Questions to Ask Before Boarding, Part 2 of 2

Check into health and amenities when choosing or changing boarding facilities
by Ellen Mosier, Horses for Clean Water; photo by Alayne Blickle

Last month we looked at an overview of some of the big-picture points to consider when shopping for a new boarding facility. This month, we look at boarding facility amenities and food and health concerns.

Amenities
Depending on your needs as a rider, there are several things to consider when searching for a new facility:

• Places to ride: Is there a covered arena? Outdoor arena? Round pen? Can you ride to trails from the facility or will you need to trailer out?

• Horse trailers: Are you allowed to keep a horse trailer on site? Is there an additional fee for this? Can friends visit with their horses? Is there adequate space for them to pull in, park and turn around? How long can they leave their trailers on site?

• Instruction: Is there a trainer associated with the facility? Does your horse have to be in training to be boarded there? Are other trainers allowed to instruct there?

Food and Health Concerns
These are important concerns for horse owners at all boarding stables:

• Food: What are horses fed? Where does the hay come from? Is it dry and fresh smelling, free of mold, mildew or weeds? Are you allowed to provide your own feed if your horse has different needs? Will you be allowed to store it on site? Does this cost extra, or does it provide a discount in board fee? Do they charge extra to feed daily vitamins and minerals or monthly psyllium pellets?

• Deworming: Many facilities have a deworming program that boarders must follow. It may be that boarders are required to deworm their own horses and provide a record, or the facility may provide the medication and service as part of a boarding fee. Be sure that whatever program is used is appropriate for your horse, and/or that you can opt out if you need to. If you are moving to a new region, you will want to find out what types of parasites are prevalent there.

• Fly/pest control: What methods are used to discourage pests? Are there nest boxes and vegetation that attract pest-eating birds, bats, and insects? Does the facility practice good manure and mud management to reduce flies? Are horses turned out with fly masks on? Are there barn cats to keep the rodent population down? Some boarding places may require the use of feed-through fly control added to a grain or complete feed supplement once a day, every day. Be sure you are comfortable with the methods used, and research anything you are not familiar with.

• Veterinary care: Ask if there is a barn vet boarders are expected to use, or if you may choose your own. Ask around for recommendations. If you are not moving your horse far, find out if your current vet can travel to the new place.

• Hoof care: As with vet care, find out if you can choose your own farrier and if your current hoof care practitioner can follow you to the new place.

• Other horses: Seeing the other horses boarded at the facility will tell you a lot. Do they look and act vibrant, with shiny coats and alert, bright eyes? Do they smell healthy and fresh? Are their feet trimmed or shod nicely, free of cracks and thrush? Whether in a pasture or barn, are they able to stand contentedly with not too many bothersome flies? Are they at a healthy weight? Do they seem comfortable, quiet and friendly around people? There will sometimes be less than healthy or well-adjusted horses at any given facility, but more than a few of these might indicate an underlying problem.

There is a lot here to think about, but finding a new home for your horse is a big responsibility. Be as thorough as you can—take your time, do the legwork, ask questions, observe. You will find the right place, and your horse will thank you for it!

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.

Questions to Ask Before Boarding

Practical considerations and questions to ask when choosing or changing boarding facilities, Part 1 of 2
by Ellen Mosier, Horses for Clean Water

My horse lived at the same wonderful boarding facility for the first nine years I owned her. The farm was like a second home to me, so when boarders were told in late summer 2006 that we’d have to move our horses by spring 2007, I knew it would be a hard act to follow. It took many months and a lot of miles to find another stable that felt right to me, and I learned a lot in the process. In this article I’ll share my thoughts about what to look for and how to look for it, and what questions to ask.

Take Time to Look
The other boarders and I were fortunate to have such a long lead time to look for a new facility. It took each of us several months to find the right place. Give yourself as much time as you possibly can—at least three or four months. If you need to move quickly, don’t settle for something you won’t like for the long term. Find a suitable temporary situation, and then keep looking.

Write out your image of horse heaven. It will vary with every horse and owner. Know where you’ll be willing to compromise when the time comes, but start out with a vision of the perfect place for your horse.

Figure Your Budget
Boarding situations vary hugely in cost. Figure out what you need to buy each month to care for your horse, including feed, supplements, deworming, hoof and vet care, transportation, clinics and shows, and an emergency fund. Whatever is left in your budget after that is what you have to work with when determining where you can afford to board your horse.

As you research boarding facilities that interest you, refer to your budget list and run the numbers. You will probably discover that you have to make compromises. You may want to find a stable with a covered riding arena, for instance, but such places generally cost more. If your horse’s food and dewormers are included in the boarding fee, it might offset the additional cost of the arena, or you may decide that indoor riding is not within your budget right now.

Be sure to include time and logistics in your cost scenario. You may find a great deal on a self-care situation, but if you work full time and live many miles from your horse, the amount of money and time you would spend commuting might not be realistic.

Remember that your horse’s safety and good health are the most important considerations. Never make your compromises in those areas.

Consider Geography
Determine the geographical area for your search. Knowing the answers to the following questions will help you define how big this area can be: Do you commute to work? How far are you willing to drive? How long will it take to get there? Is it convenient for riding with friends? Is it close to activities you enjoy, such as trail riding, or shows? Can your instructor easily travel to you, or can you and your horse get to him or her?

Check online, phone books, and community boards at local tack and feed stores and public arenas to locate boarding facilities in the area of your search. Ask friends or others who live in that area if they know of a suitable facility. Take a drive and look around. If you see a place you like, check for a sign with a phone number to call later. If there isn’t anyone around to talk with, you might leave a note at the door. Needless to say, don’t go through any closed gates to do this!

Make a Visit
Check out every place that interests you in person. You can only truly evaluate a place if you see it for yourself. Take along a friend for a different perspective. Together, you are less likely to miss anything of importance.

Bring a list of questions with you for the facility owner/manager, and take time to write down the answers. When you are visiting many facilities, there is a lot to remember. Talk to the person in charge of the actual horse care, and—if possible—talk with other boarders. Don’t hesitate to ask direct questions.

Ask how long the facility has been in business, what their methods of horse handling are, what background the staff has, and whether someone is on site 24-7. There will no doubt be a contract for boarders to sign; ask to see one, then read it thoroughly. What are the responsibilities outlined for you? What are the rules you must follow? Some boarding places seem very informal, but if a conflict ever comes up, the contract is there for your protection. Know what’s in it!

Location & Living Conditions
Take a tour and check out everything, including the pastures, paddocks, barns, and outbuildings. Is the facility on a busy road? Set back from the road? Easy to get into and out of with a horse trailer? On flat or hilly ground? In a flood plain? Open or nestled among tall trees? Know your preferences. Are the horses on pasture 24/7 or in a stall most of the time?

The following list will provide you with many more things to consider and questions to ask about the living conditions of your horse’s potential new home:

Barn: Is the barn dry, clean, and well ventilated? If hay is stored there, is it dry and fresh-smelling, free of mold and mildew? Is there a tack room with a locked door where you can store your gear without worry about dust and theft? How much space will you have for your gear? Is there a wash rack with warm and/or cold water available? Are there cross ties or other safe methods to tie horses in the wash rack and barn aisles? Is there a phone in the barn for emergencies? Is there a clean and organized message board available? Are the barn doors left open at night for better ventilation? Is there an evacuation plan in place for fire or other emergencies? Is there a list posted with contact information for horse owners, farriers and veterinarians? Is there a restroom or portable toilet for boarders, and is it relatively clean?

Stalls: Are stalls large, with good ventilation? Are they clean and odor-free? Are walls smooth, with no stray nails, hooks or splinters? What type of bedding is used, and how often is it changed? What is the flooring underneath like--firm and flat, or is it rocky and dished? Rubber mats are generally the best for horses to stand on. Cement or concrete are definitely not suitable. Can horses see outside? Is fresh water available at all times? Is food laid on the ground, in a feed bin or in wall-mounted racks? Who cleans the stalls and how often?

Paddocks and Pastures: What is the fencing like--steel pipe, wood or vinyl? Is it safe or will horses get loose or cut on nails and loose boards? Do stalls have individual attached paddocks? What type of footing is used? Is there sufficient drainage so horses are not standing in mud, water or urine? How often are paddocks cleaned? Are pastures well maintained and regularly dragged to spread manure, or are there weeds and/or toxic plants? Be sure to ask about winter conditions, too; is there sufficient drainage to prevent mud and standing water? Do horses have access to shelter and fresh water at all times?

Turnout: When the facility advertises “turnout,” does that mean into a paddock or a pasture? How often, and for how long? Alone or with other horses? Is there room enough for the horse to run and exercise? Do you pay extra for someone else to turn your horse out each day?

Companionship: Are horses in a pasture or paddock with other horses, or in adjoining areas? Which horses are pastured together, and how are they introduced to one another?

Next month we'll finish by looking at boarding facility amenities as well as food and health concerns.

Health Concerns of the Boarded Horse

What to be aware of to maintain optimal health for your boarded horse
by R. Paul Schwab, DVM

Horses at a boarding facility have a unique set of circumstances that warrant extra veterinary consideration. They are typically around many other horses from different backgrounds going in and out of the facility to shows and events, potentially to other states and/or countries. Basically, boarded horses are exposed to diseases they may not have had exposure to otherwise. Other concerns that should be addressed in regards to boarding include nutrition, turnout, and basic health care, which may or may not be the horse owner’s responsibility.

Preventative Measures
Vaccinations are an important part of disease prevention for any horse; this is especially true of the boarded horse. All horses, regardless of environment and use, should be vaccinated for West Nile Disease and tetanus once per year. Horses that have limited exposure to other horses on the trails or minimal showing should be vaccinated for Equine Influenza and Rhinopneumonitis annually as well. Boarded horses or other horses that may be around multiple horses that travel all over the country often should get the Equine Influenza and Rhinopneumonitis at least every six months. The area where your horse lives will determine what other vaccines may be needed (e.g., rabies, Potomac Horse Fever, etc.) Also, if a boarding facility has had problems with Strangles, it might be wise to vaccinate for Strangles before arrival.

Good general health is important for any horse, obviously. Healthy horses can fight off bacteria and viruses that they are exposed to with their own natural immunity. Regular veterinary check-ups and good hoof and dental care can be a valuable investment in your horse’s overall health and immunity.

Nutrition is probably the most important factor in the healthy boarded horse. Who is responsible for feeding your horse? How many people feed your horse? Does your horse need a special diet, and who sees that he gets that diet? Most boarding facilities do an incredible job of taking care of multiple horses and diets at one time, but your horse may have specific dietary restrictions that should be addressed and monitored.

Maintaining Health
Parasites are always an issue but may be more of a problem at a boarding facility, depending on the housing, turnout, and number of animals present.

One advantage to keeping horses in stalls is that they are not a good environment for parasites. They are usually cleaned daily and the urine destroys many of the parasite eggs. If the hay is kept mostly off the ground, the horses don’t graze in the stall. If horses at the boarding facility are grazed together or in the same fields or paddocks, parasites are more likely to spread. Frequent fecal checks can help determine the amount of deworming appropriate for the individual horse and situation.

While we are on the subject of grazing and turnout, it’s important to remember what a horse is supposed to do in the wild: they graze most of the day over wide expanses, running, socializing, and generally being horses. Stables are not the natural environment for horses, so we need to provide them with enough stimulation to fill that void. Frequent exercise, turnout if possible, and socializing to keep their minds and bodies working can help. Boredom in horses can result in vices such as wood chewing, cribbing, and stall weaving, not to mention medical problems such as stomach ulcers and colic. Feed them multiple times a day if they don’t have turnout, and give them jobs. Horses are working animals and need something to do.

It’s our responsibility to take care of the horses we own, even if they are not at home with us every day. Considering health along with other factors when choosing a boarding facility can save you time and money down the road.