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The Resident Destroyer of Liberal Logic
  
Location: PNW | I have been thinking about offering up my extra stalls to boarders in order to bring in a little extra cash to replenish my "Horse Account" that has recently been hammered by vet bills. Does anybody else do this? How did it go? And what did you charge?
I have stalls with turnout, 2000+ acres with trails and open fields to play in, and an outdoor arena that you can ride in year round for the most part. Boarders would have to supply their own feed/hay. I would feed twice per day, and clean stalls for extra $ if they chose. Obviously I would need to have a conversation with my attorney and my insurance lady to protect myself. I'm interested in hearing everybody's experiences with the day-to-day. |
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Badonkadonk
Posts: 4189
 
Location: Mississippi | We have done it. We live in an apartment built off our barn and we decided it wasn't worth it. People were always here due to their horses being here and we had issues with trash being left out and other things. Now that we have no boarders there's no "play" money but we are so much happier. |
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 Not Afraid to Work
Posts: 4717
| In my opinion it is a risky business but many people do it and find success. As someone who boards, I rely on people who like boarding their facilities. However, I would include their feed in their board. It will be hard for you to keep track of it and you wont always get the most responsible boarders in. I am sure at some point, they will run out of hay or feed and you will either not having anything to feed or end up using your own. |
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The Resident Destroyer of Liberal Logic
Location: PNW | stayceem - 2015-03-06 1:00 PM
In my opinion it is a risky business but many people do it and find success. As someone who boards, I rely on people who like boarding their facilities. However, I would include their feed in their board. It will be hard for you to keep track of it and you wont always get the most responsible boarders in. I am sure at some point, they will run out of hay or feed and you will either not having anything to feed or end up using your own.
I can include grass hay, and if they were to drop the ball I would still feed their horse - I would just charge them. We are a pretty small town with only one feed store, so I could also potentially pick up their feed. But I won't supply it. Is that too harsh? I have boarded a few times in my life and have always been required to supply my own hay/feed. If it would have ran out before I got to it, then the manager fed her hay, and billed me for it.
Any idea what a reasonable cost would be? |
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 Can You Hear Me Now?
Location: When you hit the middle of nowhere .. Keep driving | I started last year offering a bit of summer pasture board. I had the space and thought I'd give it a try. I will say the person I got and her horses were great. I enjoyed the company and someone to talk horses with; as well as going on trail rides with someone was a nice change. She kept her weanling at my place over the winter because I had space. I am doing it selectively again this year with a couple people, but there is also way more horror stories, I was fortunate. |
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The Resident Destroyer of Liberal Logic
Location: PNW | ndiehl - 2015-03-06 1:08 PM
I started last year offering a bit of summer pasture board. I had the space and thought I'd give it a try. I will say the person I got and her horses were great. I enjoyed the company and someone to talk horses with; as well as going on trail rides with someone was a nice change. She kept her weanling at my place over the winter because I had space. I am doing it selectively again this year with a couple people, but there is also way more horror stories, I was fortunate.
What did you charge?
I would definitely be very selective on who I boarded. |
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Can You Hear Me Now?
Location: When you hit the middle of nowhere .. Keep driving | svincent - 2015-03-06 1:11 PM
ndiehl - 2015-03-06 1:08 PM
I started last year offering a bit of summer pasture board. I had the space and thought I'd give it a try. I will say the person I got and her horses were great. I enjoyed the company and someone to talk horses with; as well as going on trail rides with someone was a nice change. She kept her weanling at my place over the winter because I had space. I am doing it selectively again this year with a couple people, but there is also way more horror stories, I was fortunate.
What did you charge?
I would definitely be very selective on who I boarded.
Last year it was only $200 a month for 4 horses all together (which covered my additional insurance and the mineral tub), I was helping her out as well, since she lost a lease and was left stranded. She did pay me back in more ways though because when my father died she helped with my horses to give me time to do other things (which meant so much to me). She also had a roomier trailer so when I picked up a mare we went together and she just charged me gas. I gained a life long friend over the whole thing. The trail rides to get my mind off everything kept me sane too. She paid for any grain, med's her horses needed.
This year for pasture with free choice timothy grass hay (I always offer hay) and minerals I am charging $150 a month. My pasture is 100 acres split into 2 and I am only going to take on 5 outside horses tops (to go with my 10). |
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Expert
Posts: 2531
Location: WI | I have boarded for the last 10+ yrs at a few different places. I have to say it is not a business I would ever want to get into. The place I'm at now just kicked out all their boarders (except me). Boarders can be a pain!
I have paid around $200 for pasture w/hay in the winter, $400 for stall included hay/feed. But, this place has an amazing facility - heated indoor/barn, trails, 2 amazing outdoor arenas. Oh, and I kept my trailer there at no extra charge.
Include hay with the board - people run out, take it from others, etc. Are your turnouts private? If not, make sure you can at least separate the mares/geldings. Then, a couple extra for the horses that don't get along with anyone. Are you going to be home all/most of the time? |
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The Resident Destroyer of Liberal Logic
Location: PNW | linds - 2015-03-06 2:21 PM
I have boarded for the last 10+ yrs at a few different places. I have to say it is not a business I would ever want to get into. The place I'm at now just kicked out all their boarders (except me). Boarders can be a pain!
I have paid around $200 for pasture w/hay in the winter, $400 for stall included hay/feed. But, this place has an amazing facility - heated indoor/barn, trails, 2 amazing outdoor arenas. Oh, and I kept my trailer there at no extra charge.
Include hay with the board - people run out, take it from others, etc. Are your turnouts private? If not, make sure you can at least separate the mares/geldings. Then, a couple extra for the horses that don't get along with anyone. Are you going to be home all/most of the time?
Yes, turn outs are private. Or can be together. They are 6 acre chunks of beautiful pasture, it doesn't really matter to me.
Somebody is home all of the time. Either my husband or myself or our housesitter if we go out of town for a few days. We have way too much going on on the ranch to ever leave it "unmanned". And the barn is literally a hundred feet from the house. Our driveway is shaped like a big U. The barn is at the down hill side of the U and our house is on the uphill side. It sits right below our house. |
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I Really Love Jeans
Posts: 3173
Location: North Dakota | Getting a solid contract in place is the most important thing!!! Make sure you board to people who DO NOT cause drama and bother with other peoples horses. When we moved to Texas I was lucky to find a good boarding facility, BUT after I was there for 3 years another boarder brought horses there and immediately started drama and moving and messing with other peoples horses.I purchased a new mare and put her alone in a turn out the same day I purchased her, so she wouldn't be in with strange horses. The next day I go to feed and this "person" had turned multiple mares in with her! She had been kick multiple times and had parts of her skin hanging off in places from the other horses having metal shoes on!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It cost me a hefty vet bill and the mare was lame for a very long time after being beat on like that. Have a DO NOT touch unless you own it part to your contract, and make sure you don't let someone board that is trouble. I actually moved to a different boarding facility within days of that happening to my mare. The owner lost out and lost a boarder that always paid on time! |
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 Don't Wanna Make This Awkward
Posts: 3106
Location: Texas | I pay $600 a month for 2 horses. I supply supplements and come out to ride a few times a week, I also leave my trailer there. Basically it's like the horses are their personal horse but they get the $600. Im the only boarder, although I think they are open to more people if they found the right person so I guess i'm not too terribly bad. I think if you are already taking care of your horses you might aswell take in a couple horses. I owuld never want more than 5 and I think if you have one person with multiple horses that would be easier. |
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 Born not Made
Posts: 2937
Location: North Dakota | I've never boarded at a "real" boarding barn before. I've boarded horses in 3 different places and all of them were someone's private place. I quite like it that way.
First place, all the horses were together in a big pasture. It was only a temporary summer board (while I was in college) so I can't speak for the winter months and the hay situation on that one. However, it was a very dry year and they actually kept the horses in small paddocks for about a month and fed hay, and tried to let the grass grow in the pasture. They didn't charge me anything extra. I want to say I paid $125 or $150?? Can't quite remember. I only had one horse at the time and I was the only boarder. I did not have a horse trailer, so they had a little area in-between two run-in shelters that I could keep my stuff. Nice family. I had no problems while I was there. Horses were out 24/7. They did have an outdoor arena.
My second place I kept my 2 horses was my favorite place. Super wonderful retired couple that had 4 horses of their own on 40 acres. Our horses were kept completely separate and my horses had their own run-in shelter when the weather was bad, otherwise they were out 24/7. I paid $125 per horse. I was there over one winter and they didn't charge me any extra for hay, but if I would have stayed another winter, we talked about it and I would either pay extra for hay or provide my own. (Ended up moving because my new house was just too far away to board there.) The one thing I loved was the piece of mind. I knew that she would check my horses with a fine tooth comb every day and let me know if anything was amiss. I was their only boarder. I didn't get my trailer until a few months before I left, but she had shared her tack room with me and my stuff. Wonderful people. My only complaint is that they didn't have an arena. Thankfully, one of the neighbors 1/2 mile down the road had a little patch of dirt that he let me set up my barrels and poles on, to practice.
Where I am at currently now, I pay $100 a horse, plus $60 extra for hay in the winter. There are several people that keep their horses there, but I am pretty much the only one who rides on a regular basis. During the summer months, my horses are kept by themselves in a pasture really close so they are easy for me to catch, since I ride every day. During the winter, all the horses are together, but they never really leave the yard once the hay gets put out. There's a few things about the place I wish I could change (such as barbed wire fences that could be in better repair) and all-in-all they are a nice family and I haven't had any major problems. They do have a nice outdoor arena.
As far as your question about making the boarder provide their own hay, I think that is complately reasonable. I've always had hay provided for me, but if I knew upfront going into it that I needed to provide it, it wouldn't be a big deal. I would have access to it since my former boss makes hay nearby and my parents have a farm/ranch and equipment to haul it if I would need. However, maybe one thing you would like to offer (if they can't get their own hay or don't have the equipment to go get it) and maybe offer for them to also buy hay when you buy hay for the year. Just something to think about, and something to reach an agreement on before a contract is signed.
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The Resident Destroyer of Liberal Logic
Location: PNW | outrundaizy - 2015-03-06 3:02 PM
I pay $600 a month for 2 horses. I supply supplements and come out to ride a few times a week, I also leave my trailer there. Basically it's like the horses are their personal horse but they get the $600. Im the only boarder, although I think they are open to more people if they found the right person so I guess i'm not too terribly bad. I think if you are already taking care of your horses you might aswell take in a couple horses. I owuld never want more than 5 and I think if you have one person with multiple horses that would be easier.
This is the kind of situation I would be hoping for. |
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Don't Wanna Make This Awkward
Posts: 3106
Location: Texas | svincent - 2015-03-06 3:05 PM outrundaizy - 2015-03-06 3:02 PM I pay $600 a month for 2 horses. I supply supplements and come out to ride a few times a week, I also leave my trailer there. Basically it's like the horses are their personal horse but they get the $600. Im the only boarder, although I think they are open to more people if they found the right person so I guess i'm not too terribly bad. I think if you are already taking care of your horses you might aswell take in a couple horses. I owuld never want more than 5 and I think if you have one person with multiple horses that would be easier. This is the kind of situation I would be hoping for.
Do you have any friends that might be interested in boarding with you? Someone you see at local shows or something? That's usually the best situation. You could ask for references. Honestly as a boarder i've had more "convenient" places to board, but my horses are so loved out here. I know I will not have the luxury of having my horses in my backyard so to me this is the second best. I've had places that were 5 monutes down the road, I've had the best of the best barn, with the indoor and out door arenas, walkers, turn outs, 500+ acres but my horses were just animals that go fed 2x a day and handled. I hope I don't bug this lady too much lol because it really is the perfect situation right now. But that's how I would go about finding 1 or 2 people with multiple horses, on facebook maybe a local page or something! Not fully opening your parn to the public.. |
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Expert
Posts: 2531
Location: WI | angelica - 2015-03-06 2:42 PM Getting a solid contract in place is the most important thing!!! Make sure you board to people who DO NOT cause drama and bother with other peoples horses. When we moved to Texas I was lucky to find a good boarding facility, BUT after I was there for 3 years another boarder brought horses there and immediately started drama and moving and messing with other peoples horses.I purchased a new mare and put her alone in a turn out the same day I purchased her, so she wouldn't be in with strange horses. The next day I go to feed and this "person" had turned multiple mares in with her! She had been kick multiple times and had parts of her skin hanging off in places from the other horses having metal shoes on!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It cost me a hefty vet bill and the mare was lame for a very long time after being beat on like that. Have a DO NOT touch unless you own it part to your contract, and make sure you don't let someone board that is trouble. I actually moved to a different boarding facility within days of that happening to my mare. The owner lost out and lost a boarder that always paid on time!
Oh, ya - that's happened at places I've been. We had 1 girl flip her lid because someone else's horse chewed her mares mane off. Had another lady that insisted on bringing her dog out to the barn with her, owner asked her not to bring the dog because it harassed the barn cats. Boarder replied with 'I could just lock the cats up in the lounge, so the dog could run around, right?' Taking horses to the sale barn because people stop paying board.
The drama will be there, it's just a matter of how bad! And it multiplies exponentially with the number of boarders you have. |
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Meanest Teacher!!!
Posts: 8555
Location: sunny california | I am lucky the area where I live has some really nice people. I have a few select boarders that help with my hay/vet bills.I charge just a tad bit below the "going rate" so I can have enough people interested and it allows me to be selective. no drama here |
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 Owner of a ratting catting machine
Posts: 2258
| I have had to board horses at people's personal residences/barns before. I always ended up being an inconvenience, because schedules never really mesh, handling methods differ SO much, feeding methods, etc, etc.
I was just always really in the way, on top of coming in at all hours of the night from running barrels, and leaving at all hours of the morning to get somewhere.
I sort of cringe when I think about boarding, because I know my hours can be so impossible to someone that isn't on the same clock as me.
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 Money Eating Baggage Owner
Posts: 9586
Location: Phoenix | For the first time in my life, I am boarding. I feel like I got pretty lucky in picking a place. I pay $325. Barn owner (BO) supplies the feed, feeds AM/PM, cleans stall 1x a day and will spray horses with fly spray. He works from home. My horse is in a normal sized stall, and there's a lighted round pen and arena. I can walk off property onto horse trails. There is a turnout schedule for the larger paddock; luckily my horse gets along with one of the other horses so he gets turned out for 2 days. If I'm extra- lucky, I get to turn out if someone doesn't feel like having their horse out there because the BO likes me and I'm not a PITA. Everyone knows to pick up after themselves. Most of us that board are pretty normal but there is one crazy lady that I think the BO is fed up with but there always has to be one!
If I were you, I would just include the cost of feed into the board. When I was looking for a place, having to supply my own hay was a major turnoff. It's less hassle when your boarder is out of hay and you have to feed your own and then she owes you more money for that...just avoid all that. My BO also spent some time with me on The phone before agreeing to let me come out and see the place. He wanted to make sure it would be a good fit first and foremost. Just do that and have a barn agreement and set guidelines and let people know when they aren't abiding by them. Maybe go by a "3 strikes you're out" type of deal. |
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 Mature beyond Years
Posts: 10780
Location: North of the 49th Parallel | I've done it a couple times. All were by word of mouth. My first year of college I was able to board at a working cow horse trainer's for several months. At first they loved it because it was extra income because he broke his leg and didn't have any horse's in training at the time. During the end, my horse was taking up a spot a client horse could have been there. They were really good to me though and it did work it awesome. But I'm not sure I'd do it in the summer, with my crazy schedule and coming and going at odd times, getting in late from barrel races. In every place though that I did board just by myself they really did treat my horse like one of their own and that is what I'm the most thankful about. I paid $350 a month. |
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Not Afraid to Work
Posts: 4717
| svincent - 2015-03-06 1:07 PM
stayceem - 2015-03-06 1:00 PM
In my opinion it is a risky business but many people do it and find success. As someone who boards, I rely on people who like boarding their facilities. However, I would include their feed in their board. It will be hard for you to keep track of it and you wont always get the most responsible boarders in. I am sure at some point, they will run out of hay or feed and you will either not having anything to feed or end up using your own.
I can include grass hay, and if they were to drop the ball I would still feed their horse - I would just charge them. We are a pretty small town with only one feed store, so I could also potentially pick up their feed. But I won't supply it. Is that too harsh? I have boarded a few times in my life and have always been required to supply my own hay/feed. If it would have ran out before I got to it, then the manager fed her hay, and billed me for it.
Any idea what a reasonable cost would be?
My only concern about them supplying their own food is if they don't pay... Especially if it ends up being a reoccurring issue. I just feel you're more protected if you include cost of grain/hay in their board payment.
I am in MN and I pay $235 for pasture board. He gets grain 2x daily that is provided. Roundbale in the winter with 2-3 flakes am/pm during the summer. |
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  Warmblood with Wings
Posts: 27846
Location: Florida.. | I definatlly wouldnt have them supply hay and feed.. yes you can supply and feed and then bill them but that wont work believe me. you will end up paying out of pocket and some months they will be late or not pay and there will be issues with what they owe you.. keep it simple... you go get hay and feed and charge them a monthly fee.. board, hay and feed....
also issues will arise other boarders will use other peoples hay and feed etc.or someone will "forget" and end up borrowing someone elses ......or horses will be eating other boarders hay in pasture.. silly yes but it will happen and they will complain.. so simple.. include it.. |
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Expert
Posts: 1561
| 2000 acres?
I would be charging a few archery hunters a trespass fee and make the same profit as boarding and only have to deal with people a few months per year.
Edited by Itsme 2015-03-07 8:16 AM
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Boarding out of your personal barn?