You know you'll be needing a horse sitter for your upcoming trip but you are unsure of whether or not to hire a professional horse sitter or a non-professional horse sitter. How do you make the decision?
Your first step will be to determine your budget. Look at your finances and decide if you can afford to hire a professional horse sitter. They may ask for payment up front, or may ask for a partial payment ahead of the time needed as a good-faith gesture. Is this something that you can live with or will an up-front investment in the care of your animal be a problem?
If the cost of hiring a professional horse sitter is prohibitive, you may want to look into youth groups that center around farming and livestock. Do you have a chapter of 4-H in your area or a Future Farmers of America club close by? You can call the local high schools or look in the phone book to find chapters. Have you seen an equestrian center nearby? They may have a teen saddle club. Any of these groups may have non-professional members that would be happy to work for reduced fees to provide quality care for your animal. Teens in these types of groups come with education in animal needs and a love for horses.
If you still don't think that paying for the care of your horse in your absence is possible, can you turn to your friends and family members? Think about the people closest to you who understand your love for your animal and the important part of your life they are. If you have someone who does, and is willing to put the elbow grease into taking great care of the horse, ask them. They may be happy to do you the favor of caring for your beloved horse.
Another non-professional option for horse sitting is to ask another horse owner you know. They could be happy to provide your horse with excellent care. They already understand your relationship with your horse and they understand the animals need for care. You could work out an arrangement between the two of you where you trade care of your animal for care of theirs. It is always good to be able to find a trade opportunity with a willing party so you will always have someone you trust with common interests to care for your pet.
It may not always be easy to find a horse sitter, but finding the right situation is extremely important for both you and your horse. There are perks no matter which method of horse sitting you choose, from professional horse sitters to non-professional horse sitters, and those who are somewhere in between.
