Ferguson Farm is a private farm owned by an individual land owner. We offer pasture boarding for privately owned pleasure horses. We are not a big fancy facility and therefore we are able to provide reasonable boarding costs.
Pasture board does not include barn or stall services (but we do have and can make accommodations if a horse becomes sick or injured).
The lay of the land and thick tree groupings provide natural shelter for the herd, and as a general rule, horses tend to do better if they are allowed to live in a natural herd environment, and prefer to be out with the herd, regardless of weather conditions.
We do not offer boarding for stallions or to those who engage in horse trading. We try to maintain an equally divided herd between mares and geldings at all times to avoid dominant behavior issues.
In exchange for lower boarding costs, boarders share in the responsibility of farm maintenance and barn chores. (Land owner pays for all fencing materials and takes care of all bush hogging).
The property is roughly 90-100 acres of combined pasture and wooded areas, two creeks, riding trails, access to the Blue Ridge Parkway and a riding ring.
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This is a self-care facility. Boarders are responsible to care for and grain feed their own horse(s). Winter hay feeding is currently done by the barn manager. Hay is purchased as a group so all horses eat the same type and quality hay. The amount of hay your horse requires is based on their individual weight, age, breed and basic winter care needs. We pay more for good quality orchard grass hay, average cost is $6.25-$6.50 depending on 1st or 2nd cutting. This cost covers hay delivery and having it stacked in the barn.
Pasture board is not for everyone. Each and every owner has their own opinion of what they think is best. However, if you are unsure about pasture boarding, I encourage you to research the pro's and con's of pasture vs. stall kept. In 40+ years of owning, caring for, riding and boarding horses, I have run across very few horses (probably less than 5) who, given the choice, would rather be in the barn than out with the herd, even in extreme weather conditions. I have attached an article that discusses the benefits of pasture and stall kept.