Understandably, people would want to know how to choose a horse boarding facility before committing their animal and themselves to one. This is because it can be difficult for horses, generally skittish creatures, to adjust if the new environment is too different from what they were used to. Choosing a facility can seem like an insurmountable task to some, but several things need to be considered. This can make you a number-one fan of horse riding, which will always be a great way to spend a great time with family members and friends. In this article, we will go over some of the things you should consider when choosing a horse boarding facility, as well as some tips on how you can help your horse feel more at home and comfortable in its new surroundings.
How is the location of the horse boarding facility? The first aspect you should look at is where the facility’s location. They must be sure they’re close enough for them to get there regularly (preferably once or twice a day, depending on what their work schedule permits) and still maintain their safety while traveling in their car. People who live in rural areas do not necessarily need to concern themselves about this too much because it’s likely that there will be no traffic outside of town limits. However, people living in more populated areas may want the boarding facility to be close enough to walk there or take public transportation.
Second, look at the quality of the facility’s structures. The next thing people should look into is how well-constructed and maintained a facility is. Many horse boarding facilities have permanent buildings with stables for each animal, but some might be lodges located in natural landscapes where horses roam freely during the day. In any case, owners will want to make sure the facilities are made of safe materials that won’t endanger their horses’ health by exposing them to harmful substances such as lead paint and toxic fumes from unstable constructions. It’s also important to look at the veterinary skills of the people who will be in contact with their horse for any or even the slightest problem that may arise and how well-equipped they are to handle big emergencies when they come up.
Lastly, check the levels of care for horses based on age and overall health conditions. Horse owners need to determine what type of care their horses can receive at a facility based on their age and health conditions. For example, young horses which are still growing might need special treatment to avoid any harmful effects from over-feeding. For older horses experiencing physical challenges such as arthritis or lameness, you’ll want to know what can be done for that horse and if the facility would even consider taking in such a challenge. If your horse needs to receive daily medication, there should be someone willing and able to administer it at the proper time and dosage while keeping an eye on how it’s reacting to the treatment.
