This is really interesting and easy to use. Thanks so much for setting it up! 
1 Like
I would love to know where everyone is getting board and full training (or even part training) for under $1,500 these days. Especially since the majority of responses are from New England and the mid-Atlantic.
1 Like
I responded with that answer because my horses live at my house, we have no hired help and I ride my own horse. Not sure about others.
Even within the Northeast and mid-Atlantic there’s going to be a decent variation. Board and training within commuting distance of Boston or NYC is going to look different than locations in upstate NY, Central PA, etc.
I have no numbers to back this up, but my impression in my local area is that the majority of people are not in full training. Many are in partial training or may not board with a trainer and just do a hoc lessons during the month. Board at a facility with an indoor runs $850-1100, add 1-2 lessons/training rides a week and there’s a good chance you are still below $1500.
3 Likes
Southwest (not California or Colorado).
Maryland. People there pay significantly less because the eventers keep it competitively lower.
2 Likes
Mine is essentially just board. No on site trainer. Meet trainer at shows and very occasionally trailer in for lessons.
2 Likes
I’m a Marylander, and if you’re in the middle of the state and board at a farm that’s regularly attending rated shows, I think $1500 is low. It can be found, but you’re making some trade offs about facility, care, location, turnout, proximity to your trainer to do it. It also probably looks like one lesson a week and no pro rides.
I didn’t respond to the survey because my horse is retired and I haven’t got a clue what the current rate sheet looks like outside of board. I suspect looking up show fees would be depressing.
2 Likes
I answered but probably shouldn’t have because I board and train with eventers. For two horses (jumpers) my board and training/lesson fees are under $2000 in a normal month.
I did consider moving to somewhere closer to my house, but when I went on an exhaustive search everything that checked my needed boxes was MUCH more expensive, since there aren’t all that many eventing barns in our area. All that was left that would work for my guys were H/J barns and yikes! No, thank you. It is very hard to find a place that would allow outside trainers, and there aren’t options for trailering out to an indoor nearby when the weather is bad. There is also a level of micromangement that makes me uncomfortable, as I am used to dealing with my horses’ farrier and vet stuff and so on myself.
One place I looked at includes a weekly lesson fee in the board, so I’d be paying twice the board I pay now, plus my normal lessons with my own trainer (trailering out to a local outdoor ring that is open to the public, weather permitting), and getting lessons (if I wanted them) on my jumpers with a predominantly hunter trainer.
Before anyone yells at me about how boarding barns make no money, I 100% realize that, and I have no problem paying for weekly lessons (I do that now), even if I didn’t end up using them. Nor do I have any problems paying for the care I need/want for my horses. I was also prepared to pay more for the convenience of a barn closer to the city where I live, but the costs were astronomical for shaving off just 20 minutes from my drive. Also, when I dove into it, I found that the H/J barns in the same area as my current barn are still quite a bit more expensive, with comparable facilities. It doesn’t make sense to me. So, I drive more than I like but I am saving a lot of money (to put toward show fees and so on), and I don’t have to give up control of my horses to my barn/trainer.
3 Likes
I charge $1000 for field training board in Morriston FL. Horses live outside with free choice hay 24/7, typically in pairs or friended as appropriate.
Quality care and training doesn’t have to mean taking advantage of clients. I’m not getting rich, but making ends meet and this price point lets me take clients I want and horses who fit in my program, not just those who can afford a luxury.
16 Likes
I love that combination. Often times people and horses can only access high quality training if they have the budget and desire for stall board and typically limited turnout. Pasture board plus training feels like a real win for horse and rider.
7 Likes
I know of at least 1, possibly 2 (not sure if the other one upped their rates in new year). They attend horse shows (rated and unrated/regional), have indoors, and great turnout. They lesson at least twice a week.
Where were you when my horse was still sound? Lmao. My horse was on a forage only diet and lived out 24/7 we would have loved your set up! I always did partial board because I didn’t want my horse getting however many “flakes” of hay the BO wanted to feed or sell me on a million quarts of the current trendy grain on the market.
2 Likes
Upstate NY. Full care (not full service, and no training/lessons) is around $600-900. Full or partial training $1200-1600ish.
@coffeehag this is awesome. I hope you collect more data as the days pass
I note that the numbers are far less than what I observe in what I KNOW people are paying (based on show splits and conversations with the parents of juniors discussing and reviewing their itemized bills with me (a neutral AA)) in Zones 9, 10, 2, and 3 (the 4 Zones I have lived in).
I think this forum runs very old school, values horsemanship generally vs specifically riding and showing, and somewhat DIY-ish because each person has many many years of hands on, semi or totally independent horse experience.
6 Likes
Replying to myself as this same horse is now heading to our Reined Cowhorse trainer to hopefully become my next show horse, since I’m stealing him from my husband… if we get along. 
Board & Training - $1500
*lessons are included, includes cattle fee as well
Major Event Show Bill (minus entries) - ~$1095
Entries for a Major Event - $1,289 (just limited), $1,941 (if I wanted to enter all divisions)
1st Place Payout:
NP - $6,050 ($$ slots through 16th)
INT NP - $3,35.00 ($$ slots through 13th)
LTD NP - $2,515.50 ($$ slots through 17th)
Regional Event Show Bill (minus entries) - ~$625
Entries for a Regional Event - $302 (just limited), $453 (all divisions)
1st Place Payout (payouts vary based on entries):
NP - $261 ($$ through 5th)
INT - $351 ($$ through 7th)
LTD - $396 ($$ through 7th)
Local Event Show Bill (minus entires) - ~$200 if we don’t stall, $400 if we do stalls
Entries for Local Event - $135 (if I only do cow work & reining, one division), $290 (both divisions, cow & rein work only), $185 (if I want to enter the NP Ranch Cutting).
1st Place Payout (based on last show entries):
NP - ~$25 - $40 (if you don’t enter every Ranch Versatility Class)
LNP - $0 - no jackpot in LNP
NNP - $0 - no jackpot in NNP
NP Ranch Cutting - $630 ($$ through 3rd)
All in all, you’re not getting any money back in the end based on expenses, entries, etc. Of course - this doesn’t include hotel, gas, travel, or dinners with the trainer/friends. A lot of variables on payout across each association based on entries, added money, etc. We’re EXTREMELY lucky to be able to have so many options in our backyard.
So just another fun, alternative perspective on the NTX Cowhorse Scene. 
I can do a breakdown of the Cutting’s as well, if anyone is interested, but we rarely go to cuttings as I don’t have to cut to Box.
3 Likes
Is there a way to just link the results so we can keep browsing them as people fill out the form? I can’t figure out how to do that without filling out the form again. Thanks!
Yes! It’s the second link above. But I’ll provide two different options below:
The spreadsheet that links to all the replies – this will show you submission by submission
The results summary, which shows the charts and graphics; a summation of all submitted and not a zone by zone break down
3 Likes
Perfect thank you!
Zone 7
- C
- C
