MCCS Stepp Stables

NOTICE

Our leadership continuously evaluates installation programs and infrastructure to ensure resources are aligned with the evolving needs of today's military families. After careful consideration, the command has decided to phase out stables operations so resources can be redirected to higher-demand recreational and community programs that serve a broader segment of the installation population.

Stepp Stables will continue normal operations under its current hours of operation through February 28, 2027.

Call

Directions

Policy

Please go directly to the office (BLDG 15016) upon arrival.
Do not pet/feed horses without the owner's permission.
Long pants and close-toed shoes are required at all times while on Stepp Stables property.
Helmets are required for everyone under 18 years of age. If jumping, helmets are always required, no exceptions. Riding gloves are encouraged but not required.
A caretaker form must be filled out for anyone taking care/riding another patron's horse. This will need to be approved by the manager prior to care/riding.
We are always open for volunteers! Anyone under the age of 13 years is required to have a parent or guardian present on Stepp Stables property for the duration of the volunteer work.

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

* 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 one 24' x 24' mare motel-style stall, one assigned tack room, and one automatic waterer. Stepp Stables provides twice a day feedings which includes hay (Alfalfa and/or Bermuda), 2 flakes am/pm as well as once a day stall cleaning. Stables will provide a minimum of once daily fecal output checks as well as water bucket checks/fillings. Boarder to pay additional for sand, which can be dumped/spread by stables staff for an additional charge, or can provide own shavings as well. Owners are responsible for veterinarian/farrier appointments. Please forward all required medical records to management.

Self Service
Includes one 24' x 24' mare motel-style stall, one assigned tack room, and one automatic waterer. Alfalfa and Bermuda hay is available for purchase and includes free delivery to assigned tack room. Boarder to pay additional for sand, which can be dumped/spread by stables staff for an additional charge, or can provide own shavings as well. Owners are responsible for veterinarian/farrier appointments. Please forward all required medical records to management

Lot Pasture
Includes two flakes of Alfalfa twice a day, one shared automatic waterer tub checked daily, and paddock dragging/cleaning on an as-needed basis. Both mares and geldings share the lot pasture area and are slowly integrated with each other. Owners are responsible for veterinarian/farrier appointments. Please forward all required medical records to management.

Service Fees
Trailer Parking assigned parking spot	$40/month

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

MCCS Herd Pasture
Boarding Requirements
Lesson / Trail Contractors
Stepp Stables Rules & Regulations
Trail Riding
Volunteers & LOA
Fire Season
FAQs

This private space is available under a single contract (military or civilian) and offers access to all facility amenities and includes five, 24x24' mare-motel style stalls, hay feeders, a private small pasture, water trough, and shade area. Plus three large arenas, three wash racks, three round pens, miles of scenic riding trails, and ample trailer parking.

If you are interested in scheduling a tour or would like more information, please contact us at pendletonsteppstables@usmc-mccs.org.

Please view Boarding Requirements document.

COMING SOON

Interested in giving lessons? Maybe trails are more your thing?

Stepp Stables will be hiring contractors to provide these services. You provide the horse/equipment, we provide the facility.

Requirements and more coming soon. Please reach out to us via email and we'll provide more information and updates on when the program is up and running.

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.

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 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 smoking areas listed at the facility.
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 boarding?

Yes, Stepp Stables is able to sponsor a DBIDS pass which will need to be renewed annually. This pass provides 24/7 access through the San Luis Rey Gate only. A valid REAL ID is required prior to entering the installation.

Please reach out to Stepp Stables at pendletonsteppstables@usmc-mccs.org to set up a date to visit the facility. Each boarding contract (one per horse) may sponsor up to two individuals for a DBIDS access pass.

What type of bedding do you offer for the stalls?

Currently, we offer washed plaster sand. This type of sand is ideal to help reduce wildfire risks, provides a soft/cushy bedding for the horses, and keeps dust low. The sand is available for an additional cost and can be spread by staff upon request.

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

We offer more than 100 stalls for boarding and are currently in the process of expanding our pasture board area. Any maintenance issues/concerns, please see our management team so we can schedule repairs as soon as possible.

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 for purchase for our self-care boarders. Two flakes of Alfalfa are provided twice a day to our lot pasture boarders, and two flakes of Alfalfa and/or Bermuda are provided twice a day to our full-care boarders. Sand can be purchased at the office and spread for an additional charge. We can provide an estimate prior to purchase.

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.

Volunteers & LOA
Fire Season

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

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

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 smoking areas listed at the facility.
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.

Stepp Stables History

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.