Check the pastures - Are they predominantly grassy or is there an excess
of sand, mud or dust? Is the drainage adequate or are there large pools of
water or water-soaked mud? Do the horses get turned-out daily and for how
long? The longer the better. Do the pastures have enough shelter for the
number of horses that use it at any given time? Other facilities - Is there an indoor riding area and is it large enough
to accommodate all the residents at some point during extreme weather? Are
the stables open to you 24 hours a day or are there set visiting times? Veterinary Care - If there is illness are you contacted before any
treatment? Are you allowed to use your own vet or is there a specific vet
for the property and all its horses in care? The same applies for your
farrier.
Another aspect of course is the cost of the stable. As much as this should
not influence your decision completely, it is natural that people have different
means and cost is always important. Boarding your horse at a stable can cost
anywhere between $80 to $1,500 per month or more. The price is mostly dependent on the quality of care your horse will get,
location and type of board (pasture board, stall board, or stall board with
daily turnout). The average cost of quality stall board with stall cleaning,
feeding/watering and daily turnout is around $200-$500 per month in most areas.
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 pastures - Are they predominantly grassy or is there an excess
of sand, mud or dust? Is the drainage adequate or are there large pools of
water or water-soaked mud? Do the horses get turned-out daily and for how
long? The longer the better. Do the pastures have enough shelter for the
number of horses that use it at any given time?
