Owning horses is one of those things that sounds like a dream, and it is, but it’s also a full-time adventure that rarely goes according to plan. Just when you think you’ve got everything running smoothly, something will break, spill, or escape. Horses have an uncanny ability to keep their humans humble.

If you’ve never had horses at home, it’s hard to truly grasp what goes into caring for them every single day. For those who have (or currently do), you know exactly what I mean: the early mornings, the endless chores, and the quiet anxiety that lives rent-free in your brain 24/7. There’s truly no way anyone would do all of this unless they absolutely adored these animals.

☀️ Morning Routine: Coffee, Chores, and (Hopefully) No Emergencies

My alarm goes off at 6:55 a.m. every morning. Before I even get out of bed, I do the classic millennial thing—check my phone to make sure no crises have occurred overnight. (No news is good news.)

On warm mornings, I love stepping out to the barn in pajamas and a shirt—it feels like a little luxury. But when I saw it was 47 degrees this morning, my pajama dreams ended fast. Long pants and a jacket it was. It’s the little things, you know?

My mom and I share chores most days, and with four horses at home, we’ve got our routine down to a system:

  1. Hang fresh hay bags
  2. Clean stalls
  3. Refill water
  4. Feed everyone

It usually takes about 30 minutes, though that can increase if someone decides to “help” by knocking over the manure tub. I’m looking at you, Chrome.

🐎 Mid-Morning: Training, Turnout, and Fly Spray Battles

Once chores are done, it’s time to work horses. I like to ride or do groundwork early in the day, especially since my herd is on a forage-only diet (which simplifies feeding schedules a bit). Around 8:30 or 9:00, I’ll head back out to the barn to get started.

Today’s task? Groundwork with Chrome—quick, focused, and a great way to start the morning. Afterward, we load up on fly spray (because the flies are horrendous right now), pop on the fly masks, and send everyone outside for turnout.

Thankfully, all four get along well, which hasn’t always been the case. A peaceful turnout group is the holy grail of barn management. It makes everything else about ten times easier!

🌿 Turnout Time and Afternoon Care

Because three out of our four horses have or have had metabolic issues, their turnout time is carefully limited. They usually stay out for about two hours under close watch. By the end of it, they’re often standing by the gate waiting to come back in—turns out they prefer the comfort of their fans, hay bags, and cozy stalls to the great outdoors. (Can’t blame them.)

Once they’re back inside, I make sure everyone has fresh hay and water before letting them rest for a few hours. I head back out again in the late afternoon to give their second feed and check waters.

🌙 Evening Routine: One Last Barn Check

The final trip to the barn usually happens around 7 p.m. We check hay bags and water again, tidy up, and do a quick safety sweep before closing up for the night. There’s something peaceful about the barn at that hour—the quiet munching of hay, the soft nickers, and the sense that everyone is safe and settled in.

Of course, my four barn cats insist on making sure I don’t forget them. They beg for food every single time I walk in, even if they’ve just eaten. (They are convinced every trip to the barn should involve snacks.)

💡 Lessons Learned: The Truth About Barn Life

There are definitely more “efficient” ways to manage horses and chores, but honestly? I love this setup. Since I work from home, the barn gives my day structure—and it gets me moving regularly. (Turns out humans need exercise and fresh air too!)

Horse ownership is a lot of work, no question about it. But it’s also deeply rewarding. It teaches patience, responsibility, and appreciation for small moments—the smell of fresh hay, a soft whinny at feeding time, or that satisfying sound of hooves crunching through shavings after a long day.

So if you have your horses at home, you know exactly what I’m talking about. And if you board your horse, make sure to thank your barn staff next time you’re there—they’re doing all of this (and probably more) every single day.

Because at the end of the day, horse ownership isn’t just about chores. It’s about connection, rhythm, and love—the kind that gets you out of bed before sunrise, and still makes you smile long after the barn lights go out.

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Published by Chelsea Wesson

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