Freedom, Forage & Friends
Paddock Paradise boarding in the Santa Cruz Mountains
Give your horse the best life you can
‘Paddock Paradise’ is both a term and a concept used to describe a natural and humane way to keep healthy, happy horses based upon the lives of the wild, free-roaming horses in the US Great Basin. Introduced by veteran hoof care professional and natural horse care advocate Jaime Jackson in his 2006 book ‘Paddock Paradise: A Guide to Natural Horse Boarding,’ the premise of a natural boarding model is to provide safe, humane living conditions which use the horse’s natural instincts to stimulate and facilitate movement and other behaviors that are essential to a mentally and physically sound horse.
24/7 Turnout
Your horse will be part of an equine herd and enjoy the companionship of other horses. Your horse will sleep better, move around more and experience a daily variety of enrichments.
Feeding Every Six Hours
Grass hay is provided four times each day in feed locations scattered throughout the horses’ forest. Keeping food in the hindgut helps prevent colic and ulcers as well as generating heat in winter.
“Random” Enrichments
Your horse will discover items of interest such as scent stations, rolling hay balls and hanging treat balls with small amounts of different hay varieties to reward natural foraging behavior.
Water Buffet
In addition to clean tubs of well water your horse can choose from up to four flavored buckets of water. Typical water choices are lemon, lavender, peppermint and turmeric/ginger.
Vet and Farrier Visits
We are happy to assist with your horse’s vet and farrier visits at no charge if you choose.
Supplement Feedings
We are also happy to feed your horse’s daily supplements that you provide separately from the others at no charge (assuming your horse/s are compliant).
Monthly Board
Paddock paradise boarding, grass hay supplemented with other hay varieties fed four times daily, enrichments, water buffet, free choice trace mineral salt, assistance for vet and farrier care, daily feeding of owner-supplied supplements as described above. On-site property owners provide care with occasional assistance by experienced horse care staff.
$700/month
- Call (415) 519-8031 for availability. Significant time is necessary to smoothly integrate new horses into the herd so please contact us in advance of your moving plans.
Trailer storage
- $50/month
- Transportation for your horse is available; price subject to distance.
“The premise of Paddock Paradise is to stimulate horses to behave and move naturally according to their instincts. This is the key to having physically and mentally healthier horses.”
Jaime Jackson
Great Room Equestrian
We are located on Miller Hill Road in Los Gatos in the Santa Cruz Mountains, roughly mid-way between San Jose and Santa Cruz, CA. We would love to show you our property and show you a Paddock Paradise system at work. Please call or text (415) 519-8031, email GreatRoomEquestrian@yahoo.com to arrange a visit or for more information.