Some people are lucky enough to have staff and stables on their property. But the fact is, the vast majority of horse owners don’t. One of the biggest hurdles for the average horse owner is finding a place to keep their beloved horse.
The animal would be pretty miserable living in an apartment or being tamed in your tiny backyard. horses space needed. They eat a lot of food. Many places have strict laws about how and where you can house a horse, even if you have reasonable outdoor space.
Now, the cost of boarding a horse is not a cost that many want to bear. The costs per month can be high. You may be able to get a lower deal per year. Whichever way you go, you want a comprehensive understanding of average costs and what those funds are delivering. You want to be sure of the decision. You want your horse to be safe, healthy and happy.
Even if you own the property to keep a horse in a stable, there are still significant costs (grooming and farrier, stable cleaning, etc., etc.).
This post is all about knowing what there is to know about the cost of boarding a horse. We discuss the pros and cons, the average costs per month and per year, what you should pay attention to and why.
Let’s drive!
Why should you board your horse?
The ideal place for your horse is in your yard. But that is not always workable. Not everyone can have horse stalls, solid farrier grooming, or space for food storage. The space for a paddock is not for all owners.
You board the horse to see that it gets all the facilities and amenities you want the horse to have and may not be able to provide. You may want the horse to be close to trails and arenas. It’s not uncommon to board the animal for access to instructors, trainers and riding lessons, wanting them to have an ecosystem that promotes well-being and good health for the horse.
It is not easy to meet the daily needs of a horse. Taking care of a horse in person means less flexibility with vacations, a day job, your personal time and more. By delegating these responsibilities to handlers, professionals, who manage stable chores such as grooming and stable cleaning, you will relieve your stress.
Keep your horse at home
Having the space and facilities to care for a horse in your yard is happiness for all parties. But you do have to take into account acreage requirements and whether there is a destination requirement in your region.
Many regions have laws that dictate what you need to properly care for a horse. For example, a requirement may be to have horse boxes to protect the animal from the weather.
The great advantage of home care for a horse is that you ensure that all aspects of their daily care are taken care of and that you can spend the time you want with your pet, whether it be riding a horse or taking them to the pasture. .
The major disadvantage of home care for a horse is that you have to deal with all aspects of the daily care of the horse, working your professional and personal life around the chore. From feed to blankets and stable cleaning, caring for a horse is a time-consuming activity.
Still, many will love the challenge, despite the obstacles.
Boarding a horse: advantages and disadvantages
When it comes to horses, the grass is always greener on the other side. This certainly applies to the care of horses. Too many of us think of the wonders of Black Beauty or the easy care of Mr. Ed, but seldom think of the real trials and tribulations that come with the pursuit.
Here are the pros and cons for both boarding and keeping a horse at home.
To get in
Pros
- No regular and daily horse care required
- You don’t have to own extensive, expensive real estate to house a horse
- You are not responsible for maintenance and repair costs to board a horse
- The guest house takes care of the daily expenses for electricity, water, manure removal, stable cleaning, food and more
- You become part of a community with other boarders for shared training and riding
cons
- Others are responsible for the care of your horse
- You have to abide by the facility rules and don’t have much to say about how things are done
- Possible to deal with waiting lists, overcrowding and insufficient resources
- You may share resources such as paddocks and stalls with other boarders
- Depending on the region, the average cost of boarding is very expensive
Home Stable your horse
Pros
- You have full control over horse care
- You save money compared to facility boarding
- Sanding rules are yours to make
- Spend as much time with your horse as you want
- Keep your own schedules for feeding, cleaning, etc.
cons
- Personal time for things like vacation can be tricky unless you can find and pay for a trustworthy person to care for your horse
- You are responsible for the manure removal
- You pay the bill for all water and electricity consumption in the stable
- You are responsible for wear and tear and any damage caused by your horse
- No corporate driving and sharing community
Pros and cons are personal. Some prefer home care compared to the remote care that an institution could provide. Owners can be giddy when they have to save their own hay, do the blanket and make all the decisions. Others may not have the desire or the time. Travelers may find that boarding is the more efficient path.
The only wrong way to make choices here is not to research and determine what is best for your horse and your intentions.
Various horse facilities
We hear “boarding” and imagine big barns, arenas, paddocks, probably parking lots and an office, meadows, trees and all that good stuff. Facilities have grooms, maternity cleaning and gardeners. Professionals take care of the care.
There may be instructors and riding lessons on site, farriers and even vets. Other facilities may offer 24/7 grazing, meaning your horse will spend limited time in a stable or live in a large, sheltered paddock.
Specialized facilities are suitable for older horses retiring. This is where owners put their animals to spend their last days in peace. You only find a boarding school for training, where many foals and potential racers can end up.
Average cost to board a horse in a stable
The average cost of pretty much everything is a misnomer. Costs fluctuate based on region, facility, amenities, race, special needs and of course your budget.
You can expect to spend at least $350 or $400 per month. This is for regular care. The rate per month jumps up if your animal has a full shelter. That can add up to nearly $700.
Other entry options include pasture entry ($150-$400 per month). There is a self-care boarding house ($100-$2
00
per month) where you pretty much just house the animal and manage the care yourself.
Let’s take a closer look at them.
Complete care
Full-care retirement is the popular choice for most horse owners. The staff will take care of all your animal’s daily needs, from blankets to walks, from feed to stable cleaning. The horse is kept in stables and taken to pasture.
With full care you will receive:
- Access to pasture and stable
- Use of facilities (options such as training and riding lessons may increase the price)
- Generic food twice a day
- Hay in the stable or in the meadow
- Horse has access to buckets for stable water
- Filled and controlled pastures
- Blanket in cold months
- Farrier and vet planning
- Space for tack and supplies
meadow board
Grassland housing tends to have a lower monthly rate. In this facility, the horse will never be in horse boxes. They stay outdoors, a state closer to the natural environment. They are free to run, forage and socialize with other animals.
Boarding in a pasture typically includes:
- horse pastures
- Shelter against bad weather
- Hay when there is not enough feed
- Water troughs (filled and checked)
- Necessary Blanket
- Planning vet and farrier
- Space for tack and supplies
Self Care Boarding
A budget-friendly way to go, self-care boarding involves nothing more than having the facility house the animal. Daily care and maintenance are all the responsibility of the owner. This can be a difficult option to take advantage of as the facilities are rare. But there are stables that offer self-care.
Most facilities offer monthly fees, but you can definitely find out if there are annual agreements. It is likely. Options per year may save you some money, so ask if there is any kind of discount for a long-term deal, per year versus per month.