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 youre 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.Photo by Peterzayda/Adobe StockThe Ups & Downs of Boarding Your HorseHiring someone else to deal with the heavy lifting of horse care may sound like the easier option, but you may have limited say in how your horse is cared for and handled. The facilities may not be up to your standards, and you may or not be comfortable with barn policies or the services they provide.While there are exemplary boarding facilities that place your horses 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 elses 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 theFive Freedomsfor 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 ofallyour must-haves before you meet with the farm manager.Before choosing a boarding barn, make sure its well-managed, with regular stall cleaning, feeding, and timely maintenance and repairs. Photo by Daseaford/Adobe StockBe 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 youll 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 horses daily routine will be. Will he be turned out with other horses? Will it be a compatible herd group?If you board, you will probably have a readily available group of herd-mates for your horse. Photo by Volgariver/Adobe StockSome 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 ConsiderFeeding 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 wont provide anything outside of forage and water.Boarding barns may have inflexible schedules and feeding options to make things easier on the staff. Photo by Shoshana RudskiIf your horse is on a special diet, you may have to purchase the feed yourself. Try offering to pre-mix and bag your horses 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 whats 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 matesyoull have to pull him out of the field and wait while he eats.Be upfront about all of your horses 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 horses needs, the farms 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 thats in alignment with your sensibilities and has boarders with similar interests.If youre not interested in traditional boarding, but dont 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 youll 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 HomeIf your horse lives on your property, you have total and complete freedom. There are no rules except your own, and youll never have to question policy or be concerned about your horses well-being or care.Full control over the feeding schedule and whats on the menu will be entirely in your hands if your horse is at home. Photo by CameraCraft/Adobe StockOh, wait, isnt thathorseswell-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 theres 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.Its 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 upincluding your time and/or the price of paid help.Think about the stressful tasks like unloading big hay deliveries before moving your horses home. Photo by Chelle129/Adobe StockThere are additional expenses, such as the purchase and upkeep of equipment, barn and fence repairs, and having manure hauled away if youre unable to compost and/or spread it.Also consider what youll 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.While keeping horses at home, you have to go out to feed multiple times per day, no matter the weather. Photo by Chelle129/Adobe StockHaving 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 horses current accommodations arent 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 Illustratedmagazine.Click here to subscribe!The post Horsekeeping: Should You Keep Your Horse at Home or Board? appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.