Moving a horse

I'm not sure if this is the right place to post this - but here it is anyway. This winter we haven't been able to spend much time with our horse due to a few things but mainly the weather and getting dark so early in the day. I was thinking about moving my horse closer to us next winter (yeah, I know it's early, I'm just thinking ahead) so that we can spend time with her daily but I have a couple of concerns so I've make a little pro/con list.

Here are the pros and cons that I've come up with so far (if we were to move her):
Pros:

1) We can spend time with her daily and really be able to enjoy her. She'd be only a half-mile from our house. I would really like this so that my daughter can continue to bond with our horse. She we only get out to see Lily about once a week right now, but my daughter asks to see her daily.

2) We can spend time with her without my MIL. Yes, I love my MIL but she is so overbearing when it comes to us and the horse that sometimes it isn't even fun! Imagine being able to brush and/or muck without being told how!

Cons:

1) it will cost money. I'm not sure how much (I guess that would be a smart thing to find out, huh?!) but there is a self-care barn and pasture for rent that I can't imagine would be as much as a stable. It's nothing fancy, just a clean stall and small pasture (about an acre). She currently stays with my MIL for free and MIL does stalls for us when we aren't able to make it out there. Of course I really don't mind cleaning stalls anyway it's kind of relaxing in a weird way.

2) no place to ride. We're really not riding much now so I don't know how big of an issue this is in reality. We had access to an outdoor arena but some things have changed so it won't be available to us again until spring.

3) this might be too stressful for our horse - but to be honest I don't know how stressful it is for horses to move. Anyone?

I'd love to hear any thoughts on this. I know we won't be moving this winter because by the time we got everything situated it would be spring and almost time to move her back to my MIL.

If you are doing full care now, then the only con is the $ I think. I'd never be able to have a horse if I had to board it out. I barely have enough time now for everything. Bring her home if you can. The move will be a disruption for the horse, but she'll settle in. Just don't expect her to be her "normal" self for the first 2 months.

I agree....bring her home. There is nothing like have your horse with you (or very close).

IMHO...there is no amount of money that is too much to get away from MILs.

Are there other horses where you are thinking of moving?

Closer to home is always nicer. Don't worry bout the move horses settle in nicely. I take my horses everywhere, never had a problem.

I know how you feel... I moved my horse from my sisters place about 4 months ago, to a place about a mile away from me (my sister lives about 20-25 minutes away, not that far away , but an inconvenience). I was really scared about moving my horse, as I know my sister took good care of her, but I felt I would be able to spend more time with her and enjoy her more if I could be closer.
IT WAS THE BEST THING I EVER DID!!!!!!!
I love my new barn (just one other horse there). I am only a couple minutes away, so sometimes I visit twice a day. Even when it's miserable and rainy outside, it doesn't feel like a hassel to go and spend 15 minutes visiting and getting the feed ready. I know I'm really lucky, because the lady who owns the place is amazing, and treats my horse like she was hers. Also, she loves to ride, so I now have a full time riding partner (my sister has two little kids, and rarely has time for a ride these days).

I'm lucky, because the board is very inexpensive, but even if it was more, it would be worth it (just the gas that I'm saving not having to drive so far makes a big difference).
Anyway, I think knowing that if it didn't work out, I could move her back to my sisters made it easier.

As for your worry about your horses stress... I would use Bach Flower Rescue Remedy when you move her. Give it to her before you load her in the trailer, and put some into her water when you arrive at the new barn. Use it for a couple days, and it should help a lot (if she has stress issues). FYI, I was worried about my mare getting beat up by the horse at the new barn, but turns out they LOVE each other... always cuddling up to one another, it's very sweet!

P.S. Here is a photo of my palomino and her new buddy (he loves her, lol)