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I lost my mind and purchased a horse farm...

Around The Farm
#21

Wow, lucky you! What a great setup!

Years ago, before I married and moved away, my dad and I were making plans for his farmette-- I only had 1 horse, and buying more horses was out of the question. My horse would need companion animals but my dad (wisely) didn’t want the liability of boarders riding around his property breaking their necks. We agreed that boarding retirees as companion animals was a good solution. (In the end, I decided not to bring my horse home because my dad LOVED his barbed wire fencing, and that was a hard no for me.) Since your place is already set up as a rehab situation, retired horses might be a nice compromise for your horse needing companions and you needing privacy.

Or, since this is COTH, just go buy some more more horses :slight_smile:

6 Likes
#22

It looks lovely!

Make sure to look at the property’s status as far the local flood plains are concerned. Times are changing and " 100 and 500 year floods" are becoming more common. Flood insurance is a necessity in many cases for peace of mind.

1 Like
#23

I recently bought one, too! Super exciting! If also stressful. Congrats!

1 Like
#24

Congratulations!
i would try to set everything up so it is easy for you. If your horse can bring himself into his stall and turn himself out, your life will be easier. A heated, automatic, waterer is a big time saver. Think about if you need a portable generator to at least run the well when you have a 4 day snow storm.

1 Like
#25

Nice place! What about taking on a few retired older horses to board? Maybe the owners would be too far to visit…

2 Likes
#26

Nice barn! :):):slight_smile:

Now that your mind is lost, I guess you’ll just have to suffer with your new barn. :yes: :winkgrin:

Or if your mind is lost, that actually might be a good way to go into this and actually enjoy it. :smiley: :winkgrin:

2 Likes
#27

If you do decide to board on any scale, in any format … get a good lawyer experienced with these types of horse businesses to set you up properly. And to give you some marching orders re managing it. Could be the best money you ever spend. :slight_smile:

1 Like
#28

Yea for you… You’ve chosen a life style. Good for mental health IF you can accept it’s a life long work in progress. It is never going to be complete. Just when you think it’s done, something will break. Or, you’ll want a change.

After 20+ years on our acreage… I can look back with satisfaction and look forward with anticipation. It’s been posted before… make the place work for your life. Avoid hard labor with good systems and set ups.

A tractor with a loader is one of those. Years ago, I was first looking for a compact tractor. More experienced hands counseled, a farm utility sized machine. Glad I listened.

2 Likes
#29

Yes you do.

9 Likes
#30

Congratulations! What a nice place for you and your family to enjoy!

#31

Just wanted to give an update on the progress or lack their of on the closing.

Home Inspection went really well, a few minor things like grout and some work on the porches that was known. The septic was meah but still moving forward, the barn has amazing water pressure but the home has weak but decent pressure and water flow. Unfortunately, we have to have a UV filter installed to meet closing for bacteria in the water and then shortly after a full house Filtration system after a plumber ran test. He felt there was sediment in the piping causing the low water pressure.

Next is appraisal and that is the current delay. Appraisers are slammed, everyone is buying houses. Closing is scheduled for the end of the month If no delays! So fingers crossed.

We did find out at the home inspection that there are actually 27 total stalls and the current tenant has a list of trainers that are interested in dry stalls which is surprising as there is no ring only the walker and a small bull pen. Got my shaving supplier lined up, but still trying to coordinate hay suppliers for a Nov delivery.

9 Likes
#32

I don’t know if it was under this post or another one but someone gave the advice to ride first, do chores after. Because you will always find the time and energy to do the chores that must be done, but if you save the ride for the end of the day, it likely won’t happen. This is gold! I wish someone told me that ten years ago! I’ve been doing it since I read that a couple of weeks ago and it has made a huge difference in my happiness.

5 Likes
#33

Congratulations! Hope the appraisal goes well, and I love the front porch on that house!

#34

And we finally got a date for closing. Fingers crossed we sign the paperwork October 30th. Now I need to figure out how to get a second horse without purchasing one. I don’t want to make any rash decisions buying quickly and prefer not to pay board much longer than I have too. Unfortunately, he will have a panic attack if by himself. So a new problem to solve. Any ideas where to find a companion horse over winter or anyone know anyone that needs cheap retiree board in Eastern WV?

6 Likes
#35

Maybe check with local horse rescues to see if you could foster one of their animals for the winter.

1 Like
#36

Maybe foster a retired racehorse from the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation?

#37

We closed exactly 1 month ago on a 26 acre 20 stall farm! So I’m enjoying your excitement from afar.

1 Like
#38

I purchased a 10 acre, 16 stall, indoor arena farm 2 years ago. I owned one horse. Now I own ummm 5 although 3 are leased out. I run once monthly dressage clinics, which I started to mostly get myself a dressage trainer. I have one boarder because I only had 3 horses at home at the time and don’t like leaving one alone if I take out two. Boarder is rehabbing and will leave in the spring.

Everything important will break the first year. Guarantee. Survive the first year and you’ll be good.

I would put a post out on FB and ask one of your friends for a loaner horse. You’ll feed it in exchange for the companion. That way it can go back when you need it to.

#39

That’s great!
There might be a Craigslist donkey that’d make a good, simple, cheap companion. Donkeys are not as prone to accidents or injuries as horses - I hope I didn’t just jinx myself there - and they flourish on a fraction of the hay. Ours are hilarious. And they’re so stinkin’ cute. Just a thought…

#40

normally I would not get a donkey, but OP being in West Virginia donkeys are a good Guard animal… like a dog or llama… a donkey will deter bears other predators

Our son lives on 70 acres in Pennsylvania, they have their bears who will come in to knock on the windows, check the bird feeders for food and whatever else

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