The Business of Boarding: What Horses Cost

I want to encourage horse ownership, leasing, and youth participation in the horse industry, but the realities of what horses cost, now that I'm involved in the business of boarding horses has been an enlightening education for me!

Recently, I ran across an outstanding article outlining the realities of operating a horse boarding farm and all of the associated costs. This article is spot-on! The cost breakdown (from a farm in Lexington, KY) is similar to our farm area costs.  I encourage parents who are considering getting children involved with horses read this article for a price check on what owning a horse and boarding it costs in 2021. If you want to board a horse at a quality facility, in a convenient location, offering quality amenities: nice arena, lights, all-weather footing, nicely maintained facility, hot water, security, nice stalls, jumps, nice turn-out and fencing- AND most importantly, quality care for your horse, there are some high costs boarding facilities face to "house" your horse.  I encourage reading this entire article for the cost breakdown, but I will also summarize the numbers for you below:
COST OF ONE HORSE PER ONE MONTH: 

• Grain: $76.80
• Hay: $150
• Bedding: $40
• Utilities: $25
• Lease/Mortgage: $250
• Labor: $120
• Miscellaneous: $50
  OVERALL: $710.80

Our monthly board at Meadowthorpe is currently $700/mo. Boarding is NOT a profitable business. We no longer run a board-focused business for this reason.  We really should raise prices- we are below prices of similar boarding farms in our area. 

We want to steer you in the best direction for you horse goals for what is most realistic for your ability, budget, and your time. We are willing, however, to find creative and realistic opportunities and options to experience horses and achieve these goals if there are barriers blocking a direct path for you. Our motto is where there is a will, there is a way! We focus on good values, work ethic, learning & skill development but also on getting the family involved in horses! Keep an eye out for upcoming materials and programs available to our dedicated clients: boarders, lesson students, Memphis Youth Equestrian (Memphis IEA- a Midsouth IEA area youth equestrian team) family with more information about what we're germinating for our folks this spring and summer! If you are interested in what we're growing,  but aren't a client, reach out & we'll provide you options for how you too can receive some of the benefits our dedicated customers do!

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