The Top 15 Ways To Be The Best Barn Boarder
By Nikki Alvin-Smith
The responsibilities involved in operating a horse-boarding barn are extensive. One of the hardest elements to handle is often the human side of the horse/human equation. Horses don’t talk back; don’t usually help themselves to your carefully computed monthly feed or bedding supplies; and don’t bring unsupervised guests to the barn.
It’s not difficult to ensure you are a popular and beloved barn boarder at your livery barn. In many ways it ultimately benefits both you and your horse, because your word is better regarded, your disgruntlements better addressed and you and your horse will be welcomed at the barn door.
Here’s some do’s and don’ts to factor in to your barn lifestyle in no particular order:
Do’s
· Do pay on time. The barn owner has big bills to cover every month. If there is a discrepancy on the bill talk quietly to the owner right away, don’t delay and expect the barn owner to wait on your schedule to discuss the matter.
· Do tidy up after both yourself and your horse. The barn owner is not your mother. Wind the water hose, sweep the aisle, and put things you use such as forks and muck buckets away.
· Do keep any pets/children or other guests fully supervised if they are allowed and don’t bring people in open-toed sandals or unsuitably dressed for the occasion.
· Do obey the barn rules. They are there for good reason. No late hour visits or closed day visits.
· Do take any grievances you have with your horse’s care or other issues with life at the barn directly, and discreetly, to the barn owner for resolution.
· Do visit and exercise your horse regularly, and keep him up to date on all required vaccinations and de-worming without being asked.
· Do offer to help out and even bring family or friends to assist with the heavy lifting jobs like bringing in hay supplies, or support the effort of organizing shows and events. Bring some food, volunteer at the in-gate etc. Be a team player.
Don’ts
· Don’t offer unsolicited advice to others or criticize other people or their horses. There is always more for us all to learn about horses and riding and offering a positive comment is always better received and appreciated than a negative one. An encouraging comment can go a long way to helping others that may be struggling with themselves and their horse/abilities more than you know. Don’t be a ‘Debbie-Downer’ if someone’s horse is ill. Remember, you are not a vet and leave it to the professionals.
· Don’t be a gossip. Keep your mouth shut. If you can’t say something nice after all…you know the rest.
· Don’t be a complainer. No-one needs ‘Negative Nannies’ in their barn.
· Don’t help yourself to supplies such as hay, feed or bedding that you haven’t paid for or use farm equipment off limits to you.
· Don’t hog the washstall, cross-ties, riding arena or available turn-out just because you arrived there first. Share.
· Don’t borrow other people’s supplies without asking and if they do say ‘yes’ to a request return the favor and always return the item in timely fashion in the same condition in which you borrowed it (or even a bit improved, cleaner etc.)
· Don’t invite yourself to other folks’ rides or events and just show up. Always ask quietly beforehand or wait to be invited. Don’t be a gate crasher.
· Don’t bring your horse in and leave someone else’s horse to fret in the field running the fence. Instead resolve the issue by advising the Manager or barn owner you plan to bring your horse in to ride/groom so they can make accommodations for the other horse.
When you follow these simple rules not only will you always be welcome at the barn you currently enjoy visiting, you are also setting yourself up with a good reference if you move elsewhere in the future.
Most barn owners do check references and bad boarders tend to get known within a small geographic area by word of mouth within the industry. You don’t want to be on that list and you also don’t want to make other peoples’ lives difficult.
Respect is the name of the game!
About the author: Nikki Alvin-Smith is a professional writer and PR/Marketing Specialist. Her works have been published in over 235 magazines worldwide. Nikki is a British international Grand Prix dressage trainer/clinician who has competed in Europe at the Grand Prix level earning scores of over 72%. Together with her husband Paul, who is also a Grand Prix rider, they operate Willowview Hill Farm, a private horse breeding/training farm in Stamford, NY. Please visit her website at https:/www.NikkiAlvinSmithStudio.com to learn more.
