For most equestrians, we have all been in a situation where we have had to move our horse to a different barn. Whether you are leaving under good or bad circumstances, simply finding a new trainer or moving states all together. There are many different reasons to move your horse, but one thing that is consistent among all barn moves is the stress it puts on the horse and owner. Every horse is different and some horses can move without much fuss while others take months to adjust. I am currently going through a barn move and thought I would go through some tips to moving barns!

Moving barns is something that I absolutely dread. My horse is high strung and high maintenance. These two traits do not make for minimal stress when barn hunting or moving, which is how I have come up with these tips to allow for the easiest move possible.

Tip #1: Do your research on the potential facilities you wish to move your horse to!

This might seem like common sense, right? Wrong. Many people will move their horses to a facility without doing any research prior. What I mean by research is not simply looking up the owners of the barn and seeing if they have a criminal record. What I mean is, find out what people know about the facility. Are the current boarders happy there? How long has the barn been around? Do they go through barn hands every couple of weeks? These are the types of questions that need to be asked when researching a barn. One of the best ways to research is to write out your specific questions and go on a barn tour. Yes, I know it can be difficult to schedule a time between work, lessons, and family life but trust me, it is a necessity! By going on a barn tour you can meet the employees, other boarders, and the manager who will be overseeing your horses’ care.

Here is a list of some things to look for and ask on a barn tour:

• How often are horses fed?
• How long do they get turned out for? Do they get turn out at all?
• Will medication be given if I can’t give it?
• Do you allow for owner provided supplements?
• Is it extra for blanketing?

These questions can keep going, but instead of boring you with a list of questions, you get the gist. Meeting the barn manager and getting a feel for the facility is incredibly important! Do not neglect this step in the process.

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Tip #2: Try to move your horse on a day when you can stay for a while!

When I say this I do not mean hover over your horse like a drone on a target. I mean hang out around the barn moving your stuff in, clean your tack but be close by so that you can see what is going on with your horse. If your horse begins to get stressed, seeing a consistent face can be helpful in reassuring them that everything will be OK.

You can also take your horse on a walk around the facility and allow them to see everything that is going on. I really enjoy doing this because it gives my horse a chance to see things with me before handing them over to a barn hand. Most horses get turned out and this task is performed by employees, it is way easier on the employees if your horse has seen the facility before they attempt to walk him or her around outside.

Tip #3: Make sure to tell the barn manager everything before moving in!

No, I do not mean tell the barn manager about every little award you’ve won. What I mean is tell the new barn manager about your horses’ personality. For instance, my mare is high strung, she will kick at other horses, pin her ears and so on. This behavior can be very alarming to someone who has never been around horses. I alway tell the barn manager about her personality before I move. I want to know that the employees at the facility will be able to handle her quirks. Many people may not have an issue with this at all while others know exactly what I am talking about!  The more they know the better!

Tip #4: Try to keep your horses routine the same as much as possible!

Moving your horse can be stressful, but if you have a routine with your horse, try to keep it the same. There is no sense in changing the routine and causing more stress on the horse unless absolutely necessary.

I hope these tips are helpful the next time you need to move your horse. Moving can be stressful for the horse and the owner but it doesn’t have to be detrimental. What are some tips that you use to move your horse?

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