Maximizing Horse Care: How Equine Boarding Facilities Can Help

Many people can’t afford to own and maintain large properties for horses or don’t have the time or energy to care for them independently. This makes boarding facilities popular with horse owners. Before you choose a boarding facility, write down a list of non-negotiables. Then, ask if the facility has those amenities.

Less Meddling

The best equine boarding facilities understand and practice natural boarding. This means that they know that horses need constant movement and migration, unlimited access to various types of forage, and uninhibited interaction among the herd. When these behaviors are restricted, horses develop stable vices and illnesses. When choosing a boarding facility, be sure that it offers all the amenities you would like for your horse, such as riding arenas and round pens. Also, ask how they handle the health of the herd. If one boarder brings in a sick horse, it could infect the entire pack. This type of biosecurity is expensive for the boarding facility but is essential to protecting their customers.

Many boarding facilities offer pasture-based boarding that allows your horse to live out on the farm and remain in a paddock all day and night. Ensure the facility has ample grazing land and an adequate shelter for bad weather and extreme heat.

Less Stress

When you board your horse, you can be confident that your animal receives the best care. Professionals are available around the clock to keep tabs on health, grooming, and any other issues that may arise. This helps ease the stress of owning a horse and frees up your schedule so you can enjoy your time with your family, friends, and career. Quality equine boarding facilities West Chester PA, will provide round-the-clock care and make sure your horse is well-fed, watered, and protected from the weather. They must also provide enough space for each horse, usually 2 acres or more, with a stall and run-in shelter to prevent injury. Take the time to tour a facility and meet the staff before you sign a contract for full or partial boarding. Be sure to ask about their experience and if they have a list of current boarders who could recommend them. Ask about the pasture space per horse and whether the facilities offer a rodent-proof hay storage area.

Less Money

While many consider having a horse affordable, once they feel the cost of feed, bedding, and labor to do things like mucking stalls or grooming, it can quickly become cost-prohibitive. Boarding facilities provide a budget-friendly solution for those who don’t want to shoulder the full financial burden of caring for their horses. Operating a successful boarding facility requires a delicate balance of equine expertise and honed business skills. Establishing effective record-keeping systems, negotiating favorable supplier contracts, and optimizing staff utilization are some strategies for minimizing costs and maximizing profitability. The location of a boarding facility also plays an important role. Ideally, facilities near popular trails or competition venues will attract more clients and generate higher boarding rates. Additional services such as training, lessons, and trailering can increase revenue opportunities. Developing package rates that include board and a certain number of tasks can offset the high costs of horse care.