Frequently Asked Questions

Questions We're Often Asked

What type of boarding does Sunny Sugarcreek Stables offer?
Sunny Sugarcreek Stables specializes in retirement, recreational, pleasure, trail and companion horse boarding in a relaxed, horse-centered environment. Our program is built around four pillars: natural movement and outdoor living, a proactive hoof-care program, proper nutrition and natural horsemanship. We prioritize the health, safety, and well-being of each individual horse, while providing opportunities for movement, social connection, and natural horse behavior. Just as importantly, we want our barn to feel like a place where both horses and people belong- a welcoming, laid-back community where boarders can spend time with their horses, build meaningful connections, learn, and simply enjoy being together.

What is included in board and the cost?
We understand that every boarding facility is unique and that each barn may offer different services, care options, and philosophies. Because our program is designed differently from traditional boarding models, we have chosen to use the simple term Standard Board rather than traditional categories such as full board, partial board, self-care or pasture board. Our Standard Board represents the comprehensive, horse centered care program we provide at Sunny Sugarcreek Stables, with a focus on the individual needs of each horse, their health and safety, natural movement, nutrition, hoof care and overall well-being.

Your monthly board includes:
-Quality hay — Hay is provided throughout the day, and we routinely test our hay to better understand its nutritional value.
-Individualized feeding — Up to 4 pounds of grain per day is included. Owners may also provide supplements, which our Horse Care Team will incorporate into the horse’s regular feeding schedule according to the owner’s instructions.
-Individual stall & bedding — Every horse has its own stall, which is cleaned and maintained with bedding.
-Full daily care — Our full-time Barn Manager and Horse Care Team provide twice-daily feeding, regular health observations, fresh water, hay management, stall care, and daily oversight.
-Outdoor living & movement — Horses enjoy our 17 acre property, including two movement tracks and three rotational pastures, with turnout managed according to the horses’ needs, pasture conditions, and weather.
-Herd environment — Horses are given the opportunity to live and socialize in a carefully managed herd environment, supporting their natural social needs.
-FEC spring and fall and deworming as needed.
-Facility access — Boarders have access to our indoor arena, round pen, and grass paddock, which may also be used as an outdoor riding area when conditions permit.
-Designate tack storage: locker or space in tack room.
-Coordination with equine professionals — We maintain relationships with trusted veterinarians and other equine professionals and help coordinate routine appointments and care.
-Shared barn communication — We use a shared Google Calendar to help coordinate appointments, activities, and important barn-related information.
-Individual attention — Our team gets to know each horse’s normal habits, temperament, appetite, and behavior so that changes can be recognized and addressed promptly.
More than just a stall and a pasture, your monthly board provides a complete care environment designed around the horse. Our goal is to give every horse the opportunity to move, socialize, eat well, rest comfortably, and simply be a horse—while giving owners peace of mind knowing their horse is cared for by a knowledgeable and attentive team.

How much does board cost?
Standard Board is $600 a month

How much turnout do the horses receive?
Our horses enjoy 24/7 turnout and access to the outdoors, allowing them the freedom to move, socialize, graze, and enjoy a more natural daily routine. Horses have access to their stalls as needed, and owners may request that their horse remain inside during weather conditions when they feel it in the horse's best interest. Horses also come into their stalls twice daily for feeding and individual care checks. Outside of feeding, care, or owner-requested stall time, our horses spend their time outdoors as part of our movement-based boarding program.

What are the requirements for bringing a horse to Sunny Sugarcreek Stables?
All new horses must have a current negative Coggins, current vaccination records, and a health certificate when applicable. Before arrival, owners must review, agree to, and sign our Boarding Agreement, confirming that they understand and agree to our policies, procedures, and expectations.

What vaccination are required?
6-way Spring
2-way Fall
Strangles


What additional services and amenities are available?
It is our privilege and honor to offer additional services that help make ownership easier and more enjoyable. We encourage boarders to care for their horses whenever possible, but we are happy to assist when requested. Additional services include trailer parking, mucking stall when a horse needs to remain inside due to weather or at the owner's request, fly spray application, blanketing, hoof care, lessons or training, holding for appointments, grooming, stretching, walking or exercising horse and bathing. If there is a service you need that we do not currently offer, we are always happy to discuss special requests and see how we can help.

What is the cost for Optional Services & Special Care?
Extra Stall Cleaning $5 for one time or $150 month
Parking Trailer $25 month
Holding for Appointments $10 up to 30 minutes
Fly Application $25 three months
Blanketing $35 for 10X
1 hour lesson $65
Hoof Care $75 for 30 picks
Groom or Bath $20
Custom - we are happy to determine fees for special request

Can I use my own veterinarian, farrier or other equine professional?
We value the relationship our boarders have with their trusted equine professionals. For the safety, consistency, and well-being of all horses at our facility, outside professionals must be approved by Sunny Sugarcreek Stables before providing services on the property. We are happy to discuss your preferred provider and work together to determine if they are a good fit for our barn and its care practices.

What makes Sunny Sugarcreek Stables different from traditional horse boarding?
Sunny Sugarcreek Stables if different because we focus on the whole horse- not just a stall. We combine a relaxed, horse-centered environment with natural movement, thoughtful care, and a genuine sense of connection and belonging for both horses and their people.