Retirement boarding Northern Virginia?

[Invested1]

Hey y’all, tried to a search on the topic but the most recent thread to pop up is a couple years old.

I’m starting to think that it may be coming up on time to retire my boy so I thought I’d start looking for potential retirement boarding places.
Optimal is out the way of Centreville, Manassas, Warrenton, Haymarket, etc, as I’d like to visit often. Even more optimal would be a back yard barn in Oakton but I figure the chance of that is pretty minimal.

Not looking for anything fancy, field board is fine, but good care/good reputation is non-negotiable.

Any suggestions?

[luvmyhackney]

I would try Lisa Snooks new place, Belle View located in Waterford. They offer retirement boarding. She was recommended by the Marion Dupont Medical Center in the area and my farrier. I’ve been there 3 months so far and pony is very happy. We do dry lot field board. Its not fancy by any means…the care is excellent.

[Invested1]

Thanks, I’ll check it out!

Do you know off hand the cost and what’s provided?

[StormyDay]

My neighbor does retirement board in Leesburg, however your horse has to be ok with grass. They have a ton, 20 acres of pasture. It’s field board but they have 24/7 access to the barn which has fans this time of year.
May TB lives there and I don’t know if he has ever been so fat!
PM me if you are interested.

[Sansena]

Regardless of where you board your retiree, be sure to check on him --with your own eyes, live-- at least every 6 weeks. Have heard countless horror stories of one particular barn ‘down south’ where horses are dropping like flies. BO is craft. Sends lots of photos… horses heads down, grazing.

Owner never sees top-line or profile to see the ribs and coat hanger hips. Next you know, horse is dead. Emaciated or impaction colic. You simply cannot put 30 y.o. horses out on round bales and expect them to thrive in a herd.

[Janet]

For Oakton, contact the Hunter Valley Riding Club ( an offshoot of the Home Owner’s Association) and ask if they know of anyone.

[Invested1]

Thanks all!!
Great suggestions. And heck yah, I can’t imagine going even 6 weeks without seeing my main man! That’s why I’d love Oakton so I could see him multiple times a week. <3

[crosscreeksh]

Price range for “good” retirement situations??