I boarded my horses for 17 years in 3 different cities. I was in every kind of facility from a friend's back yard to a full service show barn, but even in the best of facilities I was never truly happy with 'something', whether it be the hay, turnout, tack room, barn drama... there was always something.

So I purchased my own acreage and while it is never ending work and I am tied to home, I wouldn't have it any other way. There is nothing like the intimate relationship you forge with your horse when you are the only one. I used to have extremely high standards on how my horses were to be kept, but since having them at home, I have relaxed immensely.

The only drawback for me is the social aspect of boarding barns, so I brought in a hand picked boarder with a perfect horse and we have become great friends. We are currently on the search for another boarder, who will be hand picked by myself and my boarder.

I don't have all amenities that I had when boarding (indoor, huge outdoor, jumps, wash rack, barn, etc.) but for me it is worth the trade-off.

If we want to go on vacation, which we never do because we absolutely love where we live, we just hire a horse-saavy housesitter and put my horsie girlfriends on call.

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