How to Run a Horse Boarding Facility

Running a horse boarding facility is a big responsibility that requires a lot of time and effort.  As an owner or a manager of a horse boarding facility, it’s your responsibility to make sure that all horses in your care get proper nutrition, training, exercise and medical attention.  

• Maintain the barn equipment in good condition, and replace it when necessary.  It’s very important to inspect all the fencing around the facility on a weekly basis.  If you don’t mend broken fences immediately, horses can escape and get seriously injured.  In addition to intact fencing, all the feeding equipment must always function properly including the automatic water piping system.  Check the entire facility for potential fire hazards regularly, so that all horses can remain safe at night when no one is on the property.  Keep first aid kits on hand in case of emergencies.


• Hire qualified professionals to help you take care of the facility’s daily operations.  The number of people you need to hire depends on the number of horses in your care.  Each horse needs a set feeding schedule and sufficient exercise.  Make sure you have enough employees to provide a high quality of care to every horse in your facility.


• Establish access to a trainer and a veterinarian.  Some trainers work at horse boarding facilities full-time while others come in for training sessions throughout the week.  Because many boarders have their own trainers, you might want to hire a part-time trainer.  You should also locate a reliable veterinarian that can respond to emergencies quickly and travel to the facility for regular checkups.


• Communicate with your boarders.  Address any questions or concerns that might come up quickly and efficiently.  People love their horses, and they need to be assured that they are in good hands.  Resolve issues quickly and require all boarders to sign a rental agreement before using your facility.