BRONKEN CREEK

We are a boarding facility specializing in care of retired, recuperating or other non-working horses. We provide individualized care at a reasonable price.

The main difference is that we do not allow riding on our property. This keeps our insurance costs much lower. You are also not paying for the use and maintenance of riding facilities. Other potential differences may be: we have a strict quarantine policy to protect residents from exposure to new pathogens, we usually keep our horses outside in pairs with shelter in each paddock, and we happily offer many customization options. We follow the guidelines provided in 'AAEP Care Guidelines For Equine Rescue and Retirement Facilities' published by The American Association of Equine Practitioners. Because it takes quite a bit of time and effort to settle a horse in to our facility, we prefer to have permanent rather than temporary boarders. To help cover some of these expenses, we do not refund your deposit if your horse resides here less than 6 months.

We are approximately 1.5 hours east of the Twin Cities, 15 miles off interstate 94. You may visit anytime. A courtesy call is appreciated but not required.

Typically, compatible pairs will live in a 30' x 90' paddock with a run-in shelter. Each paddock has an attached 90' x 200-300' pasture which they are usually turned out in daily during pasture season. We can maintain horses in paddocks as dry lots as needed.

We typically turn horses out in groups of two. We match them primarily in personality and energy level. Horses are fed concentrates separately.

Our hay is purchased locally and is grass or mixed grass and legume. Each crop of our hay is forage tested and we use the analysis to formulate our horse's diets. All hay is stored in our pole barn, on pallets.

We use FeedXL to formulate diets for the horses, and refer to an Equine Nutritionist when we have problems or questions. Our resident's diets range from an appropriate vitamin/mineral supplement in ground flax to quality senior feed to full forage replacement in mash form. We feed based on forage tests and horse requirements.

We have heated automatic waterers in the paddocks. Stalled horses receive water in buckets (heated buckets in the winter).

We deworm based on fecal egg counts (FECs) using a schedule based on consultation with Horsemen's Lab (horsemenslab.com).

We primarily use Horseguard fence. Some areas have 2"x4" mesh horse fence with a strand of Horseguard along the top.

We will blanket any horse who needs it for health reasons (they cannot maintain weight without blanketing, or they are not staying warm enough -as examples). We would ask you to provide well-fitting, waterproof medium weight and heavy weight turnout blankets. We do not use sheets, as all horses have shelter available at all time. We rely on them using it in wet and/or windy weather.

Yes, we will board cribbers. We do not require they wear a collar, we will take steps toward dissuading them from cribbing.

Our veterinary clinic makes farm calls regularly. They are available 24/7 and are just under an hour drive from our farm. We also have 2 Equine Hospitals and a Rehab Facility within 1.5 hours of our farm.

Your horse will need proof of a negative EIA test within the previous 12 months. If he/she is coming from outside Wisconsin, they will also need a current certificate of veterinary inspection. Equipment-wise, we prefer your horse just comes with a halter and lead. Contact us about any additional equipment your horse might need while here.

Our facility has commercial liability and 'care, custody & control' insurance coverages. We require you have liability insurance to cover claims involving your horse.

No, we do not transport horses.

We utilize fly predators, so most flies are not an issue here. All horses have access to shelter at all times and in the summer months, we have fans running in shelters and stalls. We use good sanitation, manure and weed management.

Chris and Nan live on-site. We check on each horse a minimum of twice daily.

Certainly! Upon your request, we will send you photos and/or video of your horse as often as you would like.

We will work with you to accommodate nearly any size, breed, or personality of horse.

Our plan is to increase board by 5% each time the Annual US Inflation Rate cumulatively increases 5%, or if our major supply costs increase by an unusually large amount. You should expect an increase every 2-3 years, according to historical data. Pricing was last set in 2018.

We will help you and your horse as much or as little as you would prefer during this difficult time. We ask that you make some presumptive plans when you decide your horse will live here. You will provide an 'End of Life' deposit to cover euthanasia and associated expenses. The 'End of Life' deposit will be applied at the time it is needed and you will be refunded any remaining balance.

Each horse is on a balanced, FeedXL-based plan tailored to their needs, with adjustments for age, condition, and any special requirements.

Horses live outside 24/7 in sheltered paddocks with access to hay, water, and companionship.

Grooming, routine hoof trims, and FEC-based deworming are included. Vet and farrier care are coordinated as needed.

Yes. Stall board provides a private stall with daily turnout, while paddock board offers a semi-private paddock with shared turnout.

Yes—blanketing, supplements, customized feed plans, weekly grooming, and other care can be added to fit your horse’s needs.