This message is from: Carolyn Dumong <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
>
> This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
> In a message dated 7/5/99 2:57:21 AM Pacific Daylight Time,
> [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
>
> <<
> We are looking for ideas and input. We are thinking of starting up a
> boarding facility because there is a need for this in our area. What we
> would like to hear are any ideas or opinions regarding horse boarding
> facilities. If you board, what do you like or dislike about where you
> board? Do you have a contract with your facility? What does your board
> include?
> >>
> I have boarded and trained outside horses for quite a few years. I have
> learned a lot - mostly the hard way! Here are some suggestions:
>
> Only offer full care. Partial care gets to be a real ROYAL PAIN! I have
> tried to offer partial care in the past and it is more trouble than it's
> worth. I like to have the stalls cleaned in my barn early in the morning
> everyday so that if someone 'stops by', the barn is clean and tidy. With
> partial care, invariably someone has a reason why they couldn't come to clean
> their stall. That means that sometime during the day, you have to interrupt
> your schedule to clean that stall. I charged $2 extra each time I had to do
> their stall, but it was irritating.
>
> Also with partial care, one needs a lot of extra room to store their hay and
> grain to keep it separate. Then invariably, they run out of feed, even
> though they have been reminded. You end up feeding yours and having to keep
> track of that. When they finally do bring feed, it often is not of the same
> quality.
>
> By offering only full care, I also have control of the quality and amount
> each horse is fed and know that their nutritional needs are being properly
> met. Also, the horses are all fed at the same time. It is quite upsetting
> for the horses to have someone coming to feed one or two horses at different
> times.
>
> A written contract is a MUST. You can lay all of the requirements in front
> of the folks, up front and in black and white. I require each horse to
> comply with our schedule for innoculations so that we don't get a barnfull of
> sick horses. We have horses that travel to shows, poker rides, etc., where
> they are exposed to large numbers of horses so I need to make sure everyone
> has current shots. In our area we give 4-way, rhino, Potomac Fever, and
> nasal strangles. The horses that travel get flu/rhino every 90 days. The
> other shots are annual. We also worm every 2 months. I do all of the shots
> and worming myself and charge the boarders only the cost of the drugs. It
> saves them money and I KNOW it has been done when it should be.
>
> Another clause in my contract states that dogs are not welcome to come poop
> in my yard instead of yours! There is nothing more irritating to have dogs
> jumping on people's cars, scratching the paint, or fighting with each other.
>
> Another clause states that there will be NO UNATTENDED CHILDREN. This is not
> a day care center where Mommy can come and play whilst "Johnny" is allowed to
> wander around and get himself into trouble.
>
> You also must be very specific about when board is due! I took my contracts
> to a lawyer to have him look them over and make recommendations. I have a
> clause that says boarding bills are due on the first of the month. If it is
> not paid by then, they will be charged 2% per day on the unpaid balance. He
> raised his eyebrows at that! I said, "Do I make myself clear that it had
> better be paid on time?!" He added a blank space beside that paragraph for
> them to initial in case it should ever go to court. That way they couldn't
> say they didn't read the contract carefully before signing.
>
> Insurance is another issue that must be considered carefully. One can go
> insurance broke when it comes to horses! Our state has an 'inherant risk'
> law which says that if you are on this property you are considered a
> participant and must assume your own liability. A sign stating such must be
> visibly displayed. It has been tested in court and has stood up so far.
>
> Hope this helps you in making your decisions. These are some of the key
> issues that have been of importance in my business.
>
> Gayle Ware
> Field of Dreams
> Eugene, OR
Altho I do not have my own boarding facility, I board my horse and my
daughter's horse at my best friend's barn (for the past 4 yrs.). All I
can say is AMEN to Gayle's comments. My friend has been thru the same
things...partial boarding, babysitting service for kids, dogs, late
payments. Disaster!!! We have a full board deal for everyone...horses
fed and stalls done a on set schedule EVERY day! I also have the
confidence that if my horses are sick or get a boo-boo, she will take
care of it for me until I can get on the scene, and that is only if it
is something major!!! That means alot to me, since I work full-t
