About Horse Boarding Stables

Function

• For those who own or lease a horse but do not have a barn at home, or perhaps don't have the land for a horse on their own property, boarding a horse is the best solution. Boarding a horse means that the horse stays at a fully equipped stable and is cared for and sheltered for a monthly fee.

Types

• There are a few variations in how an owner may board her horse. Pasture boarding is the cheapest and includes water, an outdoor shelter and pasture, but the owner is responsible for feeding the horse. Partial boarding includes an individual stall with bedding, fresh water and pasture, and the owner must feed and clean the stall. Full board is more expensive and generally includes the above as well as stall cleaning and feeding. Most full board options cost around $500 a month. Some places offer additional perks, such as free wormer and farrier trims. Some boarding stables offer by-the-night prices for short stays.

Size

• Some boarding stables are equipped with just a few stalls to rent out, while other stables may have more than two dozen stalls. Usually the larger the facility, the more extras are available to boarding horses, such as a larger pasture, grooming and training. These stables may charge a greater boarding fee. Small stables that have owners living on the property may be able to deliver the most personal care to your horse, as their time will be spent between fewer horses. Most boarding stables are also training facilities and can provide an arena or round pen and sometimes trails to ride your horse on, though not all stables will have an indoor arena in addition to an outdoor arena.

Considerations

• Many boarding stables guarantee a regular size box stall of 12 by 14 feet or larger, and the horses are kept in at night and let out to a pasture or paddock during the day. Some stalls may even have padded floors, fans and automatic water feeders. Some owners live on the property, and some do not.
  It is important to consider what is best for your horse. If you live close to the boarding stables, it may benefit you to pay for partial board and come to feed and care for your horse yourself. If you live more than 20 minutes away, then full board may be best. Also be aware of what other horses your horse may be put out to pasture with if you are not paying for an individual pasture or paddock.

Benefits

• Boarding can mean keeping an equine companion that an owner wouldn't otherwise be able to have. Not only do boarding horses have the benefit of qualified people looking after them, but training is often available onsite as well. Training board is an option some stables offer if they have several trainers on staff. This includes full board plus individual time spent training your horse several times a week. This can cost around $900 or more, depending on the level and type of training desired.