Twitchy, my favorite barn cat.
Must Have
- Proper care. It doesn't have to be fancy but I need to know if I am not there my horse will get fed, have hay, clean water, clean stall, and someone will notice if he does something idiotic.
- Turnout. If he could be on pasture board and only be brought in for feeding/bad weather I would be cool with that too. But he needs a large chunk of daily turnout.
- Tolerant attitude. Stinker is an acquired taste and I need some place that isn't going to get pissy about him. D had to move him when she had him, because they were getting mad about him dumping his water bucket. The barn that I am at now, laughs at my shame when he gets bored and turns on his water hose and floods two and part stalls. Not to mention some people get poop face when they hear he is a Saddlebred.
- No barn hours. I didn't even realize this was a thing until I started looking at barns to get an idea of what is out there. I need a place that doesn't care if I show up super early or late into the evening.
- Ring for dressage
Angry mini post mane roaching with scissors....
Wants
- Access to trails.
- Stadium and XC jumps.
- On site trainer I would ride with or a trainer that comes in regularly that I like.
- Short commute. It is unlikely that I will have everything like I do now, but a girl can dream.
- Fun people.
I don't think I am being unreasonable with my must have or wants. What do you think? Am I forgetting something or being totally unrealistic?
Wilbur (I call him Bacon to irritate the girls)
I dont think those are unrealistic at all...it is kind of crazy though how hard it is to find all of those things. I think care, as you listed, is one that is a non-negotiable. Best of luck in your search!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks. I have no concept of boarding barns other than this one and the local gossip I hear, so it is good I know I am not looking for a total unicorn barn. :)
DeleteI don't think that you list is unrealistic. Best of luck in your search!
ReplyDeleteThanks. :)
DeleteThose are totally normal requirements and wants! I agree with you about the barn hours- always found that to be a bit weird, but I guess they put those in bc someone was abusing non normal barn hours? I don't know… still weird! Though why do you have to move barns? Did I miss that post or you haven't talked about it?
ReplyDeleteMy job is a temporary training position and it is getting closer to the end so I will be moving on in the next year or so. I'm not sure if I have said anything directly about it or not.
DeleteJust as an aside, my barn has "barn hours" of 8am-8pm. That said, they are totally accommodating if I ask to ride early (5:30-6:30 am), as long as I am out of their way when they are dragging the arena in the morning. I've found most places have barn hours to ensure they can get invasive barn chores done on a schedule (like dragging arenas and watering/cleaning stalls) without everyone being in each other's way. And so that the barn managers can get sleep without worrying if that person driving in at 10pm is someone who should or shouldn't be there. If you're polite about it, they'll often flex.
ReplyDeleteThis is really good to know. Because I saw that and went WTF I ride 90% of the time outside those hours. But what you said makes total sense.
DeleteDefinitely not unreasonable. Well, out here it's hard to find turnout, ugh. I've been at barns with and without hours. I actually need to ask my future barn what the hours are, although I know people ride at 6am so I'm hoping they're pretty lax. I don't like to be there past 8pm though. There was a barn that I rode at that didn't have hours, but wanted the arena lights off at 9:30pm since the arena was right by the house, I understand that. Then there was another barn that would lock the gates at 9pm so you were kind of screwed if you were still there.
ReplyDeleteBut what Austen said was a good idea- if you find a great barn but the hours are questionable, ask them about it. They could just put the hours up to discourage a whole bunch of people from staying too late or getting there too early.
I have a feeling the turnout is going to be the biggest problem but without it he cause so much trouble even when he is being ridden...
DeleteI'm much of a morning person so I don't like being at the barn super late but sometimes it happens.
The right fit is so important. I'll take good people over a perfect facility any day of the week.
ReplyDeleteThe people can make or break a barn. Very good point.
DeleteGood luck finding the best spot!
ReplyDeleteThanks!
DeleteFor barn hours, make sure you check about lesson hours too, and whether you're allowed to ride during lessons. I've ridden at a couple barns in the past that had strict barn hours (like lights would automatically go out, and doors would be locked at 9pm), but they also had lots of lessons and boarders weren't allowed to ride in the arena during lessons. The combination makes it so much worse! My current place has no barn hours and no lessons and I love being able to ride whenever :-)
ReplyDeleteWhat do you mean by a "ring for dressage"? Do you just want a relatively flat place to ride that is at least 20mx40m, or do you want a full court ring with perfect footing, mirrors etc.? The answer to that might determine how realistic your list is, as in my experience, the places with truly awesome arenas are usually stricter, while the more "go with the flow" places that don't have hours and have a tolerant attitude towards difficult horses, might be more casual with the ring maintenance too.
Good luck with the search!
That is such a good point about lessons. It had not crossed my mind.
DeleteAs far as the ring goes ideally a full sized court without potholes. But I would be ok with a small ring that I don't look at and cringe. I'm hoping to find something like my current barn where they keep things in working order but it isn't top of the line. I feel like the top of line typically doesn't do the turn out I would want or be as ok with Stinker when he is being a stinker.
Great list, tho "fun people" or at least a "friendly atmosphere" would probably be on my need list just bc of how much time I spend at the barn that involves interacting with others. It isn't the primary focus, sure, but it can make a big difference in how I feel about it!
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with that. It makes a huge difference and I kind of took that for granted, but it is getting bumped up on the mental list.
DeleteTurnout is hard to come by at a lot of barns in california due to the cost of land. Also I really wish I was close to my barn but alas I am not :(
ReplyDelete