[Eventer_101]

What and your opinion are the pros and cons of keeping your horse at your house and taking care of it yourself and the pros of cons boarding your horse?

My mom and I are deciding whether to move or keep boarding..

Thanks, Maria

[Eventer_101]

bumpity***

[endurgirl]

Honestly, given both opportunities I would have my horse on my property..given I have both adequate knowledge of complete horse care and adequate living situation for him.

I keep my horses at my house. Pros of keeping on your own land--you know your horse best and can tell if he is feeling under the weather, you can interact with him each day, you can make sure he is treated correctly and not abused, you can make sure he is getting the correct amount of feed,hay,supplements.

Pros for being boarded--constant supervision can be given while you are at school or work or on vacation. Knowledgeable horsepeople are around your horse and are easily accessed in a needed situation.

[Super_Trooper]

I have done both and I love having them at home. The cons are (if you consider them cons??) having to be tied to your home for feeding times everyday, doing the work yourself (stalls, paddocks, feeding) but the pros are having them there, being involved, keeping an eye on them, more bonding and less $$.

Boarding is nice if you dont have a place at home for them, or if your a busy person and dont have time to feed/clean stalls..

[Just_me]

Pros of keeping boarded
-no extra work(stalls,graining,turnout etc.)
-only have to ride
-don`t have to think of people that deliver grain,hay etc.each month

Cons
-gass prices if barn is far away
-can`t come an go when ever I want(means i have to be flexable)
-other anoying boarders
-high boarding fees
-don`t have to drive every day


Pros of having horse at home
-can always come and go whenever I want
-see if my horse is sick immediatly
-cheaper cuz I have to pay for food only and not stall,pasture etc.

Cons
-more work
-have to pay extra electricity bills,water etc.
-more responsibility


That is all i can think of right now

[honeydoozy]

Can't have horses where I live, so I can't speak to the pros of keeping them at home, beyond what's already been mentioned here, but...

Boarding has always been a good thing for me, in terms of the social aspect. I enjoy having other horsepeople around, both to ride with, and just socialize with.

Boarding also affords facilities that would be cost prohibitive to have at home, such as big, lighted arenas, large turnouts, etc.

Boarding lets me take a day (or a week) off, to take care of work things or take a vacation. (Vacation? What's that???) I know my horse will be fed, watered, cleaned, and even exercised while I'm away.

But there's no doubt, it would be a sweet gift to be able to wake up in the morning, look out the window and see your four-legged friend, too. I guess it comes down to your lifestyle, and what works for you.

Good luck with whatever decision you make!

[Peg D]

don't forget higher insurance rates and more in property taxes if you own a small acerage, verses renting or just a house in town.

[Blistering Winds]

I have my horse at home.

Nice thing, I can feed round bale, Less people "SNOOPING" in what and why I'm feeding....no barn "politics", no fighting for arena space,

Things I miss about boarding.....and look forward to if we have to do it again.

Easy to find someone to care for your hrose when you need it
Learning abilities...I learned SO Much by watching and talking with others
Shoot, SOCIAL LIFE outside my kids and husband
Guaranteed hour or more AWAY from kids/husband.....can't do that when at home, as they are bugging me to ride
Vet goes to barn.....doesn't like to make house calls. (ok, he will for me, but still it takes time)

Combined "delivery charges" from feed store
Combined vet call charge

Mass buying to save money on hay, vaccinations, etc.

ARENA (something I don't really have)

[BklynCwgrl]

Originally Posted by Super_Trooper

I have done both and I love having them at home. The cons are (if you consider them cons??) having to be tied to your home for feeding times everyday, doing the work yourself (stalls, paddocks, feeding) but the pros are having them there, being involved, keeping an eye on them, more bonding and less $$.

Boarding is nice if you dont have a place at home for them, or if your a busy person and dont have time to feed/clean stalls..

I agree with Super Trooper. I have boarded and now have them at home. I ABSOLUTELY LOVE having them at home. We arrange our lives around our horses. I don't recommend it for people who like to do alot of other things that do not involve horses. Having horses at home is a commitment. It's alot of work. And if you'd rather be doing alot of other things...your best bet is to board them. And, I don't find it a heck of alot cheaper either!

[morgangirl]

You haven't said how experienced you and your mom are with horses. If you don't have a lot of experience then I would suggest boarding. I am not talking riding experience here but horse care experience. Would you know if a horse had colic or foundered or what to do? Have you cleaned out cuts, dealt with rainrot or other diseases that are common to your area? Dewormed, given shots all the routine stuff that has to be done? Are farriers and vets easily available in your area and are they willing to come to your place for just one horse or two? Do you have someone that can take care of them for you if an emergency were to crop up? Know how to fix fences, etc. That is just some of the things you have to consider.