Pastures are a natural life for a horse. 

In southern CA, horses have limited natural grass to graze on, so hay is an organic replacement available in CA—and is some of the best in the USA. The alfalfa and bermuda grown in southern San Diego county is of the best and is often exported to other countries because of the quality. Thankfully Southern CA, has a wonderful climate for humans and horses!

To Determine if Pasture Boarding is right for your horse ask yourself these questions:

• Does my horse get along with other horses well?
• Is he "dominant" or "submissive"?
• Is my horse on a special diet?  Does my horse need medication or supplements?
• Can my horse be without shoes on his back feet?
• Does my horse need retirement or layup?
• Is my horse in training?
• What is the age of my horse? 
• Is he young and needing socialization to learn to "be a horse"?

Oceanside Equestrian Center, located between Los Angeles and San Diego on 25 acres near the coast, offers an ideal climate and the largest pastures in southern coastal CA. A typical "pasture board" involves horses living in a group pasture. The pasture might be ‘all geldings' or ‘all Mares’ or it might be a mix of geldings and mares.  Typically our group pastures are fed about 15-20 pounds of hay per day:  half in the am and half in pm on a regular schedule.  Horse’s body-clocks know when it's feeding time and horses in group pastures are all fed the same, with feeders spread out to avoid conflicts between horses. 

The cost is $325/month. 

Pastures are dragged as needed and fresh water is given daily. In this type of group pasture, horses are fed alfalfa in the am and bermuda in the pm OR bermuda am and pm. All, of course, offer shelters. Though horses can be very temperamental about their feeding, OEC has quite a few large, medium and smaller (1/2 acre) pastures to accommodate special feedings.  Pasture that is fed all ‘Teff hay’ costs a little more, but equestrian centers, like oceanside, have other pastures where the horses are fed all ‘orchard ha.’ 

We have a large approximately 2 acre pasture for weanlings-up to 2 year old horses-just ready to fill.  Young horses need to be with other young horses and learn "to be a horse" and get along with  other horses.  Horses are "herd animals" and their security depends upon being part of a "herd". Also, Mares with foals work well normally in a pasture together.  Each foal stays near his mother but they are out in a "natural social setting". Pregnant mares need the exercise of being in a pasture but they also require, by the owner, to regularly check on their pregnancy according to the plan established by the veterinarian.

Retired horses love pasture life and get healthy exercise.  Horses on "temporary lay-up" can greatly benefit from pasture life but your veterinarian should be consulted.  Some of our pastures are very level and others offer a gentle slope.  Depending upon the nature of the condition or injury, one might be better for the lay-up horse than the other.  For instance, a "gentle slope" can offer exercise that benefits the horse.  Some "lay-up" horses require being limited in mobility and a smaller size area such as a 24 x 24 or 24x48 paddock is better for them to heal.  

Our pastures are comprised of a sand/decomposed granite type base. They are "green" during the rainy season and have natural vegetation to graze on.  The sand/decomposed granite base is very solid, drains very very well and during periods of heavy rain, it does not stay muddy after the sun comes out.  Horses do not get stuck in the mud!  

We are happy to answer any questions or address any concerns here at OEC!  We work to accommodate the needs of these elegant, powerful yet sensitive animals.  We also offer a type of In/Out where the horse is fed, supplemented, medicated in a 24 x 24 paddock and then is turned out to the adjacent pasture to be with other horses and enjoy pasture life.  Then for the pm feeding is fed, medicated, supplemented as needed in his paddock again.  This offers a solution for many horse owners.