Hi! I am relocating for work from Kansas to Boca Raton, FL, taking my three horses. I’m definitely having sticker shock!! I am a casual rider (mostly trail riding) and don’t need anything fancy - just reasonably priced and safe for my geldings. Does anyone have any recommendations?
You might try posting on the bulletin board at www.flahorse.com. Other suggestions on facebook would be the FLAHorse group plus there’s a south Florida trail riders group. In addition, there’s a yahoo group for SEDRA–Southeast Distance Riders Assoc–that would be worth a try.
I’m outside Tampa so have no clue what’s available down that way. One thing for sure, say goodbye to winter!
Debbie
Barns around Davie tend to have more reasonable board and access to nice trails. Davie is south Broward County so a bit far from Boca , about 40 minutes. Near Boca is where I board Sunshine Meadows Equestrian Village. (google it). 180 acres with a race track and trails, multiple barns each run by their own trainer. The back barns (tan Line stables and Golden Gait) are less expensive then the rest. They are a bit high in $ though…S florida is a tough area for board prices, might almost pay to buy/lease a horse property !
(Sunshine Meadows is in Delray Beach, one town north of Boca)
I agree with the above posters - I live in Coconut Creek (south of Boca) & board in Creek, across the street from Tradewinds Park. It’s great as I can saddle up and ride off the property and I’m in the park. There is a small horse neighborhood that has several boarding places, so you might want to check it out.
But I will warn, you it won’t be cheap to keep 3 horses in South Fla. Hay has to be transported a long way, so it’s pricey - $17 and up.
There is also a small horse community in West Boca that has several places. Are you coming down here to look? You really need to go to each one and check it out, talk to them, etc.
Thanks all for your input. I will arrive in Boca around March 15, but won’t have my horses transported until sometime in late April. I am stressing out because I currently pay $200 per month for pasture boarding ($600 for the three boys total) and it looks like I’ll be lucky to keep one for that price!! I will be working in Boca, but if I can be within a 30 minute drive of the horses, that will work. I don’t need anything fancy, so I am hoping I can find a small privately owned place that won’t mind having a couple of boarders. I will be really sad if I have to thin my herd because of this relocation!
Thanks again - I truly appreciate the input and support of my fellow horse lovers!
Darcy
I don’t see how you will be able to keep 3 here…I pay $825 for one !The back barns are $700 or more at SunShine meadows.
Even in Davie, board runs in the $600 and up range (and then you add in cost of gas). There’s very little pasture board to be found here. (if someone unearths a place, let me know!)
Free Spirit Friesians in Wellington does offer pasture board for around $400-$450, and is gorgeous and near trails, but is a far drive…a good 50 minutes from Boca. Unless you choose to live mid way, perhaps west lake worth, for example, a 20 minute drive from Boca and then a 30 minute drive from Free spirit Friesians (google them as well)
I don’t know if it is realistic to find even a private place. for less $…not to discourage you but just to be realistic …[I]'ve known people here who had to give up their horses because they could not afford board and could not find any cheaper alternatives (I may have to join them one day)
Please be realistic and don’t get in over your head and then be having to ship a horse out etc. The only option is to work off board as a trade but if you are working full time that may be tough too.
Best of luck, stop in a few tack stores and ask if hey know of a place perhaps in addition to what we come up.
I pay $250 for a stall with a large paddock for partial board. There are 7 of us and we handle all the feedings (take turns), provide your own hay, grain, shavings, and one pasture for turnout.
We have 2 stalls open at this time, but they aren’t beside each other. This is in Coconut Creek, so depending on where you will be in Boca it could be 20 to 45 minutes away.
I do think your best bet is to check out the horse neighborhood that is in West Boca. Blue Sky Stables is one place and they make make a deal for multiple horses. There is some trail riding in the area. good luck
Heart’s Journey, can you give me the contact info for the barn you are at? If I can find a place to live between work and the barn, that would be ideal! Thank you so much!
Having moved to south Florida a few years ago (Davie area) boarding prices were a bit of sticker shock, that’s for sure! You are a bit north of me so not sure of anything up there to recommend. Just wanted to say good luck!
