California Horse Boarding Market Report
October 2026
As of October 2026, California has 588 active horse boarding listings and 318 trainers. The median boarding cost is $500/month across 144 priced listings, ranging from $300 to $1,000 (10th–90th percentile).
Active Listings
588
Trainers
318
Median Cost/Mo
$500
Median Lesson Rate
$92
Riding lessons in California run $40–$115 per lesson (median $92), verified from 27 instructors' published rates. Browse California lessons
Board Types Available
| Board Type | Facilities Offering |
|---|---|
| Full Board | 364 |
| Pasture Board | 156 |
| Partial Board | 37 |
| Self-Care | 15 |
Count of California listings offering each board type. Updated October 2026.
Market Insights
California alfalfa small squares at $13 to $15 a bale, diesel at $8.181
The California Direct Hay Report dated Sept. 25 shows good trade and good demand, with dry cow and stock hay in very good demand. In the North Inter-Mountains, retail trades put premium alfalfa small squares at $13 to $14 a bale for new crop and $15 for third cutting, and premium orchard grass small squares at $18. In the South, premium Bermuda grass small squares traded at $13 a bale. California diesel was $8.181 a gallon for the week of Sept. 28 in the Energy Information Administration's California series, and haulers carry that cost into every delivered ton.
No severe drought in California, with 23.26% at D1
None of California is in severe drought on the U.S. Drought Monitor map for the week of Sept. 22, released Sept. 24. The map shows 69.76 percent of the state abnormally dry or worse and 23.26 percent in moderate drought. The other 30.24 percent has no drought rating at all. With most of the state still dry, irrigated pasture and stored hay do most of the feeding until the rains come.
Woodside eventing and FEI shows, Cow Palace rodeo fill October
The second week of West Palms Events' Sacramento International Horse Show runs Sept. 30 to Oct. 4. At The Horse Park at Woodside, the Woodside Fall International Horse Trials run Oct. 2 to 4 with FEI levels up through Advanced CCI4*S. Woodside International (FEI) follows Oct. 14 to 18, and Woodside International 2 runs Oct. 21 to 25. On the western side, the Grand National Rodeo comes to the Cow Palace in Daly City on Oct. 9 and 10.
Top Boarding Areas
| City | Avg/Month | Priced Listings |
|---|---|---|
| San Diego | $686 | 5 |
| Poway | $421 | 5 |
| Moorpark | $845 | 5 |
| Oakland | $796 | 5 |
| Lake View Terrace | $1,503 | 4 |
| Bakersfield | $382 | 3 |
| Norco | $420 | 3 |
| Lakeside | $433 | 3 |
| Redlands | $432 | 3 |
| Unknown | $330 | 3 |
Ordered by number of listings with a verified price; averages are computed over those same listings.
Discipline Breakdown
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