A shared home for people and horses

If you want to fulfill this wish, you must first clarify whether keeping horses is permitted at this location. Keeping horses is not permitted everywhere. So find out about the situation in your area. You can obtain the details from the relevant building authority.

Once you have clarified that your horse can move in with you, carefully check whether the general conditions are right. Ask yourself the following questions:

• Is there enough space for the horse to run around, such as a paddock or, better still, a pasture that can be used in summer and a winter paddock?
• Is there a proper stable? The box or pasture hut should be of sufficient size and provide protection from the weather. There are regulations governing this. It is best to check with your local veterinary office in advance and obtain all the relevant information.
• What about riding opportunities or an exercise area?
• Do you have two horses or do you need another horse? Horses are herd animals and keeping a horse alone would be contrary to animal welfare.
• Keep in mind that you will need to store hay, straw, and other feed. Do you have space for this?
• Think about how you will dispose of the horse manure. Building a manure pit is expensive and requires the appropriate permits. Many small riding stables or private stables use containers that are then collected regularly by farmers or companies.

As you read these questions, you may already realize that keeping horses privately is not as straightforward as you might have thought at first. There are rules and regulations, but other aspects also make it challenging. Buying hay, for example, has become more complicated in recent years due to poor yields from farmers. Purchasing small quantities of good quality hay has become a real task. The situation is not much better with straw. Therefore, think carefully in advance about the type of housing you want. What should your horses stand on, and what alternatives to straw are available? Do you want to keep your horses outside all year round? What do you need for this type of housing?

Another thing to consider is that even if your municipality allows horse keeping, make sure you don't have any problems with your neighbors. It's best to get in touch with them in advance and inform them of your plans.

Once everything has been clarified, it's up to you. Be aware that living with a horse also requires a lot more work, attention, and responsibility. There is no feed master, no one to muck out or take the horse from A to B. All the tasks that would be taken care of for you at a riding stable or in a stable community will then have to be done by you. Who will take care of the horses when you go on vacation or are away for a few days?

Having horses at home is a wonderful experience. But don't forget that it requires more commitment from you – out of love for your horse.