ThoroGold Stables

Professional Horse Boarding and Arena

3105 West Twin Rd

Moscow, ID 83843

(208) 892-3557

STANDARD PROCEDURES Revised 7/31/2002

Vehicle Traffic

Please enter the stable slowly; the geese and other animals are not very vehicle smart, and we love them, so your caution will be appreciated. We have neighbors VERY close on the east side of the barn. Please be respectful of their space and property. The boundaries are directly to the east of the compost bin (running along the fence). If you have any questions, please ask.

Parking

The parking area accommodates vehicles, and we would like to keep the area in front of the barn with arena and around the manure bin clear for safety and work purposes.

Trailering

When loading and unloading horse trailers, please go around to the back door (west side) so the front of the barn is not congested for others trying to park or for when we are working with the tractor. After you unload your horse; please clean up the driveway.

Dogs

We are not fond of dogs being brought to the stable. We love dogs; however, they at times can cause a problem with the geese, bunnies, and the horses, which we love. If you need to bring a dog, please keep it on a leash or in your car. We make exceptions to this policy only if you speak with first.

Clean up

Please cleanup after your horse when you are finished using the crossties. The wheelbarrow is for manure, dirt, and occasional bits of hay. Small amounts of dirt and hay can be swept into the nearest stall. Use the brown garbage can for horsehair; hoof trimmings, horseshoe nails, and other garbage. Whatever goes into the wheelbarrow may end up in the outdoor arena or in someone’s garden. Keep the washrack area cleaned up.

Lights

There is an automatic safety light at the entryway to the barn. There are 3 switches for the indoor arena lights. You will need to turn these on approximately five minutes before you ride for peak illumination. If someone is going to ride after you, don’t shut the lights off, as it will take at least 10 minutes for the lights to cool and reset for illumination again. When riding in the indoor arena, keep the door closed at all times.

PLEASE CHECK TO SEE THAT ALL LIGHTS ARE OUT WHEN YOU LEAVE. THANKS.

Not turning out lights may result in additional fees and higher boarding costs.

Lessons and Clinics

First, if you plan on having lessons in either arena, please post the date and time of the lesson session on the tackroom door at least 48 hours before the lesson, so that other boarders can schedule their time accordingly. Second, the following is the policy regarding arena-use fees for lessons. If Thorogold Boarders bring a trainer in for lessons, there will be no use fee associated if only TS Boarders are involved. However, if TS Boarders have guests from the outside associated with group or semi-private lessons, there will be a $7. arena use fee for each outside rider, and a $7 arena-use fee charged to the trainer (e.g., one trainer and 2 outside riders: $7 + $7 + $7 = $21.00/lesson day. These fees should be collected from the TS Boarder and transferred to us on the lesson day. Thorogold Stable Arena will not be available for lessons or clinics without participation of at least one TS Boarder.

Emergencies and Vet Calls

All boarders are asked to respond to possible emergencies regarding a horse. If you suspect colic, notice a serious wound, etc.; try to contact Janice Hess or the owner. If you cannot reach either party immediately, call Animal Clinic or North Idaho Vet Clinic. Be conservative. Better to call the vet unnecessarily, than to call too late;however, we also do not want unwanted or unnecessary barn calls (this can be a delicate area.) The horse owner is solely responsible for emergency vet treatment. If you do not know the signs of colic, please discuss this with us. Colic is the #1 horse killer, and all cases should be treated immediately.

Emergency numbers are listed by phone in tack room. PLEASE LOCAL CALLS ONLY.

Annual Fall Vet Visit

We schedule the Vet for the annual fall checkup, shots, teeth floating, worming etc. shortly after the first freeze (which kills most the flies). We will put a notice on the tack door for you to check. All boarders must have a negative coggins test; if you have not previously had a coggins test, be sure to schedule one immediately.

Feeds and Feeding

Most years we will have a grass/alfalfa hay mix (if available). We try to feed as much hay as necessary to keep proper weight on your horse. Most horses should be supplemented with some grain in their diet, since even the best hay will not provide all the necessary nutritional needs, and grain fees have a selenium supplement necessary in the part of the country. Unless you know that your horse has a problem with grain, we recommend ¼-1/2# of grain per day. If you work your horse frequently (i.e., more than 1 hour per day, 5-7 days per week), you may want to increase the grain slightly. If you do not want your horse on a nutritionally balanced grain, you should give your horse Northwest Supplement (or a similar supplement with selenium). The salt blocks have selenium, but studies have shown that most horses do not ingest adequate amounts of selenium from salt. Northwest Supplement does not need to be given daily; thus, please purchase your own supplement and give it to your horse after you ride. Three times a week in appropriate amounts is adequate. We offer LMF grain, in addition to hay. You will be charged at my approximate cost for grain. The average horse gets 1/2 lb. of grain each day, with a monthly cost of about $3.60 (.5 lb. X .24 X 30 days = $3.60). We ask your willingness to try our brand of feed (vs. another brand). We offer quality feeds, and it is simply too confusing and difficult for us to use many types of feed--if you have a problem with this policy, please talk to me).

Water System

The water system is simple, yet confusing at first. We have a valve attached to the hydrant, which allows you to force water pressure into the white pipe attached to the hydrant. To fill buckets, lift the hydrant handle and open the lower yellow valve handle. If you use the wash rack, attach the hose to the hydrant in the barn. Please return hose and also cleanup any messes. During cold periods of winter (i.e., during freezing temperatures), it is necessary to drain water from the lines after use to prevent pipes from freezing. Each winter, we usually post a reminder of this problem and instructions on how to drain the water lines.

Communication

We don’t get to see many of you on a regular basis if our scheduled time at the barn does not overlap. Please feel free to leave me a note on the stall to communicate everyday stuff (I’ll try to keep a supply of paper and pens in the tack room). If you have a problem of a more serious nature, please give me a call or see me personally. We have an answering machine at home so you can leave a message and we’ll get back to you. We try to keep the arena adequately watered and raked, but please let us know if the dust gets bad or if you would like the arena raked for a special occasion or for a lesson. Also, when it is very cold, we cannot water on a regular basis (i.e., the hoses freeze and the arena surface can freeze and can get hard and slippery).

Farrier

Trevor Thompson is the barn farrier, and he is highly respected for his quality work and knowledge. Please note the farrier notice that will be periodically posted on the tackroom door. He will come to the barn about every 6-7 weeks. You should contact Trevor directly with instructions of what you would like done with your horse or you can leave a note for him on the tackroom door before he is scheduled to arrive.

Monthly Bills

Board fees are due the lst of each month -- payments received after the 5th (or returned checks) will result in a $10.00 late fee on your next bill. In the case of returned checks, there will be additional fees to cover charges associated with the additional handling (both by the bank and by Thorogold). Most people leave their monthly check in the black timebook located on the counter in the main tackroom. Please make checks to Thorogold Stables.

Roads

After the rain begins, please try to stay in the middle of the driveway --the edges are soft and damage to these areas creates a drainage problem.

Barn Doors and Wind Storms

We usually keep the barn doors open for good ventilation, unless there is a storm. If you come to the barn and find the doors open during a wind or rainstorm, please close the doors on both ends of the alleyway. Also, the door to the arena can be kept open with a chain attached to the barn door while passing through the doorway with your horse. However, please keep the door to the arena closed during and after you ride.

ADDITIONAL REMINDER: PLEASE TURN OUT LIGHTS; KEEP GATES AND DOORS SHUT; AND CLEAN UP AFTER YOURSELVES AND YOUR HORSES SO THAT I DON’T HAVE TO BADGER YOU.