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Re: [RC] Should I take on a boarder? - superpatYou are right, it all depends on finding the right person. But I think it would be worth the effort. For one thing your horse would probably be happier with another horse to talk to. And think how nice it will be to have someone to help with the feeding and cleaning. You can take vacations or days away from home and know that your horse is being well cared for. If you blanket in the winter, how nice it will be to have a few days a week when you don't have to be home early enough to get the blanket on, knowing that your boarder will be doing that. I leased a horse to a person who has since become a dear friend. She was 13 at the time (now 19 and away at college). She was the best barn partner I could have wished for. She loved everything to do with horses and not only did her chores but took great pleasure in grooming mine and helping out with all sorts of barn and farm chores. So don't discount the young ones. They are enthusiastic and eager for a chance. Although I will admit that I think I lucked up on the best, most focused and disciplined little girl ever created. I would suggest that whomever you may consider, try to go take a look at where they now keep their horse. If it is a boarding situation, you may be able to talk with the owner to get a feel for the person you are considering. You can also see how they care for their horse. Whatever you decide, it may be best to arrange for a short term situation, like a month or so. Then you can gracefully decline to continue the arrangement if you are not satisfied with the boarder's performance. Be sure to put in writing, the understanding of the arrangement including, work exchange duties, etc.( For instance, my boarder was responsable for evening feeding and stall cleaning on Mon, Wed. and Friday). This was the free time I could count on. Consider getting something in writing regarding liability. Perhaps you can get some advice from Ride Campers who have such expertise. Good luck...It could be a great opportunity for you to enhance your horse experience. Pat ----- Original Message ----- From: "Karen Casemier" <kcrazzmatazz@xxxxxxxxxxx> To: <ridecamp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Monday, April 07, 2003 10:07 AM Subject: [RC] Should I take on a boarder? My husband and I built a nice little three-stall barn last summer. Right now, it is just my mare and his gelding - but we are trying to find a new home for his gelding (I've mentioned before that I had a serious riding accident on this horse - he has some behavioral issues and some physical problems). After we figure out what to do with the gelding, we aren't sure what is next. My husband is currently applying to vet school, and neither of us think he is going to have much time to ride while he's in school. I don't think it would be fair for him to get another horse that would just sit there most of the time. And I work full time - I haven't done distance riding yet, but I imagine the amount of time I would spend working with and conditioning my own horse wouldn't leave a lot of time for a second one. I could just get a donkey or pony for Mazzie, but I've been thinking of possibly looking for the right person to board with me. It's not an easy decision -- I really like my setup and I like the way I do things. I don't know how I would feel having to answer to someone else. However, I would LOVE to find someone else interested in distance riding who I could condition with and attend rides with. I don't have a lot of experience (actually haven't done it yet!), so I would welcome either an experienced distance rider or someone else whose new to the sport that I could bounce ideas off of. My husband was going to do these things with me, but after our life-changing experience with my accident, he's decided to pursue his dream and I want him to feel free to devote himself to that. I realize that this will work only if I find the right person. I'd like to hear from others of you that have small barns like mine who have done this - both sucessfully and unsuccessfully. And maybe give me some tips. I haven't made up my mind yet, but just FYI, I'm located in Caledonia, MI if anyone knows of someone looking for a boarding situation. _________________________________________________________________ The new MSN 8: advanced junk mail protection and 2 months FREE* http://join.msn.com/?page=features/junkmail =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net. 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