Getting your horse used to boarding is an important job. Changes in your living arrangements and lifestyle, or travel may require you to board your horse for a short period of time, or long-term. It is quite a huge responsibility to guarantee that your horse makes this transition well, but you can help him ease into a new situation.
Before you board your horse, get to know his personality. Notice what spooks him and what comforts him. If he likes to be active early in the day and tends to be lazy for the rest of the day (or if the situation is reversed), make sure that your new boarding stable can accommodate him. Does he like to play with balls or trot? If he does, check to see if it is possible to have him in a turn-out with a little extra room and if you can provide him balls to kick around.
It is also a good idea to watch his reaction to other animals. You may want to introduce him to other horses before taking him to the stable to get him used to being around other animals, a little at a time. The day you leave him at the stable is not when you want to find out he is cranky when exposed to multiple other horses.
If transporting your horse isn’t an issue for you, ask your boarding stable if you can bring him by for visits before you plan to leave him. See if you can take him into the common areas, barns, stalls and turn-outs. Walk or ride him through the area to familiarize him with his new surroundings. Introduce him to the staff and the other horse owners who may be on-site so he will feel comfortable around new people. Help him build a structure of trust so he will be more comfortable when you aren’t around. Visit as frequently as you are allowed and give him a chance to cozy up to the new place. Ask if it would be alright to leave him from time to time for a few hours to see what his reaction is.
When you do and return, see if he exhibited signs of nervousness. You can check for signs of cribbing (biting of wood areas in and around stalls and turn-outs) and tail-rubbing (exactly what it sounds like-there will be traces of tail hair stuck in and on wood or metal in his area). Both are signs that your horse is uncomfortable for some reason or bored. Check him to see if he is agitated or more aggressive than normal. You’ll also be able to ask the stable staff if they noticed any biting or weaving (a rocking motion from horses that are under-stimulated). If he does show some signs of distress, ask your boarding stable to help you get him used to being there. They should be able to offer advice or assistance.
Horses are our big, strong, sensitive babies. We love them and seek to offer them the best we can and boarding is no different. If we know what to expect, getting your horse used to boarding can be both easy and enjoyable.
