Buying saddles or tack? What about COVID-19?

Mid-pandemic, tack shops and equestrians alike are still marketing their saddles and bridles and other horse tack. Money is tight for many, as jobless rates soar with pandemic-related layoffs and business closures (both temporary and longer), and the stock market fluctuates more wildly than the greenest colt.

But some horse-people still shop for equestrian equipment.

How does COVID-19 affect your purchase of a saddle or tack?

Safety is definitely a concern, as the coronavirus is extremely contagious. By government decree and/or merchant caution, many brick-and-mortar stores are closed, but still offering their wares online. And individual sellers still advertise used and new items on websites, in blog sidebars, on online bulletin boards, and through social networking.

The buying and selling has not ceased, although folks may have grown more frugal in the current economic climate.

Even remote buying and selling merits some caution.

Is your new stuff coming in with an unexpected add-on, the dreaded virus?

 Some experts believe the virus is able to linger on various surfaces. Here are a few pertinent examples for horsey folks (thanks to WebMD):

• Aluminum – 2-8 hours
• Cardboard – 24 hours
• Ceramics – 5 days
• Copper – 4 hours
• Glass – varies (up to 5 days)
• Miscellaneous metals – 5 days
• Paper – varies (up to 5 days)
• Plastic – 2-3 days
• Silver – 5 days
• Stainless Steel – 2-3 days
• Wood – 4 days

Think about that fancy saddle or bridle, with hand-tooled leather and silver conchos. Consider the shiny new plastic water bucket or grooming tote. Ponder the handy halter, the sweet wooden dandy brush, the fluffy saddle pad, or the metal shedding blade. How about that brand-new new hoof pick?

COVID-19 may last from hours to days on porous items like fabrics and leather. (Check out that beautiful new show coat, those flashy breeches, or that amazing pair of boots.)

Don’t assume something is virus-free, just because it’s brand-new.

Any one of these could still carry coronavirus, if it was handled by someone who was infected. Especially if you picked it up in person or paid extra for express delivery.

Even that sweet pedigree paperwork or breed certificate on the new foal could be contaminated.

And all that second-hand stuff? All bets are off there too.

Have you heard the glitter analogy about COVID-19?

This analogy helps to paint a clear picture of the situation. Let’s assume (for safety’s sake) that anything you obtain these days is tainted with the virus. Pretend it’s shiny like glitter, so you can see it. And it’s all over your new stuff.  Now you have to wash the glitter off before you use your new stuff.

Let's just consider everything contaminated for now, for the sake of safety. If we are over-cautious, we still may come out healthier.

What can you do?

Go ahead, and buy that pretty bridle. Order that sensational saddle. Splurge on that spiffy show shirt.

When your stuff arrives, you can open it outside, and toss all of the outer packaging. Don’t even bring it into the barn till you disinfect it (in a safe spot, like outdoors or in the wash-rack, if you plan to clean that after you’re done). Household disinfectants, laundry detergent, cleaning wipes, and even soap and water can clean your newly acquired items. Saddle soap does the trick for leather goods, if you scrub a lot and rinse and buff well. You may even opt to hire a professional tack cleaner for your new saddle or bridle.

Be sure to toss all of the outer packaging.

Then wash your hands.

Image:

Public domain photo

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What basic rules does a horse barn need?

Most equestrian riding and horse boarding facilities have basic barn rules, which may or may not be posted in a prominent spot on site. Others print their list of rules on their barn websites or in boarding or lesson contracts. 

What barn rules are most often included?

Generally, barn rules are aimed at safety (for horses and humans), common courtesy, and peaceful coexistence. Here are several commonly posted barn rules, gleaned from several sources. Not all barns choose to have all of these rules, although many of these items may merit inclusion.

• No smoking.
• ASTM-approved safety helmets are required for all riders (or all riders aged 18 and under).
• Sturdy closed-toe shoes are required at the barn.
• All riders (or their parents, if minors) must sign liability release forms.
• Visitors must be accompanied by barn staff or horse owners.
• Children must be adult-supervised at the barn.
• Unleashed dogs are not allowed on the barn premises.
• Please clean up after your horse.
• Please clean up after yourself.
• No drama.
• Hand-grazing is not permitted on the barn owner’s lawn.
• Do not leave horses unattended (except in turnout or their own stalls).
• If you break something (or your horse does), please speak up.
• Barn board is due on the first of the month. Every month.
• Call out “Door!” before entering the arena.
• No stopping or standing on the rail in the arena.
• Out-of-control horses (on lines or under saddle) must be collected and depart the arena, while others are using it.
• A barn-approved riding instructor/trainer must be present during jumping.
• Do not handle, ride, lunge, medicate, feed, or offer treats to others’ horses without permission.
• Vet calls may be placed only by horse owners and barn staff (with horse owners’ permission)
• Only horses, barn staff, and boarders are allowed in the turnouts.
• Heaters and lights must be turned off, if not in use.
• Parking must not block access to horse trailers.

Additional rules may cover barn hours, horse vaccination and deworming requirements, arena usage, tack storage, guest riding policies, lesson/clinic arena priorities, and other concerns.

Of course, the big question remains:  How are these barn rules enforced?

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Adapted from public domain artwork

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10 options to consider, if you can't pay your horse's board

Times can be tough. And horse boarding can be costly. But you love your horse. How can you cover your beloved horse’s monthly board, if you cannot come up with the cash?

Actually, several possibilities exist. Not all of these options will apply or fit your particular situation, but here are some choices that may be worth considering. These tips may also be helpful to those with multiple horses or those who must step away from riding for any number of reasons. Personally, I have exercised more than half of these options during my horse-owning years.

10 options to consider, if you can't pay your horse's board

1. Work off your horse’s board. This is one of the most commonly offered opportunities for boarders who need to cut monthly costs. Boarding barn owners frequently need additional help with daily stall cleaning, feeding, turnout, hay stacking, and other chores. Labor can be credited towards board.

2. Barter for board. What professional skills do you have that might benefit your boarding barn? Can you offer to help market horses? Teach riding lessons? Build tack lockers, pasture shelters, or hay barns? Create and run the barn’s website? Handle social networking? Maybe the barn owner will consider an exchange for board.

3. Offer the horse for professional riding lessons. Are there any equestrian trainers in your boarding barn? Do they have a riding academy or schooling program or summer camps? If you have a trusty and safe mount, you might be able to let them use your equine for lessons, in exchange for full or partial board.

4. Shareboard / lease the horse. Can you find someone who’d love to own a horse, but is not currently in a position to purchase one outright? Perhaps someone would pick up part or all of the horse’s board, in exchange for an agreed-upon number of rides per week. Pick an on-site or off-site option. Trainers, barn owners, and online horse groups are good starting points for identifying possible people. Legal ramifications may vary by state, and it’s important to clear this option with barn owners first.

This article is copyrighted by The Mane Point: A Haven for Horse Lovers. Unauthorized reproduction or publication is not allowed.

5. Choose a lesser board option. Plenty of boarding facilities have multi-leveled board fee structures, depending upon accommodations and services chosen. It may be possible to reduce your monthly board by moving to a smaller stall or a more remote barn on-site. Also, if your current board agreement includes full services (such as grooming, tack cleaning, or other valet-type services), those may be trimmed to cut costs.

6. Consider pasture board for your horse. Depending upon your horse’s individual needs and the setup at your boarding barn, outdoor (or rough) board may be worth considering. This is generally significantly less expensive as stall board, as it requires less labor and materials (such as stall bedding).

7. Find a cheaper barn. Often, you get what you pay for. But it is possible to find good horse care in an adequate facility at affordable prices. You may have to travel a bit farther, depending upon where you look.

8. Retire the horse. Putting a horse out to pasture, particularly if that horse is no longer sound for work, can be a loving choice. Generally speaking, equine retirement facilities charge considerably less for monthly board than active barns. If you’re lucky, you might even find a spot for your horse to become a free- or cheap-boarded pasture pal for a friend who keeps horses at home.

9. Sell the horse. This is perhaps the most difficult option. It’s hard to part with a horse you love. Maybe you raised him from birth. Perhaps you have poured years of care and effort and time and training into her. But sometimes a sale to a solid situation is the best option.

10. Donate the horse. Selling a less-than-sound horse outright is a tall order. However, some equine therapy and horse education organizations will accept horse donations. If your horse is gentle, well-trained, and reasonably rideable, this might be an option. In most cases, you could receive a receipt for tax purposes.

All of these possibilities can lead to reduced horse boarding costs, if you are able to research and select suitable options. The primary goal, of course, is to construct a scenario that fosters the horse’s well-being without going beyond the boundaries of what you can sustain financially.

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Pixabay public domain photo

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