Pros and cons of boarding with a friend

peaceloveandwoodstock · Foal

Pros and cons of boarding with a friend

pbm969 · Well Schooled

Why do you feel as if you have to relinquish control? As a paying boarder, ( which I have occasionally) they pay me $$'s, and we discuss what those $$'s pay for. If it includes blanketing, turnout, a twice daily "are you bleeding" check and feed...and she thinks she may like to come out every now and again, and blanket/check her horse herself,,,,so be it/. It's not like you won't be allowed on the property? Can you come and go yourself as you please? (with respect to very late night or early mornings)
I have a couple of gals who will bring horses here to my place several times a year for varying periods (couple of weeks or a couple of months at a time) and it has been nothing but great company! Hoping this turns out well for you!

peaceloveandwoodstock · Foal

I didn't necessarily mean that I must relinquish all control; What I meant was more like I will want to make the experience as positive for my friend as possible, because she would be doing me a great service and I would never want to put her in a position where she would feel uncomfortable doing what I ask. So I would want to interfere with her preferred routine and habits as little as possible. But at the same time, if I ever did feel like there was an issue I would want to speak up. I wouldn't want something like that to ever interfere with our relationship. I guess it is just a matter of trust from the get-go and laying out all the details?

She has explained to me that I will be able to access the property anytime Fri.-Mon. during the day (not after sundown), and Tues.-Thurs. she will be working and does not wish to have anyone at her property. For now this doesn't seem like a problem because I am at school during the week anyway, and I would never need to be out there at night on a regular basis.

Deborah Hopkins · Yearling

I think you are wise to think it through carefully!
I leased a barn with a co-worker and it is not working out! Mind you, we never shared a horse history like you and your friend do. Long story short, I am bowing out and letting him have the place, which is a pity because it is an amazing facility at a great price.
Maybe you should just be upfront with your friend, and ask her how she thinks the two of would would settle differences of opinion regarding the care/management of your horse, should an issue arise . This is a great time to remind her how much you value her friendship!

Deborah Hopkins · Yearling

I also think you should able to access your horse any time you want! I don't understand why she doesn' want you there when she is working. I would see that as a bonus, someone to check on the horses and make sure all is well.

Trouble Horse · Well Schooled

I think you should listen carefully to your gut. If you have any serious twinges that it might not work out, go somewhere else. If you think you can trust your friend, board your horse there but definitely get something in writing! That way you have something to refer to and everyone knows where they stand.

IrideaClyde · Well Schooled

I absolutely think you need to get things in writing, draw up an agreement so there is no question of what is
expected, try to include any unforeseen incidents as well. If you could not pay your board, if the horse is sick or needs
emergency vet care? What Vet, what farrier, worming, feeding, pasture buddies? What decisions can she make on your horses behalf if you are not available?
There are many things to consider. As well as how to discuss any differences of opinions in an adult manner so that your friendship survives.
Good Luck !

Marlene · Advanced

Getting it in writing is a great idea. but it might not prevent personal issues from creeping in unless you proceed with a clear view of how you plan to handle the situation.

I board a horse for a friend (who was really just an acqaintance before the boarding). It must have been quite a leap of faith for her because I had only just started keeping my own horse, she didn't know me, and we really just had an oral agreement. So my point is, with or without every detail in writing, what's really important is regular and open communication. Because it is her horse, and because I was not super knowledgeable about horse care, and because her horse was healthy but an elderly mare who needed attention to her condition, I checked with her if I had any question about what she wanted done. Mainly about how many hourse of turnout, access to feed, when to blanket (including temperature and weather requirements), how much interaction with my gelding, etc. I have total care but I'm on the phone pretty quickly if I notice anything that I think is not quite right with her mare,(she lets me know if she's going to be out of town and I then have an alternate "mom" to call), and it is her responsibility to deal with those issues, or decide whether a vet or a particular treatment is in order. I would never treat a wound (aside from throwing on a splash of betadine, on the way to the phone), except after she has seen it and made the decisions. We are always straightforward, she always makes sure I am okay with how we are proceeding, and I always do the same.We have an agreement about how to proceed ,she knows how I am doing things, and as long as she does, it is up to her to say if she wants it done differently,(or for me to say if it's just not working for me and suggest something different).

It might be a different situation with a larger barn where they have to have a lot of proceedures and can't do it differently for every horse. But this works for us. I think as long as communication is open and respectful, you just carry on until one or the other party is not satisfied with the arrangement, and then you can still part on amicable terms. Treat it like a business relationship and there should be no harm to your friendship. The problems start I think when people start taking the other for granted just because they are friends, or making issues personal when it should be business. If you don't think you can separate those issues, then probably it's not good to board with a friend.

Nina A · Yearling

I currently board my horses at a friends house.
We went from private boarding facilities to there.
It has been the best thing I have done for my horses.
She only has 3 other horses she boards and then her 2, plus my 2. All the geldings are together and the mares are in a seperate pasture.
They get fed properly, water checked every day(twice a day), mineral blocks are out and if we can't get out she'll grain and medicate.
This was something we were always told would happen at our other facilities and after being there for more then 3 months, you realize it would never get done. Sadly it's hard to find a place you feel comfortable leaving your horse at...I was never comfortable enough to go out of town for more then 3 days and if my mom was going to be gone at the same time, I'd change my plans so one of us would always be around.

It sounds like your friend has the same horse care principles that you do, so it would be a lot less stressful for you to leave your horse there. And easier on you mentally if you ever decided to go on vacation. Seems like the only down fall is her rules on visitation.

I think it's a little strange that you can't come out while she's teaching. Even if you were to just pop in and say hello to your horse, that shouldn't be a big deal. I can see if she didn't want you to ride your horse on those days.
Perhaps you should talk to her about that and see what her reasonings are.

Always get your boarding agreement in writing. When it comes to something going wrong, going back to the contract is a life saver.(been there done that).