When I was given my first horse, it was unexpected, and I had no idea what to do. My first concern was finding her a suitable place to live. I moved from barn to barn, never quite satisfied, always finding something lacking.
In one place, she wasn’t fed enough (major problem), and in another, there weren’t enough like-minded people to ride with (minor annoyance). If I had taken a more methodical, thorough approach in searching for the right facility, I would have saved myself (and my poor horse!) many headaches.
Whether you’re new to horse ownership or a seasoned equestrian looking for a new barn, the prospect of finding a good facility can be daunting. In today’s busy and crowded world, keeping your horse at a boarding barn is the best option for many of us.
The right barn will give you peace of mind knowing that your precious equine is in capable, caring hands when you can’t be there. The wrong facility will cause stress and even make you dread spending time there.
Following these simple steps will ensure you and your horse’s happiness for many years.
Make a list of your requirements
Before you even begin your search, you must narrow down your requirements for a boarding barn.
Make a list of qualities that are absolute necessities for you, such as:
- Consistent turnout
- indoor /outdoor arenas
- Trailer parking
- Trails on site
- Etc.
Once you decide the necessities, you can decide optional features you’d like to have, if possible, like blanket changing services or a wash stall. This will automatically narrow down your choices for you; adhering to this list will keep you from settling for a place that ultimately will let you down.
Other facets that need your consideration are you and your horse’s future goals and needs:
- Are you planning to compete eventually?
- Is your horse approaching his golden years and will therefore require more attention/different feeding and turnout regimens?
The answers to these questions will alter your options for a barn.
One of the mistakes I made with my first few barns was that I compromised on certain features that turned out to be necessities for me. For example, I didn’t know how much I enjoyed riding with like-minded people until I boarded my horse at a little backyard barn with no one else who rode. Since I didn’t take the time to ask myself what qualities I valued above others, I was left dissatisfied and planning for yet another move.
Decide how far you want to drive
This seems like a no-brainer, but for some of us (ahem…myself) it’s a lesson that is learned the hard way unless you take the time to think about it before making the final decision.
How far do you want to drive to see your horse? Will you be coming from your home or your work?
A related question that you need to answer is how often do you want to visit? If you want or need to be there multiple times a day, a shorter commute makes more sense than if you’re only going out there a couple of times a week.
As I said, I learned the importance of distance the hard way. I moved my horse to a barn that was 45 minutes from my home because it was a gorgeous facility with everything I could want for her.
I told myself that I would be able to get out there every day, but the reality was that I barely made it there once a week. Don’t make the same mistake I did; answer this question before you settle on a barn.
Calculate your spending limit
Just like entering into a rental agreement for an apartment you can’t afford, moving your horse to a facility that’s out of your price range will cause major stress. Break down your monthly budget so you can see how much expendable income you can reasonably put towards a boarding barn.
Excellent barn management can be found at all price ranges; a pricey facility doesn’t necessarily equate to world-class care.
If you have the time, a self or partial care option is a great way to save money without sacrificing quality. The definition of these terms vary from barn to barn, but they usually require that you provide hay, grain, bedding, or some combination of the three (which can be more cost-effective than when the barn owner supplies it). They may also ask that you clean your horse’s stall and/or turn them out and bring them in.
When I was struggling to make ends meet, I kept my horse at a barn that had a partial care option. I provided sawdust and grain and cleaned her stall for discounted board. It was the ideal situation for me at the time and when I was able to afford more, we moved on to the next barn.
Ask Around For The Right Horse Barn
Resources abound for finding barns near you. If you currently board, talk to the people at your barn about other facilities nearby. Your vet, farrier, and trainer/instructor are also great assets, and while they may not feel comfortable endorsing one place over another, they will be familiar with the barns near you and point you in the right direction. Social media is another useful outlet for finding places that are looking for more boarders.
Typing a query into the search bar of any browser will likely return an unmanageable number of results, but luckily there are some websites that offer more refined search tools.
The search tool at horse.com’s classified listings lets you select your region or enter your zip code so you can find barns in your area. If you happen to live in the Castaic Valley area, check out JP Ranch.
Make some calls and visits
Once you’ve narrowed it down to a handful of barns in your area, always call first. Just because a place is advertised as providing board for horses doesn’t mean they’ll have an empty stall when you need one.
Ask them general questions like the price of board, what’s included (and what isn’t), what the turnout situation is like, etc. Ask about the best time to visit, but unless an appointment is required, try to show up announced to get the most accurate representation of the place.
At the facility, there are several things you should pay attention to, such as:
- The barn. Are there cobwebs everywhere? Are the aisles clean or full of debris? Are they wide enough for two horses to pass side by side? Are there fire extinguishers readily accessible? Are there cross ties at regular intervals? Is the driveway neat or full of machinery and/or vehicles?
- The paddocks and pastures. Are the pastures overgrown and weedy? Is there adequate shelter in each turnout area? What does the manure management strategy look like? Are the fences in good repair? Is there enough space for each horse on the property? Are water troughs easily accessible, large enough, and clean? If you visit during nice weather, be sure to ask about drainage during winter or rainy months.
- The stalls. Are the walls in good condition with no broken or loose boards or protruding nails? If the flooring is rubber mats, do they lay evenly? If the floor is dirt, are there any low spots? Is there adequate, quality bedding in each stall? Are the water buckets clean and at least mostly full? Is there an inordinate amount of manure? Are the stalls completely enclosed or can the horses look out?
- The appearance and demeanor of the horses. Every horse has its individual personality and history, but most should appear calm, bright eyed, and alert, with good body condition and hoof quality.
- The quality and storage of hay and grain. Regardless if you or the facility provide the grain and hay, it should be stored in clean, organized, fresh-smelling areas free of pests and mold. Is the hay green and soft or yellow and stemmy? Is the grain stored in covered bins in an area horses cannot access?
- Arenas/riding areas. If this facility has riding areas, make sure to check the footing. Is it level? When you walk through it, does it seem overly dusty? Is it big enough for your needs? Is it level, especially along the walls?
- Tack storage/lockers. Is the tack room (if there is one) accessible to everyone who comes in the barn or only to boarders? Does each boarder have designated space, and is it enough?
Don’t be afraid to take notes! If you’re visiting multiple barns, this is sometimes the only way to keep the facts of each place separate in your mind. If there are any other boarders there when you visit, talk to them if you can to learn more about what kind of people keep their horses there and if their interests align with yours.
I learned early on the importance of a thorough initial visit. I made the mistake of agreeing to move to a barn on the advice of a friend, sight unseen, and regretted it within the first month when I found the care severely lacking and the barn itself dangerous in numerous ways. I never made that mistake again.
Home Sweet Home
After searching for years, I have finally found the perfect home for my senior mare. She couldn’t be happier and I have more peace of mind than I’ve had anywhere else. I can leave for a week’s vacation without worrying because I have every confidence that the barn manager and owner will care for her as I would. All of her needs are met and I’m able to pursue the aspects of equestrian life that I value most. If you follow these steps, you too will be able to find your horse their perfect home.
Written by: Elizabeth Ahlman