What is included in your monthly board? Can you go out of town for a week and not have to make special arrangements for your horse? If you can, this is a barn that you want to be in. There always seems to be extras along with your board. If you blanket your horse, is that an extra? Is turning out your horse an extra? If your horse gets sick, will someone be there to notify a vet and you? If you wrap your horses legs at night do you have to get up early to take them off, or will someone take them off for you? Will you be notified if your horse loses a showe, and will the manager call the shoeer for you? Is putting on fly spray an extra? When you receive the prices for board, is it complicated to understand what you get and what you don't? Then is it clarified on your bill with a million add-ons for services you thought were included? When you drop your child off at the barn, will they be supervised or allowed to run wild and get in harm's way? Is there someone to teach your kids the art of horsemanship, and how to take care of and ride their horse properly and safely? Does the trainer there brag about their student's accomplishments or can you see for yourself how well they ride? This is an important factor when choosing the right barn.
These are a lot of questions to think about when shopping for a barn, it is better to ask before you move than have a disappointing surprise after you have moved into a barn. Board is not cheap at a good full service barn; good alfalfa and grain is as expensive as good help. For more information about barns in the area, call some of the trainers. This way you can know what is around and have something to compare to. All trainers will send you to the barn that will best suit your needs if their barn is not the right barn for you!