Horse boarding facilities vs getting a horse sitter

The thought of leaving your beloved equine behind can be daunting. However, as a horse parent, it's unavoidable that you'll need to be away from home from time to time. With the rise in both short-term horse boarding facilities and horse pet sitting services, horse owners can now take off on their vacations with peace of mind, knowing that their four-hoofed friends are in safe hands.

In this article, we’ll break down both care options and discuss the pros and cons of each.

Understanding horse boarding facilities

Horse boarding facilities are usually associated with long-term stays, providing a home-away-from-home for horses whose pet parents may not be able to accommodate them on their own property or need extra support in caring for them. However, some facilities have had a modern makeover to meet the needs horse owners, offering flexible options for shorter timeframes. Horse boarding is also used as a pet care option for when you need to travel.

Horse boarding facilities come in various forms, each offering different levels of care and added perks to suit the needs of horses and pet parents alike. Let’s first trot through some different types of horse boarding options:

• Full-care boarding: full board provides the fullest pack of services, including feeding, grooming, exercise, and medical care. It's ideal for horse parents who don’t have the time or expertise to manage daily horse care and want their majestic equines to receive professional, consistent attention. While most full-care boarding services typically provide long-term care, you may be able to find a full-care boarding facility that also offers short-term stays, if you're only going away for a few weeks. 
• Partial care boarding: for those who want the best of both worlds, partial board splits the care of the horse between the boarding facility and the horse owner. This option suits those who want professional oversight but prefer to have a finger on the reins when it comes to their horse's care.
• Self-care boarding: the most hands-on option, self-care horse boarding provides a boarding stable but requires the owner to handle all other aspects of their horse's care. This choice is often more budget-friendly and allows for deep bonding but demands significant time and effort from the horse parent.

If you already use a partial care or self-care boarding service, it may be worth asking if your boarding service offers the option to switch to full-care boarding temporarily while you’re away. If you already use a full-care boarding facility, it’s still worth mentioning that you’ll be away for a certain time.

Now you’re fully in the know about horse boarding facilities, let’s look at some pros and cons of this option for your equine buddy when you're off on your next adventure:

Benefits of choosing a boarding facility

• Professional care: boarding facilities offer professional care in a structured environment, ensuring that your horsie buddy is looked after to high standards. This is especially important if your beloved friend suffers from any medical issues as many horse boarding facilities offer veterinary care.
• Fun add-ons: often, these facilities provide a range of riding areas and equipment, enhancing the training and exercise opportunities for your horse. Additionally, some facilities offer extras such as grooming services, training sessions, or access to scenic trail rides, allowing horses to enjoy a vacation of their own.
• Potential care upgrade: if you already use a boarding facility and it allows you to upgrade the care to full care during your time away, this may be the easiest option for you. However, if you can’t get that extra care within the boarding facility, you might want to consider an external horse sitter.

Potential drawbacks

• Cost: the main hurdle is cost as boarding can be expensive, especially for short-term options where you may pay by the day. If you’re wondering “how much is horse boarding?”, the cost to board a horse really depends on the facility and care package. In general, you may see full-boarding costing around $1200 or more per month.
• Unsettling: temporarily using a horse boarding facility while you’re away may be unsettling for your horse. Some horses need a consistent routine and may feel uncomfortable in a new space or from being transported.
• Less personalized care: depending on the facility's size and staff-to-horse ratio, the care may not be as personalized as what your hoofed friend might receive at home. 

The role of a horse sitter

A horse sitter provides care for your horse in the comfort of their own stable. You can find local horse sitters or by connecting with like-minded and experienced horse lovers, like those right here on TrustedHousesitters! A horse sitter can adapt to your needs and take care of your horse if they’re in a stable next to your house or a livery yard. Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of hiring a horse sitter compared to horse boarding:

Benefits of hiring a horse sitter

• More personal, flexible care: a horse sitter is only there for your horse, so they’ll give them all the love and attention they need.
• If you’ve got other pets they can also care for them: most horse sitters will be happy to look after your other pets while you’re away. For example, an in-home house sitter will care for all of your pets while staying in your home while you’re away.
• It’s less expensive: in general, finding a horse sitter is a cheaper option. If you’re wondering, “how much does a horse sitter cost?” it very much depends on the service. You may want to hire a local farm sitter or, if you travel regularly, you may consider a platform such as TrustedHousesitters where you can have unlimited sits for a small yearly fee.
• More of a choice of care: you can often find horse sitters who are happy to travel far to come and look after your hoofed buddy. In our pet-loving community, you can find experienced horse sitters from all over the world who’d love to come and stay in your home to take care of your horses.
• The comfort of their own home: getting a horse sitter to take care of your four-legged friend means they come to you. Therefore, there’s no need to unsettle your horse with travel and a new environment – they can stay in the familiarity of their own stable and facilities.

Challenges and limitations

• Less access to emergency care: if you’re worried your horse may require emergency care, it may not be within the horse sitter's capacity to provide this. If this is the case, we recommend passing on any emergency veterinary care details to the horse sitter.
• Finding a reliable, knowledgeable sitter: it’s sometimes hard to find a pro horse sitter that you’re reassured will meet your horse’s needs. That being said, by making sure to meet the sitter beforehand, checking they have the right experience, and reading any previous reviews, you can find an excellent sitter for your horse.

Factors to consider when choosing between boarding and a sitter

Ready to start considering your horse care options? Jump into the list of points below to help you find the perfect fit for you and your trusty steed:

Your horse's health and special needs

Consider if your horse requires specialized medical care or facilities that a professional boarding facility can better provide.

If you already use a boarding facility

If you’re already using a boarding facility, it might be more straightforward to ask if you can upgrade the level of care to full care while you’re away. This may also be the best option for your horse as there’s a sense of familiarity.

Budget

Determine which option fits your financial situation best. The horse boarding cost tends to be quite a bit more expensive than hiring a horse sitter, however, if you feel horse boarding is best for your trusty steed overall, it might be worth spending the extra money.

Location and accessibility of facilities

The best horse boarding facility might be far from where you live. Consider the level of convenience and quality of local horse boarding facilities versus the ease of using a sitter based on your location. If you’re using a horse sitter there is no need to worry about the location as your horse can keep to their usual routine at home.

How to evaluate a boarding facility for horses

When visiting potential boarding facilities ahead of your time away, make sure to check the following:

• Care level and staff qualifications: get to know the training and experience of the staff caring for your horse, and make sure they’ll be able to meet all your horse buddy’s needs.
• Peek at the perks: check if the facility has all the amenities to keep your horse happy and healthy.
• Assess the facility's reputation and management: Look out for reviews or ask local horse owners about their experiences with the facility to suss if it’s the best choice.
• Flexibility in services: if you’re looking for a horse boarding facility, but are someone who likes to go away from time to time, make sure they’ve the option to temporarily change the care from self-care or partial care to full care when you need.

Connecting with a horse sitter

So, you've decided that a horse sitter is the way to go for you and your trusty steed. Check out our tips below, and you'll be off on vacation before you can say "giddy up!":

How to find and vet a reliable sitter

Wondering how to find a horse sitter? If you're looking for a local sitter, it's worth asking your fellow horse owners or in local horse communities. Be sure to conduct interviews, check references, and find someone with a background in horse care and good handling skills. With TrustedHousesitters, you can easily find passionate horse sitters, local and global, who are ID-checked, referenced, and reviewed.

Setting expectations and communication guidelines

Be clear about your horse's needs and your expectations for care. Establish how often you want updates and make sure your sitter knows who to contact in emergencies. We recommend creating a welcome pack with everything the sitter will need to know during your time away.

Planning for emergencies and routine care

Ensure the sitter knows how to handle any unexpected situations or traits that your horse has and is clued up on your equine's daily routine. Schedule a video call with your sitter beforehand to go over the routine. It’s a nice opportunity for the sitter to meet their new horse companion as well!

Horse boarding facilities vs getting a horse sitter, which one is right for you? In short, it very much depends on your horse and your personal situation. By carefully evaluating these options, you can ensure that your horse has an equally hay-mazing vacation as you!

At TrustedHousesitters, you can choose from a range of house sitters with horse care experience, and find the perfect horse-loving companion for your four-legged bestie while you’re away.