How to be a good boarder

^^ One of the reasons I enjoy physiology.


Oh, and I think I remember your story about the crazy BO, Leahkathleen. It was so nutish I STILL have it stuck in my mind...

Some people are 'out there', on both sides of this issue.

As a BO, I need to disagree with a couple of things here.

Not all horses will cross tie. Some have a deep fear of being confined. We have straight ties and cross ties in the barn and hitching posts outside.

Unless 100% necessary (staying in for a show, ill, etc) I do NOT clean stalls with the horses in them. I view the stall as their personal space and I respect that. We also do not allow grooming or tacking in the stalls.

I do tend to notice cuts, scrapes, etc before a boarder does. I ask each boarder what they want to be called on. Minor issues - most trust me to treat and leave them a note or shoot them an e-mail.

Being a BO is a very, very tough thing. Right up there with daycare for human children. I do have an issue with late board. Our policy states if board is going to be late, they must VERBALLY contact us prior to the due date. We allow two days a month to pay board. The boarder picks the day themselves so when board is late and we are not contacted, it leaves us frustrated and after a while rather ticked off!

To me, I find it is important to treat each horse and human as an individual. We give the list of rules and over and above board charges with the contract. Once they sign the contract, they are expected to follow the rules. I am not strict at the beginning, but as time goes on, I tend to remind a lot more.

My cross ties are single pipe rail on 3 sides they are 10x10, I also have safe ties for horses that won't stand cross tied in them. They are very open, and not slick at all. There is no reason a horse can not stand tied in my wash racks...

If they have to stay in their stalls , then yes I have to clean their stalls with them in the stall. I think 85% of the barns do this.. your horse needs to DEAL WITH THIS. Private space? THIS IS A HORSE. I also tack and groom in my stalls.. Not only is it convenient, it's cleaner. I prefer they poop in my stalls. Its not a rule that they groom and tack in their stalls.. but just saying.

I notice scrapes before they do too usually.. But do I want to hear them whine about it no! Did it bleed? No? then I don't care. Your horse is muddy? NOT MY PROBLEM.

I keep my barn clean, my horse's are well fed and kept very well. I just can't believe they still find stuff to gripe about.

MLS you have the right attitude and will be in business a long time. Clients will gladly give up their money for their horses to be in your care. Reputation means alot.

Dealing with the public isn't easy and when dealing with peoples animals, as well as the owners, not only is a certain amount of respect called for but a caring attitude as well.

I've found when you throw it out there, it's usually returned

I agree with starline that horses need to deal with having their stall cleaned with them in it. It rains a lot where I live, so they tend to stay in all day from time to time. I am not going to just not clean their stalls. I think they can deal with me picking out a pile or two with them in it.

If I charged more for board people complaining about little things, or leaving something out from time to time wouldn't bother me, but full board is only $250 and we are a small barn. I pretty much do everything by myself during the summer when I am not in college. It's really disrespectful in my opinion to complain about every little thing; especially when we take VERY good care of the horses for a very reasonable price.

If I notice a cut or something I will do something about it, but if I don't my boarders feel they need to tell me, and ask that I "keep an eye on it". Ummm it's a bug bite, I think it will be okay...

Some more to add:(sorry if i post some that you already said)

Pick up poop piles in the arena even if they did not come from your horse.

Post your contact information on your horses' stall. Give details about your horse, like what he eats or if he wear a blanket. Also list your vet and farrier #'s.

Dont borrow peoples gear without asking

Organize your horses supplements into daily servings so it's easy for barn workers to give your horse the corect amount

sweep up nails and hoof clipping after the farrier works on your horse

If you enter an arena where someone is riding and the gate is closed shut it behind you. The person may be on a young or green horse, and want the gate closed for safety reasons

If you pull jumps, barrels, poles, into the arena put them back after you are dont riding, not everyone want to ride around them.

Always sweep up dirt and rocks that fall on the floor after you pick out your horses' hooves.

If your barn has posted rules fallow them or there woudl be chaos.

Be considerate of other boarders, Dont gossip!

Never leave your horse unatended at the hot walker

If begginer riders are having a leson in the arena give them space

If the barn doesnt allowed dogs, then let it be, leave him at home

Use turn out areas considerately. dont put your horse out then dissapear.

Dont hog the arena

Dont let your storage area out of control. If you dont have rom for empty feed bins, tack trunks, etc., keep them at home

Make sure your horse has all of its shots so he doesnt make other horses sick. Deworm him regulary or when the other boarders worm their horses

Dont allow your horse to spook other horses by galloping up behind them in the arena. Pass left shoulder to left shoulder. Call put "heads up over fence" when you want to jump a fence and there are alot of people in the arena.

Keep you blankets folded up on their racks, not in a heap outside your stall door.

If you ride on trails around the barn, walk when you leave or when you return to the barn

Dont leave your horse in the grooming crossties for hours, other people will want to use them too

The barn is not a playground. Dont run around with your friends like loones- save horseplay for elsewhere.

Dont feed or touch other peoples horses' unless you have permission. If you see a problem, alert the BO ASAP

Report facility problems to the BO; dont just assume the she knows about the leaky faucet of broken fence.

DONT BE A KNOW IT ALL!!!!

You cannot be a brick wall in a people business. Face it folks - boarding has very little to do with horses.

We have rules and I am fairly strict about those rules. Funny though how some of my boarders are even more strict than I am.

Horses ARE individuals and need to be treated as such. As fight or flight animals you cannot know their response to certain situations. If a horse is uncomfortable with me cleaning their stall, I will pop them in the cross tie. I would rather not get myself hurt or explain to a boarder why Blaze had a nervous break down. I do not expect every horse to react to every situation the same way. Even my own personal horses.

I clean stalls upon turnout every morning. My boarders clean up after themselves when they are handling their horse. I expect them to clean the alley, the wash rack, the round pen and the indoor arena. The rest the tractor takes care of.

Thank you! I do try. We have a pretty good core group. We all hang out and go to shows, work cattle, trail ride, etc.

I understand all horses are different and will handle things differently but manners are manners! Its like standing for the farrier.. Its a must have! I do stalls after they are turned out and if there is an empty stall I try to put them in there but not because they don't like it.. I like my space too but if need be they better stand like gentlemen! None of that ears back butt turned to me business. If a horse has his butt turned to me, its gonna get taken off!