Self-care: what do you do when out of town?

[analise]

So, disclaimer: I don't have a horse yet. I'm in the market.

One of the places I'm considering boarding said non-existent horse is a self-care place. It's directly across the street from me, if I could cut through the trees there and just seems like a nice facility with access to an outdoor ring (in a multi-use park) and some trails.

However, what do you do when you're going to be out of town? This place doesn't also offer full-care so it's not like I could just pay extra for a few days for somebody to care for my horse. I imagine maybe there are horse-sitters one can get (like petsitters) or something. All of my horsey friends are actually just far enough away that I wouldn't feel comfortable asking them to drive down and care for my nonexistent horse. I guess it would also be possible it could be worked out with other boarders? ("I'll feed your horse for you over Thanksgiving if you do mine over Christmas") Or something.

Part of me is thinking it might be worth it to just pay for field care at the next place just up the road (they also have an indoor as well as access to the same park!).

What do you do?

[ChocoMare]

If there are other self-care boarders, then they are your best bet. I 100% self-care board my two mares at a private farm where there is another couple that board their three geldings.

Fortunately, we get along very well and share a simliar mindset when it comes to horse care. I don't know what we would do without them there.

We share the work all the time, help each other out with the horses whenever needed/asked, keep an eye on each others horses and cover for illness, vacation or even the "I just can't bring myself to got the barn" days :winkgrin:

[dghunter]

We have some self-care and some full care people at our barn. Most of the time the self-care people pay the BO and her daughter to do turnout and stalls. I realize this is not an option for you ;)

If BO's daughter is unavailable for whatever reason, then they typically ask another self-care boarder to help and either pay or offer to exchange time. I see them do this even when they are not out of town. For instance, four of the boarders turnout their own horse and then do each others horses too. They keep track of it on a calendar that hangs in the tackroom. It seems to work out really well for them. Perhaps once you get to know the boarders you might find one who is willing to switch on and off with you when visiting out of town?

You might also ask around at the local tack store and find someone who does horse sit.

[analise]

I guess I just worry, "but what if the other boarders don't like me?" and other such things. Maybe I've heard too many horror stories about boarding barn drama. :)

[ChocoMare]

Well, it is a crap shoot. They will probably be wary of you, only because you're the "New Kid" but you'll just need to take the time to demonstrate that you are a responsible owner, hard worker, keep things neat/tidy and don't borrow without asking. Your actions will speak the most to them ;)

[JollyBadger]

The barn where I board isn't self-care, but it's very "basic" care when it comes to what the staff does.

Fortunately, I've made some good friends there and we all "look in" on each others' horses if someone is out of town or otherwise can't get to the barn for a couple of days; anything from a little extra TLC and treats to grooming, hosing off muddy legs, bathing and switching around sheets/blankets or applying fly spray.

We have logged a lot of trail miles together in the last three years, and we have similar "standards" when it comes to caring for and handling horses.

As you get to know the other boarders, you'll probably be able to find someone who would be willing to switch off feeding on holidays, or take care of each others' horses when one is on vacation.

[BuddyRoo]

The best way to find a good "horse sitter" is to BE a good horse sitter!

I have had my horses in coop and self care situations a few times now and when I had to go out of town I almost always had a friend or fellow boarder who was more than willing to help me out because I was willing to help them out (and usually had before I ever asked them to do it for me.)

[IronwoodFarm]

Self-care is more than just covering the time your are out of town. It's making sure you have feed and hay on hand for your horse, feeding daily, checking/filling water, being there for farrier/vet, stall cleaning (if stalled), blanketing (if used), and doing any of the other chores that come up. It's work and it's work that has to be done every day.

It's not clear from the OP's post if she has ever owned a horse before. If that is the case, be prepared for the shock of what self board entails. Personally, if the field board is close by, I would board there so that I wouldn't do all the self-care work. And the indoor is a plus. I have nothing against self-care, but it is real hard work.

[ChocoMare]

Self-care is more than just covering the time your are out of town. It's making sure you have feed and hay on hand for your horse, feeding daily, checking/filling water, being there for farrier/vet, stall cleaning (if stalled), blanketing (if used), and doing any of the other chores that come up. It's work and it's work that has to be done every day.

It's not clear from the OP's post if she has ever owned a horse before. If that is the case, be prepared for the shock of what self board entails. Personally, if the field board is close by, I would board there so that I wouldn't do all the self-care work. And the indoor is a plus. I have nothing against self-care, but it is real hard work.

Ditto.

Self-care as close to having our horses at home that we can get. It's been a great learning tool too. We now know all that it entails to manage a farm properly, what kind of equipment we will one day need (tractor with front end loader :yes:), how to replace fencing (my man is now a pro at a clam-shell post hole digger ;)), proper pasture maintenance/rotation, etc. etc. etc.

It works for us, but not everyone is cut out for that life.

[analise]

No, I get that about self care (had a horse as a kid, and I've been volunteering for over a year now helping care for horses at a rescue so that includes helping with feeding, water, mucking, taking in and out, grooming, various health-related things, etc). Which is why I'm only considering for self care the place that's directly across the street from me because it would be easy to get over there and doing all the work that entails every day. My worry was if I couldn't be there (because my family lives in another state and I go to visit them at least for Christmas), how many options would I have for having someone else be able to care for my horse.

I'm still leaning to field board possibly being a better option if only because I'll have a bit more peace of mind about it. :) And yes, the indoor is nice too.

[JoZ]

I don't know how the availability/stall space is at the two places you are considering, but you could perhaps board at the one with an indoor during the winter, and the other during the summer.

To answer your question -- there's a good chance the other self-care boarders will be happy to have another person available for rotating days off, vacations, etc. There are three of us at my barn. My horses can do without a grain meal (it's not really grain, just pellets and vitamins) for a long weekend so they just have to throw hay, check/fill water, and do a visual check. If it is a longer trip I'll put the pellets in baggies with names and dates (e.g., "Ginny -- Friday PM") on them. I try to make it as easy as possible -- they can usually leave the horse out 24/7 too, even if it was coming in to a stall with me home.

[knightrider]

Well another thought is you could always field board temporarily...get to know other riders there and hopefully since its close to the self care facility you can start trail riding with those people...I'm sure if you stopped by there someone would meet you out...then you could get a feel for things and get adjusted to having your own horse while making some local horsey friends who can help you down the road...

Also while field boarding you could offer to help out at the other farm with some of the self care boarders who may need a day off here and there...as you establish that repoire, then you have a resource or two if/when you move your own horse...something to think about anyway.