Remember why you bought your first horse
- As a barn manager, I have the privilege of listening to the thoughts, ideas and beliefs of many horse owners. Remember, no matter how knowlegable you are, you can always learn something from anyone! Don't get so caught up in training methods and idealology and remember why you bought the horse to begin with! Stop talking and get out and ride!!!
- —Guest Barn Manager
Horse boarding is a business
- I am a stable owner for 10 years. Love the horses, but boarders have to understand that it is a business and needs to run like one. So, there are "rules" and no "extras" and "fees" etc. The next time you wonder why you cannot have that extra hay for free, try paying one hay bill from your barn. Ask to pay for one hay bill, and the owner will gladly let you. Do you feed the owner's horse and take it out of your pocket? Would you if asked? I bet you wouldn't! So, why would you expect the owner to take it out of their pocket for you? Your board only covers a certain amount for hay each day. This is calculated in your payment! I challange any one of you who think there is no costs boarding someone's horse. First, build a barn, then light it, heat it, pay insurance, pay for hay, pay for bedding, pay for grain, pay for tractor, pay for four-wheelers and carts, pay for equipment, pay for gas to run the equipment, etc. Do you see now where I am coming from?
- —Guest Barn Queen
I am a boarder
- Respect for others. Protect the equipment whether it is your own or belongs to another. Do not feed horses that do not belong to you. I love where I board even though it is not fancy.
- —Guest Beadertx
being a great boarder
- Know what your definition of good care is! Know what you want in a boarding stable! All barns have different atmospheres and if you want to be at a barn with limited/no turnout (for example) go to a barn with that offered. LET GO OF YOUR NEED TO CONTROL! You are at someone else's place and though you are a respected client (or should be) your barn owner has to make rules and run the facility in a manner good/safe for the whole of the group. Good boarders who respect the place they are at, and their fellow boarders are JEWELS who keep barn owners slogging through the mud, ice, freezing temps or heat to keep those "ponies" happy!!!!
- —Toadsaver2
trainer/manager
- Don't add extra shavings or hay to your stall without permission. This cost lots of money and if you want extra deep bedding or piles of extra hay for your horse to not eat and go to the bathroom on, then you must expect to pay extra. Also, the golf carts are not there for borders to use at will; they are for the employees. Ask permission first!
- —Guest kk4408
I'm a boarder
- I have read the above responses and can agree with all of them. For one I know when I am having trouble making my deadline for payment. I go straight to the owner and we work out a solution to put me on a different pay schedule sometimes that includes doing a few things around the barn and others a few extra bucks a week helps to get cought up. On another note I must say I am at a very busy barn with 80+ horses, 60 of them are boarders and my the different personality's, but we have access to two full size rings one indoor, one outdoor and the trails are always open.I know I can't always ride my horse on certain days especially when weather is bad and the use of the indoor ring is for lessons. We are a loud to join the group, but personally I look at it this way they have paid for their time in the ring with the trainer so I don't feel right joining in unless of course I add a few bucks toward a lesson to ride along. Thats just my opionion.
- —Guest Teri
Intructor/trainers view
- It's understandable for new boarders to ask questions, but there is a time and place for everything. If, I'm teaching a lesson of beginners don't ask if you can ride in the ring also. Don't continuously change your training wants, from every day flat work to weekly jumping lessons. You need to be courteous and realize that I'm just one person and I may be already doing something. Also if you have a problem come straight to me(or barn manager)so we can get it squared away. It does no one any good(horse included)if you whine and complain to other boarders. Last don't act like you're my only customer and I can devote all day with you and your horse, if it gets to be that your to much of a complaint, and haven't payed me, I will let you go.
- —Guest sarah
barn owner
- One, remember that favors go both ways. If you're the kind of boarder who never cleans a bucket or picks a stall, don't expect the stable owner to provide free services that are not included in your contract "just this once as a favor." At my barn, most of the boarders depend on favors from each other and from me, and they are always willing to give favors, too. Two, don't keep changing your horse's feed or turnout program. It's not good for your horse and it's impossible for the barn owner to keep track. I have had boarders who this week wanted a blanket on all day at 60 degrees and sunny but next week will leave a blanket off at 35 degrees and rainy. Or this week they ask for 2 scoops of sweet feed and next week they want only a handful of beet pulp because he's looking "fat." Your barn owner can probably best advise you on what to feed and when to blanket for your horse's health.
- —Guest soleilfarm
Barn owner and trainer
- Be aware of the lesson schedule and try to time your ring use so you don't interfere with lessons. When lessons are in progress, don't ask a lot of questions about your horse or an issue you're having. We teach trail lessons off the farm, it's hard to say no when boarders want to tag along which usually translates into a group lesson which isn't fair to the person who is taking the initial lesson. When it's necessary to borrow a rain sheet or blanket it would be nice if boarders just planned to have them cleaned and waterproofed so that they were ready when I needed them for the farm horses. Just a few of my grumpy comments :)
- —Guest Gin Stanley
Boarders who don't pay
- If you can't afford to continue paying board for your horse, please let the owner know your situation. Don't just stop paying board and then not answer phone calls or letters trying to find out what needs to be done. As a barn owner, and horse lover, it is hard to keep paying and taking care of a horse that someone ditches. That money should be going to make improvements or pay bills. I don't know of any owner that would let a horse starve because their owner stopped paying, but then the court has to get involved before the horse can be sold to recoup the monetary loses to the stable. Like this article said," Pay your bills on time". And if you can't let someone know there may be a solution between the barn owner or other boarders for the horse and all involved.
- —Guest pony234
owner/mgr of boarding stable
- I appreciate my "participating" boarders; those who will do a stall, clean a bucket, dump a tub, if it needs it. I do not appreciate waste like dumping freshly scrubbed, filled buckets, piling hay on top of hay to be carried to the manure pile, or stripping clean stalls. I appreciate people who come to me with a concern, not to the other boarders. We are a team at my barn,and although we have a lot of different types of people, our love of horses prevails!!!!
- —Guest joyceheinz
How to be a great border
- Keep your mouth shut and mind your own business. That advice goes a long way. Try it before you knock it.
- —Guest Lurban
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