Ever the fan of a thoughtful pro/con list when facing a Big Decision, I got out my trusty spiral notebook and drew a line down the center. “Pro” in this case would be moving to the country to follow my dream of living with my horses just outside my back door. “Con” (and not a bad option at all) is to continue living in the city and boarding my horses close by.
This was supposed to be a date night activity with my husband, but now he’s no longer speaking to me about this matter (I think I may be driving him crazy — while the above video is not me, it could be.), so it looks like we’re on our own here. And I do need help. Possibly of the psychiatric kind. This is a tough situation to evaluate and a mistake could be Miserable (cap intended). And the truth is, I’m not miserable at all right now, so the first “Con” could well be: “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!” (Are you beginning to see where my husband is coming from?)
So let’s do this. Because this is a subject very close to many a horse lovers’ heart, I want to hear what you’d add to my pro/con list if you were unfortunate enough to be sitting here with me in this time of decision angst. Here the skinny on this particular situation:
I live in a GREAT house in a wonderful neighborhood with fabulous neighbors in the best (in my opinion), part of Fort Worth, Texas. Living and raising my daughters in a wonderful, solid old home here has been a dream come true. But there is another dream that has been gnawing at me for as long as I remember conscious thought. “A house with a barn,” as my dad used to call this dream as we drove endlessly on Sunday drives looking at horse properties we’d never own. In my adult life I have continued the search, found a few that were pretty good, but nothing worth trading what I have for.
Until now.
Just when I was least expecting it, coming out of the blue as these kinds of things often do, the dream horse place I’ve carried around in my imagination has plopped itself right into our laps. Well, sort of. You see, there will a Great Upheaval required to get from here to there, and I have no idea whether it’s really a good idea or not. I’ve never lived in the country, so I really have no clue of how the day-to-day of it might look or feel. Is it really the panacea I’ve always imagined it to be? What are the true pros and cons I should be considering here — unbiased by idealism?
Send me your entries as comments and I’ll add them all to my list, and then I’ll post the whole thing to add our collective fodder to any of your decisionmaking conundrums! I look forward to your thoughts and advice . . . and to shedding light that could help steer others through this landmark life decision!
The Pros – You have your horse available 24/7. I have 2 horses on my property and clean their corral every day, Con. Pro – I can sit down on the “bunkhouse porch” in the evening with a cool drink and a good book and watch the horses eating and smell the horsie smells! I love it. Con – When I go away on a trip I need to find someone to come feed and clean twice a day. Pro – I see my horses every day and spend some time with them even if I do not get to ride that day. I would not live in the city again and have lived in the country for 25 years. Yes I need to be organized regarding going to the store, etc. but I love being at home with the quiet and nature. That’s just me!
Consider these things when you think about the pros and cons: How far away is the horse vet? What will he charge for a home visit? What about scheduling the farrier? Do you have a big, reliable truck? Can operate a tractor, toss a hay bale, manage a round bale, carry a 50lb feed sack? Do you know someone trustworthy that will deliver feed and hay, or can you bale your own hay? Can you manage all types of weather all the time when taking care of your horse? And the barn, and the pastures? Do you know how to fix a fence? Can you deal with predators and rustlers? And who would do all these things for you if/when you can’t?
We moved to the ‘country’ over 14 years ago. Would I ever want to move back and board our 8 horse? Nope! Despite all the work.
It takes some getting use to – the grocery store is no longer 5 min away.
The perfectly painted straight boards and fences… They don’t stay that way for long.
Regarding the extra acres – You can never have too much – but If you are going to bale your own hay, factor in Tractor, haybine, rake, baler, wagons, time to maintain all of these, time to use them as well as the cost.
Our 22″ mower that worked fine on our city lot… Yeah – don’t forget the cost of a ‘real’ mower.
Get involved with the local 4H or FFA group for some horse kids that are usually eager to watch over someones horses, for a fee.
A good Truck is needed, as well as an atv. In MN we have to deal with snow many months of the year.
Then there are all the incidentals such as fencing tools, stock tanks, hay feeders, fertilizer, etc, etc, etc
You pay to board your horses for a reason – they do much of the work – now you will get to – but definately worth it.
In the spring on a cool night we move the horses up by the house and open the windows so we can hear them in the morning, along with the chickens (you arn’t in the country without a rooster crowing in the morning!)
Now I’m off to try to get the tractor started so I can cut hay tomorrow afternoon, then fix the hay rake, place the baler, unload the hay rack in the barn before I can use it on our hay in a few days.
One more thing to consider. How close are the nearest neighbors? They need to be far enough away so that if your definition of ‘county’ (horses frolicing in green pastures) doesn’t jive with their definition of ‘country’ (1000 hog operation to maximize profit – read open menure pools) you can at least tolerate living in the ‘country’. Good fences and distance make the best neighbors! Drive around – are there crops in the fields? – they will be harvested late into the night and early in the morning.
Hi, as with everything, there are pros and cons and you must weigh all – not just pros and cons for living with or boarding horses, but convenience, services and resources for your family – equine and non-equine. Are the schools going to provide the same quality of education for your daughters? Will your husbands commute to and from work be a strain on him and your relationship. If someone gets sick, and goodness forbid a serious illness or injury, how quickly can you get medical attention, to the hospital, to the vet or how quickly can they get to you? Is your farm isolated or do you have neighbors that can help out if you are in a pinch.
Living in rural America is wonderful and I would not trade it for anything. That being said, I board my horse where he has someone there 24/7 if an emergency arises – my vet is the first call, I am the second. I am close enough to my vet and all other emergency services that should I need to get any of my animals or family care – its readily accessible to me. My husband and I both work, and although we do travel some, it is not outrageous, but does take a good two hours out of our day. In whatever you decide good luck, and to share a bit of advice that was given to me many years ago – if you don’t know what to do — do nothing!
All good comments. It would have to be a horrible set of circumstances to drag me to the city and away from my horses. My husband and I drive ~40 miles each way to work so we can be far enough out to have the space and peace we want. Having 24 hr access to our horses is amazing. I have cried in their manes and told them things I wouldn’t admit to anyone else. They’re fabulous listeners, and a special support group all unto themselves. Being with them every day, even for a few minutes, makes a big difference in how they react to you and the type of relationships you can have with them. A lot of work, yes, but as long as we are able, they’ll be with us..
I moved my horses to my own farm in the country over 10 years ago. I love the stillness out here and being with my horses 24/7. I would never go back. The trade-offs? Miles away from a store, no social contacts like at the boarding stable, depending on someone to be here when I go away (have actually done OK with that) and less choice of vet care and farriers. We hire people to do the major work (with big equipment) and we do all of the mowing, etc with a smaller John Deere that we can manage. (We have someone come in late in the year and do one cutting of our fields for hay that the horses have been grazing on and we have been mowing all summer).I know that we won’t be able to stay here forever, because as we age, it is too far away from the doctors,stores etc, and we will probably end up back in the suburbs or town where we do not have to drive so far. But for now, I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else!
I have always wanted to have horses since I was an adult. I finally found the perfect place and it’s only 2 miles from the city limits (although it is a small town) and 15 minutes from a major city. The road I live on is 3 miles long and I live 2 miles down the road. I have 12 acres with about 6 acres of pasture. I bought it about 10yrs ago. I have since replaced all the electric fencing, repaired the roundpen, built my house 5yrs ago (lived in the trailer on the property until then). I have 2 horses and had never ridden before except for a couple of guided trails. I had friends that were horse people that helped me out. I’ve had my horses for about 4-5 years and have taught myself to ride with a little help from friends. I am single and do all the work myself. I turned the run in shelter into a 3 stall barn with a run in shelter. I’ve bought a tractor and learned how to use it (still learning) since I broke up with my boyfriend 2 yrs ago. I don’t get to spend as much time with my horses as I would like due to my work schedule but I love it out here. Luckily I only have to feed in the winter since they have plenty of pasture. I was 50 yrs old when I started riding and usually go on 6-8 trail rides a year, these are my mini vacations. I would not trade this for anything. It’s hard doing it all by myself but it’s worth it. I now have water and electricity out at the barn, which has helped a lot. My pasture is my front yard so I can sit on my porch anytime and watch them. I’m happier being single with my horses than I ever was being married. There’s always something that needs to be done, but it keeps my in good shape. Never had a problem getting a vet or farrier out here when I need them. My farrier comes regularly and I just leave him a check under the doormat since I work nights and sleep during the day. Wouldn’t trade this for anything.
There are as many pros as are cons. If you have wanted to do this most of your life and don’t do it, one day will be to late. I wouldn’t trade the quiet and the notion that I can go riding any time I want to.
Hi, I was raised in both country and town. I like both each has it’s convenience. Right now I board, I miss the country, but like town, for where I live is close to shopping. I board my horse close, he is 4 min. to 4 miles from where I live. I have to provide my own feed and clean my stall which is fine, I have a nice arena to ride in which has gotten me back into my riding, boarding gives me my exercise I need. So each of us have our preference. I don’t have to worry about fixing fences, my horse getting out and into trouble, he has a run/paddock a nice warm stall for the winter, I can still go talk and tell my troubles to him, he is very intuned to me. I am ret’d, not married, I’m happy with my horse and two cats. I live near my mom in an apt.complex, to help her.
Riding is my relaxation…Happy Trails everyone, I’m 70 yrs. and have had horses for 46 yrs.
One more thing, my gelding I have now is my
5th generation of my horses. Also my farrier comes out he likes the place where I board,
he approves of it.
Having been considering moving to the country for many years, I find myself now wondering if I should. I’m single and will be an empty nester in June. I’m 57… I have always, always wanted a horse and farm. Reading your comments is so encouraging! Thanks everyone:) I really think I can do it!