Help choosing a barn! Boarding

[fivestrideline]

What can I say, I’m overwhelmed. I’m looking to move my horse closer to my house for multiple reasons - including current place downsizing. Horse is questionably sound at the moment (working with a good team to fix that hopefully) but I want to get back to regular riding and lessons (would trailer out regardless). Currently I have three options:

Barn 1: self care, 5-10 minutes from my house. One other horse for companionship, a small ring, could use a little work here and there. Would be sourcing hay/grain/bedding 100% on my own and I don’t have a hay trailer or a ton of storage (but I do have a horse trailer). No bathroom or lights in ring. Trailer out to vet/farrier most likely, and would have to take other horse with as I doubt it could be left alone.

Barn 2: 24/7 turnout, full care (feeding/hay/maintenance). Grass ring, 20 minutes from my house but in the direction of my job. No lights or restroom, not sure of wash rack either (I’m sure there’s a hose at least). No stalls for layup, but are fed individually. Short trails available. Trailer out for farrier and non-routine vet. Feeds Triple Crown.

Barn 3: stall board full care with 14+ hours turnout, round pen and two rings, lots of hacking. 15 minutes from my house but farther from work. Wash rack/bathroom/etc, feeds TC as well. Might not need to trailer out if pro’s available are on par with my current ones. No back shoes allowed, and I’m trying to fix some NPA and hock/KS related issues that make me think he’s going to need them at least for a while (ultimately want him barefoot but that’s not the plan at this time). Haven’t asked farrier if pulling the hind shoes will be doable.

Opinions? Thoughts? All of this has come together in literal days and I am so overwhelmed!

[fivestrideline]

Forgot to mention- all 3 are very similar in cost. Dry board at barn 1 is $5 less a month than “full” board at barn 2 - but with the option to get a second horse in that rate (which is attractive with current horse’s issues). Obviously my feed and hay rate would go up, but the board remains the same. Barn 3 is ~$150 more a month than the other options.

[Mander]

Gosh, dry board at barn 1 being similar in cost to full board at barn 2 seems like a no-brainer to kick barn 1 out the window. You’ll save so much time/money not having to run out there 2x/day, not to mention the effort/headache of sourcing hay/bedding/grain etc.

Assuming all things equal, I’d definitely ask your farrier about pulling back shoes for barn 3, or maybe seeing if they (barn/farrier) would compromise with plastic glue-ons. At only $150/mo more, it may end up ultimately being cheaper if you don’t have to trailer out for anything and everything, especially when you consider that time == $$$. Depending on the footing, you may also have a better chance to keep your horse sound (or sound-er, at least).

That being said, I’m also wondering why a barn (#3) with so many amenities is only charging (relatively) a little bit more than a self-care barn. Have you checked their hay quality? Have you talked with anyone who boards there (current or previous)? Are there hay surcharges they’re leaving out to get you in the door that they’ll slap on later? I know in winter/early spring it’s difficult to tell sometimes because they’re all hairy beasts, but do their horses look shiny and healthy? or do they look like they could use some groceries? It very well may be a delightful barn, but definitely do your homework!

[fivestrideline]

Yes barn 1 was kinda slipping out of the running but the “two for one” deal is tempting - but not logical.

I have visited barn 3 and the horses look really good, even the ancient retirees. This barn stays small enough to have all the work done by the BO, with help on occasion from boarders looking for a discount. Lots of pasture vs the number of horses on site which helps. The place used to be a heavy show barn but has since downsized to boarding only. It’s also only currently $80 more than the others but with a board increase looming once hay prices for the next semi load are known. I’ve “budgeted” a $100/mo increase and still come in at $150 over the other two. It’s the hind shoe situation that gets me - I’ve been fighting to get this horse comfortable and am reluctant to risk it.

[Mander]

I think at the very least it’s worth the conversation with your farrier.

I suppose the worst case scenario is you board at barn 3 for a couple of months, find out that Dobbin just won’t stay sound without hind shoes, and then move him to barn 2. It’s not ideal, but assuming barn 2 doesn’t have a miles long wait list that would leave you stuck at barn 3 for forever, it’s probably not the end of the world, and there are far worse reasons to leave a barn.

[furlong47]

@Mander

I think at the very least it’s worth the conversation with your farrier.

I suppose the worst case scenario is you board at barn 3 for a couple of months, find out that Dobbin just won’t stay sound without hind shoes, and then move him to barn 2. It’s not ideal, but assuming barn 2 doesn’t have a miles long wait list that would leave you stuck at barn 3 for forever, it’s probably not the end of the world, and there are far worse reasons to leave a barn.

I think I would possibly do this in reverse. Go to barn 2, see if horse comes sound enough that the hind shoes are no longer needed, then move to barn 3 for the better amenities.

[lenapesadie]

And then if horse doesn’t come sound enough to stay in work move to barn 1 and get a second horse. I’m only joking a little.

[fivestrideline]

Barn 2 actually has a miles long waiting list which is how I found barn 1 since I wasn’t expecting a spot to open up. Barn 1 also tends to get snapped up quick, I was just first in line to ask. Barn 3 no longer advertises, I found them through my current BO.

I’m guessing I could ask about going barefoot behind, as well as ask about plastic shoes being a compromise on the ‘no hinds’ rule. I’ll probably consult farrier first to see if either or both of those might work - no sense in asking a BO to bend the rules if my horse needs metal shoes at this time.

[BellaFortuna]

What is your work life ie are you someone who is at the barn 7 days a week? That’s always my hesitation with self-care…can you sustain it and do you have someone who can step in for emergencies or if you go out of town?
Curious about what your farrier says about shoes.

[OnDeck]

I think it all depends on you. None sound like a bad option (depending on the hind shoe situation).

I, personally, enjoy the social aspect of horses. I am also someone who mentally needs days here and there to sleep in and relax. I would instantly be miserable at barn one. But that doesn’t mean you would be. Definitely do consider if you’re really able to be around every day, that means no travel really at all, even for a 16 hour trip to visit family on a holiday or something.

[StormyDay]

I’d probably throw out barn 2 just because a lack of a bathroom in a boarding situation is a big problem for my bladder at least with option 1 you could hide in a stall and use a bucket, as I’m assuming it’s someone’s private place.

I think it really depends on how much you want a second horse,. If getting a second horse sounds really appealing to you, do option 1. If you don’t think that you want to get a second horse right now, do option 3.
You can ask about what kind of hind shoes they allow too. They obviously don’t want steels, but rubber or composite may be ok.

[findeight]

Just heard from a friend keeping two at home. She cant get hay right now unless she buys a semi truckload. Been buying 10 bales at a time from a training farm near her…thats doubled in the kast 3 months. Likewise single bags of feed have doubled if available at all.

Might be best to go with a barn that buys in bulk rather then try to source your own.

I would start with either 2 or 3. Wonder how long BO at barn 3 can continue to do all the work or depend on labor swaps- hay guy does not accept labor swaps, some don’t even take checks anymore. Cash.

[mmeqcenter]

Barn 2 would be my choice.

[fivestrideline]

Thanks for all the input - as far as barn 1 and my schedule, I’m full time retail so flexible schedule but set hours. I’ve managed barns before (much larger) and really enjoy the daily care aspect but the sourcing small amounts of hay/feed concerns me these days. Socially, I tend to plan to be at the barn when it’s empty on purpose . If I had somewhere to store 400 bales if do it, but this place doesn’t have that capacity. And no tractor big enough to move pasture squares/round bales.

Barn 2 would probably work great but I’d have to trailer out for farrier - no dry covered place besides the run ins that I remember and this horse needs a strict schedule- and lack of bathroom does inconvenience me (I drink a LOT of water lol).

Barn 3 has a waitlist now with me first so I guess the farrier’s opinion may determine where I officially go! No way they’d do hoof boots with wedge pads for turnout there either, as I’ve seen some people have luck with that instead of shoes.

[danhelm441]

Barn 1: self care, 5-10 minutes from my house. One other horse for companionship, a small ring, could use a little work here and there. Would be sourcing hay/grain/bedding 100% on my own and I don’t have a hay trailer or a ton of storage (but I do have a horse trailer). No bathroom or lights in ring. Trailer out to vet/farrier most likely, and would have to take other horse with as I doubt it could be left alone.

Not sure if I was misunderstanding from your subsequent posts, but this place would charge you the same rate even if you brought a second horse? If so … I’ll be the bad influence to say get yourself a second horse and that solves the problem of needing to take the companion horse with you. Might even persuade the farrier to come out!

But in all seriousness, I would do the third barn. If they have or can subdivide a pasture to create a medical paddock for your horse to rehab with hind shoes, it sounds like a really lovely boarding option.

[candyappy]

@findeight

I would start with either 2 or 3. Wonder how long BO at barn 3 can continue to do all the work or depend on labor swaps- hay guy does not accept labor swaps, some don’t even take checks anymore. Cash.

I would go with either of these just because finding good hay on your own in small amounts may be very difficult this year unless you can buy a years worth( local) and have the seller store it and p/u as needed.

[Pico_Banana]

I think your ability to buy small amounts of hay depends on where you live. Around here, I know lots of barns that buy small quantities at a time. I have my two at home with me and only buy about 150 at a time, but have seen people go to the closest place to me that sells hay and buy 10 bales at a time no problem.

I do feel like self-care not at your house on top of a full-time job sounds like a bit much. Even with mine at home sometimes the walk out to do night check – which takes me half an hour because my senior gets her third grain meal at night check and I have to wait until she is finished – gets a bit old. I don’t want to even think about having to get in the car to do night check.

[Mander]

@Pico_Banana

I do feel like self-care not at your house on top of a full-time job sounds like a bit much. Even with mine at home sometimes the walk out to do night check – which takes me half an hour because my senior gets her third grain meal at night check and I have to wait until she is finished – gets a bit old. I don’t want to even think about having to get in the car to do night check.

In my area, I’d be worried about weather preventing me from getting to the barn in the winter. I can work remotely, but I can’t feed/blanket/pick stalls remotely!

[findeight]

Self care always sounds attractive but after a few months if twice a day visits, 14 times a week-56 times month? It wears you down when combined with a full time job.

[fivestrideline]

Thanks all for the input - especially about self care. I think if it was in my backyard it might be different (I really do enjoy the daily chores and doing it MY way). I will be ruling out barn 1 I believe, since a second horse at this time isn’t ideal. I also got wind that the owners of barn 1 may be wanting to sell the property in 6 months to a year. This may or may not actually happen, but I looked at the comps and NO way could we afford to buy it that soon and would be forced to move. Finding boarding for one horse is hard enough, let alone a theoretical second one!