An Alberta group that provides information and support for stable owners is asking for input on its first standards manual.
The Alberta Stables Initiative (ASI) wants its online survey, which will conclude March 4, to collect input from horse owners, stable owners, trainers, breeders and anyone interested in the horse industry.
Project co-ordinator Heather Matheson-Bird said the standards manual will be designed to assist stable users and stable owners.
“It can help (a stable client) be a more informed consumer in terms of stable shopping, but I think it’s also warranted for stable owners as best practices, and just sort of as a reference for those who don’t know,” said Matheson-Bird.
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“If you’re going to start a stable, I hope you know what you’re doing but if you don’t, at least you have somewhere to go.”
Survey respondents can answer some or all of its questions and will remain anonymous. The resulting online manual is expected to be ready in May.
“We’d like any horse enthusiast to comment because I think everyone is going to bring a different perspective to the table,” she said.
“Certainly stable owners, employees, managers, all those type of people we want to participate, but also the person down the road who maybe boards their horses at a stable.”
Matheson-Bird said the standards manual won’t include regulatory directives, but it will outline what is expected of stable owners in terms of horse care, facilities, rider safety and sound business practices.
The ASI, which operates under a joint partnership of the Horse Industry Association of Alberta, the Alberta Equestrian Federation and Alberta Agriculture, plans to become a self-supporting service for stable owners in the future, Matheson-Bird said.
It now offers online stable listings, runs a stable owners seminar and provides support, education and marketing opportunities to horse stable businesses.
About 600 stables operate in Alberta. The survey is at bit.ly/1bkKKBd.
