04/11/2023
Why are barns/stables closing their doors? Well, let me break it down for you:
Todays hay (quality Alfalfa) was priced at $26.50 per bale of alfalfa. The average horse goes through 6 bales of hay per month (sometimes 8 bales). On the low side that is $159.00, on the high side it’s $212.00 per month. Average cost to pay help to clean stalls is $84.00 per month (per horse). That is $243.00 - $296.00 per horse, per month. Add in about $10 per month for water (just for your horse to drink, this doesn’t include washing your horse), now your at $253.00 - $306.00 per month. This does not include shavings, manure removal, repairs, hay delivery or gas and time it takes to go get the hay, trash removal, grounds upkeep or insurance. It also does not include the time it takes to blanket, grain, medicate, turn out, etc. or the use of a tack room or trailer parking that many Barns charge extra for.
Horse owners are complaining about having to pay $300 a month and don’t understand the blood sweat and tears that barn owners go through to try to just break even! Many times we are paying out of our own pocket to scrape by.
Pretty soon, options will be limited as to where you will be able to board your horse due to small facilities closing down. And beware of cheap fees, they often lead to bad hay, and neglect. You get what you pay for!
