Conference noted::equitation

    
    There is a nice barn in Pepperell Ma. right next to Hollis N.H.
     I'm not sure how much space they have left.  It would be rough
    board, I'm not sure of the price, but I am quite positive it is 
    under $200.00.  It is owned by Dr. Lindermouth (sp?) a veternarian 
    (not horse, but still nice to have on the premises).  I don't know 
    his number but he is listed or you can get in touch with him at the
    Leominster Animal Hospital.
         

    Is the cost of rough board usually "under $200" up north?  We have
    a hard time getting more than $150-180 for FULL care, the higher
    price including wormer and Equitrol for summer bugs.
    
    Is the place you mentioned complete with indoor arena?  What makes
    board so high?
    

Boarding a horse "up north" is expensive, kind of like renting 
    an apartment!!  We are charging $200 a month, and from what
    I have heard, that is pretty cheap for this area.  There are
    barns quite close to us charging $400+ a month.  

	 the primary  reason  for  such  high  board in the northeast is
     because  of  the  basic  cost  of  the land investment involved. In
     eastern  Massachusetts,  small  houses (e.g. Cape style) can easily
     cost  over $100K. And that's on a quarter acre of land. In order to
     have  horses  on  your  property, you usually have to have a couple
     of  acres  (sometimes per horse), minimum, according to town zoning
     rules.  And then there's the taxes on that land.  

	 $200 is  very  cheap  around here. If you find a place for less
     than that, it probably means you have to do a lot of your own work,
     or  at  least  have  to  buy  the  supplies.  Under  $300  is still
     considered  a  bargain.  And  that  doesn't  necessarily include an
     indoor  arean.  For those you can generally expect to pay in excess
     of  $300.  With  any  sort  of  serious  professional linked to the
     stable, board rapidly approaches the $400-$600 per month rate.


    

    
    	i'm sorry but i dont buy any of that.
    good hay and grain just dont cost that much.
    
    say a horse that eats 16 qts a day @.11 per quart.
    and a bale of hay 5.00$ every three day you are looking at the total
    of around 110.00
    200.00 i can buy but nothing over it. plus people dont want to feed
    your horse all that grain, so you might only get up 12 qts.
    i'm lucky enough t be paying 150. and my horse gets 12 qts per dy
    and all the hay she can eat.
    `			just my opinion.
    
    		wendy o'
    

    Speaking from the point of view of one who has had boarders and
    also been a boarder let me point out that the cost of supplies is
    only a small part of the expense.
    
    How much do you think your time is worth?  (How much does Digital
    pay you for an hour's work?)  How much does it cost for fencing
    maintenance, barn maintenance, bedding, on and on and on.  And,
    if one of your paying guests chews the barn down or kicks holes
    in the walls, or, God forbid, hurts another horse or person, what
    kind of expense would that create?
    
    The boarders in my barn are cared for as if they were my own.  They
    get the same food, vitamins, bug control, wormer, vet care, etc.
    as my horses.  And, I don't have boarders for altruistic purposes.
    I do it for the money.  As I assume anyone else who takes in boarders
    does.  
    
    I think that, within reason, when you board out you get what you
    pay for.  And, there is no such thing as a free lunch.
    
    Gwen

    
    	boy wheres your barn!!! i have had some hard times finding
    good place to board i have paid up to 275.00 and i noticed no
    difference in paying 150.00 and 275.00 i guess you just have to
    look around however,i can see the expense of electricity and other
    expenses, they can be expensive, but i cant see paying higher for
    something i get now.  i have seen the expenses of food and hay,
    and shavings and everything that goes along with it.(we also used
    to have a place with an indoor arena in denver and i know what it
    like to board, when i came here and saw the price of feed i almost
    droppped dead) anyway i can see your point however and have seen
    both sides.
    			wendy o'
    

    
    Wendy - I think that you missed a point in an earlier note - about
    the cost of the LAND that the house/barn/paddocks are on.  I believe
    that in S.NH/MA, the price of land is much more than in west.  And
    I would suspect that the tax rate is probably quite a bit higher.
    
    

re:.8 

	 That's exactly  my  point.  The dirt upon which your horse will
     wander  costs  a good deal more in the northeast than in almost any
     other area of the country.

    Don't forget the high cost of insurance for that property too. 
    From what I understand, insurance is a "must" for people who own
    and operate show/training/boarding barns.  I board my mare in
    Londonderry, NH and all the boarders recently had to sign individual
    contracts releasing the farm of any liabilities re. clients' horses
    and damage or injuries done by or to the horses.  It was, of course,
    to protect the family owning the farm.  The word "sue" is used too
    frequently in today's society.
    
    Of all their boarders, only one refused to sign and has moved her
    horse out of the barn. 
    
    Pat
    

    How about Brookline N.H. its next to Hollis?  There is a boarding
    and training facility there.  Freewind Farms is the name and it
    is owned by Laurie MacDonald.  Full board is $225.00 last I new,
    I don't know if she does half board.  The number is 603-673-7040
    or if no answer there you can try out in the barn at 603-673-4387.
    Good luck

    Does anyone have any information on a boarding facility in Mass,
    I am moving to N.reading Sept 1st and I am looking for a place to
    rough board...(desperately looking for inexpensive board)..I am
    willing to do all the work myself, but it's very difficult to find
    a farm in this area that will ALLOW you to do the work yourself.
    
    Please help !!??
    
    Thanks in advance,
    
    Ann
    p.s. I have my eye on a horse, but I need somewhere AFFORDABLE that
    I could keep him.