How Much Does it Cost to Board A Horse? What You Should Expect

If you’re thinking about buying a horse, one of the first expenses you need to consider is board. Board is like rent for your horse – the cost primarily covers their housing. In some cases, it might include hay, feed, or other extras, but this is not always the case.

Horse boarding costs can vary dramatically from one place to the next. Let’s review the factors that impact boarding costs and discuss what you need to know to find an ideal living arrangement for your horse.

How Much Does it Cost to Board A Horse? Factors That Affect Pricing & Convenience

Choosing a boarding facility for your horse is a big decision. You need to find an arrangement that suits your needs and training goals, fits your budget, and benefits your horse. These are the factors to consider as you evaluate your options.

Distance

Distance is a major consideration when it comes to finding a home for your horse. We’d all love to keep our horses in our backyards – but it’s simply not feasible in many areas. Therefore, you’ll need to see what options exist nearby.

Barns in large, urban areas that are easily accessible may command a higher monthly price. Chances are that these facilities will be in high demand since convenience is a major draw for prospective boarders.

Before you start calling facilities, decide how far you’re willing to drive to get to your horse. If you want to go to the barn four days a week, a 30-minute one-way commute can quickly become a deterrent. That said, there aren’t always affordable or desirable options nearby. You may have to travel to reach your horse. Make sure to account for this as you plan out your budget and schedule.

Quality & Amenities

Prices will vary depending on what a barn has to offer. The best barns typically have multiple stall or pasture options to choose from, spacious indoor and outdoor arenas, and helpful add-on services like training, lessons, and full or partial care (feeding, stall cleaning, supervision, and general horse care).

Cheaper options may not offer any designated areas for riding (meaning you’ll have to take your horse elsewhere to ride or train) and they likely won’t include additional care. So, before you get excited about a low price, be sure to find out what the monthly payment includes.

Of course, you’ll want to consider the quality of the amenities, as well. A facility may have all of the attractive features described above, but if the place is in a state of disrepair, it may not be an appealing option. Decide what your deal breakers are early on so that you can remove options that don’t meet your criteria.

Stall/Pasture Options

Ideally, you’ll find a barn that has several stall or pasture options for horses. Every horse is different – some horses are content in their own space, while others want to live among their herd members. If your horse is stall-kept, make sure they’ll be turned out in a large pen or pasture so that they can stretch and run. Alternatively, you can ride or hand-walk your horse to facilitate exercise.

Above all, stalled horses shouldn’t be confined 24/7. This can lead to a number of issues, including stiffness, discomfort, behavioral problems, and injuries. Further, being kept in a stall all the time isn’t ideal for large animals that want to roam, graze, and socialize.

That said, not all barns offer turn out or have space for grazing. You need to think carefully about the amenities and stall/pasture options at each barn to ensure your horse has a good living situation.

Board Type

Board usually falls into three main categories: full care, partial care, and self-care.

Full-care is the most comprehensive option. Full care typically includes stall cleaning, feeding and watering, turn out, supervision, and other basic services. With full care, you don’t have to take care of your horse’s daily needs. You can come out and ride, visit, or care for your horse on your own schedule.

Naturally, full care comes at a higher price. Barn staff are providing for all of your horse’s needs, and as a result, you’ll need to pay more to account for that.

Partial care is an intermediate option between full care and self care. You’ll need to be fairly hands-on with partial care since you’ll be providing some of the care and supplies. For instance, you may need to clean your horse’s stall or provide supplies like hay or bedding.

Partial care can be a good option for owners who live near their horses and want to save on monthly costs.

Self-care is the least expensive option of the three, but the most involved. With self-care, you have a space to keep your horse, but you’re entirely responsible for their daily needs. This means feeding, watering, cleaning up after, and exercising your horse on a daily basis. This can be a lot of work to fit in if you don’t live near your horse, so think carefully about what you’re willing and able to manage.

Reputation

Reputation can have a substantial impact on pricing, too. A barn that is known for having excellent facilities, top-notch care, and great trainers will command higher rates. Further, barns like this may have waitlists since motivated riders want to train with the best.

On the flip side, barns with poor reputations may be known for poor training methods, low standards of care, and a toxic or dangerous culture that is harmful to horses and riders. In most areas, the equestrian world is small. So, barns with bad reputations are unlikely to last long.

If you’re wondering to yourself, “How much does it cost to board a horse?”, and you come across an extremely low rate – be sure to search the barn on Google. Read reviews to get a sense of the barn’s reputation. And don’t be afraid to reach out to friends, family, or other trusted contacts for different perspectives.

Inclusions

Most barns advertise a set board rate, but the stated amount won’t always include all of the services you need. For instance, many barns charge extra for:

• Turn out (putting your horse in a pen where they can stretch and move)
• Feeding grain or supplements
• Feeding hay
• Blanketing
• Taking fly masks on or off
• Cleaning stalls and checking water
• Access to a tack room/supply closet

Therefore, you’ll want to ask detailed questions about what the board price does or doesn’t include. If possible, ask for a written list of services so that you have the prices in writing and can easily calculate your costs.

Beware of barn owners who avoid answering your direct questions about pricing. Unfortunately, there are dishonest people who may try to take advantage of inexperienced boarders. Make sure to ask about inclusions beforehand to show that you’re savvy and knowledgeable.

Access to Programs, Clinics, or Shows

Anyone who has dipped their toe into the world of horse showing knows how expensive it can be. With that in mind, boarding at a reputable barn that hosts shows and clinics can offer some big perks. Instead of having to travel with your horse, you’ll save money on gas, hauling fees, and stall fees since you’re already onsite. You’ll be at the center of all the action. A facility like this may come with a higher price tag, but the costs might balance out if you account for the savings from not having to travel to shows as frequently.

How Much Does it Cost to Board a Horse? Common Costs Nationwide

As you might guess, there isn’t a straightforward answer to this question. Costs can be so different from one barn to the next. However, you can consider these averages as you investigate options in your area:

Overall average: $350-$400/mo.

• Full-care board: $300-$700/mo.
• Pasture board: $150-$400/mo.
• Self-care board: $100-$200/mo.

To figure out costs in your area, you’ll want to call local stables, speak, with other horse owners, and do your own research. Make sure to visit facilities in person so that you can determine the best fit for you and your horse.