tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8359915651309786241.post6803269406356458899..comments2024-03-27T08:06:53.882-07:00Comments on Raincoast Rider: Little DiscoveriesThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05438372155463437107noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8359915651309786241.post-23541925080397189922019-08-29T06:52:55.520-07:002019-08-29T06:52:55.520-07:00I've kept my horses at home for 20+ years and ...I've kept my horses at home for 20+ years and as you said there are definitely pros and cons. The farm workload can interfere with riding if you let it, but if you design things right, have a small enough place, and making riding your first priority it can all work out well. I think going smaller/less investment/less to maintain is smart especially because you have ponies/easy keepers. Good luck!Exploring Dressage Biomechanicshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14859580820686218207noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8359915651309786241.post-4366696250378415852019-08-27T09:38:30.804-07:002019-08-27T09:38:30.804-07:00A small barn sounds lovelyA small barn sounds lovelyL.Williamshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05052638724440787772noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8359915651309786241.post-26628403125823289102019-08-27T04:57:56.207-07:002019-08-27T04:57:56.207-07:00It sounds like you have a lot of clarity moving fo...It sounds like you have a lot of clarity moving forward - that's got to be a good feeling! And designing your own little farmette sounds perfect. I'll be excited to follow along on that journey as you take the next steps. =)Liz Stouthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18267806576736655184noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8359915651309786241.post-18852192238056105582019-08-26T10:52:15.821-07:002019-08-26T10:52:15.821-07:00It's SO much work! Maybe something magical wil...It's SO much work! Maybe something magical will happen before we start building and I'll win the lottery or someone will open a boarding barn! I'll take either at this point :)Thttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05438372155463437107noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8359915651309786241.post-30084854661722243782019-08-26T10:49:34.035-07:002019-08-26T10:49:34.035-07:00I probably haven't mentioned it, but prior to ...I probably haven't mentioned it, but prior to the blog, the horses lived at home with us. I struggled with many of the things you mentioned, then ended up moving away for several years for work. I've been back for a couple of years now and there is literally nowhere here that offers boarding - livestock friendly land is very difficult and expensive to come by and there has been a big influx of very wealthy retirees choosing to have just a seasonal place with a big estate type property rather than hobby farms or horse boarding :) In a perfect world I'd be able to board part or all of the year, but it seems my choices are ever more limited, unless I choose to move towns again to be closer to my coach and her barn.<br />Currently, I self board at a friend's house which is kind of the worst of both worlds, in a way. Paying decent money, plus the chores and maintenance, plus driving to get there and having no choice in a lot of the decisions made re: property and structure design or maintenance (eg I have to store some of my hay and all my sawdust and other supplies at home, plus bring water at certain times of the year)Thttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05438372155463437107noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8359915651309786241.post-55004038455207867052019-08-26T10:38:13.300-07:002019-08-26T10:38:13.300-07:00And so sweet too. I hit the jackpot (so far!)And so sweet too. I hit the jackpot (so far!)Thttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05438372155463437107noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8359915651309786241.post-43195161578669011142019-08-26T10:37:49.944-07:002019-08-26T10:37:49.944-07:00First we need to get the permits approved, tho :) ...First we need to get the permits approved, tho :) I'll do a post just on general small barn ideas anyway - I have so many saved!Thttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05438372155463437107noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8359915651309786241.post-23362003732739136362019-08-26T08:46:22.136-07:002019-08-26T08:46:22.136-07:00I am not sure i would have had my horse at home if...I am not sure i would have had my horse at home if I knew then what i Know now. You never do ride. (Or I don't)! but i do love hearing his nickers outside when i come out. AND with air ferns (You have them and I have them) HA a barn with a small grazing area is perfect. I dont even use half of my grass area. Which sucks. But I think you have a good plan in place! :) Good luck!! Martidollhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02615603986854526853noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8359915651309786241.post-91811824255650020772019-08-26T07:34:28.620-07:002019-08-26T07:34:28.620-07:00Isn't it wonderful to have easykeepers! Over t...Isn't it wonderful to have easykeepers! Over the years I have known many friends who have moved from boarding to home situations, and some of them have flip-flopped over time (summers at home, winters in boarding, vacations in boarding). Most of us dream of having our ponies in our backyards, and I bought myself a 5 acre property on horse trails to do the same thing 18 years ago...<br /><br />After moving in, cutting down the trees, having my building permits approved ... I changed my mind. Two key factors forced my hand. <br /><br />First, almost everyone I knew who kept their horses at home practically never rode. They would tell me that their free time was filled with mucking out, feeding, repairing the fences, stacking hay, building a riding ring, waiting for the farrier/vet, going to the feed store, etc. They would then breed their mare, and accumulate more horses (and work) because they had the room ... and now they had less time. And they almost never rode. <br /><br />Second, my property value was not going to increase proportionally with the investment I was going to make with the barn, fences, etc. Essentially I would lose 50% of my investment value overnight, which I was going to have to pay with debt and an increased mortgage. Financially, not a sound investment decision. Partly because Im not handy and would have to contract all the work out, plus I did not have access to cheap or free building materials. <br /><br />I also came to realize that the type of job I had meant I was not going to be able to provide the 24/7 supervision necessary to keep my horses safe. So I would probably have to hire someone to help during the week when I was travelling. And the cost differential of boarding vs homecare was minimal as the cost to purchase small amounts of feed, hay and shavings is quite high compared to what my barn owner pays.<br /><br />But, most important of all ... the social elements of boarding are important. Perhaps you do not have that in your current boarding situation ... but for me, it's huge. I travel 140 km return trip every time I go to the barn (almost 2 hours of driving), but the time I spend there is valuable and I can often make it out 3-5 times a week. I listen to a lot of podcasts and audible books. ;-)<br /><br />There are exceptions to this of course. I know a few people that have been successful at keeping their horses at home and riding regularly. Usually it is because they work from home, are semi-retired, and have created a low-maintenance system that reduces their barn workload, and they have a spouse that does more than 50% of the maintenance work.<br /><br />You can certainly increase your chance of success by reducing your investment burden (some paddocks with a lean-to), having a boarding situation as back-up in the cold winter months or when you need a break/vacation. You might find that having your horses at home encourages you to try other things (bareback+bridleless, liberty), and having a trailer will encourage you to meet up with others to do clinics, group classes, or group trail rides. I would definitely encourage you to invest more in the trailer than the infrastructure.<br /><br />Also, you should probably have a distinct plan for S. It's easier to start young horses with more infrastructure, support and coaching. You might also find that having the two horses alone together bonds them tightly and makes it more difficult for you to trail ride alone, leaving the other home by itself. This might be especially difficult for youngster Sophie in the early years.<br /><br />Im a big believer in the Minimum-Viable-Product philosophy, and I think if you start small with a few paddocks and lean-tos, and just bring them home for a few weeks at a time, you will be in a better position to evaluate the risks and opportunities and see how much you want to invest in this path. <br /><br />Good luck! And keep riding!Nat Dhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03854754166891062563noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8359915651309786241.post-49166300285171466232019-08-26T06:32:29.313-07:002019-08-26T06:32:29.313-07:00A small farm sounds about perfect. Also, S is ridi...A small farm sounds about perfect. Also, S is ridiculously beautiful Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8359915651309786241.post-27792561733567185492019-08-26T05:28:56.493-07:002019-08-26T05:28:56.493-07:00Many of your realizations are similar to mind from...Many of your realizations are similar to mind from this year. Also, a 1.3 acre farm sounds absolutely perfect. If/when you start to plan out the barn I’d love to see what you’re going to do with it :)Piccoloponyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08275679567725425281noreply@blogger.com