Overnight stables: a guide to overnight stabling and finding a horse hotel

Travelling with your horse takes planning and trusted resources. Horse lodging websites help you locate “horse motels” or stables that offer overnight stops or short-term boarding along your route. Below you’ll find useful sites for Italy and Europe, with official links and tips on choosing well-ventilated stalls, ready bedding and hay, constant access to water, turnout paddocks, trailer parking, and flexible arrival times. You’ll also find reminders about equine passports, vaccination requirements, and good practices such as scheduling breaks every 6–8 hours so your horse rests properly and the trip stays stress-free.

On the road: “horse motels” and international directories

If you’re crossing regions or borders and need a stable for a few hours or overnight, specialist “horse motel” directories are the fastest route. Two of the best known worldwide are Horse Motels International, organized by states and countries, and HorseMotel.net, especially handy when you plan around major highways. You can also look for transit-friendly facilities on BestHorseHotel.

For Europe, check the dedicated section on OHorse – Horse Hotels Europe, which lists overnight options in several countries, including Italy. Some facilities market themselves as true “horse hotels” near main routes or mountain passes. Practical examples include a horse hotel in Spain like Equicare Horse Hotel, or a transit stop in France such as Green Gates Stables.

If you prefer a mobile-first approach, try the DayStable app, designed to help you find and book stalls along your route, available on the App Store and Google Play.

Searching for horse motels

Short- or long-term boarding: where to look

If you need more than a single night and are looking for horse boarding for weeks or months, there are niche portals worth checking. In the English-speaking world, LiveryList and LiveryYards.com help you compare services and prices. In the DACH region, try STALL-FREI.de for Germany and Austria and pferde-boxen.ch for Switzerland, where you can filter by stall type, availability, and sometimes cost.

In Italy, browse listings on Equirodi – Pensione cavalli and the marketplace on Il Portale del Cavallo, where many facilities offer temporary or seasonal solutions. If you’re planning a slow trip with agriturismo stops, keep an eye on TurismoEquestre.com, which lists farm stays, riding centers, and trekking ideas. Even when a place isn’t labelled as a “motel,” many can provide horse lodging for transit with agreed arrival times and services.

Choosing well: criteria that matter

Before you click “book,” run a quick checklist. Confirm stall or paddock size, hay and bedding availability, fresh water, turnout options, arrival and departure windows, trailer parking, perimeter security, and whether other horses will be stabled that night. In hot weather, ask about ventilation; in winter, make sure there’s adequate shelter from drafts and damp. For sensitive horses, check if they accept your own feed and if feeding areas can be separated.

A phone call before you set off often solves everything: confirm your actual arrival time, the number of horses, and any specific needs (bandaging, blankets, over-the-counter meds agreed with your vet). This applies to quick stopovers and multi-week stays alike.

Documents and welfare: what you must not forget

In the EU, horses must be identified with an equine passport; official information is available on the European Commission website under Equine animals. Transport is governed by Regulation (EC) No 1/2005 on the protection of animals during transport, which sets requirements for fitness to travel, space, rest stops, and handling; you can read the text on EUR-Lex. If you are attending events or crossing internal borders for sport or leisure, always check for any forms or authorisations required by local authorities and the hosting facility. Carry an up-to-date passport, any required health certificates, and your veterinarian’s contact details.

Welfare comes first: schedule regular breaks, avoid travelling during the hottest hours, and make sure your horse is fit to travel and well hydrated. A truly suitable horse lodging option supports recovery with a clean, quiet stall, ready access to hay and water, and space to stretch when possible.

Slow itineraries: a few practical ideas

If you love slow travel, design short, meaningful stages.

Use the directories to anchor your overnights, mixing rural stables with riding centers near parks or bridleways. Many horse-friendly agriturismi can host you in a room or apartment while offering a comfortable stall for your travel companion. Even temporary boarding can become part of the journey: leave your horse in a quiet facility for a few days, explore the area on foot or by bike, then continue at an easy pace that matches the spirit of Viaggiare Con Lentezza.

Finding horse lodging is no longer a leap in the dark. Combine international directories for stopovers, local portals for longer boarding, and direct contact with agriturismi and riding centers. Pack current documents, respect your horse’s rest needs, and call ahead. Technology helps, but your attention to your horse’s needs and the rhythm you choose will make the real difference.

Safe travels!

Horse motels in Europe Original article

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