Home, home, home! Maybe we're just "lax" horse owners, but I find having them home SO much easier than when we boarded them. When we boarded them, it took more time to go see them and to work with them because we had to factor in driving time. Then, if the weather was bad or it got late, or there was some interruption, it meant not being able to check on them that day. Now, if we're busy, we just check their water once/day and take 10 minutes to feed. Plus, at any time I'm worried, I just go out my door and check on them. I don't have to worry if one got hurt in a thunderstorm at night or something.

We were at one of the best boarding facilities in this area, but still, I once checked on Holly and found a dead mouse floating in her water. Because they had a turnout schedule, she was often stuck in her stall for 12 hrs at a time. Our other mare, Bailey, developed a chronic cough from all the dust in the barn. They both had rainrot and scratches. Some of that, I think, is simply from being around so many other horses...and it's not always the same horses, so they're constantly having to "re-shuffle" the herd.

Then, there's the stuff that happens when you're NOT there. I once went to check on Holly and she had saddle/sweat marks on her. She'd obviously been ridden, but I hadn't given anyone permission to ride her. People show up, whether they're with someone who boards at the barn or they're checking out the facilities, and they can feed treats, hit your horse, etc. Or leave a gate open. Or steal your tack. Leave a heater on and start a barn fire. There's just too many people who I don't trust who can interact with my horse when they're boarded.