Olds College’s horse boarding services are reserved for Olds College students. Priority is given to those students enrolled in academic programs that require a horse for their program.
Boarding Details
Fees
Board rates are reviewed annually to ensure fair pricing and includes pen/shelter rental, feed, bedding, access to the arena during designated times. However, boarders will be required to feed and water their own horses, and keep their pens in a well maintained state.
For the upcoming 2024-2025 academic year, board rates have been set at $425/month plus G.S.T., and fees are required to be paid in advance for the full term (four months payment for each term).
Board fees are not included in academic program fees.
Facilities and Amenities
Olds College facilities include indoor stalls and outdoor pens. Indoor stalls are reserved for students enrolled in academic programs that require students to board a horse. Outdoor pens, single and dual occupancy, are available for all other boarders.
Lockers are made available to boarders to store personal items. Olds College is not responsible for any lost or stolen items.
Trailer parking is permitted in designated areas for trailers that have been registered with the Olds College. No overnight camping is permitted.
Commencing in August 2024, Olds College is implementing an updated board intake process. This enhanced process is focused on continuing to support a safe and fun environment for equine riders, athletics and students in equine-based programming.
The equine board intake includes:
The introduction of a new board intake checklist (below). The checklist includes all requirements necessary for equine boarders to address prior to bringing their horse on campus.
Active adult and youth membership via the Alberta Equestrian Federation
Attending scheduled board intake session(s) for horse(s)
Equine board intake days are Aug. 25 to Sept. 1, 2024 from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. each day.
During these days, Smart Farm staff will be set up to facilitate new equine boarder access to facilities. This includes gathering necessary paperwork, payment of fees and intaking horses into pens.
Note: Any boarders that cannot make the intake days will be required to provide advanced notice to the Smart Farm by emailing Shianne Hofer, Arena Operations Coordinator, at shofer@oldscollege.ca. Access to equine housing will not be allowed until an official intake has occurred and all requirements addressed.
A consolidated waiver will be leveraged across the College, including equine boarders, Athletics and Conference & Event Services.
The board contract must be reviewed and contract terms signed off for horse boarding at the College.
Board fees will be $425 per month for the 2024-25 academic year. This includes pen/shelter rental, feed, bedding and access to the arena during designated times. However, boarders will be required to feed and water their own horses, and keep their pens in a well maintained state.
Compliance with Olds College Equine Biosecurity Protocols, including providing proof of vaccinations (see below).
Vaccine Protocol
The Olds College Vaccine Protocol is strictly enforced to ensure the safety of all horses that at Olds College.
Olds College has biosecurity protocols in place to maintain the health and safety of all horses on Olds College campus. Proof of current vaccinations is required prior to the horse’s arrival on campus.
Required Deworming & Vaccinations:
Dewormed - All horses must be dewormed within 30 days prior to arrival at Olds College or supply negative fecal count exam documentation that has been signed by a veterinarian.
Equine Influenza - Administered within the past 6 months prior to arrival at Olds College.
Equine Rhinopneumonitis - Administered within the past 6 months prior to arrival at Olds College.
Strangles - Administered within the past 12 months prior to arrival at Olds College or a document signed by a veterinarian stating the horse’s titer test results indicate that the horse can not be vaccinated for strangles safely at this time.
If your horse is receiving any of these vaccines for the first time, they will require a booster 3 to 4 weeks after their initial vaccination.
All required vaccinations must have been administered a minimum of 2 weeks prior to arrival at Olds College, including booster shots.
In order to be given approval to board your horse(s), you must provide documentation of your horse(s) receiving the required vaccinations and being dewormed.
Your horse(s) must be re-vaccinated for equine influenza and equine rhinopneumonitis between Dec. 15, 2024 and Jan. 15, 2025 if you are planning to continue boarding your horse(s) for the winter term.
Other Recommended Vaccinations:
West Nile, Eastern and Western Sleeping Sickness and tetanus. These vaccines should be administered within 6 months of arrival on campus.
Approved Documents:
A copy of the Olds College equine vaccination & Deworming Record that has been filled out and signed by a veterinarian or veterinarian clinic staff member.
A copy of the receipt that shows the required vaccines were purchased. This receipt must also state the owner’s name and the horse’s name.
Forward approved documents to Shianne Hofer, Arena Operations Coordinator, at shofer@oldscollege.ca.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, only Olds College students are approved to board a horse on campus.
For the upcoming 2024-2025 academic year, board rates have been set at $425/month plus G.S.T., and fees are required to be paid in advance for the full term (four months payment for each term).
Board rates include pen/shelter rental, feed, bedding, access to the arena during designated times. However, boarders will be required to feed and water their own horses, and keep their pens in a well maintained state.
Reservations are not offered at this time. Academic programming is given first priority for boarding. Should your program require you to board a horse you will automatically be approved once you have submitted adequate documentation ensuring your horse is in compliance with the Olds College Vaccine Protocols.
Once you have been approved to board at Olds College, you will receive details in regards to arrival dates and times as well as other boarding related information.
Boarding fees are not included in program fees.
Grain and supplements are not included in boarding fees and are the responsibility of the owner to purchase and feed.
At this time, only boarders registered in a program that requires them to board a horse at Olds College are assigned to an inside stall, all other boarders are assigned to outdoor pens.
Depending on the number of approved applications, horses may be assigned to a dual occupancy outdoor pen. We cannot guarantee that your horse will have its own pen.
There can be the opportunity to board more than one horse but this option is dependent on the number of applicants and therefore is not always available.
At this time there are designated open riding times available week nights and on weekends. Monthly schedules are provided to boarders in advance of the upcoming month.
All farrier and veterinary services are the full responsibility of the owner. Olds College does not offer, arrange or cover the costs associated with either of these services.
For more information
For any inquiries regarding horse boarding at Olds College, please contact the Smart Farm Operations Centre at 403.556.4799.
