How the Horse Owners Club Helped Robinson Paul Find the Perfect Boarding Stable in Montana

When Robinson Paul decided to move to Montana with his beloved mare, Bella, he was full of excitement and a little bit of apprehension. Robinson had been an avid horse lover his entire life. Raised in Oregon, he’d grown up riding through forests and open plains, and when a job opportunity led him to Montana, he knew one thing for sure—Bella was coming with him.

But relocating with a horse isn’t as simple as packing a few bags and hitting the road. One of the biggest challenges horse owners face is finding the right horse boarding stable in Montana: one that offers quality care, safe facilities, and transparent pricing. Robinson was determined to find the perfect place for Bella, but what seemed like a straightforward task quickly turned into a frustrating maze.

The Search Begins—And Hits a Wall

As soon as Robinson finalized his move to Montana, he began searching online for boarding stables in the area. He typed in all the common queries: “horse boarding near me,” “Montana horse stables,” “best boarding barns Montana”—you name it, he tried it.

What he found were scattered websites, many with outdated information, vague descriptions, and, more often than not, no pricing listed at all. Some had contact numbers but no addresses; others had a few pictures but didn’t describe what kind of boarding options were available. A few claimed to offer full board but didn’t clarify what that included. Was Bella going to get daily turnout? Would they provide blankets during winter? What about nightly check-ins?

“I felt like I was flying blind,” Robinson said. “I just wanted to compare prices and services, but no one was upfront about costs. It was like trying to solve a puzzle with half the pieces missing.”

Enter Horse Owners Club: A Game Changer

After days of frustration, Robinson stumbled upon something different—a site called the Horse Owners Club (HOC). At first, he thought it might be another general horse enthusiast forum, but once he clicked through, he realized he had found exactly what he was looking for.

On the Horse Owners Club website, under their Horseback Riding Near Me series, Robinson found a dedicated article focused on boarding stables in Montana. Not only did it list over a dozen boarding barns, but it also shared full board prices right there in black and white—something none of the individual stable websites had managed to do.

Even better? The site explained what “full board” actually meant: a box stall, regular daily feedings, turnout, blanketing as needed, and nightly check-ins. For Robinson, who wanted to ensure Bella was cared for with the same attention she was used to, that clarity was everything.

Real Numbers, Real Choices

The HOC article laid it all out. Robinson could now see that the average cost for full board in Montana in 2024 was $485, and individual stable prices ranged from $330 to $725. Finally, he had a realistic sense of what he should expect to pay—and could filter his options accordingly.

He studied the list of stables, noting not only the pricing but also locations and contact details:

Silver Brand Ranch in Bozeman offered full board at $330.

White Aspen Ranch in Billings, one of the priciest, was listed at $725.

406 Arena in Vaughn looked promising at $425.

FernMary Ranch & Stables in Helena provided full care for just $375.

“I suddenly went from having no options to too many,” Robinson laughed. “But at least now I was making an informed decision. That’s the difference HOC made.”

Narrowing Down the Perfect Fit

Robinson knew he wanted a location within an hour of his new home in Helena. That narrowed the list down to:

FernMary Ranch & Stables – $375

Max Range Stables – $350

Holiday Horse Care – $350

He made a few calls, and within two days had scheduled visits to each location. He brought along a checklist based on the full-board definition provided by HOC—stall size, turnout schedule, feed quality, blanketing, check-ins, and pasture rotation.

FernMary Ranch stood out immediately. The owner, a lifelong horsewoman named Megan, walked Robinson through the facility. Bella would have a spacious box stall, regular hay feedings, daily turnout with a friendly herd, and attentive care. Megan even sent nightly updates via text if requested—a small but deeply appreciated touch for horse parents like Robinson.

Settling In: Bella Finds Her New Home

Within a week, Bella was happily settled at FernMary Ranch. She adjusted quickly to her new surroundings, nuzzling her new pasture mates and trotting eagerly to the gate each morning. Robinson, meanwhile, found peace of mind knowing that his horse was in good hands.

“I can’t overstate how much easier this process became once I found Horse Owners Club,” Robinson said. “They didn’t just help me find a place—they helped me find the right place.”

The Bigger Picture: Horse Owners Club's Mission

The story of Robinson and Bella highlights exactly why the Horse Owners Club created their Horseback Riding Near Me series in the first place. For too long, the process of finding and comparing horse boarding stables has been opaque and inefficient.

By collecting and publishing verified full-board prices from barns across the U.S.—like the 13 Montana stables listed in their latest article—HOC provides a valuable service for horse owners at every level, from first-time owners to seasoned equestrians.

And it’s not just about boarding prices. The Horse Ownership Calculator on their site also helps users estimate other essential costs like hay, grain, farrier services, and vet visits, all based on state-specific data. For someone considering horse ownership—or moving a horse across state lines—that kind of insight can be invaluable.

Want Your Barn Listed?

HOC welcomes submissions from barn owners who want to be included in the series—as long as they publicly share their boarding prices. This level of transparency benefits everyone: horse owners can make informed choices, and barns can reach clients who are genuinely looking for the services they offer.

If you own or manage a horse boarding stable in Montana (or anywhere else), you can reach out to the HOC team at info@horseownersclub.com to be considered for future listings.

A Better Way Forward

For Robinson Paul, the journey that started with confusion ended with confidence—and that’s the kind of transformation the Horse Owners Club aims to make possible for every horse owner out there.

So if you're looking for a lkhorse boarding stable near you, and you're tired of hitting dead ends online, take a page from Robinson’s book. Visit Horse Owners Club, check out their Horseback Riding Near Me series, and explore their Horse Ownership Calculator.

Because when it comes to your horse’s care, the right information can make all the difference. Just ask Bella. She’s loving her new home in Montana.