Most horse are kept in a stable, and many horses kept in a stable are not
kept at home. Many horse owners simply do not have the space or time required to
look after their horse and so pay for the services of a stable either to just
house their horse, or in many cases to perform the complete care of their horse.
This is ideal for those with a busy working week who want to visit and enjoy
their horse at the weekend. Some owners
like to keep their horses at a stable for the social setting and to meet and
ride with other horse owners.
Although far more expensive than keeping horses on your own property, using a
stable to board your horse can be very rewarding. As with most pet care
services, a very important influence in making the choice of a stable is referrals
from friends or colleagues. You
may even contact your veterinarian or farrier for a referral. Stop by all
stables in your shortlist and inspect the stalls, pasture and fences. Avoid stables that are not well maintained in those
areas. If the stable owners take the time to give you a personal tour of the
farm, this could indicate that they have enough paid help and are in good
command and well organized.
What to Look for in a Stable
Check the Stalls - they should be clean, dry and should not smell. They
should look recently cleaned (in the last 24 hours) and should have fresh
bedding. Also check that the stall looks large enough to keep your horse
comfortable. Are there any sharp edges or loose panels? Are there fresh and
clean buckets of water in all the stalls (in particular look for algae and
other signs of very stale water)? Ask if the stalls are cleaned daily - this
is a necessity not a luxury. To avoid health problems, horses should be
fed and watered at least twice a day. Check the Barn - is it well ventilated but also warm? Does it smell damp,
musty, or stale? Are there too many insects in the barn? Check the other 'residents' - do they look happy and healthy? Are all
horses on the property on the same schedule for worming and vaccination? Do all
owners need to show a clean bill of health before moving their horse onto the
property?
The
Horse that Lags Behind
It is important to teach the horse how you
expect it to act by taking your time and
building a foundation one lesson at a time. More...
Check the Stalls - they should be clean, dry and should not smell. They
should look recently cleaned (in the last 24 hours) and should have fresh
bedding. Also check that the stall looks large enough to keep your horse
comfortable. Are there any sharp edges or loose panels? Are there fresh and
clean buckets of water in all the stalls (in particular look for algae and
other signs of very stale water)? Ask if the stalls are cleaned daily - this
is a necessity not a luxury. To avoid health problems, horses should be
fed and watered at least twice a day.
