Test Whether They Understand an Easy Keeper
Questions for a Morgan horse sitter should start with the trait that defines his daily care: he is an easy keeper. Ask whether they have cared for Morgans, native ponies, or other thrifty horses who stay round on modest forage, and what they would do if he still looked hungry after his measured feed. The answer you want is that they follow the ration, offer his allotted hay, and call you with concerns rather than quietly adding a scoop.
Ask them to describe how they would judge his condition. A good sitter talks about feeling along ribs and crest and comparing with what you showed them, not about how round he looks from the gate. Ask whether they will keep him off rich grazing even if the field looks tempting, and whether treats from visitors and neighbouring owners will be refused politely on your instructions.
Ask About Turnout, Exercise, and Versatility Without Overpromising
Ask a Morgan sitter how they will handle his normal activity level. Morgans are versatile, willing horses often ridden, driven, or worked in hand through a week, so ask which of those the sitter can genuinely do. A sitter who rides but has never driven should say so when his harness comes up, and turnout plus grooming is a perfectly acceptable holiday plan if it is agreed honestly in advance.
Ask about their bad-weather and bad-day backup. If their car fails or they are ill, who comes, and has that person met your horse? A named, briefed backup is part of sitting a Morgan properly, because his routine depends on twice-daily human visits that cannot simply slide by a day.
Probe Daily Checks: Feet, Appetite, and Small Changes
Ask a Morgan sitter what they will check every single day, and compare the list with your own. Hooves picked out and looked at, legs felt for heat or filling, water intake noticed, droppings observed, appetite at each feed, and a general sense of whether he is his usual bright, interested self should all appear without prompting. If the list stops at fed and watered, keep interviewing.
Feet deserve a pointed question for this breed. Ask what foot changes would make them call you the same day, and expect heat in a foot, a strong pulse they can feel, reluctance to move over hard ground, or standing as if leaning back to be taken seriously and reported promptly, alongside obvious lameness or a lost shoe.
End With Emergencies, Authority, and a Walk-Through
Finish sitter questions for a Morgan horse with emergency order of operations. Ask who they call first if he is rolling repeatedly, sweating, and passing no droppings, if he is choking, badly lame, or bleeding steadily, and expect the veterinarian to come before a call to you in those cases. Ask who may authorise urgent treatment if you cannot be reached, and confirm the veterinarian's number is in their phone before you leave, not just on a stable sheet.
Agree communication expectations in words. How often will they message, will they send a photo, and do they understand you want early, small concerns rather than reassurance? A sitter who welcomes that arrangement is showing you the temperament the job needs.
Finally, walk the yard together and watch them make his feed, pick out a foot, and lead him to his field. Choose on what you saw as much as what was said, then hand the winning sitter his routine through KinsLe with Care Pass, giving temporary, clear access to your Morgan's care details for exactly the days you are away.