Horse Boarding Woes...
My daughter Emily, boarded her horse at a barn that was close to our granddaughter, Lucy’s riding lessons. It was really expensive! The best part was, it was less than 10 minutes away.
At the time, Lucy was taking English style riding lessons. That summer, we all went to the local county fair. One of the events was barrel racing…as soon as Lucy saw those girls flying around the track she said “I want to learn to do that!”
Her new barrel racing lessons were just under an hour away…ugh. So my daughter moved the horse close to this new barn.
Commuting to lessons and visiting the horse, two to three times a week, was really taking a toll on her truck and life!
Starting a Conversation...
After almost a year of commuting, we starting talking about what it would take to move the horse to our little farm.
We have almost 10 acres, but most of the property was not fenced. Just for an idea, we called a fencing company to quote a price for fencing an area in the back for a pasture.
When the estimate came back, it was over $10,000.00! Back to the drawing board.
Taking a 100 foot measuring tape, we measured out an area 120 x 660 feet. Emily researched the price for wooden poles, steel t posts, and supplies for a ribbon style solar electric fence.
Including a 12 foot gate, the cost was under $1,800, still far from cheap, but she felt it was doable.
Below is a picture of the feral field before the horse pasture was there.
Fencing...
Emily gradually bought the supplies needed for the fencing and solar charger. Rounding up a few friends, they set the corner posts and placed the electrical ribbon in one weekend!
Bringing the horse for the mild weather months, would save her $350.00 a month in boarding fees!
Here is “Highway”, happy as can be on his own pasture!
Big Decision...
Ken and I had a few discussions about Highways pasture. There was a shade tree in the far back…but if it stormed, there was absolutely no protection.
We started researching horse shelters and being “newby” farmers we learned a new word. It was RUN-IN. This is a three sided structure, made to shelter livestock from weather.
So… we took our “Covid” stimulus checks and our income tax refund, and purchased a 12 x 24 foot Amish built run-in to surprise our daughter!
I wish I had pictures of the big reveal! She was delighted, but kept saying we shouldn’t of spent our money…blah, blah, blah, lol!
Continued improvements...
She continued to board Highway during the coldest winter months, because we didn’t have a water source.
Winter care for a horse is intense. Of course there is no pasture, so you need to bring in hay…and have a place to store hay.
But she improved the paddock area by bringing in crushed gravel, to keep down the mud. This also allows the ground to hold up under the weight of a tractor or pick up truck.
Many changes...
A lot has happened since then…but that will have to be another story, lol!
Highway is happy and so are we!
Until next time…
Fondly, Sandy
As I said I love your heart! Highway is so fortunate that he is in your family 💙
Lucy’s crazy about that horse, lol! I believe if you have animals you should take good care of them❤️
S.
Congrats! And now your compost pile will love Highway too!!!
Our compost pile is from one end of our property to the other🤣
Good intentions though! This year is the year for compost management!
Nice to hear from you Judith❤️
S.