Avoid Boarding Nightmares

Examine potential boarding facilities through a horse's eyes for a healthy, happier horse
by Karen Brown

There are a lot of factors involved in deciding where to board your horse. Generally, the first issues to narrow the search are location, cost, and type of riding most prevalent in the facility. But are these factors really the best criteria to use in choosing a healthy and safe environment for your horse?

Never forget that you are your horse’s advocate. He can’t speak up for himself, at least not in a way anyone will notice until his health is already compromised. As the owner of a living, sentient being, it is your responsibility to learn what a horse needs in terms of his species, not what we humans consider to be necessary. In fact, in the past 50 years horses have been taken so far away from their natural habitat that some people can’t believe they are quite capable of surviving without cozy stalls, winter blankets, and all sorts of fly repelling products.

The Equine Ideal
So let’s take a look at the kind of boarding facility species equus would choose for himself if given the chance. First, there would be plenty of room to roam and graze, along with places for shelter when the weather got cold and windy. An open-sided wind shelter is preferable, but in the chilly months those box stalls aren’t so bad. Most places don’t have much turnout, but at the least, every horse should have a chance to spend a few hours each day in a paddock big enough to run a bit and have a good roll. Even better if the horses get to pal around together out there. You’ll be amazed at how much better behaved your horse will be if given this kind of recreational recess every day.

Second, plenty of fresh water should be available everywhere, in a container that is regularly cleaned and checked for fullness. If grazing on grass isn’t possible, which in most facilities it is not, free choice grass hay is essential for supplying every horse’s need to graze throughout the day. With the exception of obese horses, grass hay should be available to each horse as needed, i.e., if he cleans up, give him some more. This does not apply to legumes such as alfalfa; these affect the horse’s digestive tract differently and must be fed with careful attention. Most horses will do better on a grass hay diet along with a good quality, balanced nutrition grain product to supplement the hay.

Another note on hay: it should be of excellent quality. If you don’t know how to assess the quality, grab a handful and go ask your vet for his opinion. The quality of grass hays varies widely from one pasture to the next and from one cutting to the next, yet it all seems to get labeled “horse quality”. Not so. If the facility doesn’t strive for the best hay at all times, their commitment to proper care is in question.

Grain meals should be fed from a clean, well-organized feed room. Horses should receive grain meals at fairly regular times and all at the same time. Horses that don’t get fed when others do may fret enough to cause ulcers. This is a common problem in self-care facilities. Grain should be fed based on each horse’s nutritional and workload needs. The feeding program should be monitored daily because horses’ nutritional needs can change at any time. An observant caretaker will notice weight or behavioral changes long before a horse becomes obese or skeletal.

The horse's ideal barn would have an open feeling so there’s lots of fresh air flowing through, even when it’s cold outside, and it would have skylights or windows to provide plenty of daylight. Gloomy interiors don’t make for enjoyable surroundings for humans or horses. Stalls would be roomy, meaning big enough that the horse isn’t bumping into walls to turn around. Bigger horses require bigger stalls. The bedding would be fresh and cleaned daily. The barn and stalls would not be dusty or smell moldy. The stall walls would be constructed of materials strong enough to withstand a kicking horse, which is greater than 15,000 psi of pressure.

Barn walls, doors, windows, and all other construction in and around the barn would be horse safe, which is much different from people safe. Fencing, corrals, gates, and any other objects horses could come into contact with should be examined for sturdiness and safety.

The barn, turn-out paddocks, and arenas would be peaceful. Horses are sensitive to their environments, and loud, unpleasant noises prevent them from resting well. This will affect their overall health and their performance under saddle. A quiet, low-stress atmosphere is the ideal for equus. This includes the attitudes of the barn workers; if employees are stressed or unhappy, the horses will be too.

The Human Factor
One of the greatest factors affecting the safety and health of horses in boarding facilities is also one of the most overlooked: the knowledge and experience of the facility manager and employees. People tend to assume that anyone running a facility has sufficient knowledge, but unfortunately that is not always the case. Anyone can board horses; there’s no licensing or certification required. All the more reason you must make time to do your homework when evaluating the facilities on your list.

If you’re not sure what to look for, take a professional horse person with you to assess the potential homes you’ve picked out for your horse. I promise the price for getting a professional opinion will be far cheaper than any vet bill you could end up paying if your horse were to get ill, colic, or get injured. It’s not worth the risk to your horse’s health and life.

Often, when choosing the best facility, the person’s needs and wants don’t match up with the horse’s needs. You will then have to make the difficult decision regarding which criteria take priority—your horse’s health and safety or your convenience and pocketbook. If you’re really lucky, you’ll find a place that suits both of you.