Horse Stall Rental Tips

Finding the right place to board your horse, whether moving the horse or as a new owner, takes time. Making a list of your needs and thoroughly checking the barns will help prevent unsatisfactory rentals. Moving a horse is stressful on both you and your horse; therefore careful planning and physical evaluations of each potential barn is important.

  1. Evaluate Your Finances

    • There are dream barns that do everything---feed, exercise, groom and clean stalls---for your horse. They may have everything from indoor exercise rings to on-site trainers. Evaluate what you can realistically afford to spend every month for the foreseeable future. Choosing a clean, safe barn where you do all the work with only normal outside riding rings and trails may be the best choice for your finances.

    Amenities

    • Deciding on the type of stall rental will depend on what type of horse you have and activities you want to do. Choosing a high-end dressage or jumping barn when you really only ride for fun would make no sense as you will pay more and find fewer people there to ride with. Having stable staff care for your horse is important if you don't have backup help on your own, or if you can only go out some days. Feeding a special diet, or giving supplements or medications, may not be allowed in some places unless you do it yourself. Make a list of the things you feel are not negotiable for a happy relationship first; then list desired but not critical amenities.

    Finding Barns

    • Make a list of barns within your driving area. Start with listing all the barns in the local newspaper and yellow pages. Begin to weed barns out or move some to the top of the list by getting recommendations and feedback from local veterinarians, farriers, feed stores, horse clubs and friends with horses. Contact the top facilities, at least eight of them, and ask for boarding fees. Set up visitations for those that meet your financial and amenities requirements.

    First Impressions

    • Eliminate any facility that has safety issues and is not well-maintained. Look over the barn, fencing, other buildings and field conditions. Next, check the horses for signs of injuries or lack of care, that all stalls are clean and dry and that water buckets are clean and full. Make sure the stalls, aisles, barn ceiling and exits are all large enough for safety and convenience. Ask about worming schedules, current health testing and Coggins tests. Having friendly staff and boarders will make the facility enjoyable. Unhappy people are a sign to get back in your car.

    Signing On

    • Take time to read the stall rental agreement carefully. Negotiate a short-term rental with an option for longer so that you can leave without penalty within 90 days if the arrangement is not satisfactory. Make sure all agreements, such as daily turnout or worming, are in the contract. A contract that clearly states the expectations of both boarder and stable helps to prevent many problems. Do not be afraid to ask to draw up a contract that is clear if the one they use is not adequate.