Home keep or board?

[Honeysuga]

So we found a lovely new place to lease. It is absolutely PERFECT for us right down to the fact that it has a 2 acre paddock and large "garage" that I can section into a barn. My only hang up is that I am not sure if I shoul go ahead and keep him at home with me or should I board him at the awesome place I posted before... I have kept horses since I was little so the responsibility is not a big thing and boarding is $300/mo, but that is fulll board and someone to watch him all the time for me. At home he will have horses in the pasture next to him and tons of trails and a 4 wheel park to ride in on a nice county road. I just can't decide which I should go with. What do you guys think? I would love some opinions!

[Vidaloco]

Tough call, will you be able to spend more quality time with him at home? If you will than I'd say its a no brainer...Bring him home. If all your time with him is going to be spent picking up poop, hauling hay and feed, and general maintenance of his "home" than leave him where someone else can do all that while you enjoy just riding him.

[Honeysuga]

The biggest thing that was making me want to board is the security of him being watched 24/7 in case of emergencies and such and the social factors as well.

But at the same time, I know how I like him kept, I know how to care for him and I like caring for him.

I think I just need to take more time to weigh it out.

Right now he is at moms in a barbed wire pasture so anything is better than that IMO.

[Vidaloco]

I'm home with my kids pretty much all day every day. I know they would be ok if they were out in the pasture all day without me here in case of emergency. I do know what you mean about someone being there 24/7, but they really don't need that much attention. I know mine would be happy as hares as long as they had something to munch and drink

[sandy2u1]

I agree with Vida. They don't need the 24/7 watch. As long as you have time to put in the work and riding then I don't know why anyone wouldn't jump at the chance.

[lilkitty90]

We don't keep our at home but 2 minute down the road at a pasture. I've never boarded and i've never liked the fact of boarding. Because I don't like people around my horse when i'm not there to monitor it. I don't like paying people to do something I could easily do. And I just prefer doing it all myself so I know HOW and when it's getting done and I know it's all right. Even if I have to muck out stalls and carry feed and water i'd rather do that then know someone is messing with my horses when i'm not around. Maybe it's just because I like to be in control of everything. And no one will be therre 24/7 but i'd love to be around my pasture 24/7 especially now as I just put mom and foal with the rest of the herd and I am crawling out of my skin worried that something could be going wrong. All in all do you want to do all the work and then enjoy the benefits of doing all the work by riding your horse? Or do you want to pay someone else to do the work and you just enjoy riding all the time? = ) it's all up to you and what you want to do.

[writer23]

I'm in a similar situation at the moment. The pros of keeping my horse at home are cost, time spent with him, and being able to personally keep tabs on all facets of his care. Plus I don't have to drive to the barn.

Right now my gelding is being boarded out. Some of the happiest times for me were being at a boarding/training barn. I like the social aspect and the fact I got to ride with other people and learn from them. Bringing my gelding home has many perks but I'll miss the companionship of the other riders and my coach (who is a best friend of mine).

If the only 'pro' of boarding your horse out is that he'll be watched 24/7, I agree with the other posters, horses don't need 24/7 watch. He'll be better at home. Has something happened in the past that makes you concerned he needs that level of surveillance?

[upnover]

I think you need to write a pro/con list and figure out what's most important to you. Personally, I can't imagine NOT boarding somewhere! If you can find a very good boarding barn, they're going to take just as good care of your horse as you. Then you have more free time to spend with your horse. And of course, someone will be looking out for your horse 24-7, even when you're out of town or really busy. What really makes it for me is having all the other people around. The kids at our barn spend the night at each other's houses almost every weekend (sometimes multiple night) and they hang out every day at the barn. They have an absolute blast together.

[Brianna6432]

I honestly think you should keep him at your house. I don't see why you wouldn't. And, they do not need to be watched 24/7... you should know that considering you're used to having horses at your house...

[Jessabel]

You could bring him home for a few weeks and see how it works out. Personally, I'd choose keeping my horses at home over boarding, partly because my own boarding situation is pretty bad right now (thankfully, we'll be leaving soon). I can't wait to have my horses at home and I don't think I'll miss the boarding stable at all. I think you would enjoy having your guy at home, that way you can take care of him YOUR way and it would be just a short walk across the barnyard to go visit him whenever you want.