December 15, 2014
The American Council for Horses reported that there are around 9 million horses being kept for recreation or sport within the United States of America
Most of these horses are housed in different boarding facilities around the country. The demand for such services is expected to remain strong for a foreseeable future.
A boarding facility for horses must have proper equipment and facilities. Boarding operations should be able to offer at least a barn with a few stalls, a field safely fenced and a few paddocks, a tractor, moving equipment, a riding trail or arena, tack rooms, beddings and areas to store feed.
Compliance with the local and state regulations like maintaining the operation and business license in accordance with the regulations of zoning, which applies within a specific piece of property, is vital. The owners of a boarding stable must also protect against all possible liabilities by insuring the property.
Usually, boarding stables offer a combination of partial board, pasture board or full pasture services with their clients.
Partial board normally includes the stall, thus the horse owner has the responsibility in caring for them daily like turnout and stall cleaning.
Full board certainly includes turnout, stall, and all kind of daily care like stall cleaning and feedings.
Pasture board does not comprise the stall, however the horse is being kept in a field that often has a sort of access shelter—including the run-in shed.
The kind of board that is being offered will highly impact the staffing needs like full service boarding facilities. This requires additional staff such as barn managers and grooms. Operations for pasture board may get by with fewer staff members.
There are some boarding facilities that specialize in catering a particular discipline like western riding or English riding while others offer different services. Some of these facilities also offer choices in special care for horses, say stallion training or mare breeding.
It is very important for an owner of the boarding facility to develop a relationship with the local equine veterinarian and farrier. These kinds of relationships are oftentimes mutually beneficial, as the vet or farrier may refer more clients to the business. It will also be critical in finding reliable and good suppliers for quality grain, hay and bedding.
It’s wise to develop an agreement with a riding instructor so riding lessons can be offered at the facility. Doing so may increase the overall publicity of the facility as the trainers tap into established clientele within the area. That is one of the main reasons why there are many boarders at a horse boarding facility because owners wish to have access to local instructors and riding arenas.
It is best for a person to choose the boarding house that offers the most quality facilities. This is an important part of the responsibility of animal ownership. Just like humans, horses also need proper care. That can be achieved by giving them ample facilities and services.