I know the typical price range for a mid-level show barn where I’m from, but I’m wondering what the range is for folks across the country. How much do you pay for full training, where do you live, and what kind of program is it?
Purely a question of curiosity, so I invite responses from everyone, whether your trainer is a BNT …or just your coworker’s sister who is pretty good with horses.
You’ll have to be more specific if you want to be able to compare - what is your definition of full training?? Full training with board and lessons? X number of rides or lessons but not board?
My barn goes to a variety of local and rated shows, has EXCELLENT care and facilities, and extremely knowledgeable trainers… regular full board is $650 and full training board is $900. We are located just north of Baltimore, Maryland. Very horsey area.
My barn sounds very similar to Pokerface. The only option is training board and it is also $900. Trainer will ride horse as needed, no set # of rides. If I am out of town for a week, she will ride my horse every day I am gone. If I am able to ride every day one week, she won’t ride that week unless we are working on something specific and I ask her to. I generally lesson 1-2 times a week, and that is an additional $65 when I do. That is also the only time I jump my horse, although trainer may jump her when she rides. I’m in Atlanta.
Pacific Northwest - great trainers for as little as $1300 a month, board and training to $2600 a month. Seattle area.
In Canada, but closer to Maine. We pay $550 for board and $1150 for full training. Training board includes 1 lesson per week and no day costs at any shows attended during the training period. Honestly, most people use this when they’re unable to ride for a certain period of time for various reasons. I hate riding in March because it’s super cold, so I usually stick him on training board for that month for that reason.
We can also do training by the week if we need tune ups, so we’re not stuck with paying for a month when all that’s really required is a few pro rides before a show.
I’m in eastern Canada (real far east :))
My regular board is $625 taxes in, at least 1 lesson/week is required, at $40/lesson, so it’s between $785 -$825 depending on how many of one’s particular lesson days are in a month (e.g. I take lessons on Thursdays, so for August my lesson cost was $200, because there are 5 Thursdays in August).
Any additional lessons or training rides can be arranged. My budget is maxed out at 1/week. I believe my coach gives a bit of a discount/package for her students who regularly do 3+ lesssons/rides in a week. It’s not a particularly show-oriented barn, but showing is an option for anyone who is interested, and trailering can be arranged.
Board is inclusive of feed and minor first aid supplies (communal cupboard). Exceptional care, very nice (not fancy, but well cared for and useable) facilities. It’s a small-ish group - I think 15 boarders altogether - so there is a degree of flexibility.
It’s a great place, I feel super lucky to be here.
PNW/Portland Metro area. I’m paying $1150 for board and up to 5 lessons/pro rides/pro hacks per week. Excellent facility and care. Trainer will work with client to create a program that works for them, too. I’m 45 minutes away in good traffic…which only happens early weekend mornings…so I need lots of work for my horse.
North Texas area here- full training usually means 5/6 days a week of either training rides/lessons as needed, plus full board and all that entails (minor vet care, blanketing, feeding, and typically daily grooming as well). You will be hard pressed to find a program under $1200, and the upper side is around$1800-2k.
Northern Colorado- A and C circuit barn. Board is $350 and I pay an additional $160 for a month for lessons. There is technically no “training board” option.
NE(ish) Georgia, $475-1000 here, with the caveat that it’s a foxhunting barn, not a “H/J” barn, though the barn does crossover a bit in the off-season. $475 gets you basic board, horses are out 24/7 with run-ins and come in to be fed and looked over, blankets changed if need be, etc, but nothing fancy. At the top of the range, $1000 includes rides (straight hacking or training) up to 3-4x a week, prep for hunting (bathe, groom, tacked) and hauled to and from the hunt, and all tack cleaned.
We have a lot of older, out of town owners, so it’s a popular choice to just get one flat bill per month and to not have to worry about getting to the hunt 1-2 hours ahead of time to get ready. I don’t begrudge them, because as I’ve worked my way up, I handle the exercise for 3 different horses/two owners.
Board is $875 and training is $550 (Oregon) – full care/training
1K to 1.2K for a middling trainer. 1.5K to 1.75K a month or more for a MNT trainer. 3.5K or more for a BNT trainer.
Wow - it’s really illuminating to see the wide range of prices. Thanks so much for the responses!
For a barn that is showing successfully at rated shows but is not a BNT, I’m personally used to seeing around $800 for board (+/- $200 depending on amenities/location) and full training (5-6 lessons or pro rides per week) around $1000-1200 additional. This is from having horses in various horsey areas with a generally higher-than-average cost of living on the East Coast (from New York to Florida).
I’ve historically worked off some of the cost / only done partial training / otherwise worked out deals, so I’m never sure if I have a clear idea of what is typical.
Around here (northern suburbs of NYC) board + full training (5/6 lessons or rides/week) starts around $2600 and goes up to $4200.
I’m in the NE Florida area and regular board is around $650 with no training. A bigger show barn that includes training/lessons would be $1300-$1500 staring out.
I’m in Atlanta and my horse is north of the city in Alpharetta/Milton. Board only is $1200 (horse is laid up). Training is $1900/month (including board) for 8 training rides/8 lessons. Additional lessons/rides are $60. Barn has a covered and is a premium facility. Trainer attends 2 rated shows/month and there is a break for those who commit to showing and have a show package where the recurring monthly fee works out to be a little higher, but the trainer then credits a fixed amount for the show fees so in the long run it is less expensive.
Equivibe/treadmill are available but extra.
Prefer the a la carte pricing model where you pay full board and then pay for additional services used ranging from lessons to pro rides to treadmill…these days there’s usually a minimum of services, say 400, required in a serious show barn, Around here full board in a show barn means a lighted indoor, real show jumps and well maintained footing so board alone is around 1k with misc, services 10-20, pro rides 20 -45 and lessons 40-75+ depending on how many and with which trainer.
Thats mid sized Midwest city, double that most places, triple in some areas.
Trouble with ’ full training" is even those offering it have trouble defining what’s included, some barns have trouble fulfilling their own definitions about who rides what what often, prefer an itemized bill. Keeps them honest, or has a better shot at doing so.
Austin, TX - Board 750, full training board (3 lessons or pro rides per week) 1k. This does not include tack and groom which are a la carte 15/ride or 200 for unlimited.
Base full board (includes feed/turnout/boots/blanketing) $675, 4x/wk rides/lessons $960
By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. You may also receive promotional emails from The Chronicle of the Horse. You can opt out at any time.
For Customers
Company
Terms of Use
