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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Equestrian terms: What is a bombproof horse?

A bombproof horse is a blessing indeed, particularly for beginning riders. What is a bombproof horse?

“He’s the bomb.”

A bombproof horse is a well-trained equine that is not easily rattled, having a calm temperament and a generally easy disposition. Most bombproof horses have been exposed to an extensive variety of potentially startling stimuli, such as sudden loud noises and sights. Police horses and parade mounts, in particular, experience considerable training to make them as bombproof as possible.

This article originally appeared on another publisher’s site, which is no longer open. All rights reverted to the author, so it appears here with full permission.

That horse may be bombproof, but how about wearing a helmet and boots anyway?

Some say a bomb could go off near a bombproof horse, and he wouldn’t go off like a rocket.

Certainly, a real bomb would startle any horse. No horse is 100 percent bombproof, but certain equines lend themselves readily to safer riding and handling, particularly with solid training and experience.

A bombproof horse tends to be forgiving, easily packing young children and beginning equestrians safely.

Often, the older a horse becomes, the more likely he is to become bombproof, although some horses seem naturally to possess a more bombproof bent than others. Other equines may seem to be more like ticking time bombs, just waiting for an excuse to explode.

The term "bombproof" tends to be used less often than in the past, perhaps because it is difficult (read: impossible) to guarantee such a trait in even the best trained and gentlest equine.

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Someone wants to ride your horse? (You’re welcome.)

Everybody dreams of riding horses. Don’t they? OK, nearly everyone. And, when non-horsey folks hear of friends who have horses, isn’t this a frequent request?

"Can I ride your horse?"  (Or my personal favorite, "Can my kid ride your horse?)

Wait a second.

Do you hear that noise?

That’s the sound of hundreds of horse lovers, all cringing at once. In the background, maybe you can also make out the sound of tons of insurance adjusters, revving up their calculators to re-evaluate our collective premiums (if we even carry equine insurance). Listen carefully, and you might also hear scores of barn owners groaning over the possible liability suits that may arise, regardless of any signed waivers, if Johnny Noclue or Katie Neverrode should be suddenly launched from a horse loaned by a too-trusting owner.

And in the distance, you might also pick out the sound of an equine veterinarian, warming up the truck for another barn call.

So here’s one direction the horse riding request conversation might go.

“You have a horse? Can I come ride him?”

“Well, let’s see. You have a fancy motorcycle. Can I come out and try it?

“I’m not sure that’s such a good idea. It can be a little unpredictable. It sort of has a mind of its own.”

“Ah, I see.”

You’re welcome, fellow horse lovers.

It’s not that horse owners are stingy. It’s just that many of us work long and hard to afford our own horses, so we can school and train and care for them, hoping to follow our equestrian pursuits for the long haul. We know and understand the potential dangers of stepping up onto huge, strong, energetic creatures with their own attitudes and wills. And we have at least an inkling of the possible legal and financial ramifications of putting our prized animals or our friends at risk.

After all, horses aren’t exactly bicycles.

My bike, I’d readily loan to a friend. My horse, not so much. 

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