How Much Does It Cost To Board A Horse In 2024?
Monthly horse boarding costs between $100 and $1,200. Horse owners have several boarding options that vary in price and offerings.
Here, we’ll explore various boarding facilities and their costs, other horse ownership costs, and what to consider when boarding your horse.
Summary of horse boarding costs
[table in Google Doc]
Prices are based on the level of care, services, and amenities provided.
What Are The Different Types Of Horse Boarding And Their Costs?
Let’s explore various facilities, what they include, and how their costs differ.
Full boarding
- Monthly cost: $300 – $1,200
- Best for: Owners who cannot provide daily care.
Full-boarding facilities have on-site staff who provide the horses with all their daily needs, including feeding, bedding, grooming, farrier services, and training.
Full boarding prices vary depending on the quality and exclusivity of the boarding establishment. Other factors, such as location, also influence the price (more on this later).
Included:
- A stall with access to a pasture
- Stall cleaning
- Horse feeding and watering
- Exercise
Some facilities also provide vet and farrier services, which are outlined in the boarding contract and may incur an extra fee. For example, a facility in California charges an additional $15 handling fee for farrier and vet services per appointment.
Self-care boarding
- Monthly cost: $100 – $600
- Best for: Owners who have time to care for their horse’s daily needs but do not have the space for housing.
Self-care boarding stables provide housing. The owner is responsible for everything else, including feeding, cleaning, grooming, and exercising the horse.
Some facilities may have higher prices due to small differences in the amenities, such as access to wash racks, paddocks, automatic waterers, and round pens. Additionally, bigger stables cost more.
Partial boarding
- Monthly cost: $200 – $600
- Best for: Experienced owners looking for affordability and convenience.
Partial boarding provides stabling, feeding, watering, and basic grooming services. However, owners are responsible for supplying the feed, horse bedding, and stable cleaning.
A boarding facility on the top-price end generally has better amenities and offers a more thorough service.
Included:
- Stable or stall
- Basic grooming
- Feeding services
Co-operative boarding
- Monthly cost: $150 -$400
- Best for: Owners looking for affordable boarding who have the time to carry out their share of duties.
Owners share the care for the horses, stables, and property. This is community-based and allows owners to share the costs and labor associated with boarding.
The price range is largely influenced by the location. Southern states (Kentucky, Tennessee, etc.) have more affordable options than states with more expensive properties (California, New York, etc.).
Pasture boarding
- Monthly cost: $150 – $400
- Best for: Owners looking for a cost-effective and spacious alternative.
Multiple horses live together in an open field, where they can graze and exercise.
Larger, well-maintained pastures with nutrient-rich grass and proper drainage will be on the higher end of this price range. The standard of the run-in shelters will also affect the price.
Included:
- A “run-in shelter” for horses
- Barn for inclement weather
- Watering and feeding
- On-site staff who can schedule vet and farrier appointments
Lease boarding
- Monthly cost: Full lease boarding can cost nothing if the horse “earns its keep”. A partial lease – when the owner has not consented to the use of their horse for certain purposes – could cost a few hundred dollars monthly.
- Best for: Owners who don’t mind leasing their horses and looking to save on costs.
This boarding mutually benefits horse owners and those who run the boarding facility. Housing and full care are provided in exchange for certain “benefits”, such as:
- Breeding: Studs and broodmares are used to produce foals. Horses with exceptional pedigrees often receive a full lease board at no charge and have all their needs taken care of.
- Training: Horses may be leased to riders and trainers who want to develop skills in certain disciplines.
- Riding: Owners may lease their horses to facilities for riding lessons, trail riding, pleasure riding, or riding therapy.
- Shows: A leased horse can be used to enter competitions or shows for whichever discipline it excels in.
- Work: Draft horses may be used for farmwork, such as plowing.
If you opt for this facility, read the boarding contract thoroughly to avoid potential mistreatment or overuse.
Included:
Depending on your horse’s benefits, the facility may cover all of your boarding costs, including feed, vet visits, and farrier services.
What Factors Influence The Cost of Boarding A Horse
The cost of boarding your horse is influenced by several factors, such as:
Location
The state, town, or city where you live will affect your boarding costs.
Due to higher property values, horse boarding costs are higher in more affluent, urban states (California, New York, Washington, etc.). States such as Mississippi, West Virginia, and Arkansas have lower property values and, therefore, lower boarding costs.
For example: Full boarding at a Californian stable costs $396 – $980 monthly, compared to $450 a month in Mississippi.
Amenities
Access to different types of stables and premium amenities tend to come at a higher price. Here’s how the inclusion of the following amenities could increase overall monthly boarding costs:
- Indoor and outdoor areas: + $100 – $500
- Well-maintained pastures: + $50 – $150
- Quality bedding: + $50 – $100
Horse’s needs
Owners may incur additional fees if their horse has special needs. Most horse-boarding facilities charge a handling fee for giving the horse its medication.
For example, a California stable has a monthly handling fee of $100.
The medication and supplements are at the owner’s own cost. This includes:
- Special nutrition: Commercial horse feed costs $15 – $30 per 50 lbs, whereas high-performance specialty feed costs $25 – $45 per 50 lbs.
- Supplements: Vary depending on the distributor but cost around $109 for 10 lbs.
- Behavioral issues: Horses with behavioral problems may need to be isolated and receive special training. Rehabilitating a horse for six months can cost $3,000 – $6,000+.
- Medical needs: Horses with specific medical needs may require a larger stable or frequent vet visit.
Horse breed
Larger breeds, such as draft horses, require a larger boarding stable and more feed, which means higher boarding costs.
For instance:
- Standard stables (10×10 ft to 12×12 ft): $300 – $800 monthly
- Larger stalls (12×14+ ft): $500 – $1,200 monthly
- Specialized stables (extra room, heating or cooling, special bedding): $600 – $1,500 monthly
Length of stay
Long-term boarding may be given at a special discounted rate.
Season
Some establishments increase their rates during hotter and colder months to cover the costs of additional services that make the horses more comfortable.
What Is The Monthly Cost Of Maintaining A Horse
Horses require a special level of care and a long equipment list. A lot of this maintenance must be done wherever the horse is boarded, impacting the overall boarding fee.
[table for monthly maintenance in G. Doc]
Feeding
Typically, horses need to consume 2% of their body weight daily. This varies between different types of horses. The type of feed you give your horse further impacts your costs:
- Grain: $30 – $100 per month
- Hay: $80 – $250 per month
Grooming
Horses should receive basic grooming at least once a week. Full and partial boarding facilities likely have grooming equipment already. If you choose a different boarding option, budget for the following equine grooming supplies:
- Halter: $24
- Hoof pick: $6 – $30
- Shampoo: $30
- Conditioner: $20
- Detangler: $15
- Curry comb: $8
- Mane and tail comb: $20
- Body brush: $27
- Sweat scrubber: $3 – $20
The breed of horse will also impact grooming supplies. Expensive horses may require more extensive grooming since their value is in their appearance.
For example, the coat and feathering of a gypsy horse might require washing every three or four days, meaning you’ll need to buy shampoo, conditioner, and detangler more frequently.
A professional groomer could charge $75 – $100 per session.
Vet and healthcare
Routine vet services are essential for your horse’s health. These include checkups, dental, and regular preventative care. Depending on your horse and location, various vaccinations may be required. Additionally, some facilities require all horses to be vaccinated and in good health, adding to boarding costs.
Vaccinations include:
- Equine Herpesvirus (EHV) = $25 – $50 (every six months)
- Equine Influenza and tetanus = $35 – $80 (annual boosters)
- Rabies = $20 – $50
- West Nile Virus = $20 – $40
- Strangles = $30 – $50
- Potomac Horse Fever = $30 – $50
- Botulism = $25 – $40
Hoof care
Both shod and unshod horses need regular farrier appointments (every four to six weeks), costing $40 – $120 per session.
Horse insurance
Some stables require liability horse insurance for boarded horses.
What To Consider Before You Board Your Horse
Before boarding your horse, consider:
- The horse’s needs
- Your availability to tend to your horses (grooming, feeding, exercising, etc.)
- Your budget
- Accessibility to the boarding area
- The boarding contract
It’s worth researching various boarding options and owners should visit potential sites before making a decision.
How Much Does It Cost To Board A Horse In The UK?
It costs between £1,040 and £7,800 annually to board a horse in the UK. Weekly livery costs are as follows:
- Grass livery: £40 – £55
- DIY stabled livery: £40 – £70
- Full livery: £100 – £150
FAQs
Do boarding facilities get inspected?
Not all facilities have mandated inspections; however, those in specific regions may be subject to inspections to ensure compliance with regulations and environmental standards, such as cleanliness, safety, sufficient space, etc.
Insurance companies may also conduct inspections.
Should horses be boarded by themselves?
Horses are generally social animals and are best boarded with other horses. When you have to board horses, consider your horse’s personality type. Some require separation due to behavioral issues, whereas horses with separation anxiety may require companions.
How can I ensure my horse feels comfortable in the boarding facility?
Horses take between one week and six months to settle into their new environment. Help acclimate your horse by:
- Walking them through the new territory
- Introducing your horse to the staff
- Visiting as often as possible
Final Thoughts
Selecting the best boarding is a crucial decision that depends on various factors. Finding a facility is easy once you understand your options and your horse’s needs. Do thorough research to make an informed decision while keeping your costs manageable.
