From the Long Island Horse Directory:                          http://lihorsedirectory.com     Training Tips by Gail DeStefano   Do you need more riding time but, you don't own a horse?          Have you ever finished your lesson, cooled off the horse and then handed the horse over to another eager student?  How nice would it be to be able to take your time and clean up the horse, graze him and rub and love on him for as long as you liked? Then 2 days later, hop on and ride for while and do the same thing all over again. Sure, that would be nice but, what, you don't own a horse?    No problem!  The solution is to ½ board a horse. It is like owning a horse without the worries.        Many horse owners have busy lives and can not always get down to the barn to ride as much as they would like. Or they may need help with the cost of owning a horse, so they ½ board their horse out. The cost of ½ boarding varies with each owner. The costs can run from $240 a month for 2 days a week or ½ of whatever the cost of the board is for 3 days a week. Some owners ask for ½ the cost of shoes also.       Most ½ boarders pay month to month. In return the horse is yours for those days you are paying for. Usually it would be 2 days during the week and one weekend day. Some owners want you to use their saddle, others would rather you have your own.        Now, I don't want you to think you can just walk into a stable and grab the first horse that is up for ½ board and ride into the sunset. No, you must be matched with the horse's ability. The owner will ask to see you ride. He/she will see how you tack and how you relate to their horse. They are watching to see if their horse will be handled correctly and treated with care. It is kind of like leaving your kids with a babysitter. You would not just leave them with anyone.        The owners have spent a lot of money buying their horse, paying for their keep and many have put in time, sweat and tears training their horse. The last thing they want is for someone to come along and just yahoo their horse any ole way.  They are looking for someone who will treat their horse like they would.      If you are into showing, some owners are happy to have you show their horse. Many will split the costs with you, such as trailering and braiding etc.      Adults are not the only ones to ½ board, many ponies are up for ½ boards too. Do you have that horse crazy child at home begging for a pony in the backyard? Worried that if you did breakdown and buy that pony they might out grow it in a year? The next best thing is ½ boarding.        Have you been taking lessons for while, and have been thinking about maybe buying a horse? Not sure if you can handle the expense, or not sure what owning a horse is all about?  If you ½ board on a horse, you will learn how much time it takes to take care of the horse. You will be down at the barn more and talking to other horse owners, finding out what it really costs to keep a horse. You will find out whether you like taking care of a horse yourself after riding in the dead of winter in 10 degrees. But, the best part is, you are able to ride on your own and practice what you have learned in lessons. You don't have to worry about being on time for a lesson, no instructor telling you what needs to be corrected. Your riding skills will improve just making time for those extra days of riding.      Now, why didn't someone come up with the same idea about ½ boarding on kids when I was thinking of starting my family..?   I have a few students that ½ board their horses out to other students. The ½ boarders are always surprised on how quickly their riding improves. The owners are happy to have their horses cared for when they are not able to make it down to the barn.