Are you traveling for the holidays?
With the holidays upon us, many horse owners will be traveling to visit family and friends. When you keep your horses at home, it adds an extra element to traveling. They’ll still need to be cared for when you’re gone. Horse sitters are usually the perfect solution. They’ll come to your farm and ensure the needs of your animals are met.
Why Hire a Horse Sitter?
- They’ll give your horse the personalized care that they’re use to.
- You won’t have to move your horse to a boarding barn, which can be stressful and time-consuming.
- Upon request, you’ll be able to get pictures and updates while you’re gone. This is a huge relief for many horse owners!
- In the event of an emergency, you know your horse is in good hands.
Finding a Qualified Sitter
It can be daunting to find a professional horse sitter. You want someone experienced and well-versed in the care that your horses need. Make sure to take a good look at your expectations before you begin your search. Do any of your horses have unique needs like blanketing or diet restrictions? Are they hard to catch or food aggressive? These quirks will require an experienced horse person. To begin your search, check with barn friends or a trainer if you have one. They may have a recommendation. Word-of-mouth is a great way to find a horse sitter. You can also check with your veterinarian. They may know of a vet tech or student interested in the job at hand. Farriers and other equine professionals may also know of a good lead. Lastly, check with your local horse community on Facebook. Good horse sitters are often praised and recommended by many.
Once you narrow down your search to two or three options, hold interviews to get to know them better. Prepare questions and ask that they come out and meet your horses.
Here’s some sample questions to ask:
- What kind of horse experience do you have?
- Can you recognize illnesses and injuries?
- Are you able to handle emergencies like colic?
- What is your availability?
- Are you insured?
- Do you have references?
- Can you send updates throughout the time?
Make sure to actually check the references that are provided. During a meet and greet, observe how they interact with your horses. They should be confident and comfortable.
The best choice should be an obvious fit. You should feel confident in their abilities to care for your horses while gone. You should have no doubts! It’s important you put everything in writing when you extend them the offer. They should know the dates, times, responsibilities, and pay. It can be a good idea to have a backup sitter on standby, but be honest with them.
Side note: Some horse sitters will provide you with their rate of pay. They usually horse sit on a regular basis and have established rates. Others will be open to what you’re offering. If you’re not sure what is fair, then check with other horse owners in the area. They should be able to give you an idea on what they pay.
Give yourself plenty of time to find a qualified horse sitter. It can be a great idea to create a horse care binder with a feeding chart, turnout schedule, barn map, behavior notes, and emergency contact information. The more organized you are the better the horse sitter can do their job.
Happy horses & safe travels!
