Are there experienced eyes on the horses daily?
they don't need to necessarily be able to suture a horse up but they should be able to see is a horse lying down more often, is there a horse acting more lethargic, is the horse sweating enough in the summer months, etc etc.
On this note, the barn owner/workers should notice if a horse is getting knocked about too much and should separate pasture-mates based on temperaments.
Is there fresh water available 24/7? Whether it's automated waterers or buckets they need to be scrubbed out often and refilled.
Is there salt available? Horses need loose salt access if it's not being force fed through their grain/ration balancers/minerals given every day. BONUS if there's an herb garden horses can forage in.
Turnout time. Horses NEED enough turnout time to be a horse. they need to freely move their body and work out any kinks and socialize with other horses
Shelter. this is a WIDE range. I've seen just pockets or trees, horse shelters in the field for free access, large stalls, standing stalls, and even blankets are a form of protection. The main thing it is are safe and it suits you & your horse.
Grass/Hay. Is there hay provided almost 24/7 in the winter and if the pasture is not up to par. Most boarding barns advertise buffet hay but then nickel and dime the amount of hay the horses get. And listen I get it. Hay Is EXPENSIVE. But having ulcers is more expensive. Or getting behind the curve of weight loss in winter. I also love in the summer months if I am unsure of the pasture quality will put out some high quality square bales and if the horses eat it , it was needed. If they leave the hay then the pasture is good.
does the farm show care/maintenance? Granted horses wear down the pasture, the shelters, etc etc. But the barn owners should be conscientious about keeping things as safe as possible .
Safe fencing. It doesn't have to be fancy but it needs to be safe. granted, the horses kept in barbed wire are the ones that are never unsound a day in their life and never get any injuries but I think for most horses they work to find ways to hurt themselves so we have to work to keep them alive
personal preferences-
does your horse need the paddock paradise system?
do you want an indoor /outdoor arena, trails?
do you want a trainer onsite?
what type of personal amenities do you as an equestrian want?
do you like a small barn or a large barn with lots of socializing?
do you want a barn with a specific discipline?
do you like more stabling time or less?
price point
etc
Finding a boarding barn is hard and lots of times the options are dwindling down as more farm owners are selling out and the boarding business is not a very profitable business by the time you add in the maintenance and upkeep /upgrading of a farm with the time and money put in.
AI image here.. actually looks pretty good except that fencing in the background my horses would just jump ove
happy trails.
-A
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