MCCS Stepp Stables

Currently, there are no scheduled activities planned for the near future. See all upcoming events.

Open daily to the public for boarding. Stepp Stables services military, DoD employees, and civilians.

Eligibility and Services
Stepp Stables is open to active-duty military personnel, Department of Defense (DoD) employees, and authorized civilian patrons. We provide exceptional customer service and offer a range of premium boarding options, including full-service, self-service, and lot pasture, to accommodate a variety of needs and lifestyles.
Please note that Stepp Stables is currently a boarding-only facility. Additional programs and events may be offered in the future.

Civilians are able to board with us even if they do not have regular base access. Please give us a call to go over the details.

Civilian Sponsorship and Base Access
Authorized civilians may obtain access through annual DBIDS sponsorship. This credential provides 24/7 entry via the San Luis Rey Gate only. Please refer to the attached link for detailed instructions on obtaining base access, and feel free to contact us with any questions regarding the process.
A valid Real ID is required for all initial visits to the facility. At this time, each boarding contract may sponsor up to two individuals for DBIDS access.

Facilities

three arenas
- upper arena 96x185 (17,760 sq ft)
- middle arena 100x250 (25,000 sq ft)
- lower arena 100x230 (23,000 sq ft)
three round pens
miles of scenic trail riding
three wash racks
turnout pens
over 100 24' x 24' mare motel stalls
individual tack rooms
automatic waterers
alfalfa and Bermuda available at facility
sand available at facility for purchase
trailer parking (additional fee)
automatic fly spray systems

Take a ride through the scenic hills of Camp Pendleton and learn to apply basic horsemanship skills to trail challenges. All trails are one hour in length. Novice group and private trails are offered for a relaxing ride that is perfect for the beginner, intermediate or advanced rider.

	Military / Civilian
One Hour Group Trail NOTE: Five or more or instructor scheduled times	$45 / $50
Private Trail	$55 / $60

Lessons
Lessons in multiple disciplines and skill levels are taught by qualified instructors. Students learn all aspects of horsemanship in a group or private lessons. These lessons are one hour in length and include saddling and cool down time. School horses are available for riders who do not own their own horse.

Teeny and Tiny Tot Lessons
(Teeny – ages 3-4; Tiny – ages 5-6)
A fun private lesson that is a great first step for any eager young rider. This class teaches the foundations of good horsemanship geared toward a young audience. Instruction may vary with age and skill of the rider but will include grooming, saddling, balance, and the beginnings of basic controls of the horse.

Teeny Tots – 15-minute lesson (ride only) | Tiny Tots – 30-minute lesson

	Military / Civilian (per rider)
One Hour Group Lesson NOTE: Three or more or scheduled time	$35 / $40
One Hour Semi-Private Lesson	$50 / $55
Therapeutic Lesson	$50 / $55
15-min Teeny Tot Lesson (ages 3-4)	$10 / $15
30-min Tiny Tot Lesson (ages 5-6)	$20 / $25

	Pricing
Stall Cleaning	$5.50
Turnout	$5.50
Lunge	$12
Hand Walk	$12
Blanket	$5.50
Un Blanket	$5.50

	Pricing
Pony Parties Add a painted pony to your party for $25	$65 military/per horse \| $75 civilian/per horse
Boy Scouts/Specialty Youth Organizations	$30/per child

Please call the Stepp Stables office for more details or email us.

Pricing

Fees & Services

Feed Fees
	Military	Civilian
Full Feed	$525	$625
Self Service *	$350	$475
Lot Pasture	$350	$400
Trailer Parking assigned parking spot	$40	$40
Supplemental Feedings	$35	$35

* Interested in Self Service but unable to visit twice daily? Ask us about our Caretaker Form! This option allows you to designate another authorized boarder or a patron with existing base access to provide care for your horse. The Caretaker Form must be completed in advance and is subject to approval by the Stepp Stables manager.

Feeding

Feed options are described as:

Full Service
includes alfalfa and Bermuda hay feedings twice a day, once a day stall cleaning, one 24' x 24' mare motel-style stall, one tack room, and one automatic waterer. Owners are responsible for veterinarian/farrier appointments.

Self Service
includes one 24' x 24' mare motel-style stall, one tack room, and one automatic waterer. Alfalfa and Bermuda hay is available for purchase and includes free delivery to the tack room. Owners are responsible for veterinarian/farrier appointments.

Lot Pasture
includes two flakes of alfalfa provided twice a day, paddock dragging/cleaning on an as needed basis, full access to the lot pasture area, one shared tack shed, and an automatic waterer tub that is checked daily. Owners are responsible for veterinarian/farrier appointments.

Service Fees
Stall Cleaning individual cleaning	$125
Trailer Parking assigned parking spot	$50/month

Emergency Veterinary Care Fees
Fees are varied and based on care and treatment.

Policy

Lessons must be paid for prior to the lesson. Please go directly to building 15016 (office) upon arrival.
Long pants and closed-toe shoes are required at all times while on Stepp Stables property.
Helmets are required for everyone under 18 years old. If jumping, helmets are always required, no exceptions. We have helmets that can be borrowed at no cost.
A caretaker form must be filled out for anyone interested in being in charge of the care of another patron's horse.
Riding gloves are encouraged but not required.
Reservations must be made in advance for lessons/trail rides.
We are always open for volunteers! Please call us to learn more.

Boarding Requirements
Stepp Stables Rules & Regulations
Stables Guidelines
Trail Riding
Volunteers & LOA
Fire Season
FAQs

Civilians are able to board with us! We offer three boarding options:

Full Care Board
Twice a day feedings which include hay (alfalfa and Bermuda, 2 flakes each), once-a-day stall cleaning, once-a-day water checks, and fecal output checks. Any concerns will be directed to the owner immediately.

Self-Care Board
The owner is in charge of stall cleaning (twice a week minimum) and the owner provides hay and sand. We do offer both items for sale on the property for an additional cost.

If you wish to do a Self-Care Board but are worried about always being available to come in to feed/clean up after your horse, we do allow caretakers. This would need to be confirmed with the manager and would be a form between you and your chosen caretaker. Please give us a call for more information.

Field Board
Twice-a-day Stepp Stables provided hay as well as once-a-day water checks. Field board has limited availability. Please call to verify occupancy.

Stepp Stables does not allow any stallions to board as well as no hind shoes allowed in the field pasture.

Please view Rules & Regulations document.

Ensure that your horse has proper medical care, hoof care, feed, and exercise.*
Owner must ensure that the horse receives proper care as approved by the MCCS Stepp Stables Manager as outlined in the boarding agreement. Horses may be placed on full feed or full cleaning without owner permission at the discretion of Stables management and may be reported to Animal Control. Animal abuse will not be tolerated at any time. Animal abuse and/or neglect may result in border being evicted from the stables and a report submitted to the Humane Society.

Pen façades must be kept neat and clean.
Equipment such as muck rakes must be hung up and off the ground. Halters and lead ropes may be hung from wall hooks. All other equipment must be stored in tack sheds. Stables staff at management’s discretion will remove all items not stored in the tack rooms. Please keep all stall gates closed and latched at all times. If gates are opened, please open to the inside.

Clean up after yourselves, your horses, and dogs in common areas.
Clean up any trash or mess that you create. This includes hay outside tack sheds and stalls, waste from grooming and clipping, and all manure, equine and canine. Owners are responsible at all times for controlling the behavior of their pets. No dog shall be allowed to roam free at any time. Dogs must be on a leash at all times.

Stalls must be cleaned a minimum of four times per week.
Water troughs, buckets, automatic waters, etc. must be cleaned at least once weekly. Frequent stall cleaning reduces the number of flies in boarding areas. Stalls that have not been cleaned in four days will be cleaned by Stables Staff. Cleaning fees shall be assessed as outlined in the Stepp Stables Boarding Agreement.

Manure should be disposed of inside manure pits.
Manure carts shall be empty after use. Manure shall be placed as far back as possible in the pit. Manure carts shall be returned alongside their correlating manure pit. Leaving manure carts in front of pits blocks other boarders from dumping manure. Do not dump manure in aisle ways, if a pit is full dump manure in the next closest pit.

Turnouts must not exceed 15 minutes regardless of the number of horses being turned out together.
Lessons and riders always have priority over lunging and turnouts with no time limit. Be courteous to other boarders. One should not have to be asked to take their horse(s) out of a turnout. The practice of “I didn’t see anyone waiting,” is not acceptable. All turnouts must be supervised. Owners may not put their horses in an arena and leave the area or facility. Horses shall not be left unattended at any time while in the arenas, round pens, wash rack areas, on the hot walker, or at the tie rails. Horses are not to be tied to fences, shrubs, cars, tack rooms or led by an owner operating a vehicle. Use the designated hitching rails.

The speed limit is 5mph throughout the stables.
Speed limits will be kept traffic slow in common areas and adhered to whether in a vehicle or on horseback. Drive vehicles no greater than 5 mph and keep horses at a walk in the Stables areas unless in an arena, round pen, or trail course. While on trails please keep horses at a walk when passing other riders. Avoid military training while riding in training areas. Do not approach uniformed personnel, vehicles, or tents.

Violations of these conditions may constitute grounds for loss of stable privileges.

Stepp Stables rules and guidelines are subject to change at any time, with or without notice at the discretion of the Stables management and Food, Hospitality, and Recreation leadership.

Dump manure carts and place them neatly alongside manure pits.
Please do not leave full wheelbarrows anywhere at the stables. Dump manure as far back in the pit as possible. After dumping wheel barrels leave them alongside the manure pit. Leaving wheelbarrows in front blocks other boarders from dumping manure.

Communicate.
If you have any concerns, please notify Stables management as soon as possible.

Stepp Stables provides boarders with access to extensive scenic riding trails. Many of these historic trails, some originating as far back as the 1940s, remain visible and in use today.

Trail maps, including distance and route details, are available at the office at no additional cost.

For safety, all riders under 18 years of age are required to wear a helmet.

Stepp Stables welcomes volunteers to support the ongoing care and maintenance of our facility. Upon request, Letter of Appreciations are available for our military volunteers in recognition of their service and contributions. Below are some of the typical tasks assigned to volunteers:

weed whacking
painting
stall cleaning
stall leveling
pavement blowing
power washing
sweeping
hay barn cleaning

Volunteers are welcome at any time during Stepp Stables' regular operating hours. Upon arrival, please check in at the Office (BLDG 15016) to complete the required volunteer forms. Volunteers are responsible for recording their hours by signing in at the beginning of their shift and signing out upon completion.

For safety, children under 13 years of age must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times while at the facility.

Notice
Dry landscaping, warmer temperatures, and Santa Ana winds may provoke fires. Causes include lightning, vehicles/machinery, ordnance, arson, cigarettes, electrical malfunction, and loss of control with controlled burns.

Boarders will be contacted by phone in the event of an emergency, and further instructions will be provided.

Emergency Contacts
If you see fire or smoke, call Base Fire Dispatch at (760) 725-4321.
For extreme emergencies, call the Fire Emergency Line at (760) 725-3333.
Stable Safety Features & Horse Care During Fires
Stalls are constructed of pipe corrals with metal roofs and dirt floors, surrounded by wide dirt aisleways that act as fire breaks. In the event of a fire, it may be safest to leave your horse in its stall. Ensure each horse has a halter and lead rope labeled with your name and phone number to assist emergency personnel during evacuations.
Water & Access Limitations
Water service may be interrupted during fire emergencies, so keep a full water bucket in your stall. When fires encroach on the area, access to Stepp Stables may be limited or denied; if access is allowed, keep your visit brief and exit quickly.
Prohibited Activities
Smoking or cooking near stalls or tack rooms is strictly prohibited due to the presence of hay and other flammable materials. Use the designated picnic areas by the lower arena for these activities.
Emergency Coordination
During major fire events, coordination is managed by the Camp Pendleton Fire Marshal and Stepp Stables management. If you are not directly involved in response efforts, please minimize your presence at the facility.
Additional Information
For questions or concerns, speak with Stepp Stables management or review the fire safety binder located in BLDG 15016.

* At this time, smoking is only permitted in the parking lot.

I don’t live on or have base access, can I still come for lessons/trails/boarding?

Yes, Stepp Stables is able to sponsor a DBIDS pass, renewed annually. This pass provides 24/7 access through the San Luis Rey Gate. A valid Real ID is required prior to entering the installation. Each boarding contract may sponsor up to two individuals for DBIDS access.

Please contact us to schedule your initial visit.

Can I purchase horse treats to feed the horses?

Yes, we do provide a bag full of treats that can be given to Stepp Stables-owned horses and are priced at $5.

Please ask for assistance so we can show you how to correctly feed the horses to avoid injuries and which horses are MCCS-owned.

What type of bedding do you offer for the stalls?

We use washed plaster sand in all our stalls. This material helps reduce wildfire risk and keeps stalls dry during the rainy season.

How many stalls do you have? How about pasture board?

We offer more than 100 stalls for boarding, as well as capacity for up to eight horses in pasture.

Are your prices comparable to out in town?

Yes! We work hard to offer some of the most competitive prices available while still providing amenities comparable to those found at off-base facilities.

What happens if I choose self-care for boarding and am unable to take care of them for a time?

Please give us a call to learn more about our Caretakers Program and what it includes. Caretakers must have current base access and receive manager approval. A Caretaker Agreement must be signed prior to participating in the program.

Do you offer recommendations for veterinarian and farrier work?

We can offer you a list of the current veterinarians and farriers that have access to the base.

Do you offer hay and sand for stalls?

Yes! We offer both alfalfa and Bermuda hay for purchase. Full Service board includes two flakes provided in the morning and evening, while Pasture Lot board includes two flakes of alfalfa daily.

Sand is also available for purchase; you may choose to spread it yourself, or we can provide spreading services for an additional fee.

Can I bring my dog?

Yes, dogs are welcome at Stepp Stables. We kindly ask that all visitors keep their dogs on a leash while on the premises and clean up after them.

Can I board my stallion? Any restrictions for young/unhandled horses?

Stallions are not permitted at Stepp Stables due to liability concerns. We do, however, welcome young or unhandled horses at no additional cost.

Can I park my trailer at the facility?

Yes! We provide horse trailer parking exclusively for our boarders for an additional monthly fee. A trailer parking form must be completed prior to being assigned a parking space.

Staff Sergeant Reckless
Staff Sergeant Reckless was a Mongolian mare and decorated veteran of the Korean War, renowned for her extraordinary service and unwavering courage. Purchased from a Korean stable boy for $250, she went on to demonstrate a valor far beyond her modest origins. During one five-day engagement, Reckless carried more than 386 rounds of ammunition, over 95 percent of the trips made without a handler. Despite her small stature, the chestnut mare came to embody the very spirit of the United States Marine Corps. She retired from active service in 1960 and passed away in 1968. Reckless was laid to rest at Stepp Stables, where a commemorative plaque at the facility’s entrance honors her enduring legacy.

Sergeant Major William F. Stepp
Our namesake, Sergeant Major William F. Stepp, was a distinguished Korean War veteran and recipient of the Bronze Star Medal with Valor. Following his military service, he served as the base stables manager from 1968 until his retirement in 1988. In recognition of his enduring contributions, the facility was formally renamed "Stepp Stables" in his honor in 2002.