The Ups & Downs of Boarding Your Horse

Hiring someone else to deal with the heavy lifting of horse care may sound like the “easier” option, but you may have limited say in how your horse is cared for and handled. The facilities may not be up to your standards, and you may or not be comfortable with barn policies or the services they provide.

While there are exemplary boarding facilities that place your horse’s welfare first and run their business with absolute integrity, there are also those that will cause you sleepless nights as you wonder whether your horse has enough water, if a loose fence board is going to cause an injury, or if someone is riding your horse without your consent.

When you board, you are basically renting space for your horse to live in someone else’s “home.” Your monthly payment should include safe housing; a low-stress environment; opportunities to run, play, socialize, and rest; shelter from inclement weather; access to quality forage; a balanced diet; and fresh, clean water. Generally speaking: a good quality of life; check out the Five Freedoms for equine welfare here.

You can increase the odds of finding a safe and suitable place for your horse with a bit of preparation and effort. Start with a complete list of all your must-haves before you meet with the farm manager.

Be picky! If your horse needs a dry lot in the spring, his hooves cleaned regularly, and a specific type of hay, find out if those services are available. Also ask for references from current and past boarders for a clearer perspective of day-to-day goings on.

Discuss fees up front. Some farms have a flat boarding rate with add-ons for additional services, such as holding horses during vet and farrier care. They may have policies regarding general health care, such as worming and vaccinations, that you’ll be required to follow.

Winter blanketing could be another added expense, and with the high cost of feed these days, the cold weather may also mean hay surcharges.

Ask questions about what your horse’s daily routine will be. Will he be turned out with other horses? Will it be a compatible herd group?

Some farms leave horses in whenever it rains, which can add up to several days in a stall, while others leave them out, no matter the weather.

Know when feeding time is, too, so you can plan your barn time around when your horse is happily eating instead of fretting about him missing a meal. Learn how barn management handles illness and injuries, too.

Former home horsekeeper Cindy Peden of Chapel Hill, Tenn., decided boarding was the right option for her in terms of overall enjoyment and peace of mind.

“While I miss having my girls right out my back door, boarding them has greatly reduced my stress level and allows me more time to just enjoy them,” she says. “I have more flexibility and freedom to do things like travel and spend time with family and friends. I have a wonderful boarding situation where I know my girls are well taken care of, and I get to see them often.”

Special Requirements to Consider

Feeding is one of the biggest worries for horse owners, and no two boarding barns do it the same. Some include supplemental feed in the cost of boarding. Others charge extra for anything in addition to hay or available pasture, while some won’t provide anything outside of forage and water.

If your horse is on a special diet, you may have to purchase the feed yourself. Try offering to pre-mix and bag your horse’s meals to make it faster and easier for the farm staff. Special requests do have an impact on farm routines, and may be impossible to meet or require an additional fee.

You may also find the barn is strict about what’s on the menu and unwilling to give your horse anything other than what they already offer, regardless of what he needs or you want him to have.

You may need to supplement your own hay at times, too, which can be difficult if your horse has pasture mates—you’ll have to pull him out of the field and wait while he eats.

Be upfront about all of your horse’s special requirements and quirks. That will give farm management the best chance at doing a good job for you and your horse. Ideally, the facility will provide a contract or agreement that details your horse’s needs, the farm’s obligations, and your responsibilities so everyone knows what to expect.

You deserve to have a great experience where your horse resides, so make sure the vibe of the barn suits you, too. If you prefer a casual culture, a competitive show barn may not be a good match. It will make your barn time happier if you find a place that’s in alignment with your sensibilities and has boarders with similar interests.

If you’re not interested in traditional boarding, but don’t own a property where your horse can dwell, look for a facility that offers “self-care.” Your monthly rent covers a space for your horse live and use of the facilities. It gives you the freedom to care for your horse as you wish, within the parameters of farm rules and regulations. It also means you’ll be responsible for feeding and cleaning, but you might be able to form a cooperative with other owners and share daily mealtimes and mucking chores.

Keeping Horses at Home

If your horse lives on your property, you have total and complete freedom. There are no rules except your own, and you’ll never have to question policy or be concerned about your horse’s well-being or care.

Oh, wait, isn’t that horses’ well-being or care? Horses are not solitary creatures. They need a herd group to feel safe, secure, and have their needs for social interaction met. One horse can, and should, quickly grow to two or even three, especially if there’s angst when one horse is left behind. The best herd mates will be other equines, but friendly farm animals can fill in, in a pinch.

Another way to increase your herd size is to invite other owners to board with you. Bringing on boarders might be a good way to offset costs, too.

It’s a common belief that having horses at home will save dough, but when it comes down to it, you might not be that far ahead. Feed, supplies, and maintenance add up—including your time and/or the price of paid help.

There are additional expenses, such as the purchase and upkeep of equipment, barn and fence repairs, and having manure hauled away if you’re unable to compost and/or spread it.

Also consider what you’ll spend on bedding, mud management, arena footing, pasture care, electricity, water, and unforeseen issues (busted pipes, insect and rodent control, tractor breakdowns, et cetera), all of which will require both your time and pocketbook to resolve.

“Having horses at home is a lot of work, more than I ever imagined,” says Ann Deklerk of Lynchburg, Tenn. “But it finally gives them true free choice, as it does me. At last, we can be on an even playing field.”

The bottom line is that wherever you house your horse, he should be safe and have all his needs met for a happy and healthy life. It should also be as stress-free for you as possible.

If your horse’s current accommodations aren’t hitting the mark, look into other options that might be a better fit. You both deserve to have great experiences and enjoy your time together to the fullest.

This article about the horsekeeping decision to keep horses at home or board them appeared in the September 2023 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

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Because virtually every aspect of horse ownership carries some degree of risk, horse owners should consider the possibility that things can sometimes go wrong and lead to legal issues. In most common cases, the horse does not present the only risk: People who will be interacting with him can cause a multitude of problems, which in a worst-case scenario can land you in court as a horse owner.

Our generally optimistic outlook on life with horses is not often eroded by a fear of being sued. Most of us never expect it from loved ones or horsey friends, yet this precise situation happens with some frequency.

A myriad of hazardous situations involving horses can result in a lawsuit, most too complicated to resolve without an experienced attorney. Yet we offer horseback rides to family members, casually board horses on our properties for extra income, and lend our trailers to friends.

The following should not constitute legal advice—always consult an attorney for that—but these five topics are designed to give you an idea of the common areas of conflict that crop up in horse legal issues and court cases.

1. Buying and Selling

Far too many horse buyers are more emotional than careful when buying a horse, and thus they are amazingly cavalier about documenting the transaction. They fall in love with a horse, sometimes by merely looking at it online, and purchase it sight unseen.

Most buyers and sellers jot a few words on paper about the exchange of money and consider that sufficient to change ownership. It may be for some, but protection in a dispute about ownership is better ensured with a detailed and thorough contract that you can easily find if needed.

If presenting a contract—or signing one already drawn up—seems beyond the needs of the average horse owner, consider how many horse buyers wait for registration papers that never arrive, take possession of an injured horse upon delivery, or discover their new performance horse has a periodic lameness issue related to a previous case of laminitis that the seller neglected to disclose.

Sometimes the seller insists on a “right of first refusal” (see below), yet the buyer sells the horse without informing the former owner. What is the recourse when a sale is made on a proverbial handshake deal?

If hiring an attorney to draw up the specifics of a sale seems like overkill, at least consider using one of the many online equine sales contracts that provide a good starting point for buyers and sellers. Specific details or modifications can be added by either party to strengthen its viability, should a dispute arise.

2. Boarding

Most boarding stable owners are careful enough to require signed documentation from boarders limiting the business’s risk of liability in the event of an accident involving a boarder or their horse. That document typically outlines the rules established by the stable for everything from turning off arena lights to requiring all one-day riders or those test-riding a horse for possible purchase to sign a legal liability waiver.

High-profile boarding stable owners don’t rely on loosely worded boarding contracts with one-size-fits-all contractual language, because they know the cost of an attorney is minuscule compared to a judgment against them in a personal injury lawsuit.

More casual horse boarding operations would be wise to follow suit. Non-paying boarders or those routinely late with payments often present a problem that ends up with the horse as the only bargaining chip. In these situations, frustrated stable owners sometimes overstep legal boundaries.

“Declaring the stable to be the owner of the horse and selling it without following the law or putting the horse in the stable’s lesson program may not be legal,” says Julie Fershtman, a national trial lawyer, legal consultant, and author of two award-winning editions of Equine Law and Horse Sense. Fershtman is widely considered one of the top equine attorneys in the U.S.

“Stable owners of all types and sizes should be aware of their state agister’s lien statutes that give them a security interest in the horse that allows them to enforce the lien after a specified period of time has passed and the stable has performed specific procedures,” she says.

Boarding contracts typically include the Equine Liability Law for the state, and stable owners are also required in many states to post signs in the most visible barn areas to remind everyone of the inherent risk associated with horse activities. Copies of equine activity liability releases (sometimes referred to as waivers) should be on-site, signed and dated by non-boarders.

Some horse owners mistakenly believe equine liability waivers are not successfully defended in court, when the reverse is true. Even so, an equine liability release does not guarantee the stable cannot be held liable for any accident. For instance, a lawsuit can be brought by a boarder who can prove the stable owner has been negligent by failing to perform reasonable measures to protect the safety of boarders and their horses.

“Many in the horse industry misunderstand equine activity liability laws, currently found in 48 states, and wrongly assume that these are ‘zero liability’ laws,” says Fershtman.

“That is not true. Although many of these laws limit the basis for a claim or lawsuit, they typically allow for the possibility of certain types of claims to be brought.”

Horse owners sometimes view boarding contracts as routine paperwork that protects the rights of the stable owner, yet these signed agreements are often relied upon by both parties when a dispute arises.

3. Leasing or Share Boarding

While an arrangement for leasing a horse can be a win-win for both parties, the best way to make sure everyone is on the same page is to write down the terms, fees and exclusions, and require each party to read and sign the contract. Without a written reminder, the lessee may believe her payments are for the purchase of the horse rather than its temporary use.

That’s merely one of many disagreements that can arise when time passes and memories fail. A written contract can include standard terms, such as duration of the lease, payment schedule, which days are assigned to each rider, and who is authorized to ride the horse.

More detailed contracts can define liability issues, who is responsible for veterinary and farrier care, and whether the lessee has the option to buy the horse during or at the end of the lease. The more specific the contract, the greater the chance of a positive outcome.

4. Trailering

When you own a horse trailer, you can count on someone eventually asking to borrow it, use it in an emergency, or asking you to transport a horse in your trailer for a fee.

In these situations, you need to be aware of what your insurance policy will or will not cover. Those who assume their homeowner’s policy or car insurance will pay an accident claim involving a horse trailer and someone else’s property can live to regret it.

For example, a policy may cover personal use of your truck and trailer, yet consider you a commercial entity if you were paid to transport someone else’s horse. Unfortunately, insurance companies look for holes in your policy that allow them to deny claims. This is why policy holders never want to hear their insurance agent say, “read the fine print” after something goes wrong.

5. Insurance

Commercial horse businesses generally carry extensive insurance because their liability is multiplied by buildings, equipment, employees, boarders and visitors. Always know what your insurance specifically covers before you need it.

Trainers and riding instructors should be especially careful since they are on the “front lines” with more hands-on responsibility for clients and horses. Many carry umbrella policies that cover general liability insurance plus added coverage for care, custody, and control of their clients’ horses. The facility where training and riding instruction is conducted does not typically carry coverage that indemnifies trainers and riding instructors.

Horse owners and those in the horse industry shouldn’t live in continual fear of being sued, but we do live in a litigious society. Covering all bases with solid, detailed contracts, hiring a lawyer to handle complicated but common legal issues, and buying insurance specific to your horse activities is the best way to protect your assets.

This article about common legal issues in the horse world appeared in the May 2022 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

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Here, we’ll talk to equine behavior experts to find out how and why horses change ranks with changing herd dynamics—and how those changes may impact overall wellbeing and behavior. Your horse’s position in the herd may affect his overall disposition and interactions with you. We’ll also provide tips to help your horse transition to new settings.

Rethinking Herd Dynamics and Hierarchy

“We traditionally thought that social hierarchies were linear,” says Suzanne Millman, Ph.D., who teaches animal welfare and behavior courses at Iowa State University. “We thought there was an alpha down to an omega. We now know that it’s more complex than that. In a larger group of horses, a singular horse may be really attached to one horse more than another. If a pony was attached to a lead mare, the pony’s rank may be higher than if he were on his own.”

If your horse seems suddenly different in a new location, consider what may feel different for him in the new surroundings.

“Even though a horse may have been subordinate in the groups he was in at his old barn, it may be that in a new barn, he acts like top dog and bullies the other horses,” Millman says. “The context matters. It’s not always predictable.”

What factors may influence behavior and herd dynamics at a new locale? Millman says the size of the herd can make a difference. While it’s important for horses to have companionship of other horses, having only one or two herdmates limits the horse’s ability to choose his own social groups.

“There can be an over-attachment if there are just two horses,” Millman explains. “That can make a horse more reactive if he is taken out alone. Horses form very close social bonds. Having a larger group to spread his attachments around means that when he’s separated from one of the individuals, he’s not going to panic to the same extent.”

Millman explains the dynamics of how horses form clusters, or “friend groups,” within a larger herd. Clusters remain in place for decades when horses enter a herd together. Many geldings prefer to be with other geldings. Mares may choose to associate with other mares. Research with Mustang herds also shows that horses tend to form clusters with horses who have the same coat colors as their dam.

Being removed from a bonded pair and taken to a new location could affect a horse’s behavior. The loss of a high-ranking pal could also affect a horse’s position and rank.

Settling In to a New Location and Herd

Whether you get a new horse who acts differently in a new location or you move to a barn with a totally different turnout routine, it may take time (usually two weeks, but sometimes up to a month) for your horse to settle in. Plan for your horse’s introduction time—and plan to spend as much time as possible with your horse in the new setting.

“Whenever you’re putting an animal into a new environment, it’s going to be stressful,” Millman says.

You may ease the transition by talking to the barn manager. Find out how new horses are introduced and what groups will be there. A good barn manager will get to know horses and recognize who will be safest to meet first.

Keep in mind that the lowest-ranking horses may not be the best for your horse to meet first—they may be the horses who are competing for resources and may act out. The best horses to meet first may be those in the middle of the herd rankings.

It’s also advisable to introduce a horse to a herd slowly, such as putting him in a smaller pen at first with one or two buddies, so they can work out a pecking order in a smaller group. Then put him and those horses in with a bigger group once there is harmony.

Millman suggests being with your horse to see how he’s responding in his new environment. Know that if you watch your horse’s introduction to the herd, there will be bites and kick threats. She says most horses will work it out safely if there are ample resources. Make sure there are multiple hay locations so that if your horse is moved away from one, he’ll be able to find another.

When you’re alone with your horse, you can help bolster confidence in the new place.

“Predictability is the key,” Millman says. “Groom your horse and do lots of hand-walks. It’s all about the little obedience things that you do daily. You want your horse to have confidence and know what to expect.”

When you do start training, go easy.

“Go back to something that your horse really knows well,” says Millman. “He has to learn that in this environment, the skill still applies.”

Training for Resiliency

Emma Kjelson is a horse behavior consultant certified with the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants. She guides horse owners through transitions and focuses on helping horses feel calm so that they can learn in their new herds and homes.

Kjelson notes that not all horses take as much time as others to get used to new surroundings or the dynamics of a new herd.

“Horses who have had a good training program—one that includes generalizing behaviors to new environments—will acclimate faster,” she says. “We have to help horses with their fears of new places. When they’re young, we want to take them to new environments with as low of stress as possible. We want to build up resiliency. We want to generalize our horses’ experience to all new places and things.”

Find out as much as you can about your horse’s past. Where has he been? What types of horse groups has he been with? What type of barn or care setting did he live in? The more knowledge you have about your horse’s past, the more you can help him transition to a new place.

Change of Pace

However, the past isn’t always a predictor of the future. Tweaking the setting and providing consistent contact can help.

Kjelson shares a story about a horse she helped and what it took to help the horse feel safe in the new setting. The shift from a fast-paced training barn to a pasture board setting with only one other horse caused the new horse to act differently than expected.

“A week and a half after she moved him, the horse was still pacing the fence lines,” she says. “He was super stressed. This horse was used to being with a ton of other horses in a stall environment. He was put in a pasture with just one Miniature Horse. It was a big change.”

What Helped?

“I had them put an acrylic mirror on the barn so that he could see more ‘horses,’” Kjelson says. “We also put him on a milk protein supplement that helps to relax your horse. He went from calling, losing weight, and pacing to engaging with the other horse in about a month.”

If you plan ahead and provide positive experiences in the new location, your horse should settle into the new herd and home in no time.

This article about herd dynamics appeared in the March 2022 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

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Everything has raised in price over the last couple years, but we have especially felt it this last year. Gas prices soared, horse feed became harder to find and more expensive. Trucks prices are astronomical. I just paid double for my horse’s salt licks! And that’s just the horse side. We all have families that need to eat, be clothed, get places and do things, which all cost more now. All of these costs mean that everyone is having to cut back on non-essentials. And that can include horse showing, which for many of us is a personal luxury. But it’s a luxury we love, making it hard to give up! Here are some tips to beat inflation so you can continue to show your horse.

Trailerpooling

Gas prices can really put a damper on hauling to shows. One way to combat that is to trailerpool! Ask those near you what shows they are going to and coordinate going together, so you can split gas. It helps everyone and it’s fun to have a road trip with your horse friends!

Online Shows

Online shows became popular during COVID and, thanks partly to inflation, it doesn’t look like they are going anywhere. Online shows usually have cheaper show fees than live shows, wonderful prizes and you don’t have to pay for gas, a place to stay or food out, which saves you a lot of money.

Convert Tack Room to Sleeping Quarters

Hotels have always been an expensive part of showing, and their prices have risen just like everything else. Converting your tack room in your trailer to sleeping quarters so you can sleep on the fairgrounds can save a lot of money. Kelly Jette did hers during COVID for that reason. “It’s a money saver for sure,” she says. The initial cost will depend on materials used, which can be as simple or extravagant as you want, but most people find it pays for itself after the first use or two.

Bring Your Food

It’s fun to grab a coffee on the way to the show, eat out for lunch and then meet your show friends at your favorite restaurant for dinner while you discuss the day’s classes, but eating out has also gotten a lot more expensive and really adds to that show bill. Instead, bring your food! If you’re showing with a group, arrange a potluck. That way, you can all still eat together while saving money.

Finding Shows Closer to Home

Sure, we all love to go to the great big shows states away, but maybe you always miss the fun local shows because of it. Right now might be the time to hit up shows closer to home, which saves on gas. And, if it’s a one-day show, you won’t need a hotel or maybe even a stall, cutting costs even further.

Clean Out the Show Closet

One way to get some extra money for horse show entry fee is to clean out that show closet and sell the items you no longer want. I did this year and made enough money to cover two breed shows! It’s easy to sell things online, or take them to a tack sale or a consignment shop.

Becoming a Judge

Did you know judge’s get paid? If you’ve been at your discipline long enough, you might think about becoming a judge and working at shows you can’t compete at, to make money for others! Horse shows are always looking for good judges. It’s not a lot of pay, but it’s something! If you’re an amateur, just check to make sure the organizations you ride for allow amateurs to be judges, many do, but always good to check first.

Volunteering at Shows

Another way to pay for horse shows during inflation is to volunteer at shows. Some organizations give credits that can be used toward class fees if you volunteer at their shows. This is a fun way to be able to show more.

Side Jobs

Taking on a side job can help beat inflation and give you more discretionary income for horse shows. There are a lot of virtual jobs you can do on the side now, so you don’t even have to commute. Just make sure you get your weekends off, or you’ll be making money but won’t be able to show!

Take On Boarders

If you have your own property and some spare room, you might decide to board a horse or two. Just make sure you do the math correctly and include all your costs, including extra insurance; hay, shavings, and feed you provide; your time; wear and tear on your property; and make sure you’ll actually be making something extra before jumping into the boarding ring.

Have a spare room? Another thought is taking on a human boarder! A lot of people are looking for affordable housing and if you have the space, this can also help you have some extra money to go to horse shows.

Half-Lease Your Horse

If you have big show plans that inflation is just getting in the way of, you may consider half-leasing your horse to a carefully chosen individual. This can give you more money to show, but also has risks. If it’s something you’re considering, speak to others who have done it and definitely have a well-written contract.

Showing is expensive, but where there’s a will, there’s a way and horse people are some of the most willful people on the planet! The extra effort it takes to keep showing right now will be worth it when you are getting to hang out with your horse and your friends for a day of showing. And remember, these shows need you to survive. If people stop attending, they will stop putting them on. So, get creative, save those dollars and keep showing!

See you in the ring!

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Whether you’ve owned horses for a long time or you’re planning to buy your first horse (or first horse in a long time), one of the most important decisions you’ll have to make is: Where will my horse live?

There are essentially two answers: board your horse at a nearby equestrian facility or bring him home to live on your own property. Your choice will depend on multiple factors, including cost, zoning, and the question of how much control you prefer to have over your horse’s care.

Let’s check out some of the benefits and drawbacks of keeping your horse at home versus keeping him at a stable nearby.

Boarding

You’ve seen the local horse barn advertising and driven by a few times. Would it be a good place to house your horse? It could be.

Benefits:

◆ Reduced workload. Individual rules may vary from facility to facility, but in general, you can count on enjoying less of a workload when boarding your horse. Depending on the type of boarding plan you agree to, you may not be required to perform daily feedings. You may be able to skip out on the veterinarian and farrier appointments if you want. Stall cleaning, hay hauling, aisle sweeping—you may be free to do as much or as little of that as you care to. Broken fence? Not your problem. ATV won’t start? You’re not on call.

◆ Knowledgeable help. Maybe you’re new to the horse world and could really benefit from some help early on. Boarding can be a perfect solution, as you’ll be surrounded by experienced horse enthusiasts who can help walk you through certain aspects of horse care and training.

◆ Social contacts. You’ll probably meet a lot of horse friends at the barn and enjoy the company of a like-minded group who wants to go trail-riding, take lessons, and attend shows as much as you do.

◆ Flexible scheduling. When your horse boards, you have the option of not going to the barn every day, which may be helpful if you have a lot of other commitments to family or work. If you travel frequently, boarding may be the only sensible option for owning a horse.

Drawbacks:

Boarding isn’t perfect, and you can expect a few downsides.

◆ Expense. This is probably the most significant downside for many people. Boarding a horse (or two!) can be a very expensive proposition. Prices will vary depending on the region, and possibly by how rural your area is, but expect a monthly bill that may run several hundred dollars and up—sometimes way up. You’ll pay less if you agree to perform daily care, but that isn’t as easy to do when you’re not living on the premises.

◆ Less control. When you agree to board your horse at a facility, you do agree to give up some amount of control over his care. You may or may not be able to choose what to feed your horse, particularly when it comes to forage. Your horse may not enjoy as much pasture turnout time as you’d prefer. You’ll have to share certain aspects of the facility—riding arenas, round pens, feed rooms, wash stalls, even the barn aisles—with other boarders.

◆ Less convenient. There will be busy days where you just can’t make it to the barn—and therefore don’t get to see your horse. There might be other times when you have a stray hour (or half an hour) where you could go the barn but choose not to because the commute is too inconvenient for such a short visit. By boarding a horse, you forfeit some of the one-on-one time that you might have if you kept him at your home.

Building

You might realize that boarding is fine for some people, but perhaps you’ve always had a dream of keeping horses on your own property.

Benefits:

◆ A room with a view. There’s nothing quite like looking out the windows of your home and seeing a pasture with your very own horses grazing happily. It’s hard to beat! You’ll experience the pleasure of having horses integrated into your everyday life. For many people, having a horse say hello to you each morning and feeding him hay right before bed just makes life better; it’s something you can’t put a price tag on.

◆ Handy horses. If you have a spontaneous whim to take a ride, you can do it! If you have a free hour, you can easily spend it with your horse—all you have to do is put on your boots and walk to the barn. It’s easier to fit horses into your schedule because they’re so easily accessible.

◆ No sharing. At your own place, there’s nobody waiting in line for the round pen or blocking the aisle with their hose in cross-ties. With the luxury of your own barn, you won’t have to wait on anyone.

◆ You make the decisions. Home horse ownership puts you fully in the captain’s seat, able to run your barn the way you want. While this may be a big responsibility for newbies, more capable horse owners will likely enjoy the freedom and the option of making all of the care choices.

◆ Stable design. If you’re building from scratch, you get to decide what your barn will look like and how it functions.

◆ Cost savings. There may be a significant initial investment in your infrastructure (see below), but assuming you already own the land and have some of the vitals in place (a water source, electricity, et cetera), keeping your horses at home can represent a significant monthly savings over boarding.

Drawbacks:

With all of these advantages come some potential downsides. Specifically, you are the one responsible!

◆ Building can be a big job. Maybe you’re starting out with an ideal horse property with stables, pastures, water, fencing, and arenas already installed. But for many folks, bringing their horse home means constructing some or all of this from scratch, which can be a major task. Transforming vacant acreage into a horsey paradise might involve removing trees, bringing in gravel, and constructing driveways. Not to mention the cost of electrical and water hookup, stables and fencing. However, some of these features may already be present on your property, and the cost of building a stable for one or two horses is significantly less than one designed for many animals.

◆ Daily care. For many horse people, the daily feeding, grooming, turnout, and exercising of their horses isn’t a downside at all. But there are logistics to consider. Will this fit in with your job or family life? Caring for your horse only “when you want to” is not an option the way it is at a boarding facility. Even if the weather is bad, or you’d like to sleep in, or something important comes up, your horses are still depending solely on you for care, so it’s a big commitment. And you may need to arrange for backup care options if something happens to you, whereas at a boarding barn, boarders have been known to pitch in when others need help.

◆ You’ll make important decisions. Feed choices; finding, purchasing, and storing hay; keeping water thawed during the winter; deworming schedules; farrier appointments—managing your own barn comes with a lot of decisions and responsibilities. Again, this may not be a downside to some people, but it’s worth taking a careful look.

◆ Vacations are more complicated. If you’re used to traveling a lot or enjoy spontaneous “let’s hit the road for a long weekend” excursions, keeping horses at home may not be ideal for you. Horses are heavily routine-driven animals, that usually prefer everything done in the same way at the same time of day. Whenever you leave home, you’ll need a responsible, horse-savvy farm sitter to step in for you.

◆ You may need more than one horse. This could also be considered a benefit, depending on who you ask! Horses are social animals that need the company of their own species, so it’s probably wise to own at least two horses if you’re keeping them at home. Many people add a third to keep the one that’s not being ridden or trailered out to shows company.

Ultimately, only you can make the choice of whether to build or to board, and there may in fact not be a wrong choice. In either case, you’ll be able to enjoy life with horses in a satisfying and pleasant atmosphere, whether that’s a busy barn full of horse enthusiasts or a quiet corner of your own property with just you and your favorite equine buddy.

This article about deciding whether to board your horse or build a barn originally appeared in the September 2021 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

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Our generally optimistic outlook on life with horses is not often eroded by a fear of being sued. Most of us never expect it from loved ones or horsey friends, yet this precise situation happens with some frequency.

A myriad of hazardous situations involving horses can result in a lawsuit, most too complicated to resolve without an experienced attorney. Yet we offer horseback rides to family members, casually board horses on our properties for extra income, and lend our trailers to friends.

The following should not constitute legal advice—always consult an attorney for that—but these five topics are designed to give you an idea of the prime areas of conflict that crop up in equine legal disputes and court cases.

1. Legality when Buying and Selling

Far too many horse buyers are more emotional than careful when buying a horse, and thus they are amazingly cavalier about documenting the transaction. They fall in love with a horse, sometimes by merely looking at it online, and purchase it sight unseen.

Most buyers and sellers jot a few words on paper about the exchange of money and consider that sufficient to change ownership. It may be for some, but protection in a dispute about ownership is better ensured with a detailed and thorough contract that you can easily find if needed.

If presenting a contract—or signing one already drawn up—seems beyond the needs of the average horse owner, consider how many horse buyers wait for registration papers that never arrive, take possession of an injured horse upon delivery, or discover their new performance horse has a periodic lameness issue related to a previous case of laminitis that the seller neglected to disclose. Those equine legal issues can be easily prevented with a proper contract.

Sometimes the seller insists on a “right of first refusal” (see sidebar, left), yet the buyer sells the horse without informing the former owner. What is the recourse when a sale is made on a proverbial handshake deal?

If hiring an attorney to draw up the specifics of a sale seems like overkill, at least consider using one of the many online equine sales contracts that provide a good starting point for buyers and sellers. Specific details or modifications can be added by either party to strengthen its viability, should a dispute arise.

2. Equine Legal Issues When Boarding

Most boarding stable owners are careful enough to require signed documentation from boarders limiting the business’s risk of liability in the event of an accident involving a boarder or their horse. That document typically outlines the rules established by the stable for everything from turning off arena lights to requiring all one-day riders or those test-riding a horse for possible purchase to sign a legal liability waiver.

High-profile boarding stable owners don’t rely on loosely worded boarding contracts with one-size-fits-all contractual language, because they know the cost of an attorney is minuscule compared to a judgement against them in a personal injury lawsuit.

More casual horse boarding operations would be wise to follow suit. Non-paying boarders or those routinely late with payments often present a problem that ends up with the horse as the only bargaining chip. In these situations, frustrated stable owners sometimes overstep legal boundaries.

“Declaring the stable to be the owner of the horse and selling it without following the law or putting the horse in the stable’s lesson program may not be legal,” says Julie Fershtman, a national trial lawyer, legal consultant, and author of two award-winning editions of Equine Law and Horse Sense. Fershtman is widely considered one of the top equine attorneys in the U.S.

“Stable owners of all types and sizes should be aware of their state agister’s lien statutes that give them a security interest in the horse that allows them to enforce the lien after a specified period of time has passed and the stable has performed specific procedures,” she says.

Boarding contracts typically include the Equine Liability Law for the state, and stable owners are also required in many states to post signs in the most visible barn areas to remind everyone of the inherent risk associated with horse activities. Copies of equine activity liability releases (sometimes referred to as waivers) should be on-site, signed and dated by non-boarders.

Some horse owners mistakenly believe equine liability waivers are not successfully defended in court, when the reverse is true. Even so, an equine liability release does not guarantee the stable cannot be held liable for any accident. For instance, equine legal issues may arise if a boarder can prove the stable owner has been negligent by failing to perform reasonable measures to protect the safety of boarders and their horses.

“Many in the horse industry misunderstand equine activity liability laws, currently found in 48 states, and wrongly assume that these are ‘zero liability’ laws,” says Fershtman.
“That is not true. Although many of these laws limit the basis for a claim or lawsuit, they typically allow for the possibility of certain types of claims to be brought.”

Horse owners sometimes view boarding contracts as routine paperwork that protects the rights of the stable owner, yet these signed agreements are often relied upon by both parties when a dispute arises.

3. Equine Legal Issues when Leasing

While an arrangement for leasing a horse can be a win-win for both parties, the best way to make sure everyone is on the same page is to write down the terms, fees and exclusions, and require each party to read and sign the contract. Without a written reminder, the lessee may believe her payments are for the purchase of the horse rather than its temporary use—and that’s a recipe for equine legal issues.

That’s merely one of many disagreements that can arise when time passes and memories fail. A written contract can include standard terms, such as duration of the lease, payment schedule, which days are assigned to each rider, and who is authorized to ride the horse.

More detailed contracts can define liability issues, who is responsible for veterinary and farrier care, and whether the lessee has the option to buy the horse during or at the end of the lease. The more specific the contract, the greater the chance of a positive outcome.

4. Equine Legal Issues when Trailering

When you own a horse trailer, you can count on someone eventually asking to borrow it, use it in an emergency, or asking you to transport a horse in your trailer for a fee. All of those situations can lead to potential equine legal issues, if you don’t take the right preventative steps.

First, you need to be aware of what your insurance policy will or will not cover. Those who assume their homeowner’s policy or car insurance will pay an accident claim involving a horse trailer and someone else’s property can live to regret it.

For example, a policy may cover personal use of your truck and trailer, yet consider you a commercial entity if you were paid to transport someone else’s horse. Unfortunately, insurance companies look for holes in your policy that allow them to deny claims. This is why policy holders never want to hear their insurance agent say, “read the fine print” after something goes wrong.

5. Equine Legal Insurance

Commercial horse businesses generally carry extensive insurance because their liability is multiplied by buildings, equipment, employees, boarders and visitors. Always know what your insurance specifically covers before you need it.

Trainers and riding instructors should be especially careful since they are on the “front lines” with more hands-on responsibility for clients and horses. Many carry umbrella policies that cover general liability insurance plus added coverage for care, custody, and control of their clients’ horses. The facility where training and riding instruction is conducted does not typically carry coverage that indemnifies trainers and riding instructors.

Horse owners and those in the horse industry shouldn’t live in continual fear of being sued, but we do live in a litigious society. Covering all bases with solid, detailed contracts, hiring a lawyer to handle complicated issues, and buying insurance specific to your horse activities is the best way to protect your assets.

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January 2020 showed promise as an eventful year for equestrians worldwide. It was to be an Olympic year, with many excited to visit Tokyo for the Summer Olympic Games, and the FEI World Cup Show Jumping and Dressage Finals were coming back to Las Vegas in April. The International Equestrian Federation (Fédération Equestre Internationale, FEI) and national equestrian federations around the globe were working on the final plans for these and other international competitions. Then, suddenly news agencies started reporting from Asia about a new coronavirus in humans, yet it seemed so far away to most in the horse industry. Shortly thereafter, COVID-19 cropped up on U.S. soil and rapidly spread across the continent and around the world, poised to affect all parts of life, including the horse industry.

In response to the mounting health crisis, the unthinkable happened. In mid-March, equestrian competition came to a screeching halt, along with the rest of the sports world. Not since the World Wars had so many equestrian events been cancelled or postponed. Many horse show venues scratched a third or more of their planned show season, and sadly at press time the list continues to grow.

Horse Industry Impact of COVID-19

While it’s too soon to have a complete handle on the impact of COVID-19 (the disease caused by the new coronavirus) on the horse industry, the simple answer is that it’s unprecedented. With the shutdowns of shows, racetracks, horse campgrounds and public stables, a broad spectrum of industry jobs were laid off or furloughed. Riding schools, trail barns and guest ranches were left caring for horses without any income to cover costs.

Beyond the obvious effects on instructor and trainer jobs, peripheral workers such as show managers and staff, professional braiders, equestrian media and photographers, and vendors of golf carts, feed, bedding and food at shows had nowhere to work.

According to a representative of the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF), the national governing body for horse sports in the U.S., as of mid-May, 30 percent of all events originally scheduled on their 2020 show calendar had been cancelled.

On June 1, the USEF officially opened their sanctioned shows and clinics again where local and state governments allowed.

“While some USEF functions have decreased during the pandemic, other areas are experiencing increases in operations,” says Carly Weilminster, USEF director of public relations and communications. “We are assisting organizers in rescheduling their competitions, processing rule modifications and timeline extensions, regularly updating the USEF COVID-19 Licensed Competition Action Plan, and hosting a variety of webinars to ensure [our members] are receiving new updates and information as available.”

Even before the USEF resumed their competition year, the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) lifted their ban on shows on May 1 where allowed by governmental mandates. According to Lindsay Humphrey, NRHA public relations and communications manager, there were three approved shows in May.

“There was excitement in the air from our members about getting back into the show pen,” says Humphrey. “According to management, entries were up significantly from last year at the [May] show in Arizona.”

The FEI, the international governing body for equestrian sport, estimated in mid-May that their organization alone would lose around $7.6 million due from uncollected fees and subscriptions, but added that because of long-term risk management planning, their overall position was solid. Many equine industry businesses and organizations do not have the luxury of that type of coverage, however.

COVID-19 Horse Industry Survey Says

The American Horse Council (AHC), a trade organization in Washington, D.C., representing the horse industry, circulated a COVID-19 impact survey beginning in March 2020 “to better understand how the equine industry has been affected by the pandemic and what possible downstream implications may result.”

As of June 5, 105 survey responses had been received representing 974 horses and 33 states. The data is very preliminary as of press time, but still shows cause for concern. The AHC reissued the survey in mid-June (after press time) and encourages additional participation by going to their website or Facebook page.

Julie M. Broadway, president of the AHC, explains the survey figures received so far.

“The net change in income/expenses in one month (March 2020) was $951 per horse represented,” she says. “If we model this on a national level (7.2 million horses in the U.S.), that would equate to $6.8 billion in losses for one month.”

Broadway cautions that this is a small sample population from which to make these types of projections. She states that a common theme among open responses was increased financial hardship and worry about long-term socioeconomic impacts on the industry.

Front Line Equestrian

Nancy Bryant, a United States Dressage Federation bronze and silver medalist and registered nurse from Oxford, Mich., is not only dealing with the disappointment of cancelled shows and separation from her horse during the pandemic, but also the stress and risk of a job on the front lines in health care.

She works at a small community hospital, which is part of a bigger system in Detroit where the virus hit especially hard. Since the earliest days of the pandemic, she has been caring for COVID-19 patients. Even with extreme safety protocols in place, Bryant eventually contracted the virus. “On April 19, I [tested positive], most likely from work exposure since I followed my governor’s directives of self-quarantining, only going to work and home.”

The virus led to two hospitalizations for Bryant.

“My first hospitalization was due to an excessive headache and temperature, which are two significant COVID-19 symptoms,” she says. “I was discharged four days later to go home and to continue to self-isolate. Unfortunately, respiratory difficulty caused me to return to the emergency center four days later for an additional stay.”

The recovery was difficult for Bryant.

“I’m normally an active person, but with the virus I was suddenly short of breath after doing things like washing dishes or vacuuming,” she explains. “I needed a nap after simply taking out the trash or showering. That was when the seriousness of the illness hit home. I couldn’t even stand for 10 minutes without my muscles shaking from fatigue. I was off work a total of six weeks, but as a frontline worker, I at least had a job to go back to.”

Bryant reports that her barn in Michigan was closed to boarders on March 16 and didn’t fully re-open until June 1. Even then, social distancing and wearing masks were deemed mandatory by the barn owner. The horses at her barn were all given an eight-week layoff, but Bryant says at some other barns in Michigan, trainers and staff kept horses exercised while owners were shut out.

Back to Business

Experts predict that it won’t be business as usual for at least the rest of this year and probably longer, but a return to the show ring and the trails in any form is to be celebrated. Two representatives of the USEF offer their thoughts on how critical it is that a return to showing is done in the right way.

“As we reopen, our goal is to continue moving forward through this process,” states USEF CEO Bill Moroney. “Everyone needs to join together to make sure we are all doing our part. Complete commitment is essential to the future operations of our sport.”

Mark Hart, M.D., a practicing cardiologist and the U.S. Equestrian Team’s physician and chair of the FEI’s Medical Committee, emphasizes the need for everyone to take the pandemic seriously and to abide by the new rules.

“Our own individual actions to contain the spread of COVID-19 will have a significant impact on the overall societal outcome,” says Hart. “I can’t emphasize this enough.”

Equestrians should do their homework before venturing out to any show, clinic or trail ride to make sure that the event is still scheduled and that facilities are open. Anyone participating in any equestrian activity should expect to have their temperature monitored, to be asked to wear a mask when not riding and to continue to practice social distancing.

Hand sanitizer and/or a portable handwashing station, as well as cleaners and disinfectants, masks and plastic gloves should all be added to the packing list. Worldwide, virtually all equestrian organizations and show management businesses have posted useful information on their websites and social media to help prepare for a return to competition. Trainers stress that you should bring your horse back into full work using a careful conditioning program well ahead of hitting the show ring or trails.

Bryant shares advice from a nurse’s perspective.

“I suggest everyone be tested for active COVID-19,” she says. “If you come back positive, then you know you’re a carrier and can shed the virus, unknowingly exposing others, until you test negative. Don’t ignore the many potential signs and symptoms.”

If you’re showing your horse, Bryant has some advice. “I recommend you have your own tack stall, maintain safe distancing and wear a mask when in groups. And remember to wash, wash, wash your hands!”

This article about COVID-19’s impact on the horse industry appeared in the August 2020 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

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Are you boarding a horse and need to make a graceful exit? We envision the barn as our sanctuary from the outside world, but most of us lack the wherewithal to acquire horse-keeping property. Our only option is to entrust veritable strangers with our beloved equines. Fortunately, there are plenty of barns that provide wonderful care. The bad news? It’s not hard to discover stories involving boarding barn drama and trauma.

Solicit anecdotes from your horse-loving friends or scan online equestrian forums and you’ll uncover all sorts of nightmarish tales, from avoiding chronically inebriated barn owners to dealing with cliques of grown women who behave like denim-clad characters from “Mean Girls.”

When it comes to boarding a horse, unsettling horse care scenarios include wildly erratic feeding schedules, medications administered without veterinary oversight and billing statements padded with unauthorized services. While it’s probably true that there are no perfect boarding barns, these are some of the instances when it’s probably best to pack your tack and ride off into a different sunset

Be a Better Boarder

Keep in mind that whenever you are boarding a horse, the standard of care probably won’t match what you’d provide if your horse was living on your property. All of those meticulous little details that help define your bond with your horse are usually beyond the scope of what the average boarding barn provides. Take pride in the stewardship of your horse, and embrace the role of primary caregiver. And if you see an opportunity to lend a helping hand around the barn, do so, and add a smile. The staff will appreciate it.

To reconcile the inevitable social drama, take heart in knowing that you alone cannot change a toxic barn environment. Yet you can shape your own experience. For example, although tack room gossip is a mainstay of the boarding barn lifestyle, extricate yourself from a conversation the moment it becomes salacious or meanspirited. Find a reason to excuse yourself and go groom your horse instead. How can that not make you happier?

Look for the Positive If you’re searching for a different boarding barn, you’ll need some criteria. Beyond obvious deal breakers, like facilities that scrimp on feed or are rundown and in disrepair, here are five characteristics of barns that promote an enjoyable experience. 1. A written contract that clearly stipulates the feed and care that will be provided, along with the cost and protocol for any additional services. Such openness minimizes the chances for misunderstandings. 2. Barn rules should be posted in prominent areas and enforced by management. This builds a sense of community where everyone is treated civilly and no one is allowed to preferentially break rules. 3. The roles of staff and management are clearly defined. This alleviates contradictory instructions from multiple sources. Moreover, there’s a definite chain of command where one person—typically the barn manager—has the final say-so on important decisions regarding your horse’s care. 4. Vets, good farriers and reputable clinicians make regular visits, which is usually a sign that barn staff and other boarders consult with professionals for their expertise. 5. A pro-horse philosophy permeates the barn’s culture. Regardless of personal differences or petty disagreements, it’s evident that everyone believes that each horse deserves proper care, a loving owner and humane treatment.

This article about boarding a horse appeared in the May 2020 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe

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Horse manure provided me with a shovel full of lessons! I turned 51 with a poop shovel in hand. Not exactly the middle age I had anticipated.

When my daughter reached ninth grade, my husband and I gave in to her pleas for a horse. George agreed we could buy a horse if Jenni and I found a way to afford one. It seemed it was time for me to resume a paying career. Being a tax accountant, I opted to work tax season, January through mid-April, hoping to make enough money to cover a year’s worth of horse expenses.

We bought a Spotted Saddle Horse named Jim and visited him daily at our boarding stable. I had long dreamt of owning a horse and welcomed the opportunity to be involved in Jim’s care. Jenni spent hours riding and training Jim, while I helped brush, bathe, and saddle him.

The Poop-Shoveler

Of course, caring for a horse includes mucking out his stall. Translation: shoveling horse manure — hard, but necessary, work. “Good boy! Here’s your carrot,” Jenni would say as she hugged Jim at the end of each visit, while I eased my sore back into the car for the drive home.

We tended to Jim every day, rain or shine. It was a huge commitment, but my daughter’s confidence and passion for animals was growing.

Our boarding facility was the farm where Jenni’s riding instructor, Rebekah, lived. And when Rebekah decided to move, we opted to move also. Since the new location didn’t yet have fencing, we needed a place for the horse until fences were erected. Some acquaintances of Rebekah’s offered the use of their farm for free. But there was a catch.

Scaling Up

The farm’s owner didn’t believe in dragging his fields. Hores manure attracted flies, he said, so he wanted it removed from his property as a condition for free boarding. I had cleaned up after Jim enough that I didn’t think this would be a problem.

Rebekah had three horses and one of Rebekah’s friends had three horses. Counting Jim, that made seven horses on a five-acre tract. Do you know how much poop seven horses produce in one day?

This should not have been a big deal with several owners to do the work, but the other women worked year-round jobs, while I only worked during tax season. We were, unfortunately, in the middle of September. I delved into the cleanup while the others were at work and school. And having obsessive-compulsive tendencies, I couldn’t stop with a reasonable amount of work. And I should have seen that I was disturbing boundaries I’d established for self-care and the care of my family, but I didn’t.

My urgency wouldn’t subside until I had cleaned the entire pasture. This was my daily routine—place muck bucket on rolling cart; line bucket with plastic bag; pull bucket from one pile to another; shovel poop into bucket; drag bucket back to barn; tie bag; lift bag out of bucket (and develop a hernia in the process).

If the bags were the least bit too full, they’d break, sending horse apples in all directions, requiring me to re-shovel previously shoveled poop. Bend, scoop, lift. Bend, scoop, lift. Three or four hours of this felt like the lower-back workout from hell.

Digging in Deeper

After the first week, the other horse owners learned they could stop by the stable after work without the need to shovel a single nugget of horse manure.

“Karen, thanks for clearing the field again. I fed my horses and rode a while, but never would have had time to clean before dark.”

“You’re a gem, Karen!”

I would hear similar words nightly in phone calls from the two women.

This stuff has to be shoveled every single day, I remember thinking. I can still feel the wave of anxiety that clenched my stomach and rendered me incapable of actually saying something. I knew the other women enjoyed taking a ride after a hard day at work. But I wasn’t sure they understood how much work I was doing.

The other ladies’ expressions of gratitude made me feel good, though. And after the many words of thanks, I couldn’t stop my shoveling, no matter how much my lower back hurt.

You may wonder where Jenni was in all of this. She shoveled a number of piles when she went to train and feed Jim every day after school. Her focus was on working with her horse, however, which is what I wanted.

“Why are you doing this, Mom?” she asked many mornings before school, when my worn-out jeans and dirty boots gave the clear signal I was on my way, yet again, to the farm.

I worried the owners of the farm would ask us to leave if their field wasn’t clean, so I continued my morning routine—for three long months.

Why did I nearly slip a disc? Because I couldn’t live with myself if I didn’t do the things I said I’d do. I agreed to keep the field clean. Period. Also, maybe I thought my fellow horse owners would like me more the more I did for them. It’s true that after a few weeks, I had nearly achieved sainthood based on their expressions of love.

Looking Back

Years later, I continue my battle with OCD and a sore lower back. But I did learn some things from this experience. First, I have an intelligent daughter who knows how to set boundaries; I should follow her example. Secondly, I need to not obsess over things. Finally, horse manure is heavy, and shoveling it can make your back hurt for years to come.

And here’s another truth I discovered: if it takes shoveling horse manure for people to like you, you might be better off living as a hermit. Since I also do cross-stitch using wise sayings, maybe I should cross-stitch that bit of wisdom and hang it as a reminder on my wall.

Karen Curran is a horse lover from Tennessee.

This article about horse manure and a shovel full of lessons appeared in the March 2021 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

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Businesses and associations have been impacted within the horse industry as a result of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, but individual horse owners have also had to deal with drastic changes to their horse lifestyle. We talked to a variety of owners across the country who shared how the quarantine and stay-at-home orders in their states have impacted their time with their horses, whether it means they can’t get to their horses or whether they can and have been taking advantage of more downtime to achieve new horse goals.

From Patricia J. in Kentucky

I am extremely fortunate because my four horses are at home with me on my farm. I recently rescued a Thoroughbred; I definitely did not need a fourth horse at my age of 65, and in January of all months. But I didn’t want him to end up on the slaughter truck. He has actually been a blessing in disguise. I truly believe he was roughly handled all of his 14 years, and he is very head shy, so it has been an adventure bonding with him ever so slowly during this isolation period.

From Jennifer K. in California

[Horse owners] are still able to go to the barn, because there are never more than a few people there at a time, and there’s a ton of room for everyone to give space. My horse has been out of real work for a while now with an injury, so I’m not missing out with the shows being cancelled.

From Heidi M. in Colorado

My horses are in the backyard getting more attention than usual! It’s a bummer not to have friends over for my daughter to ride with, though.

From Rebekah T. in California

We practiced social distancing while hauling out to trail ride and get some fresh air for the horses. I hauled the horses in my trailer, but my riding buddy drove separately. We weren’t in the trailer together at all. We didn’t share snacks or have lunch together afterwards. It can work! Everyone needs to follow guidelines and get through this.

From Kelly R. in Kentucky

Starting tomorrow, boarders at my barn can’t see their horses—so no more riding, grooming or visiting. I canceled my annual Aiken, S.C., training trip; our horse trial was canceled with no refunds; riding lessons are canceled until further notice; and there are no more social meetups at the barn or group trail rides.

From Jessica B. in Ohio

My horse is on self-care, so I still go see him every day. Luckily, the barn is huge, and even on a gorgeous day there’s rarely more than 10 people there at once. I’ve been keeping my gloves on and sanitizing as soon as I take them off.

From Jill D. in Utah

I was supposed to have my mare’s hock fused, but all elective veterinary procedures are canceled, because they require personal protective equipment (PPE). She’s lame on that side and this was the next step. Her life isn’t at risk if she doesn’t have it done.

From Kjersti H. in California

Fortunately, our barn is 80% trail riders or “weekend warriors,” with a few retired and rescue/rehab horses. We don’t have a lesson program or trainer, so the traffic is pretty minimal, and the barn manager is working hard to make sure the barn can stay open. I know several training barns are scheduling when people can come out; I’m glad we haven’t gotten to that point. Unfortunately, there were so many people out on the city-owned trails around our barn that the city shut them down, which is a bummer. Now my horse has to stay on property just like I have to stay in my house!

From Erin H. in Kentucky

I bought a new horse in the fall and intended to give him the winter to decompress and start up in spring. He’s (relatively) big and powerful and a bit hot; normally I’d be fine with it, but I honestly don’t feel all that comfortable getting on him and potentially getting hurt and taking up health services and/or being exposed in a health-care setting. So, he’s getting a longer break than planned. I’ll send him to my trainer for a tune-up when life resumes. I’m just glad mine are at home, so I can keep taking care of them myself. I did stock up on bedding and feed more than usual to minimize outings.

While horse owners are having various experiences with coronavirus-related quarantines, hopefully all will return to normal as soon as possible. However, we know horse owners, and the horse industry as a whole, is resilient and can weather the effects of coronavirus.

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