When it comes to deciding whether to board your horse at home or at a boarding facility, how do you choose.?
There are many pros and cons to both scenarios, but the most important question for you is how much work do you want to do? Or better yet, are you okay with someone else caring for you horse?
As with any pet, they are part of your family and their care is very important. But as many pet friendly homes know, caring for a dog is quite different then caring for a horse.
There’s much more work that goes into caring for your horse including:
Cleaning stalls
Daily feedings
Daily exercise
The expenses that go along with it
Before you decide what’s best for you take a look at some of the pros and cons for both scenarios.
Boarding Away, Pros and Cons:
Pros
Much less work on your part since you won’t be doing the work.
Definitely cheaper than the cost of buying the property to house your horse.
Less cost when it comes to repairs and upkeep.
Someone else is responsible for the daily expenses it takes to care for equine.
Cons
Are you okay knowing that someone else will be caring for your horse?
Much less control when it comes to the care of your horse.
Having to deal with crowded barns as other patrons visit and ride their horses.
Having to share a space with other boarders.
Can be costly dependent upon the location.
Boarding at Home, Pros and Cons:
Pros
Complete control over the care of your horse.
Can be much less money than boarding facilities.
You get to set the pace, feeding regimen, and times your horse is feed.
You get to visit and ride your horse anytime you want as opposed to having to make an appointment at a boarding facility.
Cons
When it’s time for vacation or having to leave for long trips, who will be there to care for your horse?
You are responsible for the daily clean up of stalls, exercise regimen, feeding, watering, etc.
All the cost of caring for a horse is solely up to you to take on.
Along with boarding your own horse also comes the cost of the upkeep.
Less interaction with other horses or people.
As you can see by the above, boarding at home or at a boarding facility is not only a personal preference but a financial obligation dependent upon your situation. Many prefer to board their own horses so that they have full control, while others prefer to hand over the majority of the responsibility to a boarding facility. Some of you may not have a choice in the matter.
Either way, ensure you do your homework before you decide which option works best for both you and your horse.
Here’s to both you and your horse’s health.
Carolyn Osborn
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P.S. Our newest program Healing and the New Normal is designed to support you being able to move forward during these stressful times.
You can also gain knowledge about how energy medicine and intuitive messages can help us recognize and adjust to changes that are affecting us, as well as our animals. Even when we may not recognize it— there are messages your dogs, cats, horses and other pets wish they could tell you directly—as they seek to give you loving help. Chiron Energy Medicine offers several options.
See or learn more about our sessions and packages for people or animals here and view our equine and performance sessions or packages here.
You may request an Introductory Consultation here.