How To Be A Good Boarder

I was recently at a book signing event at the World Equestrian Center, and a woman came by, picked up my book, read the back cover, and complimented me on the front cover. Feeling confident that she would purchase my book, Common Sense Horse Keeping, I was left speechless when she proclaimed that she didn’t need to read it because “she boarded her horse.”

Because I have been on both sides of the fence, as both a boarder and a barn owner/manager, it was important to me that I write my book from both points of view.

I have seen both the horse owners and barn managers not understanding what was involved in the proper care of horses, often to the detriment of the horse. Sadly, I have been in more boarding barns than I care to count, where the management had no idea how to properly care for the steeds in their care, whether it be from understanding proper nutrition, being aware of pasture management, or knowing how to identify a sick horse. If a horse owner doesn’t understand the basic care of their horse, how will they know when their horse is not being taken care of properly?

I relate several of my own personal bad boarding experiences throughout the book…such as the barn that refused to have the local county agent out to identify what weeds were making over half of the horses sick, because they didn’t want word to get out that they had a toxic weed on the property, the barn that swapped out the premium hay and feed in exchange for inferior feed, and barns who just accepted colics as part of running a stable, without investigating what was the cause.

We owe it to our horses to be as knowledgeable as we can about their well-being, both physical and mental.

This week, I want to address what makes a good boarder!

• Be kind and respectful

• Communicate your needs clearly

• Shadow your barn owner for a few days and experience the hard work and stress of running a barn

• Offer to help out, whether watering buckets, sweeping, bringing in horses or dumping feed

• Offer to watch the barn so the owner can run errands

• Everyone should work together for the well-being of the horses and others

• Clean up after yourself and your horse

• Be courteous to other boarders

• Understand that things aren’t going to be perfect

• Be respectful and kind

• Pay your board on time

• If you have a problem, don’t discuss it with other boarders. Talk to the owner or manager

• Understand that time is money and that very little money is made from boarding. Let employees get their job done, rather than you distracting them with chatter. This is their work space and should be treated as such

• Treat the property better than your own

• Make sure your horse is well-mannered and trained. Owners need to visit their horses, groom them and give them attention

• Respect the experience and knowledge of your barn owner and manager

• If the barn owner or manager lives on site, respect their privacy

• Don’t text or call at all hours, especially if it is for something that can wait

• Your horse is ultimately your responsibility

• What seems like quick and simple requests are actually a non-stop deluge when multiplied across all boarders

• The barn owner has his reasons for doing things. If you disagree with them, don’t move there or move if you are already boarding there

• Special requests should only be made when it has an impact on the horse’s well-being, not because of a whim or something you saw on social media. Barn owners are not at your disposal 24/7

• Boarders are responsible for creating the culture of the barn’s environment. If you are respectful, peaceful and happy, the space will follow suit, whereas if you are grumpy, entitled and petty, the space will not be enjoyable for anyone

• Be upfront. If you are having financial difficulties, let your barn owner know, rather than dodging them when board is due

• If you see something that needs to be done, just do it

• Follow the barn rules

• The kind of hay bag you insist on matters, if it takes too much time to fill

• Appreciate everyone who is caring for your horse

• Understand how much it costs to run a barn, from insurance, taxes, wages, maintenance, utilities and more. Your board bill covers all this, as well as hay and grain, experienced horse care and your riding space

• Be educated! Learn about horse care

• If you are coming to the barn on a holiday, such as Christmas, be prepared to offer to help with chores

• Be available for emergencies

• Barn owners should not be subsidizing your hobby

In my next blog, I will address things that horse owners need to look for, whether in a boarding stable or if keeping their horse at home, and then I will give barn owners and managers the same attention!

Spring officially arrived yesterday, March 20. Here is a link to my blog for your annual spring chore check list:

Don’t Forget To Hug Your Horse!

Lori