Boarding Your Horse: What You Need to KNow By Susanne Malloy At Isnare.com Ezine Articles

Unless you happen to live in a rural area, own a ranch or farm or have friends that do, you are likely going to have to stable or board your horse at a different location than where you live. The good think is that with so many people living in the city owning horses, there are typically professionally run and managed stables located within easy driving distance of most bigger towns and city. The cost of stabling or boarding your horse will vary on several factors including location, amenities and features offered by the stable.

The lowest cost stables will typically offer a box stall or a standard stall with a paddock or turn out pasture that the horse can have access to. Generally this turn out area will be for other horses as well, however you may be able to pay extra for a private pasture. As the owner you would be required to feed, water and exercise your horse as well as groom and provide all vaccinations and medical treatments. Keep in mind that if you provide your own feed you may also be charged a storage fee to have the hay or feed stored in the stable area. More costly stables may include heated box stalls, private paddocks or small pastures, feed and exercise services as well as on staff or on call farriers and vets. These deluxe stables may be cost prohibitive for many owners, but certainly provide the best care if the owner cannot tend to the horse every day.

If you travel a lot or can only ride occasionally, you may want to consider sharing your horse with another rider, splitting the cost of stabling, feed and care. This can be a wonderful option for your horse as he or she will get plenty of exercise and care from two loving owners. If you only ride during certain months due to business or school, leasing your horse to another person during the times you can't ride can help cover the stable costs plus keep your horse well ridden and cared for. Leasing doesn't transfer ownership of the horse and at the end of the lease the horse is returned to you.

If you are fortunate enough to live where you can keep your own horse and you have at least an acre of land, you can always build your own barn or even a lean-to that will provide shelter and safety for the horse. Under the best conditions the building should be fully sheltered and have a box stall, a straight stall and a separate and secure feed and tack room. Keeping the horse out of the feed is critical as overeating can cause colic and that can result in death.

The pasture or paddock area should be securely fenced with post and board fencing or special horse fencing, not barbed wire that can cause cuts or serious injuries if the horse's leg or foot becomes tangled in the wire. The fence and posts need to be well maintained and strongly constructed, with any damage to the fence repaired immediately.

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