| Many horse owners find the task of choosing the | | | | his/her warmth and comfort, the stall bedding is |
| best horse stable for their horse boarding needs | | | | also extremely important. Poor quality bedding can |
| quite overwhelming. It can be very stressful for | | | | have a critical effect on your horse's health. For |
| your horse when changing boarding stables, so | | | | instance, if the bedding is wet there is a strong |
| the ideal situation is to find the best fit for you | | | | possibility that your horse could end up with |
| and your horse from the start. There are many | | | | thrush in his/her feet. Using wood shavings as |
| points to consider. Some of them are listed here: | | | | bedding is highly recommended because, as well |
| 1. When you first visit a prospective boarding | | | | as being easy to keep clean, wood shavings don't |
| stable, take very special care to check out the | | | | support fungal spores and they make a very |
| disposition of the horses that are already boarded | | | | comfortable bed. |
| there. Talk to other owners. Don't be afraid to | | | | 5. While exploring your different boarding stables |
| ask them if they have any worries or concerns. | | | | options, another very important consideration is |
| Find out what the turnover rate is at the stable. | | | | that the manager or owner lives on site. For your |
| You have every right to ask. A high turnover rate | | | | sake, as well as your horse's sake, it is essential |
| should raise red flags. | | | | to be sure that the person in charge is |
| 2. Be aware that each horse has different feeding | | | | knowledgeable and will check on your horse |
| needs. For example, if your horse does hard work | | | | frequently. If there were to be an accident in the |
| like galloping and/or competing for a couple of | | | | stall or if your horse suddenly got colic, there |
| hours a day, he/she should be fed a ratio of | | | | needs to be someone on hand to notice promptly |
| around 40% grain to 60% roughage. However, if | | | | and to be competent enough to deal with the |
| he/she does no work in a day, only roughage but | | | | situation. |
| no grain is advised. It's crucial to find a stable | | | | In conclusion, the very best advice you can have |
| where the person in charge is knowledgeable | | | | when looking for a new place to stable your |
| about, and is willing to cater to, your horse's | | | | precious horse is to ASK QUESTIONS. Talk to all |
| individual feeding needs. | | | | the people you know in your local horse world. |
| 3. When researching the different boarding | | | | Word of mouth is a powerful thing and any |
| stables, don't forget to ask about their turnout | | | | disreputable or unfavourable information about |
| routine. Having a good turnout regime can make a | | | | any stable will surface quickly while rave reviews |
| huge difference to your horse's mental and | | | | will be freely given to the best boarding stables in |
| physical state. Horses, just like people, need social | | | | your area. Ask the questions so you can choose |
| interaction. It is very important for him/her to get | | | | the perfect boarding stable for you and your |
| a chance to go and play with other horses. | | | | treasured friend. |
| 4. For your horse's health and safety, as well as | | | | |