As horse owners, most of us have dreamed of our horse living in your own backyard. You imagine waking up to see him grazing happily when you look out your window. (But hold on to that idyllic imagery while you’re feeding in an ice storm or chasing down equine escapees at midnight!) Find out whether you should keep your horse at home or board him based on these horsekeeping factors.
The Ups & Downs of Boarding Your Horse
While there are exemplary boarding facilities that place your horse’s welfare first and run their business with absolute integrity, there are also those that will cause you sleepless nights as you wonder whether your horse has enough water, if a loose fence board is going to cause an injury, or if someone is riding your horse without your consent.
When you board, you are basically renting space for your horse to live in someone else’s “home.” Your monthly payment should include safe housing; a low-stress environment; opportunities to run, play, socialize, and rest; shelter from inclement weather; access to quality forage; a balanced diet; and fresh, clean water. Generally speaking: a good quality of life; check out the Five Freedoms for equine welfare here.
You can increase the odds of finding a safe and suitable place for your horse with a bit of preparation and effort. Start with a complete list of all your must-haves before you meet with the farm manager.
Be picky! If your horse needs a dry lot in the spring, his hooves cleaned regularly, and a specific type of hay, find out if those services are available. Also ask for references from current and past boarders for a clearer perspective of day-to-day goings on.
Discuss fees up front. Some farms have a flat boarding rate with add-ons for additional services, such as holding horses during vet and farrier care. They may have policies regarding general health care, such as worming and vaccinations, that you’ll be required to follow.
Winter blanketing could be another added expense, and with the high cost of feed these days, the cold weather may also mean hay surcharges.
Ask questions about what your horse’s daily routine will be. Will he be turned out with other horses? Will it be a compatible herd group?
Some farms leave horses in whenever it rains, which can add up to several days in a stall, while others leave them out, no matter the weather.
Know when feeding time is, too, so you can plan your barn time around when your horse is happily eating instead of fretting about him missing a meal. Learn how barn management handles illness and injuries, too.
Former home horsekeeper Cindy Peden of Chapel Hill, Tenn., decided boarding was the right option for her in terms of overall enjoyment and peace of mind.
“While I miss having my girls right out my back door, boarding them has greatly reduced my stress level and allows me more time to just enjoy them,” she says. “I have more flexibility and freedom to do things like travel and spend time with family and friends. I have a wonderful boarding situation where I know my girls are well taken care of, and I get to see them often.”
Special Requirements to Consider
Feeding is one of the biggest worries for horse owners, and no two boarding barns do it the same. Some include supplemental feed in the cost of boarding. Others charge extra for anything in addition to hay or available pasture, while some won’t provide anything outside of forage and water.
If your horse is on a special diet, you may have to purchase the feed yourself. Try offering to pre-mix and bag your horse’s meals to make it faster and easier for the farm staff. Special requests do have an impact on farm routines, and may be impossible to meet or require an additional fee.
You may also find the barn is strict about what’s on the menu and unwilling to give your horse anything other than what they already offer, regardless of what he needs or you want him to have.
You may need to supplement your own hay at times, too, which can be difficult if your horse has pasture mates—you’ll have to pull him out of the field and wait while he eats.
Be upfront about all of your horse’s special requirements and quirks. That will give farm management the best chance at doing a good job for you and your horse. Ideally, the facility will provide a contract or agreement that details your horse’s needs, the farm’s obligations, and your responsibilities so everyone knows what to expect.
You deserve to have a great experience where your horse resides, so make sure the vibe of the barn suits you, too. If you prefer a casual culture, a competitive show barn may not be a good match. It will make your barn time happier if you find a place that’s in alignment with your sensibilities and has boarders with similar interests.
If you’re not interested in traditional boarding, but don’t own a property where your horse can dwell, look for a facility that offers “self-care.” Your monthly rent covers a space for your horse live and use of the facilities. It gives you the freedom to care for your horse as you wish, within the parameters of farm rules and regulations. It also means you’ll be responsible for feeding and cleaning, but you might be able to form a cooperative with other owners and share daily mealtimes and mucking chores.
Keeping Horses at Home
If your horse lives on your property, you have total and complete freedom. There are no rules except your own, and you’ll never have to question policy or be concerned about your horse’s well-being or care.
Oh, wait, isn’t that horses’ well-being or care? Horses are not solitary creatures. They need a herd group to feel safe, secure, and have their needs for social interaction met. One horse can, and should, quickly grow to two or even three, especially if there’s angst when one horse is left behind. The best herd mates will be other equines, but friendly farm animals can fill in, in a pinch.
Another way to increase your herd size is to invite other owners to board with you. Bringing on boarders might be a good way to offset costs, too.
It’s a common belief that having horses at home will save dough, but when it comes down to it, you might not be that far ahead. Feed, supplies, and maintenance add up—including your time and/or the price of paid help.
There are additional expenses, such as the purchase and upkeep of equipment, barn and fence repairs, and having manure hauled away if you’re unable to compost and/or spread it.
Also consider what you’ll spend on bedding, mud management, arena footing, pasture care, electricity, water, and unforeseen issues (busted pipes, insect and rodent control, tractor breakdowns, et cetera), all of which will require both your time and pocketbook to resolve.
“Having horses at home is a lot of work, more than I ever imagined,” says Ann Deklerk of Lynchburg, Tenn. “But it finally gives them true free choice, as it does me. At last, we can be on an even playing field.”
The bottom line is that wherever you house your horse, he should be safe and have all his needs met for a happy and healthy life. It should also be as stress-free for you as possible.
If your horse’s current accommodations aren’t hitting the mark, look into other options that might be a better fit. You both deserve to have great experiences and enjoy your time together to the fullest.
This article about the horsekeeping decision to keep horses at home or board them appeared in the September 2023 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!
