Books and Resources to Start Strong
Before you invest in equipment, invest in knowledge. These books will help you understand the operational, financial, and animal care sides of running a horse boarding facility. A few hours spent reading now can save you thousands in mistakes later.
Storey’s Guide to Raising Horses by Heather Smith Thomas
This comprehensive reference covers horse health, nutrition, behavior, and facility management. You’ll learn what horses actually need in terms of space, shelter, and daily care—knowledge that directly informs which equipment you buy and how you maintain it. It’s the foundation for understanding your core product.
Shop Storey’s Guide to Raising Horses on Amazon →
The Horse Behavior Answer Book by Erin SVermont
Horse behavior directly impacts facility design and safety equipment needs. Understanding how horses react to stress, confinement, and social dynamics helps you plan paddocks, stall layouts, and safety infrastructure that actually work. This prevents costly redesigns later.
Shop The Horse Behavior Answer Book on Amazon →
Horse Business Management by Kristin J. Stable
This book addresses budgeting, staffing, liability, and operational costs specific to horse facilities. It covers equipment maintenance schedules, when to replace vs. repair, and how to forecast capital expenses. Practical for planning your initial equipment budget and understanding ROI.
Shop Horse Business Management on Amazon →
Facilities Planning for Animal Agriculture by James R. Agee
Detailed guidance on designing barns, pastures, drainage systems, and shelter structures. This book helps you understand codes, spacing requirements, and equipment layouts before you buy or build. It saves you from expensive corrections.
Shop Facilities Planning for Animal Agriculture on Amazon →
Equipment You Need
Horse boarding requires specific equipment across several categories. Your initial setup depends on your boarding model—pasture-only, part-board with stalls, or full-board with arena access. Start with essentials and add specialty items as you grow.
Fencing and Pasture Equipment
- Wooden or vinyl fencing: The perimeter boundary for paddocks and pastures. Horses test fences constantly; flimsy fencing creates liability and escape risks.
- Electric fencing: Supplement for dividing pastures and training boundaries. Much cheaper than solid fencing for secondary divisions.
- Gates: Heavy-duty hinged gates (8-12 feet) for access and safe horse movement between areas.
- Posts and hardware: T-posts, corner posts, and heavy-gauge screws/bolts that won’t fail under horse weight and pressure.
- Pasture drag: For breaking up manure and smoothing ground before winter or heavy use.
Shop fencing supplies on Amazon →
Barn and Shelter Equipment
- Stall mats: Rubber or foam mats that cushion hooves and reduce bedding costs. Essential for any stalled horses.
- Stall doors: Heavy-duty sliding or hinged doors that close securely and don’t pinch.
- Hay feeders: Wall-mounted or freestanding racks that reduce waste and prevent horses from trampling feed.
- Water troughs and buckets: Durable, easy-to-clean containers. Automatic waterers save time on large facilities.
- Shelters and run-in sheds: Three-sided structures that protect from weather without confining horses.
- Ventilation and lighting: Proper barn airflow and lighting reduce respiratory issues and make daily work safer.
Feeding and Nutrition Equipment
- Grain storage bins: Metal or plastic containers that keep feed dry and pest-free.
- Scales for feed measurement: Ensures consistent portions and tracks consumption.
- Supplement storage: Separate, labeled containers for any specialty feeds or minerals.
- Feed scoops and measuring cups: Simple but critical for accurate daily portions.
Cleaning and Waste Management
- Manure spreader: Distributes composted manure or fertilizer across pastures. Saves huge amounts of manual labor.
- Wheelbarrows and carts: For daily stall cleaning and moving feed.
- Shovels and pitchforks: Quality tools last years; cheap ones break constantly.
- Waste storage area: Designated composting space keeps manure organized and allows decomposition.
- Hoses and spray equipment: For cleaning stalls, water troughs, and equipment.
Shop manure spreaders on Amazon →
Health and Safety Equipment
- First aid kit: Bandages, antiseptic, thermometer, and wound care supplies for minor injuries.
- Halters and lead ropes: Quality, properly sized halters prevent head injuries and escape.
- Grooming supplies: Basic brushes, hoof picks, and cleaning tools.
- Safety gates and barriers: To isolate sick or injured horses safely.
- Fire extinguishers: Properly rated for barn use and stored accessibly.
Shop horse first aid kits on Amazon →
Optional: Arena and Training Equipment
- Arena footing: If you offer riding facilities. Proper footing is expensive but reduces joint injuries and liability.
- Jumps and poles: For lesson or training programs. Non-essential for basic boarding.
- Round pen: Useful for training or evaluating new horses, but not required.
What to Buy First vs Later
Your first purchases should enable basic daily operations safely. Secondary equipment improves efficiency or adds services that increase revenue.
- Buy first: Fencing, gates, stall mats, water troughs, hay feeders, wheelbarrow, shovels, halters, basic first aid supplies, fire extinguishers.
- Buy within 6 months: Automatic waterers, manure spreader, grain storage bins, electric fencing for pasture division.
- Buy after 1 year: Arena footing (if offering riding), specialized grooming tools, additional shelters, lighting upgrades.
- Buy only if revenue supports it: Round pen, jumps, advanced training equipment, tractor with bucket.
New vs Used Equipment
Used equipment saves money but carries risks. Fencing, stall mats, and tools are usually safe buys secondhand. Avoid used water troughs (hard to sanitize), automatic waterers (mechanical failures), and anything with sharp breaks or cracks that could injure a horse.
Inspect used gates and feeders carefully—damage that looks minor may worsen under daily stress. Buy new electrical equipment, locks, and anything involving water or waste management. Quality used fencing and shelter materials from reputable sellers are worth the savings. Local farm auctions, Facebook Marketplace, and Craigslist are common sources, but inspect in person before buying.
Where to Buy
- Amazon: General supplies, first aid, storage containers, small tools.
- Tractor Supply Co.: Fencing, gates, feeders, grooming supplies, hay tools.
- Dover Saddlery: Premium halters, leads, grooming equipment, safety gear.
- Local feed stores: Often carry fencing supplies, buckets, feeders, and can offer local sourcing for hay and grain.
- Farm auctions and estate sales: Used fencing, gates, shelters, and larger equipment at discounts.
- Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace: Used stall doors, mats, water troughs (inspect carefully).
- Specialty barn suppliers: Custom gates, shelters, and facility design if you’re building new infrastructure.