What Is Horse Boarding?

The interest in owning a horse is unique and luxurious like who doesn't want to have a beautiful, alluring horse for themselves? But remember that owning a horse comes with many responsibilities, some of which are difficult to bear if you aren't appropriately guided. Apart from the essential responsibilities like providing the food on time and cleaning the horse, another big issue is where my horse will live

Since most of our houses aren't big enough for a horse to live in, you might need to acquire boarding facilities for your horse. Most of us might not know what horse boarding is, so here's a simple answer. Horse boarding refers to a stable or place where you can keep your horses owned by another person, who will charge you a fee on a monthly or weekly basis.

 

 

 

 

So the problem of keeping a horse is solved by boarding facilities unless you are fortunate enough to keep a horse on your land. Always remember that the horse's upkeep cost is much higher than its initial cost. By planning thoroughly about buying and keeping the horse, you can save much of your expenses of keeping a horse..

 

Does the main question arise how can I get boarding facilities for horses? Well, here's a brief guide about the types of boarding, the cost of boarding, and some other questions that need to be answered.

 

The Essential Cost Of Horse Boarding

 

For anyone unfamiliar with horse boarding and its costs, you might need to briefly know what can affect the total cost of boarding your horse. Considering all these aspects, you can make the wisest decision for yourself that can save you a significant amount of money.

 

Location Of Boarding

 

The place where your horse will be boarded can critically impact the fee you have to pay. Ideally, it depends on how far the stable is from the city. If the stable is close to the city, then the boarding price will be considerably higher, whereas if the stable is far away from the city, the cost of boarding will be much cheaper.

 

Apart from that, you should also consider the cost of travel from your house to the stable. If the stable is too far away, then the cost of traveling will be relatively higher. Choose the location of boarding your horse wisely.

 

 

 

 

 

Facilities

 

The facilities in a stable are another factor that can have a significant impact on your horse's boarding. Here are some of the basic facilities that are usually provided by most of the stables:

· Show jumps

· Stalls

· Tack room

· Feeding room

· Washing area of horse

· Trails

· Trailer's parking space

· Outdoor riding arena

· Turnout

  Besides all these basic facilities, some of the stables also provide the following facilities

· Round pen

· Horse walker

· Horse solarium

· Indoor riding arena

· On-site instructor for horses

 

All these facilities can considerably affect the monthly fee of stables. If you are availing of few facilities, then the chances are that you can keep your horse in the stable at an affordable price. More facilities mean higher fees you have to pay at the end of the period. It is recommended to only get the facilities that will fit in your budget and are according to your needs and interest.

 

 

 

Services Cost

 

If you are keeping the horse in a stable far away from your home, there will be service charges. The services provided depend upon your board and the services you want to acquire. For example, if your horse is kept on an entire board, then it covers the maintenance and ca retaking of your horse, which is an additional cost apart from the monthly fee. Some barns also offer training services for the horse, which is also an additional cost, and it might range from 150$ to 400$ per month.

 

Types Of Horse Boarding

 

When you go to a barn to find a good place for your horse, you will find multiple types of boards. The type of board you should select depends on your budget and needs. You should know exactly what facilities you will acquire to make the wisest decision for boarding the horse.

 

 

Full Board

 

On the entire board, the barn staff is responsible for taking care of the horse's daily activities, including feeding, watering, mucking out, turnout, and blanketing them if necessary. The staff is also responsible for providing your horse feed, bedding, and hay.

 

The entire board usually includes services like vet visits and regular scheduling of farriers. Apart from these services, they also include trails, riding arenas, and a tack room for horses. They might also include the training and exercise of horses, but that will be an extra charge apart from the monthly fee.

 

Part Board 

As discussed above, buying and owning a personal horse and bearing all the expenses can be a massive burden on your pocket. But there are other pocket-friendly ways to keep the horse stable. For anyone tight on budget, the best option will be to have a part board for their horse.

 

The estimate is that it will only cost half of the total board's monthly costs. Although, the services and facilities provided might be different in every barn. Some of the barns take responsibility for caring for your horse at night, while you have to look after their morning duties.

 

Other options might include the horse being ridden by the staff three or four times a week. On the rest of the days, you will take your horse for a ride. All of these part board services and facilities should be discussed in the agreement between you and the barn owner. This option is mostly recommended if you are low on budget and can't bear much of the horse's expense.

 

 

Pasture Board 

Pasture is arguably the most economical solution you can find for your horse. This board provides nearly all of the entire board's services and is significantly cheaper than the entire board. The average monthly fee for a pasture board ranges from 100$ to 450$.

 

On the pasture board, your horse cans free-roam in the shed. The horse will be provided with food, shelter, and water. The staff is also responsible for taking care of your horse in case of illness. Another essential benefit of pasture boarding is that the horse's digestive system remains stable due to its freedom of roaming around. The horse can also roam around with other horses in the barn.

 

Pasture boarding is a very economical option for your horse due to the freedom they have alongside the necessary services at very affordable prices. However, proper monitoring and caretaking should be assured by the barn.

 

Retirement Board 

 

The retirement board has gained massive popularity in recent times. These places are specially designed and established for horses that have suffered lifetime losses due to unfortunate injury or illness. This board is specially made for people who want special care and maintenance of their retired horses in the best way possible. The monthly cost usually ranges from 300$ to 600$.

 

The retirement board offers various services and facilities to your retired horse. Your horse will be allowed to mingle with the other horses in the barn. The staff is responsible for taking special care of feeding, veterinary, watering, supplementing, and medically administering your horse.

 

Generally, we understand that the retirement board provides additional care to senior horses alongside providing almost every service and facility for full-board horses. What's even better is that the staff is also responsible for burying and cremating your horse in case your horse dies, unfortunately.

 

 

 

 

 

Training Board 

 

 

Training boards are usually for people who want to train their horses to increase the horse's physical position and to prepare it even better. The facilities include on-site trainers and instructors that give special attention to training the horses. Some trainers are familiar with training young horses, while others are specialized in training older horses with any particular problem.

 

This board is the most expensive, and the monthly cost might range from 600$ to 2400$. The high cost of the training board is due to regular training sessions of horses. The trainers with more experience are going to charge even more than that.

 

The recommended way to train your horse is by hiring a trainer and bringing him to the current barn where your horse is at. Trainers will charge you 40$ to 75$ per hour or 650$ per month. The training board should be considered by anyone who wants to train their horse for a long time.

 

FAQs

 

Q.1 what details are mentioned in the boarding agreement?

The agreement is signed when you are committing to a boarding facility. The agreement includes all the facilities and services your horse will receive from the staff and the rules you must follow while present at the barn. It also includes the monthly and additional charges for horse boarding. You should carefully read and understand everything before signing the contract.

 

Q.2 what things should I consider before boarding a horse to a barn?

 

Before handing over your beloved horse to the barn, you must consider multiple factors. The staples should be pretty neat and maintained for each horse. The horses already in the barn should be healthy and in good condition so that you can be assured that the staff will take proper care of your horse. Apart from that, you should consider the facilities and the budget you have for the boarding.