Lsrd1 wrote:
 
The DOGS are the hard ones, have to have someone here to care for them. If I didn't have dogs I could just go, but my dogs are inside so someone has to be here to care for them. 
  
^ This. My horses are pretty easy to take care of. I have 6 here right now. They stay out 24/7 when ever possible but I do have a barn with individual stalls when needed.
I found a good pet sitter for the 2 times I was away for a longer time period. My husband can check on them too and the girls will also turn in/out and feed if needed. I dont really go on vacation anyway.

Now, I have four dogs 5,9 and 2 of them elderly, a 13 year old mutt and a 12 year old Lab. They been with us for almost 12 years. I would never give them in a kennel to go on vacation. Somebody would have to stay in the house with them all day to take care of them ( or at least be there evening, over night and in the morning). That is almost impossible to find. I would not know who to trust plus its very expensive.

I boarded my horses here and in Germany and was pretty happy in most cases. I'm easy to get along with and don't require anything special. As long as you feed, turn out and clean stalls as agreed on I'm good.I can't belive the horror storys some people on here have in regard of boarding barns. IDK, I guess I been lucky.

I have the horses at home now for almost 10 years and I would not want it any different. but it seems I dont get to ride as much. There is always a fence to repair or something else to do. I also dont have trails and have to trailer ( not very far thought) every single time I want to trail ride. It is much cheaper compared to boarding and I could not have the horses I have if I would not keep them at home.

It would not kill me if I had to board again but I much rather have them at home. I think it just depends on the person.