Finding the Best Boarding Barn
What is most important for your horse or horses AND what is most important to YOU. Facility services; indoor, outdoor, trails onsite or nearby, show barn, pleasure barn, retirement barn, backyard barn, type of riding discipline focus, services provided with board, extra services available, trainer on site, bring your own trainer, 24/7 access, owner onsite, public and horse events the facility hosts, type of boarders: kids, middle age, older, senior. Visit the facility several times unannounced.
Barn Options
Different barns offer different services and costs
Show Barns
Show barns travel throughout the USA, and board includes training.
Pleasure Barns
Pleasure barns have access to trails, trailering to fun events locally,
Mixed Use Barns
Offer training in select disciplines, retirement horses, pleasure horses and more.
Choosing the right boarding barn...
The number one consideration in finding the right barn is location. Do you want it to be close to where you live? How far are you willing to travel? Does the barn have to be open 24/7? What are your horse's needs? What services will the barn offer? What kind of riding do you do? Is the owner onsite? Can you get references of boarders and former boarders? What is the boarding cost? Is there a contract? What if you want to move your horse; is there a notice you have to provide?
Make a scheduled tour of the facility. Show up unannounced to see any boarders there, or what is going on. Show up on a weekend to see if there are kids riding, lessons going on, etc. Check the website for reviews and ask around in the horse world. Can you use your own vet and farrier? What kind of hay is provided for your horse and how often? If your horse has a problem, will they call your vet and you immediately? Do they do trail rides and what level is the ride and riders?