Boarding Stables

You’ll quickly learn where everything is, including THE RULES. Where to park, where the trailers go, where to lunge, which arena is which, the turnouts, wash racks, tack rooms and the porta-potty. Every place has a coveted stall. That one has the bigger run, shade, a better location, whatever makes it desirable. Good luck. The waiting list is long.

You’ll find all sorts of horses around you. There are musical horses. Should the bay gelding go next to the chestnut mare? And school horses. Will the OTTB teach my Quarter Horse that bad habit?

Tack trunks, saddle racks, bridle hooks, blanket storage and cubbies. You’ll claim your little piece of communal barn real estate and somehow fill it with more stuff than you thought possible. Your halter has your horse’s name on it, your tail brush has found another home, and almost everything is exactly where you left it. Has anyone seen my lead rope?

Then there’s my turn. Who’s next for the cross-ties? Is anyone using the wash rack? Did you want to turn your horse out? They’re all taken. Yes, you're probably right that the Warmblood has been out there all day. Hmmm, how much longer is she going to be using the arena? 

Lost your hoof pick? Someone has one. Out of fly spray? Borrow some. Shampoo, buckets, scissors, duct tape, treats... somehow it all makes its way around the barn. There is, however, a difference between borrowing something and apparently acquiring it.

Sharing goes beyond stuff. Split the farm call? Sure. Can you take his blanket off when it warms up? Of course.  "Hey, does anyone want to go riding with me? I have one more slot in the trailer."

You stop by for an hour and somehow it’s three hours later. The horses, however, seem to know exactly what time it is. Feeding times, turnout times, bring-in times. Whinnying. Pawing. Stall circling. Head tossing.

It’s been a hectic day at work, and you can’t wait to see your horse. A nice, relaxing ride sounds perfect. It’s Thursday between 3:30 and 6:00 PM, but you’ll take your chances. An Escalade is taking up two spaces, one of which happens to be your regular spot. A kids' group lesson is underway, the farrier is blocking one of the entrances to the barn, and the vet truck is pulling in with all the horses giving it the side-eye.

No worries. You can wait it out. Head to the barn lounge. Talk horses. Have something to eat. What’s in the fridge? Cold drinks, somebody’s sandwich, carrots, horse medication... and something in the back that nobody seems willing to claim. You've stayed much longer than intended.

Now that the circus has left town, the hay cart is in the middle of the aisle, and your horse has dinner reservations. That’s okay. You’ll come back on Saturday when everybody and their cousin will be there. 

At some point, your horse and you became part of the boarding family. The other boarders know his quirks, what treats he likes and will tell on him if he starts rubbing his tail again. They might even send you a picture just because he looked cute.

There’s usually someone around to help unload feed or hold the reins because you just bridled your horse and realized your phone is still in the car. There are barn parties, tack swaps and potlucks (these homemade cookies are actually for humans).  Halloween becomes an event of its own with a costume play day, and for Christmas, garland and stockings go up around Tucker’s custom wood sign. Birthdays are celebrated with carrot cake, show ribbons get admired, and somebody’s dog is underfoot. Of course, get enough other boarders together and eventually there will be another episode of As the Hotwalker Turns...

What makes one boarding stable different from another? A covered arena when it’s pouring outside? Lights because you never seem to get there before dark? A round pen, hot-water wash rack, individual tack locker or somewhere you can actually park your trailer and still get into the tack room? Maybe there are trails right out the gate, plenty of available turnouts, multiple arenas or a cross-country course. Perhaps it’s the full-service care of a stable that blankets your horse and gives him the supplements from those pre-measured plastic baggies you filled. 

Tucker votes apples.