Re: Ideas on the perfect stable LONG....
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Posted by horsebiz on August 31, 2002 at 10:59:42:
In Reply to: Re: Ideas on the perfect stable posted by PHMustang on August 29, 2002 at 19:06:32:
Ok, I board and have moved several times from boarding barns for one reason or another. Perhaps through reasons I did might give you some ideas on what boarders want and what might work for you in your particular situation.
Mustang is correct, IMO, a stall cleaned daily, if that's what's specified in the contract as part of what's done, should be very clean. This should include the water bucket being scrubbed at least once or twice a week. They get grungy. If rubber mats are used under the bedding, sometimes they get scrunched up and need to be flattened by digging out the shavings from under it so it lays flat. Otherwise, a horse can get a hoof stuck in there, possibly causing injury or loss of shoe.
Turnout on a daily basis is often times an "extra" but sometimes is also put into the contract as something done daily and put into the board payment. If done in groups (once it's been ascertained what horses can safely go together with others), watch these horses for a bit each day, even if they seem to be the best of buddies. Sometimes they do things we are not aware of until it's too late. (see here: ex. eating another horses tail! or helping pull off their blankets)If fly spray is put out somewhere by the owner, it would be nice if the horse was sprayed before being turned out too, especially in summer. Horses coming in each day from turnout should be looked over to see that they have all their shoes on and have not been kicked or hurt.
Riding arena's. Arena's get ruts in them after use by horses and need to be groomed every so often to keep them level. Poop needs to be disposed of on a daily basis. We have a muck bucket in the corner of ours with a fork, owners/riders are expected to pick up after their horses when they ride, keeping it nice for the next person. Arena's also get very dusty. They need to be watered often if there is nothing added to the sand to keep it from getting that way. There's nothing worse than you and your horse breathing in this dust while riding. Makes riding a very unpleasant experience.
Lesson programs. If there are lessons that are being given and boarders are not welcome to ride in the arena during that time, a schedule should be posted so there is no conflict of ride times in the arena. It is indeed tough to please everyone on this as the popular times to ride for lessons seem to also be the same times that owners have to ride their horses. This can and does cause conflict if not spelled out from the onset.
Feed. If suppliments are to be given to a horse, or one that has special needs because of sickness or age, it should be spelled out in the boarding contract what will be done. I know most places that I have been started out with the best of intentions of pleasing the boarders about this but have not held true to giving what the owners have specified. This has caused major conflict when not done.
Who to call in case of emergency. This varies from person to person. If YOUR horse is colicking, what is the order of phone numbers to be called. Call the owner first then the vet? Call the vet first and then the owner? There should be a phone on the premises as not everyone has a cell phone. If *I* am at the barn alone at night, and a horse goes down, *I* call the owner. But this does vary as to what owners want done and again should be spelled out at the onset of boarding and in the contract.
Notice. Most boarding barns do the math when it comes to buying the amount of shavings, hay and grain that they need per month. If an owner just up and decides to move, that money is no longer in the equation and makes it very tough for the barn owner to recoup on short notice. One month written notice should be given if a horse is to be moved and this should be in writing also.
Vaccinations and worming. ALL barns I have been to require a current negative coggins and some even health papers to allow a horse to come into a barn. This ensures the safety and health of the animals that are currently at the barn from disease of others. Worming, although nice for the whole barn to be done at one time, depends on how large a facility it is. A flap from the box that one used with horse's name on it and the date, given to the owner of the barn, should be sufficient proof of worming. It would be up to the owner to keep track of everyone making sure they are doing that on a regular basis to keep everyone safe.
Amenities. It's nice, from a boarders prospective, to have a wash rack to hose down one's horse. It's nice to have a place for boarders to put their tack in where they don't have to worry about it being stolen or "borrowed" by others. It's nice to have someplace to go to the bathroom besides a stall, especially here in the North country in winter!
I am sure more out there have ideas as I know MANY boarders. Hope they are reading this board and come up with the items that I have forgotten. Remember in starting your boarding barn, that there IS no horse boarders heaven. Someone will always have something that's important to them that perhaps is not to others not addressed. Try to keep things on a business level and not personal.
Just my ideas, hope they help!
Debby
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