren’t around. You should always look for facilities that have been licensed and insured, either an ARK insurance policy or through a specialty company. However, there are several other factors to consider when looking at your options.

Look at Quality of Care

Your priority is taking care of the health and safety of your horse. You should always physically tour a facility before deciding on where to board your animal, and there are few things you should look at. Is there enough space for all the horses to co-exist without incident? Are the horses on the premises healthy and content? What kind of quality are the feed and hay? Are salt blocks and clean water always available? What kind of schedule is maintained for feeding or turnout? These questions let you know the quality of care your horse will receive.

Look at Safety

The safety features of a stable encompass both horse and human needs. The stalls themselves, as well as windows, doors, walls, ceiling, and fences should be clear of safety hazards. These included rusted elements, hanging wires, or loose boards. The fence rails and posts should be horse safe and sturdy enough to prevent being overrun. You should also look for fire extinguishers, first aid kits, and a telephone. Emergency responses are one of the most overlooked areas of a boarding site.

Look at Hygiene

You should be also to notice areas of hygiene upon first entering the barn or stable. The appearance will be neat, with clean troughs and stalls, but water buckets will be full of fresh water. You shouldn’t smell ammonia or manure when first entering the barn, and the barn should have plenty of air circulation.

Look at Training Methods

If you have the funds, boarding stables often have training programs available or they are often designed according to a particular interest. There are some stables designed for barrel racers or jumpers, while others may be designed as a dressage barn. If you have a preference, then look at the training or interest programs of the barn before deciding. You could also avail yourself of professional training resources if your budget allows.

Before you commit to any old barn, carefully take a look at these areas of boarding operations. You want the best and most reliable services for your money.