What to Consider When Sending Your Horse to a Boarding Stable

When you need to place your horse in a stable, there are many things to consider, and one of them is the entire structure of the stable and its surroundings. You need to understand about the facts of stabling and it could also help if you visit some of the stables in your area, so you can make out a comparison, which of them would be the most appropriate for you and your horse.

There are basic needs of horses that are on stable. When you visit this boarding yard, observe the things they keep around to be used on horses. If the stable you chose is neglected, you could end up paying for a significant amount of veterinary bills due to the sickness or injuries that your horse may have acquired.

Boarding stables should provide comfort to the horse.
It should also be maintained and cleaned well.

When you inspect the local stables, you need to be very observant. How does the fencing look like in a particular yard? Can the owner guarantee that it is well maintained, as well as safe for all horses? Is the entire property properly secured? Are there too many horses in a field or is it just right?

When you enter the yard, does the staff note your presence? Is someone present to assist you while other employees are taking of the horses? You may need to contact the yard first before visiting especially when you go during lunchtime, when most of the employees are taking their break.

Check if the stables have proper ventilation and make sure fresh air is circulating well. Also check the lighting of the stables, whether the owner makes use of natural or artificial light. See to it that the horses in the yard have access to clean water always and are also fed with hay.

When you look at the floor of the table, how does it look? Does the floor have rubber matting, dirt, or sawdust? Does the water drain well from the floor? Make sure that the stable beds are also cleaned out on a regular basis and keep the stable clean. This also helps reduce your horse’s risk of acquiring equine parasites. You can also tell that a stable is well-maintained as it will not smell of strong ammonia from urine.

You can also check how the horses in the stables look like. Do they look unkempt or properly groomed? Observe how the horses behave – this could be a sign that shows how the stable is managed. An unhappy horse is likely prone to develop stable vices such as kicking, box walking, wind sucking, and chewing wood. Stable vices are not the only signs that differentiate a good horse from a bad one. Some horses may show different signs of boredom, so watch out for horses that exhibit these behaviors.

When choosing a boarding stable, the first thing you need to ensure is the comfort of your horse. He may not need a huge room or an outdoor arena; he only needs the basic things that should be provided by you and your chosen boarding stable.

Photo Credit: Priceypads