What to ask a barn owner/manager when looking into prospective boarding facilities?

Hey guys,

I will be going to a college visit in Midway, Kentucky on Monday and Tuesday and while I am there, I will be visiting a farm that was recommended by the person who gave me one of my current horses. This is a super nice facility but during the tour, what should I ask the Barn owner/ manager (same person) about the barn and the goings-on there? I just want to make sure I am very thorough in my questions. I will only be doing pasture board as $600 a month is too much for me and my horse is much happier outside anyway. I already asked and the woman said that the pastures all have run-ins, they bring the horses in for farrier/vet, and they will feed the pasture boarded horses and I have use of all of the facilites. I am not worried about blanketing, supplements, etc. I can do my own blankets and my horse doesn't need supplements.

Here is the link to the farm website: http://www.three-dayfarm.com/index.php

Please let me know what I should ask her. I haven't had to look for a new barn in 10 years!

Since you already know about feeding and if they have shelter, I would ask things like:

What type of access to water do they have?
How many horses are typically in a pasture?
Do they have an idea what pasture your horse will be going into? (if yes ask about other horses in that pasture)
Are there certain rules about what hours of the day you can use the facilities?
Are there any reasons you wouldnt be able to use the facilities? (if there are apts. Going on, any show preparation, etc)

I don't have any advice, but WOW, what a wonderful facility! Hope it works out!

Thanks for the suggestions, ilovestitch. I will definitely be asking those (I'm such a dork that I'm writing the questions down because I don't want to forget. Lol)

Gillian- I am so excited about seeing the facility! Is it sad that I'm just as excited to see the barn as I am about visiting the college? Lol.

^ Not at all! Ha ha. I'll be moving for college after this year and have to start barn shopping soon.
I definitely know I'll be more excited to check out the barns than the school...

It is always really exciting to visit other facilities especially when they are more extravagant then what we are used to. Or just to see how other places work and function for ideas and motivation.

I would ask how the hay situation works once there is no grass. Are all the pasture boarders going to go in together and buy round bales? Or is the BO going to provide hay? Or are you responsible for your individual horse? You need to know what the barn rules are. Also, I would ask about having friends or family visit.

Ask for copies of the barn rules, hours, releases, etc.

Ask if you need to have your horse bound over on an insurance policy; is it a preference of the barn?

Clarify if your rights and privledges to the facility are different as a pasture boarder than a stall boarder.

How much equipment and trunks are you allowed to bring and what kind of storage is there?

Trailer parking?

Procedure for handling routine vet and farrier calls, any additional fees or included?

Thanks so much everyone! I really needed the help. I seriously didn't even know where to start! Lol.

I do know the answers to a couple of the questions.

There are multiple horses in each pasture (mares and geldings are mixed, which is fine with me. Demi likes most geldings) and they are willing to shuffle around to see which group works best with eachother.

I get to use ALL of the facilities that the stall boarders do, just without the stall.

They do jumper shows there, so I'm sure there's some kind of policy about riding during that.

Great questions everyone.

Lets see, what questions would I ask?

1) What type of feed do they supply? Do they supply feed?

This is something you will want to know, whether or not you want your horse on that feed, is important to know.

2) How often are they fed a day? Do they follow owners rules on feeding?

If you want your horse fed 3x a day, at so much poundage per feeding, will they comply?

3) How much hay do they get? How often throughout the day? Do they get hay infront of them throughout the day?

4) Trainers, do you have to use the facilities trainers, or can you have your own if need be? If so, what is the cost?

5) Blanketing - do they blanket for you? Or do you have to blanket yourself?

6) Private Tack Storage lockers? *if not, I suggest getting a padlock installed on your tack trunks*

7) Rules on attire? Rules on barn colors? *I hate those because I feel it is your horse your money, wear what you want*

There is alot to ask, and I am sure you'll come up with your own questions as you go along.