Impossible pasture board.

[sublimequine]

Why is it that it is SO hard to find quality pasture boarding?! Either the barn doesn't have it at all and the horse is expected to live in the stall, or the 'pasture' is nothing but a dirt lot with an inadequate shelter for the number of horses crammed into the lot. :no:

Anyone else share my woes trying to find decent pasture board? Ya know, with grazing time and a big shelter and everything? I know, my demands are just outlandish. At least that's how it feels. :eek:

How do you guys cope with lackluster pastures, when you have no other options?

[Lookout]

It's very hard to find due to the pressures on land. Most farms just don't have enough acreage. The fact is that leaving horses inside for half the day does preserve the pasture. There was one place where I boarded that had big enough pastures to support pasture turnout but it was in the middle of nowhere. They had 80 acres some of which were in hay, and otherwise they would never go below 2 acres per horse. They would not accept another horse if the fenced pastures were carrying that many horses. Even so the pastures were 'green' but it wasn't beautiful grass (partly because of inadequate mowing). Most places just can't do that.

[Bayou Roux]

I know the issue we have with pasture board is getting water to the distant pastures in the winter. All summer, we can run the hoses, but we've got to shut off the water in the winter or the lines will freeze, and we're just not in the position to carry water to the far pastures, where pasture-boarded horses would live. So we can pasture board for about 8 months a year, but we can only accommodate horses we can bring in at night for those other four months...

[Cherry]

Land is scarce! We have big barns around here but no pastures to speak of as the land has all been sold off so people can put houses and businesses on them.... :eek: Sad, but true....

[thumbsontop]

Hmm...I haven't looked in awhile, but I feel your pain. To me it would work best at a private barn.

So, if you don't manage your pastures, you end up with dirt or weeds. The only way to manage a pasture is to give it a break from grazing. Horses are spot grazers and they will leave some areas long, and overgraze others. Even then, with a stalled horse you have the option of removing the horses from the grass to keep it from being torn up. They leave deep pits when it's muddy, and the roots get destroyed with horses on it while the ground is that soft. If you don't remove the horses, you end up with dirt/weeds the next year.

So, for it to work right, you really need to have 2, preferably 3 paddocks for rotating...and a sacrifice paddock for when it's muddy. All of those should have proper shelter. That's a high expectation for a boarding barn. If you board many horses you would have to make the pastures bigger or have more, and then it's further from the barn and less convenient for the BO and boarders.

Personally, I think there's a higher profit in pasture boarding horses (no bedding, less labor), but it's a bit inconvenient if you are truly offering proper care (feed/vitamins, 4 corner check daily, etc).

I have 13 acres and 4 horses. I can leave them out 24/7 at times, but much of the year they are on 12 hr turnout - because the field is too muddy, too icy, or too lush. :)

[sublimequine]

I definitely understand all the difficulties of keeping a pasture nice when it is used 24/7, but most places I've been at don't even ATTEMPT pasture management of any kind. :(

It's even harder for me, because maresie dearest is a stallwalker beyond comprehension. I don't think it will ever go away enough for her to be stalled for any length of time. :no:

[deltawave]

A lot of places that offer pasture board are thinking "minimal care", not "optimal grazing environment for the horse". Minimal care also usually means minimal uptake of the pasture and minimal space for the horse. :no: In other words, a lot of pasture board situations are basically "rent a space" for a horse in a field, and not much else.

[sublimequine]

A lot of places that offer pasture board are thinking "minimal care", not "optimal grazing environment for the horse". Minimal care also usually means minimal uptake of the pasture and minimal space for the horse. :no: In other words, a lot of pasture board situations are basically "rent a space" for a horse in a field, and not much else.

Oi, I think you're right! So many people think pasture boarders are nothing but cheapskates that don't wanna pay for stalling, so obviously don't have the care of their horses high on their priorities. It's just the opposite. :(

[findeight]

A lot of places that offer pasture board are thinking "minimal care", not "optimal grazing environment for the horse". Minimal care also usually means minimal uptake of the pasture and minimal space for the horse. :no: In other words, a lot of pasture board situations are basically "rent a space" for a horse in a field, and not much else.

Amen to that. Pasture board=minimum to keep them alive.

[sublimequine]

Amen to that. Pasture board=minimum to keep them alive.

So true, and I disagree and hate that so much. Stall boarded horses get 5 star treatment, pasture horses get squat. :mad:

[Bayou Roux]

How about posting a "situation wanted" ad in your local community paper? (Like the Pennysaver or Shopper or regional ag paper) Explain what you want, why, and that you're willing to pay for it. My husband and I found the nicest farmhouse to rent when we did that! There was a couple out there looking to rent it but didn't know nice, professional, employed people wanted it.

Maybe someone out there has a nice place for your stallwalker, but doesn't want to run a big boarding operation...

[thumbsontop]

So one thing you might inquire about is to pay stall board at a nice place but extend the turnout schedule. Though I only have around 9 acres of pasture, I leave them out 24/7 whenever I can without screwing up their systems. A small or private barn to me is still best for 'special needs' horses...unless you're forking out some really big bucks.


I had a boarder at one time who couldn't understand when she asked if I would do pasture board why I charged so much. A) because your horse still eats, and B) for me, it means I need to fill that available stall with one of mine to keep the pasture in good condition...so it's no cost savings.

I'm only boarding one right now. My solution is that my current boarder pays full stall board and I leave the mare out whenever I can. The benefit for me is that I save money and time whenever she's out. :)

[deltawave]

That's not to say you COULDN'T find a place that offers great pasture board, but again, IME it's more like "we don't have any more stalls but we can stuff a few more horses on the place . . . let's call it pasture board". :no:

My horses are out all the time (at home) and I think it's great. When I was boarding, pasture/fence quality were ALWAYS at the top of my "must" list. I got to the point where I'd ask if my horses could be outside all the time, even though I was paying for a stall. Worth it to me, and maybe that's an option?

[goodmorning]

Maybe get in contact with a local breeder? Or knock on someones door wiht big fields ;) A friend keeps a retired horse at a breeders; he lives out but they take great care of their horses.

[sublimequine]

That's not to say you COULDN'T find a place that offers great pasture board, but again, IME it's more like "we don't have any more stalls but we can stuff a few more horses on the place . . . let's call it pasture board". :no:

My horses are out all the time (at home) and I think it's great. When I was boarding, pasture/fence quality were ALWAYS at the top of my "must" list. I got to the point where I'd ask if my horses could be outside all the time, even though I was paying for a stall. Worth it to me, and maybe that's an option?

I'm looking at a place now where I would technically be paying 'stall board', but the owner would turn my girl out for basically like 23 hours of the day. She would come in to eat, then go right back out. BUT, haven't visited the barn yet. We'll see what condition the pastures are in, and what kind of shelter (if any :uhoh: ) is available in the pastures.

[CoopsZippo]

I have awesome pasture board BUT I had to give up a large barn with an indoor... But my horse is happy and the people are awesome.


If you are willing to think of a private farm and are in the far Western Burbs. I may know of a place. (I moved to PA from Illinois.)

[sublimequine]

I have awesome pasture board BUT I had to give up a large barn with an indoor... But my horse is happy and the people are awesome.


If you are willing to think of a private farm and are in the far Western Burbs. I may know of a place. (I moved to PA from Illinois.)

Even worse, I'm in central Illinois. AKA the middle of NOWHERE. :lol:

[goodmorning]

And my horse is essentially pasture boarded all summer and fall, but I pay for the stall. The only way I could have my cake and eat it too :)

[sublimequine]

And my horse is essentially pasture boarded all summer and fall, but I pay for the stall. The only way I could have my cake and eat it too :)

So in spring and winter what is the setup? I'm curious what works for other people.

[Texarkana]

I don't have much constructive to add to the conversation other than I can commiserate. I had to search long and hard for a good pasture board situation when I moved to this area.

Around here, it's not a land issue. Land is plentiful and still relatively cheap. It's more a problem of people wanting to make an easy dollar offering cheap board with no work involved on their part.

It really frustrates me at the large barns in this area-- many of them offer expensive, top notch full board with quality hay, feed, and all the "extras," yet little-to-no turn out. And then they offer pasture board at a fraction of the cost, but you can forget about any individual attention. Many of the places won't even throw hay in the winter. You're lucky if you get a daily check.

I don't understand why there isn't more middle ground. Surely these large barns have the manpower and the resources to provide pasture boarded horses some attention, they just don't want to.

[ApolloGirl]

Where do you live?

I have boarded or worked with horses in 3 states. Ohio, Georgia and Rhode Island. In Ohio, I was paying $275 for full board and All the horses get to be out for 12 or more hours a day, They would be out more, but there is so much grass, even without grain, my horse became overweight and they had to keep my horse in the outdoor areana everyother day. So he would loose some poundage.

When We lived in Georgia, there were more horses on less land, but the grass grows, 9 -10 months of the year and was supplemented with hay during dry times. Paying $175 a month.

So when I came to Rhode Island, you can imagine my suprise. $600-800 a month board and NO GRASS ANYWHERE at most places, or only when it is summer and your horse might get some grass for 2 hours a week. The average price per acre here for Agriculture Land, is around $11,000 per acre. So many places have to put 2+ horses an acre to breakeven, especally if they have an indoor arena. I have friends who are paying $1200 or more to get what I got in Ohio.

So I guess my point is if you live, in the north east, or anywhere property prices are high you are less likely to get pasture board without paying big prices. Other wise, people don't have an excuse to not be providing pastures for at least 1/2 the day and grass that is well maintained.

[sublimequine]

Apollo; I'm in central IL, land isn't HORRIBLY expensive here. Not dirt cheap, but not very costly either.

[onthebit]

Amen to that. Pasture board=minimum to keep them alive.

I am the exception to that. I offer pasture board with identical care to stall board, including grooming, blanketing, customized feeding program (no buckets in the field and hope they all get to eat approach), and huge pastures, never more than 1 horse per 2 acres. My fencing is expensive and top notch, and I spend a lot of money maintaining and managing the pastures. All of the pastures have large and very well-built run ins, and I have spent $$$ burying and running water lines to all of the pastures on my 140 acres.

What frustrates me, is that people expect the board to be cheap BECAUSE it is pasture board. I don't understand how people think I can provide all of the above for $250 month? Makes me want to laugh out loud. Land in my area is NOT cheap, and currently on my street will cost you about $70,000 per acre. Done correctly, pasture board has costs comparable to full stall board. Apparently a lot of people don't get that.

[findeight]

People get trained to expect cheap when they see pasture or field board advertised.

I have even seen rates like
Full board (stall and full service)=$850
Part board(stall and feeding only)=$450
Pasture board=$125

Same place.

[katarine]

SE so go buy some land and make it happen then.

If I had the money, I'd buy the clear-cut land that is next to mine. It's 5K an acre. Let's say I buy 10 acres. That's 50k. It needs the stumps ripped out and removed, it needs some grading work done so it doesn't all just wash away, then it'll need time, money, fertilizer, and seed to make it pasture. Then it'll need fences, water sources, and shade built since there aren't any trees. Then- in year or two- it'll need time and tractors and implements and diesel fuel to keep it right. And fertilizer and seed and soil tests and time.

so, go make it happen. Or, just buy ten acres of pretty pasture and go for it.

'there's no excuse' is easy when it's not yours to buy, manage, and maintain. Kinda like the guy that was freaked out my horses are gnawing on some trees. They need more hay, he cried! umm, they are all at great weight, they get hayed and fed 2x a day, and the pasture is bald bald bald. Does 2 years of drought conditions mean I should somehow miraculously A- have grass and B- have hay? If it DOESN'T rain this spring then my precious hay stores just got even MORE precious. I am resting the one field I do have to rotate them onto, in the meanwhile they are just going to have to deal with it. Sorry, touchy point. again, it's easy when it's not yours to do or pay for.

[sublimequine]

SE so go buy some land and make it happen then.

If I had the money, I'd buy the clear-cut land that is next to mine. It's 5K an acre. Let's say I buy 10 acres. That's 50k. It needs the stumps ripped out and removed, it needs some grading work done so it doesn't all just wash away, then it'll need time, money, fertilizer, and seed to make it pasture. Then it'll need fences, water sources, and shade built since there aren't any trees. Then- in year or two- it'll need time and tractors and implements and diesel fuel to keep it right. And fertilizer and seed and soil tests and time.

so, go make it happen. Or, just buy ten acres of pretty pasture and go for it.

'there's no excuse' is easy when it's not yours to buy, manage, and maintain.

I'm a college student, there's no way I can afford my own land. :lol:

I never said "there's no excuse". But when I see so many folks that don't make ANY effort at pasture management whatsoever, it's disconcerting in the least.

[Tory Relic]

I think it depends on where you are. Around here, nice pasture board with run ins is available and most situations have decent turn out in pastures. If the pastures aren't supporting the number of horses, good hay is offered.

We are fortunate here, there is still a good bit of relatively inexpensive land around here. We are also very much aware of what has happened in other areas and continue efforts to preserve what we do have.

I have two fields right now in great need of maintenance. They are not fenced as pastures and are sprouting pine trees. Getting this fixed is on the agenda, but there have been other priorities. Perhaps that is true of other people. It is easy for someone uninvolved to bitch and moan....even so, when my property is what I want it to be, it will not be available for public boarding. Too many boarders do not understand what goes into land management and preservation, and MOST of them want a "pretty" place to come to with rings and other amenities, regardless of the pastures. Then if they have all of it, they bitch the boarding rate is too high. So this is just more land that won't be available for that headache.

[Hampton Bay]

Where I live, land is very expensive, and with the sand colic issue that comes with overgrazing, you just don't find 24/7 turnout. Well, unless you are in the middle of nowhere and get lucky. If you do, it would probably be double what you can find for stall board.

My solution right now is to look for my own place to buy. It may mean I will have 3 horses on a 3 acre property, but thats a lot better than the boarding options around here. Having them in my back yard will also be much easier for me for other reasons.

My mare actually likes her stall and get rather offended if left out 24/7, but she will adjust. My colt would benefit from being out all the time because he is a baby and has TONS of energy. Not to mention the benefits of not having them standing around all the time. I will have to supplement with hay year-round, but such is life. I won't have to buy bedding and clean stalls.

[eqsiu]

Even worse, I'm in central Illinois. AKA the middle of NOWHERE. :lol:

See if someone will let you put your horse out with their cows. I lease my old mare out and that's the situation she's in. She gets to boss the cows around, and has an enormous 100 pasture to live in. The leasees let the land owner's daughter ride her (okayed by me first) and it's workingout great. I'm in Southern Illinois so I know how you feel! Though at least we have hills down here. :cool:

I've found that Private places work the best. You won't have much in the way of arenas, but as long as you're a good boarder it should work well. Drive around, knock on doors, put a want ad in the paper, etc. Call every horse person you can think of to see if they know anyone who offers pasture board or if they know someone who might know someone...

[sublimequine]

See if someone will let you put your horse out with their cows. I lease my old mare out and that's the situation she's in. She gets to boss the cows around, and has an enormous 100 pasture to live in. The leasees let the land owner's daughter ride her (okayed by me first) and it's workingout great. I'm in Southern Illinois so I know how you feel! Though at least we have hills down here. :cool:

I've found that Private places work the best. You won't have much in the way of arenas, but as long as you're a good boarder it should work well. Drive around, knock on doors, put a want ad in the paper, etc. Call every horse person you can think of to see if they know anyone who offers pasture board or if they know someone who might know someone...

My mare has never seen a cow before.. I don't think she would be too happy to have them as pasturemates. She can be kind of dramatic sometimes. :lol:

I'm currently working on getting word of mouth, and have already found one very small private place that I'm looking into. Hopefully I can find more. :)

[deltawave]

She'll get used to them very quickly. :)

[Tory Relic]

She'll get used to them very quickly. :)

Yep, the first place I boarded my OTTB had cows. She never batted an eye at them. Of course, I do not know if that was her first encounter with them. Now she can see the neighbor's cows across the road from her paddock. When they're on that side of their field, she always watches them and grazes along the fence line. We've kidded about getting her a companion cow. :lol::lol:

[goodmorning]

So in spring and winter what is the setup? I'm curious what works for other people.

Turnout in the indoor - although most go out, but mine is a special needs case and does best with 24/7 turnout or 6hrs in the indoor, when he goes out in the winter he is a lunatic and injures himself, in the indoor he will romp around and roll with his buddy, but not go crashing around and into fences, jumping out of turnout :eek: Like I said, special needs case, and I don't think he is fond of cold weather.

We are in CT and he is originally from CA so who knows. But I've found a program that works best for him and I'm sticking to it! If it were warmer up here and the footing was better in winter/spring here he'd be out 24/7/365, but we seem to have a mix of iced-over paddocks and 12" of mud which just doesn't work. I think he stands around all day in the cold and eventually just jumps out of his skin...in the indoor he is constantly moving but not out of control.

[sublimequine]

Turnout in the indoor - although most go out, but mine is a special needs case and does best with 24/7 turnout or 6hrs in the indoor, when he goes out in the winter he is a lunatic and injures himself, in the indoor he will romp around and roll with his buddy, but not go crashing around and into fences, jumping out of turnout :eek: Like I said, special needs case, and I don't think he is fond of cold weather.

We are in CT and he is originally from CA so who knows. But I've found a program that works best for him and I'm sticking to it! If it were warmer up here and the footing was better in winter/spring here he'd be out 24/7/365, but we seem to have a mix of iced-over paddocks and 12" of mud which just doesn't work. I think he stands around all day in the cold and eventually just jumps out of his skin...in the indoor he is constantly moving but not out of control.

That sounds perfect for your guy, then! Sometimes I think I almost need to rethink the "no stalling EVER" idea. Perhaps my mare would settle into a stall if she spent more time in one. Because you're right, she hardly moves around more outside in her paddock now than a stall horse would, with all the ice and mud and muck.

Who knows. I'm gonna keep looking for pasture board, but try and keep my options open.

[Jasmine]

We have just about the situation you're describing.

All horses are out 24/7, with shelters and free-choice hay. They ones that get grain (not many of them) are brought in to eat, then pitched right back out. We also have an indoor and lots of land to ride on.

My boarders are upset because we plan to confine the horses to a certain part of the pasture for the spring thaw/mud season. To give us a chance to seed the pasture and let the grass that's there take hold and not get ripped to shreds. We will also be changing and adding fence during that time, to give the horses more pasture and allow for pasture rotation.

I can't have both sustainable pasture for their horses, and allow them to destroy it. I'd have to reseed every two weeks, and at $200/month, they just don't pay me enough for that!

[CosMonster]

I used to run a barn that offered pasture board, and let me tell you if I were to get back into the boarding business, I would not do that again. I had some wonderful pasture boarders who were very involved with their horse's welfare, were willing to pay extra for extra services, and had well-behaved horses that I could actually catch and handle to perform said extra services. However, they were not the norm.

Instead, most of the pasture boarders wanted full service care at rock bottom prices. They wanted us to blanket, feed hay and grain and all manner of supplements (and make sure there was no switching happening), fly spray and catch for the vet and farrier, all for $150 per month. We advertised that we would throw hay (we were in an area where unless you had expensive irrigation, there was plenty of scrub to keep them busy but not a whole lot of nutrition--and the irrigated pastures cost more than stall board sometimes!), and that's it. Everything else was up to the owner or would cost more. We were very clear about this yet still somehow the demands came, frequently after they'd moved in. Sigh.

Either that, or they just wanted to forget pony existed. Dump the semi-feral beast in the pasture, ignore the clauses in our contract specifying the need for basic vet and farrier maintenance care (pretty much feet trimmed often enough that pony could walk, and yearly shots and regular worming was all we required...not so outlandish I think). So we'd either have to take care of this ourselves and bill them (and listen to them complain despite the fact that we told them it was coming), or kick them out because I'm not having an unvaccinated, wormy pony on my farm. Either way, no fun.

We had a few problem boarders in the stalls of course, but not very many at all (especially compared to what I read on this board!). We had mostly long term boarders who were happy with our farm.

That experience, combined with the hidden expenses and labor of pasture boarding (cost of land, seeding, etc. like others have mentioned) make me understand perfectly why it's so hard to find.

I pasture board mine now, but I found a private place. I had looked all over before some very serendipitous circumstances put me here. Private farms are the way to go for pasture board, IME.

[SGray]

........ It is easy for someone uninvolved to bitch and moan....even so, when my property is what I want it to be, it will not be available for public boarding. Too many boarders do not understand what goes into land management and preservation, and MOST of them want a "pretty" place to come to with rings and other amenities, regardless of the pastures. Then if they have all of it, they bitch the boarding rate is too high. So this is just more land that won't be available for that headache.

amen

[eqsiu]

Damn, all I want is a field, shelter, decent fence, hay and water. That's it. I'll grain myself. Oh, I'd like to be able to store my grain on the property (:mad: to the current place). I deworm, trim, and vaccinate. I visit 6 days a week and even ride occasionally! But I don't need anything more. If I did you bet the horses would be in a stall, or I would pay for the extra services. However, I am broke as all get out so I want that for around $100 a month. Though I have one horse at a place where I am donating supplies for a hotwire. And helping to put it up. If I can sell off the last of my mom's horses, mine will be upgraded. Sadly, no one wants to buy my horses, or they're so far away that they don't want to travel to look at them. If only I lived in a more horsey area. :sigh:

[sublimequine]

A small update, I think I may have found a place! It's a very small place, 10 stalls and only 8 horses at the moment. It's 20 minutes away, very nice and knowledgeable BO. Called her today and asked about living arrangements for a stallwalker, and she said they have a loafing shed in the paddocks that she could live in. :)

I'm gonna go take a look at it whenever I can. It SOUNDS promising, though!

[SMF11]

I have to chime in here . . . I have four horses and board two retirees. All of them are out 24/7 except in the very worst weather (which means they are in probably less than 10 days all year (I'm in the north east)). Others have made the point that land is expensive, and I'd add, so is fencing and waterers (and if you don't have them, you have increased labor costs). Fencing 2.5 acres cost me over $10,000 last year; run-ins are almost $4,000. I charge midway between full board at a place w/an indoor (starts at $850 and goes on up -- $1000/month is common) and just renting a stall somewhere ($100 - $200). I charge $425, give full care (blankets, medication, fly spray, tick check, hold for farrier and vet etc) and I've found most people don't want this mid-level of care. They either want their horse in every night, or they want to pay as little as possible.

Now to be helpful to the OP. It sounds like you are looking like my kind of set up. But because I"m so small, and a private barn, I don't advertise. Word of mouth works best. Ask your vet, farrier, trainer if they know of anyone who has this situation. That's how I found my current boarders -- they were referred to me by the fancy full service barn a couple of miles away.

Good luck! Personally I believe having them out as much as possible is best for them.

[Jack05]

1. Many barns around here don't offer pasture board. They look down their noses at it, or are worried about the owners' horse not being cared for properly if they are not caring for it.

2. Many places don't want their pasture ruined/don't have room for pasture board.

[jn4jenny]

2. Many places don't want their pasture ruined/don't have room for pasture board.

Well, I'm always amused at the concept that pasture board on a dirt lot is somehow not as good--or even worse--than stall board. There's no grass in a stall, so how is being able to move freely on a dirt lot any worse?

Personally, if the dirt lot is well kept and doesn't get more than mildly muddy, I don't have a problem with pasture boarding my horse on it. If they're throwing ample, good quality hay, I'd prefer that situation to my horse nibbling minimal, crappy grass all day.

Shelter is a different story. If the horses aren't being brought in for crappy weather, shelter is very important indeed.

As for why there's so little quality pasture board, there just isn't much demand for it. I think folks like sublimequine and myself who want high quality pasture board are relatively rare. I feel very fortunate that I found a pasture board situation that works for me, but I searched the better part of a year before finding it. I also pay a rate commensurate with the quality of the feed, hay, excellent facilities, and the presence of knowledgeable barn owners. It's higher than the going rate for pasture board in our area, in fact at my last barn, I paid $50 more and was on stall board (with not as good feed or facilities, but still).

[coloredhorse]

I can't have both sustainable pasture for their horses, and allow them to destroy it. I'd have to reseed every two weeks, and at $200/month, they just don't pay me enough for that!

Poor Jasmine! If I were boarding with you, I'd be baking you a huge chocolate cake and volunteering to drive the spreader a few hours to give you a break! Pasture rejuvenation is hard work!

I prefer 24/7 turnout. But with the drought in the SE, on my small acreage, my mares have been dry-lotted with hay since October. I'm going to experiment with putting out another seeding of winter rye this month in one paddock. If that works, they may get some grass time early in the spring. If not, it will be May, at the earliest, before they have access to grass. It's not what I'd ideally like for them, but it's part of the required management.

Unfortunately, unless your clients have had to actually juggle all the factors that go into pasture maintenance ... not to mention all the other myriad facets of boarding ... they won't get it. When I did boarding, my best clients were those who had done self-care, worked at barns, or had their own facility. Their expectations were more realistic and their understanding of the whys and wherefores much greater.

[vanheimrhorses]

i thought we had pasture here on the east coast until i talked to my friend in south dakota and his pastures are 600 acres each!! now that is pasture

[shawneeAcres]

ahhh...but the FLIP side, as I am a barn owner who boards, is that very FEW people are willing to PAY for the type of pasture baording youa re talking about. Pasture maintenance is expensive and time consuming. Mowing a large pasture during the growing season can literally take up all of your time. Factor in seeding, fertilizing, fence and run-in cost/upkeep, not to mention good quality hay/feed when pasture is not adequate PLUS all the amenities that most still want, i.e. access to a nice arena, tack room, wash stall etc and it turns out that pasture board really is not cheaper either in terms of time or materials than stall boarding a horse! But how many people roll their eyes when you tell them that! So please look at it from our point of view! We offer "pasture baord" as well as stall board, there is a SLIGHT reduction in board but not much. Our pastures are not adequate to completely eliminate grain and hay, we don't have huge,e xpanisive pastures, but we try and keep them in as good condition as possible (especially considering the drought!) yet people think they should be able to pay $50 - $100 for pasture board!

[shawneeAcres]

Damn, all I want is a field, shelter, decent fence, hay and water. That's it. I'll grain myself. Oh, I'd like to be able to store my grain on the property (:mad: to the current place). I deworm, trim, and vaccinate. I visit 6 days a week and even ride occasionally! But I don't need anything more. If I did you bet the horses would be in a stall, or I would pay for the extra services. However, I am broke as all get out so I want that for around $100 a month. Though I have one horse at a place where I am donating supplies for a hotwire. And helping to put it up. If I can sell off the last of my mom's horses, mine will be upgraded. Sadly, no one wants to buy my horses, or they're so far away that they don't want to travel to look at them. If only I lived in a more horsey area. :sigh:

FOR $100 a MONTH!!!!! What century are you living in? Do you KNOW what a field with GOOD grass, well maintained, a shelter, a good fence and hay COSTS????? My god, I'd go BROKE if I offered pasture board WITH HAY in this drought go for that, see this is exactly what I meant!

[Chief2]

$100????

Maybe if you, buy/store your own hay and grain, do all of your own feedings and waterings, don't care much about safe fencing and remember to shut off the lights. To expect more or ask someone else to do any of it for you at that price? That's not the norm around here.

We do pasture board on 75 acres, with a huge double run-in shed. Of the 60+ horses on the farm, about 13 or so are pasture boarded this winter. I have seen it go as high as 28 on pasture board.

The horses have access to most of the 75 acres, which means 2-3 times a year we mow with the John Deere. Now that we've gotten a bigger mower, it takes about 4-5 hours instead of 2-3 days. We've got decent graze, and in the summer most could easily get by without any grain at all. Some wind up having to come in at night because they get too fat on the grass. In the winter they get plenty of hay, heated water, and shelter. We put in our own hay from June through the beginning of August (usually first cut) and then order in another load in March to get us to June. Footing in the shed is replaced twice yearly and cleaned in between. In deep snow, paths are plowed for the horses to get around, and ditto for the driveway. Fences are kept safe and in good repair. This work is all constant and the repair crew has a revolving list that never seems to end.

Straight pasture board includes hay, water, grass and shelter, complete usage of all indoor amenities, including a bathroom, hot wash stall, indoor arena, aisles, and indoor storage of tack/blankets, etc. Outdoor boarders also have access to the lesson program and all showing venues. For an additional fee your horse can be grained by the barn staff.

There is no way that this could be offered for $100 a month around here. The hay, tractor fuel, footing replacement, plowing and lights/electricity alone would make that prohibitive, and that's without adding in insurance or paying anyone to hay or water your horse.

Now, I understand that there are areas in the country where this is not impossible to find for that price, but up here, I can't think of one. Even the stripped down places, with small acreage, barb wire fencing and expectations that you buy your own hay/grain and do all your own feedings and work charge more than that.

[Texarkana]

FOR $100 a MONTH!!!!! What century are you living in? Do you KNOW what a field with GOOD grass, well maintained, a shelter, a good fence and hay COSTS????? My god, I'd go BROKE if I offered pasture board WITH HAY in this drought go for that, see this is exactly what I meant!

I think this is really a matter of location, location, location.

I live in TN. The immediate area around Nashville has has very high land values (the county directly south of Nashville is one of the most affluent in the US). But driving as little as 20 miles north or west of the city limits can put you into areas where land is still dirt cheap and plentiful. It's not uncommon to see ads on craigslist or at the co-ops in those areas advertising "Horse Board- $100" or less.

Granted, we're talking very rough board and more than likely it's self care. Fencing is probably going to be woven wire or electric wire at best, barbed wire at worst. They can afford to provide hay because they bale their own. They may or may not grain your horses, but you'd definitely be providing feed. For $100 a month, surely no one would expect them to provide you with any additional services.

I think part of the problem with this conversation is that the term "pasture board" is too broad. While my finances are limited, I'm not griping about the cost of pasture board. I'm griping about the fact that so few places in my immediate area offer any sort of "full pasture board."

The popular options at the majority of the boarding barns around here is either you pay an ungodly rate for stall board with little turnout, or you can pay pennies and have your horse thrown out in a field to fend for itself. For example, one farm I visited had several hundred acres (so space was not an issue). Stall board started at $800/month and included hay, feed, all the "extras," and 30 minutes of individual turnout. Field board was $200/month and that included your horse being thrown in a large pasture with 25 other horses. That's it. No hay, no feeding, nothing. And there was no in between option, except to pay an extra fee on the stall rate for longer turnout.

Why do so few places offer an in between option? Several of you BOs have expressed that boarders just aren't interested. But when I lived in PA, I did not have to search long and hard for pasture board. Almost every farm's pasture board included hay and feed, maintaining pastures, and many places also did the "extras" such as changing blankets, holding for farrier, etc. Of course, the cost of board reflected the services provided. But anything less than that was described as "self care board."

[onthebit]

I think this is really a matter of location, location, location.

I live in TN. The immediate area around Nashville has has very high land values (the county directly south of Nashville is one of the most affluent in the US). But driving as little as 20 miles north or west of the city limits can put you into areas where land is still dirt cheap and plentiful. It's not uncommon to see ads on craigslist or at the co-ops in those areas advertising "Horse Board- $100" or less.

Granted, we're talking very rough board and more than likely it's self care. Fencing is probably going to be woven wire or electric wire at best, barbed wire at worst. They can afford to provide hay because they bale their own. They may or may not grain your horses, but you'd definitely be providing feed. For $100 a month, surely no one would expect them to provide you with any additional services.

I think part of the problem with this conversation is that the term "pasture board" is too broad. While my finances are limited, I'm not griping about the cost of pasture board. I'm griping about the fact that so few places in my immediate area offer any sort of "full pasture board."

The popular options at the majority of the boarding barns around here is either you pay an ungodly rate for stall board with little turnout, or you can pay pennies and have your horse thrown out in a field to fend for itself. For example, one farm I visited had several hundred acres (so space was not an issue). Stall board started at $800/month and included hay, feed, all the "extras," and 30 minutes of individual turnout. Field board was $200/month and that included your horse being thrown in a large pasture with 25 other horses. That's it. No hay, no feeding, nothing. And there was no in between option, except to pay an extra fee on the stall rate for longer turnout.

Why do so few places offer an in between option? Several of you BOs have expressed that boarders just aren't interested. But when I lived in PA, I did not have to search long and hard for pasture board. Almost every farm's pasture board included hay and feed, maintaining pastures, and many places also did the "extras" such as changing blankets, holding for farrier, etc. Of course, the cost of board reflected the services provided. But anything less than that was described as "self care board."

But even "dirt cheap" land at $3500/acre which can be found for 20 miles outside of Nashville - you can't pay for it, fence it, put a shelter on it, get water to it, maintain it and make money boarding a horse on it for $100 month. Of course as you know, where I live, you'd need to multiply the per acre price by a factor of about 20! My farm is literally right next door to the new Greg Norman Signature Golf Course and McMansion subdivison you see advertised all over the place.

I also think the reason you don't see much full pasture board offered around here is because it would be equally as expensive to the facility owner, it not more so, then full stall board to be done properly. Most people think pasture board should be cheaper. They don't realize that putting up a 30 stall barn on 10 or 15 acres will cost roughly the same as buying 60 acres of land, fencing and cross fencing, put up shelters, running water lines, re-seeding and fertilizing yearly, have storage buildings for blankets, grain, hay, etc. costs just as much. So it is easier to sell dirt cheap pasture board with no care or to sell full stall board at a high price simply due to perception. At least that is my theory on it.

[Lookout]

Agreed! A dirt lot with shelter is still better than a stall :lol: ! Where I am now my horse is in a large paddock that doesn't get reseeded and yes it can get a little muddy at time oh well. In season, he goes out and grazes on the huge carefully maintained grass pastures, just like the stall kept horses get 'their' turnout except he goes from paddock to pasture instead of stall to pasture. Works great.

I am one of those with you that wants 'good' pasture board. I think if more places offered it more people would want it. Lots of people know it's better for their horses and prefer better lifestyle for their horses than conveniences for themselves a few times a week.

Well, I'm always amused at the concept that pasture board on a dirt lot is somehow not as good--or even worse--than stall board. There's no grass in a stall, so how is being able to move freely on a dirt lot any worse?

Personally, if the dirt lot is well kept and doesn't get more than mildly muddy, I don't have a problem with pasture boarding my horse on it. If they're throwing ample, good quality hay, I'd prefer that situation to my horse nibbling minimal, crappy grass all day.

Shelter is a different story. If the horses aren't being brought in for crappy weather, shelter is very important indeed.

As for why there's so little quality pasture board, there just isn't much demand for it. I think folks like sublimequine and myself who want high quality pasture board are relatively rare. I feel very fortunate that I found a pasture board situation that works for me, but I searched the better part of a year before finding it. I also pay a rate commensurate with the quality of the feed, hay, excellent facilities, and the presence of knowledgeable barn owners. It's higher than the going rate for pasture board in our area, in fact at my last barn, I paid $50 more and was on stall board (with not as good feed or facilities, but still).

[sublimequine]

Lookout and jn4; I'm interested in the subject you guys are mentioning, dirt lot vs stall. My mare currently lives on a dirt lot/paddock. And really, to be honest, that part doesn't really bother me all that much. My mare's an easy keeper, and hardly needs 100 acres of knee-high bright-green grass to keep her healthy. BUT. Her paddock is quite small, and the drainage leaves a lot to be desired. Also, BO only has grass/alfalfa hay, so free range is out of the question. Right now she gets hay usually 3 times a day, sometimes 4 if I throw her an extra armful myself. :)

I'm really not content with her current situation, but unfortunately by the time I could give my 30 days notice and move her, she would only be at the new place for a month before we would both be going home for the summer (I take her to college with me). SO, I'm hoping to find a barn before I leave for the summer, explain to the BO when I'll be coming back, and then moving to the new place next fall. I'm also considering sending her 'home' early, and I may just have to be without my girl for my last month of school. It would be for her own good, even though I'd miss her terribly.. we'll see. :sadsmile:

[Texarkana]

But even "dirt cheap" land at $3500/acre which can be found for 20 miles outside of Nashville - you can't pay for it, fence it, put a shelter on it, get water to it, maintain it and make money boarding a horse on it for $100 month. Of course as you know, where I live, you'd need to multiply the per acre price by a factor of about 20! My farm is literally right next door to the new Greg Norman Signature Golf Course and McMansion subdivison you see advertised all over the place.

I was by no means was referring to your farm as somewhere in the cheap area. ;) Your farm is quite the anomaly for our area (in a GOOD way). :)

But even in our greater middle TN area, you can still find a lot of "country" places cheap.

I see ads like this all the time:


http://nashville.craigslist.org/grd/568111184.html

http://nashville.craigslist.org/grd/535188169.html

http://nashville.craigslist.org/grd/529347526.html <--- this one is within the metropolitan Nashville/Davidson county city limits

http://nashville.craigslist.org/grd/521672900.html

Are these people making a profit? I don't know. And certainly I wouldn't expect any "frills" at any of these places. I'm just saying that the "$100 pasture boarding" situations that many are claiming don't exist certainly do exist.




I also think the reason you don't see much full pasture board offered around here is because it would be equally as expensive to the facility owner, it not more so, then full stall board to be done properly. Most people think pasture board should be cheaper. They don't realize that putting up a 30 stall barn on 10 or 15 acres will cost roughly the same as buying 60 acres of land, fencing and cross fencing, put up shelters, running water lines, re-seeding and fertilizing yearly, have storage buildings for blankets, grain, hay, etc. costs just as much. So it is easier to sell dirt cheap pasture board with no care or to sell full stall board at a high price simply due to perception. At least that is my theory on it.

A very good point, especially if one is building a brand new facility. But at the same time, I'm was referring to the big, commercial barns already in existence that have both large barns with stalls and many fenced pastures with shelters. It's not like they saved money by investing in one or the other. I don't see how offering a "full pasture" board option would cost the operation any more when all the bones are already in place. Especially if they set their rates appropriately.

[onthebit]

Oh, I didn't think you were saying or implying anything negative about my place (how's that for ego? :lol: ) I just find this a fascinating topic and there has been some good discussion on this thread. As for why they fancy plants place you are referring to won't offer decent pasture board given they already have the infrastructure - I think that place is simply really odd about some things.

Oh, and I so wish they weren't building the McMansion/golf course right next door. :(

[county]

For sure location is the key around here theres literally 1000's of acres of pasture board. I have 180 acres of pasture split into 8 differant ones and get $100 a month all pastures have run in shelters. But theres not alot of call for boarding in this part of the country as most everyone has pasture land anyway. I board some TB and QH brood mares for race customers that live near the cities but I don't know of any local people that board their horses.

[S1969]

Interestingly, I've never really heard of what you're describing as "pasture board"....I agree that my experience of pasture board means - living in a mud lot with a bunch of other horses a.k.a. not in a stall with individual feeding & care. :)

Sounds like you've found a private option - that was my thought. On my 1 mile long road there are 3 horse farms; one that takes boarders with "pasture board" (see above) and two private farms with pasture (mine and one slightly larger). I think the downside to a "private" or backyard situation is that the facilities may never rival what you can find in a boarding situation with regard to riding - I have a very small stonedust outdoor (80x100) and a medium stonedust paddock which can be used for 24/7 turnout in wet weather...but no indoor arena, no trails. So it's a tradeoff. For our personal use it is fine, but when paying board....hard to know if it's "enough" for a boarder's riding goals.

I agree that seeking private options - e.g. an ad in Craiglist - might help. We have one boarder but if we are in search of another in the future we would love someone like you!

[sublimequine]

Interestingly, I've never really heard of what you're describing as "pasture board"....I agree that my experience of pasture board means - living in a mud lot with a bunch of other horses a.k.a. not in a stall with individual feeding & care. :)

Sounds like you've found a private option - that was my thought. On my 1 mile long road there are 3 horse farms; one that takes boarders with "pasture board" (see above) and two private farms with pasture (mine and one slightly larger). I think the downside to a "private" or backyard situation is that the facilities may never rival what you can find in a boarding situation with regard to riding - I have a very small stonedust outdoor (80x100) and a medium stonedust paddock which can be used for 24/7 turnout in wet weather...but no indoor arena, no trails. So it's a tradeoff. For our personal use it is fine, but when paying board....hard to know if it's "enough" for a boarder's riding goals.

I agree that seeking private options - e.g. an ad in Craiglist - might help. We have one boarder but if we are in search of another in the future we would love someone like you!

Thanks for the compliment. It's also good to know that dirt paddocks are more common than I originally thought. Makes me feel better! :lol:

As for amenities at bigger boarding barns (indoor, wash rack, fancy arenas, etc), really all I want is somewhere to stow my tack that is out of the elements (live in dorms.. don't have room for my stuff! :lol:), some sort of flat, safe area to ride (big grass field works just fine), and if I can ride around the property for 'trail', that would be good too. Riding isn't my top priority, and my mare really dislikes riding in indoor arenas (perhaps because I don't really like to, either!), so I'm a pretty easy to please! :D

[Dellary]

If you're located anywhere near Champaign-Urbana, check out www.pemberleystables.com

[hay06]

Where in central IL? I'm at school in Bloomington and pasture board out in Shirley...the mare loves it and the care is great. There are also other barns in the area who do the same, or at least there were when I looked last fall. PM me if you'd rather.

[sublimequine]

Where in central IL? I'm at school in Bloomington and pasture board out in Shirley...the mare loves it and the care is great. There are also other barns in the area who do the same, or at least there were when I looked last fall. PM me if you'd rather.

Are you referring to Timber Creek? :)

[Simbalism]

I like my mare to be on pasture board. For the last 8 years, I was able to lease the pasture and barn of a private farm. Worked great. The property was recently sold and I couldn't find a similar situation. I found a farm that does several levels of pasture board. She does a layup/retirement board that includes feed and worming feet picked once perday. She also does a higher level pasture board with worming, blanketing, feed, supplements, feet picked once per day and use of all facilities(ring, trail, wash stall, washer dryer, shower). I have my mare on the higher level pasture board. It works great. The BO also told me if horse becomes injured for whatever reason and not being ridden, board would be decreased if I wanted. Original farm was 40+acres and they just purchased another 60. Currently( as of today) if I'm counting correctly there are 13 horses. I believe 2 more are coming the beginning of April as retirement horses. Most of the 13 horses are full board with 4 being upper level pasture board.

[Tamara in TN]

[QUOTE=sublimequine;2991313]Why is it that it is SO hard to find quality pasture boarding?! Either the barn doesn't have it at all and the horse is expected to live in the stall, or the 'pasture' is nothing but a dirt lot with an inadequate shelter for the number of horses crammed into the lot. :no:


what I remember of boarders,:) was that they wanted the moon,paid nada and fussed every chance they got....lush fancy well groomed fields bring a hay bill waaayyyyy down sure....but there is a set number of horses that can be maintained thereon,the animals must be easily caught and (for some reason) the boarders imagined "Pookie" would come flying to the gate to meet them on their twice a month forays to the barn....

not to say that you are like this SBE but if proper Ky black board boarding was available no one would pay for it....and no one wants to "walk" gasp to get the horse...they preferred over picked pens to easily access the animals....
my open mares and youngstock live in a densely wooded, up and down deep spring fed Valley known as "the Big Meadow"...it makes for catty,bold movers but I am sure any boarder would hate it:lol::lol:

[lawndart]

I am the exception to that. I offer pasture board with identical care to stall board, including grooming, blanketing, customized feeding program (no buckets in the field and hope they all get to eat approach), and huge pastures, never more than 1 horse per 2 acres. My fencing is expensive and top notch, and I spend a lot of money maintaining and managing the pastures. All of the pastures have large and very well-built run ins, and I have spent $$$ burying and running water lines to all of the pastures on my 140 acres.

What frustrates me, is that people expect the board to be cheap BECAUSE it is pasture board. I don't understand how people think I can provide all of the above for $250 month? Makes me want to laugh out loud. Land in my area is NOT cheap, and currently on my street will cost you about $70,000 per acre. Done correctly, pasture board has costs comparable to full stall board. Apparently a lot of people don't get that.

I no longer call it pasture board, because people want to pay 1/2 price. It is almost as much work, sometimes in miserable weather, its more work. I have a huge building they can get into 24/7 where there is always a full hay ring and a heated watering system. Of course, being horses, they don't leave manure in nice tidy spots, but go all over... it takes me longer to clean that building then it does 6 stalls. They get as much grain, as much individual attention, even if I have to chase them down to do it, LOL! I do rotational grazing so there is always good grass (in season) not overgrazed weeds masquerading as grass. This means I have lots, and lots of fencing. Over two miles of it. :yes: This has to be maintained. The pastures have to be seeded, fertilized, and what seems like constantly mowed ;) I mow a lot. So where is this such a big money maker for me? I don't even save on bedding, as I put bedding down in the big building to absorb manure and urine.

So all of the above should answer the OPs question. Pasture board is either cheap because there is no actual grass, or its not cheap because its properly maintained. :)

[shea'smom]

Lawndart, ( love the name)
What do you call your pasture board then?
I have pasture board, which includes a big run in shed, grain once or twice a day as needed, hay as needed and we take turnout blankets off and on.
I'd be interested in re-naming, and changing my prices.
thanks

[lawndart]

Lawndart, ( love the name)
What do you call your pasture board then?
I have pasture board, which includes a big run in shed, grain once or twice a day as needed, hay as needed and we take turnout blankets off and on.
I'd be interested in re-naming, and changing my prices.
thanks

I just call it the 'active barn'. :D As opposed to the geriatric barn :winkgrin: But I only do retirement boarding, so that works for me. Once I explain that the active barn is made up of horses who prefer free choice, and the care is the same, I usually get either the 'I prefer a stall' response, or 'wow, that sounds great, my horse will love it' response. It doesn't matter to me which the owner chooses, but some horses really prefer in and out at will. The active group self regulates themselves mostly. Inside on miserable windy rainy days, or blazingly hot ones. In the summer, I often hear them galloping around, playing at 2am :winkgrin: horses don't care what time it is, the active barn caters to that.

The geriatric barn is mostly made up of horses with physical issues. Or mental ones :eek: My personal horses are in the active barn, and I feel they are better for it.

Note: I do have the ability to make two temporary stalls in the active barn with panels in case of sickness or injury. I don't charge extra for that, sh*t happens.

[besjoux]

Why is it that it is SO hard to find quality pasture boarding?! Either the barn doesn't have it at all and the horse is expected to live in the stall, or the 'pasture' is nothing but a dirt lot with an inadequate shelter for the number of horses crammed into the lot. :no:

Anyone else share my woes trying to find decent pasture board? Ya know, with grazing time and a big shelter and everything? I know, my demands are just outlandish. At least that's how it feels. :eek:

How do you guys cope with lackluster pastures, when you have no other options?


Too bad you don't live close to Kalamazoo...we have 25 acres of pasture grass with enough quality grass in the summer we do not hay (granted we DO have to gradually adjust to spring grass and therefore need a sacrafice lot to avoid colic and grass founder).

The big problem is it is EXPENSIVE to maintain such a place. We are at $150 right now and may need to increase because fertilizer and field maintenance is VERY expensive. I think you'll find a lot LESS pasture board available soon.