I give my horse a summer break every year. I haul her up to my parent's farm and let her be a horse. My family then gets to spend some time together. It takes a few days to trailer my horse, and by the second day she knows. She becomes very excited about being turn out.

I am unclear by what you mean by letting her be a horse. Shouldn't she have the chance to do that anyway? I mean, being turned out to pasture on a regular basis.

I'm guessing being a horse includes the companionship of other horses? Horses usually live in herds so "being a horse" by yourself isn't very fulfilling I'd imagine. Kind of like being a human by yourself. Its more fun to be a human with other humans. Thats definitely a cool idea though.

But wouldn't they be with other horses at the barn? Or do you keep your horse alone at other times?

Maybe during the winter months the horse is a work or show horse, thats the only way I could see getting time off. I do agree that a horse needs to be a horse at all times, not just a work, show or other type.