Frequently Asked
Questions.

Every boarding plan includes twice-daily hay feeding tailored to each horse, daily wellness checks and access to automatic waterers that are checked and cleaned regularly. Hay choices include orchard grass/alfalfa mix, teff and alfalfa. Paddock board also includes daily paddock cleaning, 24/7 indoor stall access, arena use and communal tack storage. Pasture boarders may add arena and tack access for $75 per month when space is available. Other services, including daily grain, lunch feeding, staff-assisted turnout and fly mask service, are available for additional fees shown on our Boarding page.

Yes. Owners may store their own hay on the property for $25 per month, subject to available space. Under this storage option, owners are responsible for purchasing, transporting and feeding their own hay. For daily grain feeding ($35 per month), owners provide clearly labeled, preportioned grain for our team to feed. Other special feeding requirements may carry additional charges.

Owners provide bedding or shavings of their choice; the ranch does not supply shavings. Storage is available for bulk purchases, and Higby's can deliver to the property. If you select grain feeding, blanketing, fly-mask service or medication assistance, you provide the corresponding preportioned grain, properly fitted items, medications and care supplies. We will go over your horse's setup and supplies before move-in.

Our team watches for injuries, appetite changes and other signs that a horse may not be well. When something concerns us, we contact the owner using the information on file. If urgent care is needed and the owner cannot be reached, the boarding agreement allows us to arrange first aid, veterinary attention or transportation at the owner's expense. UC Davis Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital in Davis offers 24-hour equine emergency care.

Our established 12-acre pasture is for geldings, and a separate mare pasture is under construction. Until that opens, mares may be considered for suitable paddock or small-group arrangements, depending on space and compatibility. We do not board stallions.

Our written wildfire plan covers early warnings, voluntary evacuations and fast-moving emergencies. We communicate with boarders through an emergency group text. Owners may move horses early using their own trailers, and volunteer haulers may assist when arrangements allow. We track which horses are transported and their destinations when known. If immediate transport is unsafe, the plan identifies temporary on-site holding areas. Before move-in, we review each horse's evacuation arrangements, emergency contacts and potential hauling options, including for owners without a trailer.

We notify our ranch manager, consult a veterinarian and isolate horses when appropriate. Equipment use or horse movement may be restricted, and affected boarders are updated as needed.

Boarding is month to month, with 30 days' written notice required before leaving. Board is due in advance on the 1st of each month, and a $50 late fee applies after the 5th. Your signed boarding agreement has the full terms.

The boarding agreement includes a liability release. The ranch's insurance does not cover an owner's horse, tack, trailer or other personal property, so owners are responsible for arranging any coverage they want. Additional releases are required for people who handle or ride a boarder's horse.

Before arrival, we collect your horse's details, emergency contacts, veterinarian and farrier information, vaccination records and recent deworming history. Incoming horses must be free of contagious disease. New boarders also review and sign the boarding and liability documents and acknowledge our emergency procedures.

Visiting and riding hours are 8 AM to 10 PM, and the arena is lighted for evening riding. Contact Laura, our ranch manager, if illness or another special circumstance requires access outside normal hours.

Yes. Boarders may bring outside trainers to work with their own horses, and veterinarians and farriers are welcome, subject to ranch rules and any required releases. Outside trainers cannot use Emerald Hills Ranch to operate their own training or lesson business.

The automated entry gate uses a code reserved for boarders. Our team arranges access separately for approved service providers.