Horses are getting out of stalls at night at a boarding facility, who is responsible for getting them back in?

Question

Is it the boarding facilities responsability or should they be calling the owner of the horse to chase it down?

Note: This has occured three times in the last week.

Answer 1

First of all it is the boarding facilities responsibility to see that the horses are not getting out in the first place. But if on the rare occasion (or it should be rare) that they do get out, I would say that it should be the boarding facilities responsibility to get them back. But personaly if my horse were out I would like to be there to assure their safe return. I don't know how much I would trust a facility to catch my horse and return it safe and sound if they let it get out in the first place. This really worries me, you need to find a new barn ASAP. Once is and oopsie, heck, our's got out once because my QH is so smart he can unlock any gate that doesn't have a bull snap or padlock holding it on (I keep waiting for him to learn combo locks). But 3 times in a week.... there is absolutely no excuse for that. Get your horse and get out of there NOW, before something bad happens. For example, at a farm I used to be at, shortly after we left they had two horses get loose one night. They tried to chase them down on 4-wheelers (you horse people understand how productive that was). Once they finally caught them the simply put them in their stalls and fed them. They were both extreamly hot, sweaty, and foaming. Needless to say they both coliced over the night, and one ended up dying. So please get out before something like this happens to your sweet animals.

Answer 2

If this was a one time thing, I would think that the boarding facilty should call the owner,and then at least try to help get the horse back in the stall. BUT since this has happened three times, it sounds like someone is letting them out. I think that the boarding facility should take responsibility in beefing up the security and seeing to it that no one can tamper with the horses.

Answer 3

I believe it would be the boarding facility's responsibility purely because they need to equip every horse with what they need. Some horses need more hay, special feed, or an extra lock on their stall door. But, the boarding facility should definitely let the owners now right away if their horse gets out to avoid complications if the horse were to get hurt while loose.

Answer 4

Its the boarding facilities responsibility! That's why you're paying them to take care of your horse! I'd be moving my horse to a new barn, that just isn't safe. I worked at a boarding facility through college, and if anyone got out WE chased them down and the STABLE was responsible for vet bills if the horse got hurt.

Answer 5

It depends! Generally it's the boarding facility but I'd be looking at how the horses are getting out. Is someone trespassing on the property and letting the horses out? Are owners being remiss and not properly closing the doors to their own horses? Is there a horse that is an escape artist and possibly needs more restraint? We had a problem many years ago and found that one boarder's horse had learned how to undo bolts, snaps, and some locks to get out of his stall and let others out as well. Once they closed the upper part of his stall so he couldn't reach the bolt, the problem was solved.

Answer 6

By law, a boarding facility is responsible. Even if you leave yur horse there and do not pay, do not feed it, etc. the people who own the property are responsible.
If they have a problem with your horse escaping, they need to discuss it with you. Is it the horse that is the problem or the facility itself? All you have to do is tie or lock the stall door - locking would be a safety issue in case of fire - but most horses cannot untie difficult knots.

Answer 7

At first, the boarding facility. Check your contract, and see what components you signed for, e.g. feeding, turnout, etc. IF it is a much more involved, full board, they should get the horse back. If it is a lesser specific board, or lets just say YOU are responsible for coming to ride, groom, etc your horse every day, you may be expected to get the horse back.

The biggest thing here, besides who needs to get him back in, is WHY he is getting out. Are the fences at the facility faulty? Are the stalls easy-escape for the horses? If you are paying for boarding of your horse, THEY should take the initiative to inspect their barn, stalls, and fencing.

Hope this helps.

Answer 8

boarding facility definitely!!!! the owners are paying the facility to take care of the horse, if they leave a door unlatched & the horse escapes, they need to get the horse back safely to its stall.

If this is the 3rd time, there is something seriously wrong with that place. at our barn, we have maybe 1 escapee per year, if that! management needs to be notified, & if the problem isn't fixed, I'd yank my horse out of there faster than they could blink.

Answer 9

This is the boarding facilities responsibility. After all, you are paying them "rent" for a safe, secure environment for your horses. Sounds like they need to invest in some horse proof gate latches.

Answer 10

I would say the boarding facility. I think they should be looking into why the horses are getting out so frequently - perhaps they should be fixing the problem.