As a former barn manager and current full boarder, I thought I would share some tips on how to maintain a successful partnership with your fellow boarders and your barn professional.
- Pay your bills on time
Horse keeping is expensive. Orders of hay, grain, shavings, vet bills, farrier bills, facility rental, etc are all expenses that must be paid to run a barn. Income is needed to cover these expenses, and it is needed in a timely manner to keep the business running smoothly. - Read your boarding contract, understand it, and abide by it.
Barn rules and regulations are in place for several reasons. Your boarding contract is meant to protect the barn professional, their boarders, you, your horse, and all of your rights and safety. If your barn operates on a set schedule of hours, visit the barn during those hours. Horses and barn professionals need rest and privacy too. If your contract requires 30 days notice, and you leave without any, you could end up in court. If you have questions or concerns, make sure you talk through them with your barn manager. - Leave things the way you found them.
This includes the ring, the tack room, the feed room – any shared space in your barn. If your horse poops somewhere outside of his stall/paddock/pasture, most boarding facilities would appreciate if you pick it up. Certainly some full care facilities will do this for you, but in most shared spaces, your horse’s poop is your problem. Maybe suggest your barn keep a muck tub and spare pitchfork in the ring, the grooming stall, and/or the wash stall.
- Keep your contact information easily accessible
In the event of an emergency, make sure your barn manager or staff can reach you easily. Post your emergency numbers somewhere easily accessible and identifiable like your horse’s stall. Make sure you include a back up contact, your vet, farrier, and your insurance information if applicable. I personally like these two options:
SmartPak Dry Erase Stall Card
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- Have an emergency plan
No one likes to think about these things, but in the event that your horse were to colic or have a serious injury, make sure your barn manager knows if your horse is a candidate for surgery or an expensive vet bill. If your horse is insured, have a talk with your barn manager about what your insurance covers and what you are comfortable covering. If your horse is enrolled in our awesome ColiCare program, make sure your barn manager knows that too!
- Address problems promptly, courteously, and privately
If something isn’t working, have a private conversation with your barn manager and tell him/her about your concerns. Be sure to explain what the problem is and perhaps what a good solution for you might be. Try to avoid making accusations
GOOD: “I’m concerned about my horse’s weight. Do you think we could talk about his nutrition program? I’d like to increase his grain intake”
NOT SO GOOD: Leaving a note on his stall that says “You are STARVING my horse! I can’t believe you aren’t feeding him enough!” - Be kind
To your fellow boarders, their horses, your horse, your trainer, your riding instructor, your barn staff, your farrier, your vet, your helpful SmartPak representative, your mother. All of these people and animals have feelings
- If it just isn’t working, don’t be afraid to leave
If you’re not happy, or something isn’t meeting your expectations, it’s okay to call it quits. Boarding is a business and it doesn’t always meet both parties’ expectations. If there is an issue that could be corrected, refer to #6. If not, don’t stress about it. Be respectful about leaving, give adequate notice, and let your barn manager know the things you liked and didn’t like about boarding there. The feedback is valuable as long as it is respectful. If your barn manager isn’t receptive to hearing feedback, then it’s probably a good thing you’re getting out anyhow. - Use SmartPaks!
SmartPaks make your barn staff’s life easier and they give you peace of mind. Get more info on how SmartPaks can simplify your life!
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