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There are many different kinds of boarders. Here, you can read a small, cozy guide to just some of them, whom we have met in our time as horse owners and riders. Perhaps you can recognize the type of boarder you are?
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Most of us have probably had a horse boarded somewhere, where there has also been the neat type. A person who always ensures that the stable aisle is swept, that the used equipment is hung back in place, cleans their brushes and riding clothes regularly, and never leaves horse droppings on either the riding arena or in the indoor arena. All expenses are, of course, paid on time, and all agreements are kept down to the last detail. An easy type to have boarded. As long as there are no demands for the rest of us to maintain the same level of neatness.
Opposite to the neat type is the more absent-minded one. Perhaps something many of us can recognize. Forgetting to turn the electricity back on or to sweep properly after themselves. Maybe the riding helmet doesn't quite get back in place, and the bridle hangs on a random hook until the next time the person arrives in the stable. The absent-minded type is often easy to have as a boarder. There are not a lot of demands for tidying up and systems, but it can be a bit hard to find the broom when that person has been by.
You probably love going down to the stable and having a chat with all your stablemates. The chatty type is incredibly pleasant to be around. There is never an awkward atmosphere, and you can really discuss the world's situation. It may not always end with the ambitious riding you had planned, but then it's good that you can continue the chatter on a cozy ride in the forest.
Some of us just prefer to be alone in the stable. Or appreciate the peace when we are there. The stable often becomes a sort of "sanctuary" for the quiet type, where there doesn't need to be a lot of talking, but instead, a place for reflection and to clear the mind a little. The quiet boarder probably seldom chooses a busy riding school for their horse. They function best in a small stable with other calm boarders, who also use the horse as a sanctuary.
The stall is mucked out in record time, the yard is raked, the arena has all droppings collected, and when there is a workday, liming or painting of the stable its done in half the time compared to the rest of us. That's the power type, who loves to work hard and has both provided tools for the workday and brought morning bread for the whole group. There are rarely breaks! While others might take a rest in the shade, this boarder just keeps on going, ready to start the next project. Occasionally, it must be hard for the power boarder to understand that the rest of us can't keep up the same pace… We are, by the way, very envious of this type! Imagine what one could achieve if we all had the same work intensity.
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This person always ensures that their horse is boarded at a place with at least two riding arenas and of course a large indoor arena. There must be good riding paths because one of the training days is terrain work. There must also be both jumping and dressage facilities, as Tuesday is for pole, cavaletti, and jumping training, and Wednesday is for dressage lessons. The entire training plan is placed in the tack room. It's highly valued to have the option for individual turnout, three times feeding a day, and minimal mud in the paddocks. This boarder, of course, expects everything to be in order and is also ready to pay for it.
The pony or horse, of course, gets a fly sheet in the summer, even though there hasn't been any sign that the horse is bothered by the insects. Five different kinds of supplements are added to the feed to strengthen the horse to withstand various diseases or discomforts. The paddock is carefully checked several times a week, for any possible small, nasty one of the kind might be growing, which needs to be removed. In bad weather, the sweet horse, of course, comes inside immediately. If there is the slightest sign of tenderness in the horse, a masseur, veterinarian, and chiropractor are called. This type of boarder loves their horse more than most! The horse will surely also live very long, as it is cared for as if it were of royal descent.
Some people are just always in a good mood, and that, of course, also applies to the positive type. The kind of boarder who, without exception, remembers everything you've told and, of course, asks about it all when you meet in the stable. The person looks at life with a raised brow, even if it's the fifth time in the same month that your horse has lost a shoe. Still, the positive boarder will surely make you aware that it could have been worse – and they are absolutely right in that.
It's quite fun to gossip a little while you're in the stable together. It's probably few of us who don't like a nice gossip type, not the malicious kind of course, but that person who just knows everything and can keep the rest of us up to date with what's happening in the horse world. It's also a great help when we need to keep track of various stories before we, for example, are spectators at a horse event. Here it's not good, every time a new rider enters the arena, to ask: "Who is that?". Therefore, always remember to bring the gossip with you to events! It's worth its weight in gold, and you don't have to be glued to Google on your phone and thereby miss the beautiful rides.
This is the boarder who spends hours fixing the stall because the base has to be perfect. The feed is carefully measured, and exactly the right amount of time is taken for the rosebuds to be razor-sharp before a competition. All the equipment is polished at least once a week, and various products are used to make the horse look shiny and perfect. At the same time, the person's Instagram is filled with attractive pictures of the horse and generally a perfect life. Even though the rest of us would have been overwhelmed trying to keep everything so neat, this type is always full of energy and lots of smiles. This is where the rest of us tend to try to find all the faults, but give it up! This type doesn't have flaws, as some people are just naturally beautiful, wonderful, and full of energy – and they also ride superbly well.
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