I’m going to be moving to Pittsburgh this summer and plan to purchase a horse once I’m out there (currently living in Alaska). I’ve been in a lesson horse program for so long now that I feel completely out of touch with the cost of board these days. What’s the average cost of board at a H/J barn that has stalls, turn out, indoor, and outdoor areas? Is believing it to range everywhere from $400 - $900 reasonable?
It’s going to vary geographically. It’s also going to vary on the type of barn. If it’s a serious show barn, you could be talking about $800-1200/month. If it’s a more casual h/j barn, in a more affordable area, I’ve seen ranges like $500-800/month.
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OP - you might add the location in your title so that you get relevant replies. I can tell you what Chicago runs but that won’t be much help to you.
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Depends on the type of barn. Show oriented barn within an hours drive of city will be more like 900-1200. Little more casual or farther out will be a little less. Barns that offer less services will be less. The typical barn in this area and nearby states will have turnout and an indoor.
Be aware that many barns in various price ranges are tacking on a minimum additional service requirement… You can’t just board there, you need to take lessons, get pro rides, go to shows or something. so be careful with comparing board rates…its their business. Long as its disclosed, they can charge as they please… be careful.
Other thing is, if you dont want to buy or lease, most barns do not have pay by the ride school horses. Those that do restrict them to very low heights, Something else to consider. You have to compare more then just published board prices.
Obviously the virus might have an effect on any information you might find online.
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This may or may not be helpful to you, but here it goes. I live about 3 hours from Pittsburgh, still within PA, and the board prices vary significantly. You can find the board-only places (here at least) for around $300. Do not expect frills at these places. (Side note: almost all of the barns around here have some sort of indoor arena.) That is at the very bottom end of the spectrum. The nicer places with some lesson/training programs are in the $650-$1200 range. I’m sure some of the highest end barns in the area are a little bit higher than that.
As others have said, read board contracts carefully and ask lots of questions. Good luck!
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It really also depends on which part of the city you live in. South Hills barns are usually cheaper than barns in the North Hills. If you hate traffic, don’t go west of the city because 22/30 is a disaster no matter what. It really depends on what you’re looking to do.
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Might be a good idea to wait until you get moved and learn your way around. Visit tack stores, ask around, my fav is go to a local show and just watch the warm up ring. Ask around, horse people like to share.
And, again, things may have changed with the virus shut down and cancellations of shows. Anything before may have changed and websites not updated. Some barns will be as before, some not so much and some might be gone. That’s been the way in previous downturns, no reason to think it wont be the same here.
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You’d be surprised…I still see some barns on Facebook giving lessons and having other rides.
Actually, I was referencing possible changes AFTER things ramp back up. Not during the crises. Especially those who were depending on income from cancelled shows and sales. Some barns may be making changes to try to catch up in the months to follow. But bet there will be some attractive prices on sales horses for OP after she gets re situated.
Thank you all for your incredible feedback! I truly appreciate it. Please take care during this weird time!
I moved here a year ago. I’ve found most of the bigger hunter jumper facilities are to the north of the city. I’d say the average is around $650-900 for a barn that goes to rated shows throughout the year and has a nicer facility. There are a few that are way more expensive in the $1300+ rate (way over my price range). All of them generally require lessons or services added on. There are options for less than that at a more DIY place. I was surprised moving here how few bigger facilities there are compared to the wealth of the city.
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Off the top of my head (having lived here my whole life and ridden for 15 years at a number of different barns): the two ~fanciest~ H/J facilities will probably run you upwards of $1000 per month, with the expectation that you’ll be in their program and showing regularly. The two that I’m thinking of are north of the city. There’s another one in close proximity to those two that I believe is in the $700-$900 range. Some of the more average barns that are relatively close to town run in the $600 range.
I grew up and live east of the city, so I can’t tell you much re: the South Hills aside from the couple of barns I’ve encountered while traveling to clients down there for work, but board prices tend to be cheaper if you go east because land is cheaper and taxes are lower out there (and the barns tend to be more populated by eventers and all-arounders than pure H/J riders, at least in my experience). I can think of three barns off the top of my head (the one where I board my horse included) that are under $500 a month (mine is closer to $300), but again, they’re primarily populated by eventers.
There’s another place or two that I’ve been that are actually really nice and run under $800 a month, but we’re talking over an hour east from where I live, and I’m about twenty minutes outside of downtown as it is. Either way, best guesstimate for a H/J facility with a trainer that’s moderately close to the city is probably upwards of $800, and don’t be surprised if it’s more like $1200 (plus all the other expenses). The more reasonable board prices tend to come with the eventing programs, if you’re looking for a barn with a trainer attached to it.
Feel free to message me if you want to know more or ask about any places in particular, though! The horse world is pretty small around here, so I’m pretty familiar with a lot of it.
Do you already know where you’ll be living/working? Traffic may help determine what area you choose for a barn.
If you end up northeast of the city, I can highly recommend Patusan Farm in Clarksburg - a bit of a drive, but well worth it. Patty Minter is a wonderful pro and the farm is beautifully kept. Stall and pasture board (huge fields with run-ins), indoor, outdoor, xc field and extensive trails.
