Good boarding etiquette keeps everyone happy

By Marty Metzger
North Forty News

Observe a paddock. There will always be two distinct sides of the enclosure's fence. Likewise, boarder and boarding stable owner have two outlooks.

Many enthusiastic but novice boarding operations blindly swing open the gates to the first people who respond to their ads. Horse owners whose criteria for selecting a stable are cost, location or a lush field are similarly nearsighted. From the perspective of each side, potential pitfalls are numerous.

Horses are large, powerful, easily bored animals. They're biased toward herd mates, fearful of and reactive to a wide variety of stimuli, and driven with an endless desire for greener grass.

Stable owners need to learn in advance if a potential boarderer is a dedicated cribber/wood chewer; is food aggressive; displays viciousness toward humans, dogs or other horses; aspires to be Houdini; or kicks stalls apart just for fun. Without advance knowledge, repair bills can trump any monthly profit.

If an owner is quizzed, provisions can be made to prevent damages or the animal can simply be rejected for boarding. Both scenarios are preferable to shouting matches, surprise bills or even lawsuits.

Horse owners should ask lots of questions and tour the entire boarding facility before trailering "Blaze" to his new home-sweet-home.

Are fences horse-safe and well maintained? Are most of the horses in proper condition (taking into account the occasional geriatric or recently rescued abuse case)? Other boarders shouldn't be too thin or too fat and should not bear copious gaping wounds or scars.

Consider bedding material used and inquire about cleaning frequency. What type and amount of hay/grain/supplements will be included for the price and on what feeding schedule?

Is there a facility schedule? If a boarder's routine only allows riding from 10 p.m. to midnight, is that acceptable to the stable owner? Clarify if tack can be securely left on premises or has to be hauled back and forth. Do other boarders respect personal property? Brushes, halters, lead ropes, medications and the like should never be borrowed without the owner's permission.

Are alcohol or cigarettes allowed? Barn rules should be clearly posted. Facility use schedules should as well, with revisions made well in advance. For example, one might read, "No use of indoor arenas on Wednesday night, June 2, due to drill team rehearsal."

Are damage deposits refundable? If the boarder will be moving in three months when his barn is built, is that OK with a stable owner who just spent many advertising dollars to fill the space?

Liability issues are many and diverse. Insurance and release forms offer some protection. Each locale should list legal requirements. If a thoughtless boarder allows her young nephew to enter a pasture to feed grain to horses and he's seriously kicked in the fray, who pays the medical bills? If horses escape through bad fencing, are struck by a car and the driver dies, who's liable (for horses and human)?

All issues should be addressed and mutually agreed to in a signed contract. Should a boarder be unable to pay rent for a month or two, will he be allowed to work it off (by cleaning stalls, for example) or catch up later? When will stablemen's lien laws be implemented to legally seize and sell a horse and equipment to fulfill debt repayment? Will extra fees be applied for late board payments? Will additional charges be tacked on for horses that are hard keepers, if turnout is expected, if vet/farrier visits must be attended by the stable owner in lieu of an owner's presence?

Contracts should be explicit and address even remotely foreseeable possibilities. Horse owner and stable owner should each get a copy of the signed contract.

Issues not specifically addressed on paper require common sense and courtesy.

Boarders: Don't bring along mobs of people or yappy, nippy dogs. Don't leave gates open if they were closed. Don't be bossy with fellow boarders or hog the wash rack, cross-ties or round pen. Don't offer unsolicited advice unless safety is being compromised.

Announce your directional intentions when riding in a group ("Inside, please"). Thank stable owner/employees for all special or extra favors. Pick up after yourself. Your candy wrappers, dirty bandages, clipped hair and other debris aren't the next person's responsibility.

Stable owners: Don't expect boarders to tolerate your dog chasing and biting their horses. Don't allow your lifestyle choices to exceed boarders' reasonable expectations of good care (your kids lobbing fireworks into pastures). Do care for boarded horses as if your own. Honor your own contract.

Those who boarded in the era of a nod and a handshake recall a simpler, perhaps naive time. But problems then were sometimes settled with fists rather than finesse. A solid contract is like a solid fence: makes good neighbors.

A good boarding facility will generate income for its owner, peace of mind for boarders, contentment for horses, plus wonderful memories for everyone. Boarding out a solitary equine will placate its herd instincts. Lifetime human friendships can be made through mutual sharing of equestrian knowledge and experiences. Just honor the contract, act out of consideration, and respect both sides of the boarding stable fence.