Picking the right boarding stable: Barn safety.

Last week I touched upon the hazards to look for in the pasture your horse will be kept in. Today I want to look at some things to look for when selecting a safe barn to keep your horse in.

I don't believe horses are fussy weather a stall or barn is well painted or has fancy brass hooks and handles. If that's what floats your boat go for it it but don't make decor the number one priority in selecting a barn. Once again put the horses safety and well being first.

Look for a well ventilated barn, you can tell by just sniffing, if it reeks of urine it probably isn't that well ventilated,Make sure the stalls are strong, safe and free of protruding objects your horse can get caught up on. Look particularly close at the partitions between stalls and around the stall handles. The stall should also be big enough to comfortably allow your horse to get up and lie down, for an average size horse a 10x10 is good.

Check to see that the isle is wide enough to bring your horse in and out of the stall and turn around . I like a minimum of 8 feet.

Are the cross ties secured properly or are they put together with baler twine and cheep snaps?

what is the flooring like is it slippery concrete or textured. This is a real concern in wet winter climates.

What is the lighting like, can you see as well at night as during the day.

Is the area for tack in an organized,dry, clean enviorment away from bedding and other things that can get in your way or wreck your expensive tack.

These are just a few things to think about. Tomorrow I will continue with barn safety and talk about indoor riding arenas.

thanks

Steve Wawryk

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Comment by Steve Wawryk on April 22, 2010 at 3:21pm: I would look for panic snaps on the cross ties, a quick snap and the horse is released. Never leave a horse unattended for any length in a cross tie and make sure he is trained to stand in cross ties. I like to see that good material are used and securely fastened to a post with a bolt. I don't want the cross tie to break but I want to be able to release my horse quickly and safely if I need too. Like I said if you see baler twine or someone holding cross ties in with nails or something like that beware. A horse can easily pull these out get loose flip over etc.

Comment by Deborah Hopkins on April 22, 2010 at 2:19pm: Hey Steve, Shouldn't the cross ties be secured in such a way that they CAN in fact break away?
If your horse freaks in the aisle you want him to able to free himself and not panic or worse,
seriously injure himself.