Tennessee Horse Boarding Market Report
May 2026
As of May 2026, Tennessee has 165 active horse boarding listings and 156 trainers. The average boarding cost is $671/month across 16 priced listings, ranging from $30 to $1,050 (10th–90th percentile).
Active Listings
165
Trainers
156
Average Cost/Mo
$671
Median Lesson Rate
$55
Riding lessons in Tennessee run $35–$75 per lesson (median $55), verified from 27 instructors' published rates. Browse Tennessee lessons
Average Boarding Costs by Type
| Board Type | Average/Mo | Low End | High End | Listings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pasture Board | $502 | $265 | $800 | 7 |
| Full Board | $481 | $265 | $800 | 7 |
Based on 16 priced listings in Tennessee. Updated May 2026.
Market Insights
85th Iroquois Steeplechase runs May 9 with $575,000 in purses
The 85th Iroquois Steeplechase, presented by Bank of America, returns to Percy Warner Park in Nashville on Saturday May 9, 2026, with seven races and total purses of $575,000 — the richest on the National Steeplechase Association's spring circuit. Gates open at 8:30 a.m. and the event draws more than 30,000 spectators annually. Since Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt became the primary beneficiary in 1981, proceeds have totaled more than $11.3 million.
Mid-South alfalfa firm: Premium small squares quoted $270-$305/bale
The USDA Tennessee Direct Hay Report (released March 31, 2026 — the most recent available bi-weekly issue) listed alfalfa supreme 3x4 large squares at $350/bale, alfalfa premium small-square bundled bales at $270-$305/bale, alfalfa good 3x4 squares at $235/bale, and alfalfa fair 3x3 squares at $125/bale. With drought now blanketing the state, these levels are more likely to firm than soften heading into summer; trucked-in alfalfa from KY and the Midwest will carry diesel surcharges on top.
TN diesel at $5.22/gal still adds up on every inbound hay load
AAA reported Tennessee on-highway diesel at $5.222/gal on May 4, 2026 — the lowest of the five major boarding states tracked in this report (CO $5.51, WA $6.83, KY $5.30, PA $5.98). Even at TN's relative discount, every load of Kentucky or Midwest alfalfa hauled into Middle Tennessee picks up that fuel cost on top of firm hay quotes. With trucking capacity already cited by USDA as the limiting factor on TN inbound hay, carriers will not absorb further crude moves.
Discipline Breakdown
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