boarding options

[paintedtrails]

Might be considered a rant…more of whining on my part.

I live in horse country - so many barns around - and people with horses at home - yet it is so hard to find the right boarding option for a primarily trail and endurance horse. We don’t show, but I do like to take lessons to better ourselves (which I could haul to if my trailer was up and running), and he is a still a bit green.

I thought I had a good spot, and then the barn owner and resident trainer have both come down on me saying that a horse needs 5 days a week of work “to a lather” to stay fit - they are H/J and just don’t seem to understand that is not what and endurance horse needs.

I am working to get my home barn done, but other things have needed to take priority in our expenses so I must continue to board, and in this case, move on from the current barn…so I’m back to searching and trying to find the right balance of cost, distance, and amenities yet again. sigh.

How do you all find the right spot for your endurance horse? Not a whole lot of endurance riders in my area, most an hour or more away and we meet out at places to condition together.

[Boo]

I can understand your vent…endurance is a very different fitness requirement.

Are you actually taking lessons or in training with the trainer?

I suppose coming from Aus i don’t really get the “in training” focus - i pay my coach for lessons (when i have them) and follow his general methods but its my horse and my journey so i will also do what i deem right or want to do.

I’d be inclind to just nod or say something like “thanks but endurance training/fitness is rather different etc” and then do my own thing. I would think eventually they would get the message and leave you alone.

[2enduraceriders]

As long as the barn owner is feeding what we would like for our horses I couldn’t care less what the owner or trainer thinks about our riding/training. We have never been able to board near other endurance riders.

[paintedtrails]

[QUOTE=Boo;8885672]
I can understand your vent…endurance is a very different fitness requirement.

Are you actually taking lessons or in training with the trainer?

I suppose coming from Aus i don’t really get the “in training” focus - i pay my coach for lessons (when i have them) and follow his general methods but its my horse and my journey so i will also do what i deem right or want to do.

I’d be inclind to just nod or say something like “thanks but endurance training/fitness is rather different etc” and then do my own thing. I would think eventually they would get the message and leave you alone.[/QUOTE]

I have taken lessons with the trainer and she gave my guy a 2 week refresher as he had sat for a while between previous owner and me waiting to make sure we had a correctly fitting saddle to ride in. (much wider than previous horse)

I tried to ignore, but a week later she went on a rampage about it and is doing this “unless a vet tells me otherwise, I don’t agree”. I’m just over the drama lately and have decided to move on rather than fight.

@2enduraceriders;8885694

As long as the barn owner is feeding what we would like for our horses I couldn’t care less what the owner or trainer thinks about our riding/training. We have never been able to board near other endurance riders.

It is her property, etc so when she goes all ballistic and says “do it my way or leave”, I choose the latter.

I’ve actually had some luck this week and hoping to find the right fit for us in the future.

[michi]

I don’t do endurance, but I sure do know what it’s like to board a facility with a different discipline than mine and have the BO/trainer give me all kinds of unwanted “advice.”
If they’re pushy on it, definitely find a new place to board. It creates an uncomfortable atmosphere. Sadly I’ve never heard of any boarding barns focused on endurance. I have a friend who does endurance with her Arabs, she usually just boards at western places whose trainer will leave her alone.
I’d say your best bet is to find a barn that provides the care that you want, and doesn’t have a pushy trainer (or doesn’t have a trainer at all). If the barn has a trainer, ask them how much they know about endurance. Obviously, it’d be nice to have one that has endurance experience. But if the trainer doesn’t, go for one that at least admits that they don’t and admits they probably wouldn’t be able to help you much with fitness and such, but perhaps can help you with general riding skills. An honest trainer is a good trainer.

[irish_horse]

I’m glad you’re moving on, sounds like it isn’t a good fit. My barn owner was a bit pushy in the beginning: my horse needed shoes, to be on her grain feed, lessons too. I would listen and just ignore the advice. She has now figured it out since my horse has the most weekly mileage of anyone in the barn, looks great and wears boots happily. We do have all types at my barn and are pretty casual however, There are a few that drink the koolaid, but most now just go on their way. Good luck!

[ElementFarm]

H/J folks often like a “program”. I would try to search out options with a eventing/CT focus. Eventers tend to be a lot more DIY friendly, and often do a lot of trail conditioning to help prepare for cross country, so seems like it would be a natural fit for you.

[Dutchmare433]

I’d second trying to find a more eventing focused barn without an in-house trainer. Your in an area with a lot of fox hunting, they’re certainly an inviting bunch and also do a ton of conditioning, so more likely to understand what you’re doing. So maybe somewhere that has a little of both?

[paintedtrails]

[QUOTE=ElementFarm;8888195]
H/J folks often like a “program”. I would try to search out options with a eventing/CT focus. Eventers tend to be a lot more DIY friendly, and often do a lot of trail conditioning to help prepare for cross country, so seems like it would be a natural fit for you.[/QUOTE]

@Dutchmare433;8889153

I’d second trying to find a more eventing focused barn without an in-house trainer. Your in an area with a lot of fox hunting, they’re certainly an inviting bunch and also do a ton of conditioning, so more likely to understand what you’re doing. So maybe somewhere that has a little of both?

You would think it would be easy But, I can’t afford most of eventing barns I’ve found nearby, and the others are an hour+ away in fox hunt territory.

So… I’ve now looked at a bunch and down to 4 laid back types that I need to figure out which is the best fit and has what I need. Going into winter I have a different ‘desire’ than I would any other time of year. The pluses of having an indoor arena, or an arena to work in outside when it is dark are heavily on my mind. The barn that has just about everything I want, is unfortunately 30min from home and 45 from work (and may not have the easiest roads in winter), but not a lot of folks to ride with.

Such decisions…