Moving Barns - Happy and Sad

[FjordBCRF]

Coming off this winter at our current barn (outdoor arena/trails) and going into summer (I struggle with the sun + heat combo) as well as several safety concerns that have built in the 2 years I’ve been there, I went to see about a possible alternative.

The new place is literally everything I could have hoped for and I heard back tonight that a stall is open for me:

• private boarding barn with a good group of people from what I can tell from the grapevine
• 10 minute drive vs 15 and a better winter drive
• barn owner/manager has a great reputation (I know several people who have boarded with them)
• safety and general horse care are better than current
• 11PM/12AM night check hay vs 7/8PM during crap weather
• overnight turnout in nicer months
• person living on site
• barn is set back off the road and it’s not a busy road (current concern)
• separate hay barn
• dry lot for laminitis prone ponies and a buddy to go out with
• indoor arena, beach access, and trails (outdoor is on the list of improvements)
• large tack lockers in climate controlled indoor viewing room plus additional storage for anything extra
• trainer can come in no charge
• washer/dryer on site
• can keep trailer and cart (when I get it) on site
• larger stalls
• and somehow $150 less/month in board

The only thing it doesn’t have is my current barn family which makes me really sad. We will of course still be in touch on the regular and connect on trails, but not running into them regularly unscheduled is going to be a downer. They really helped me get on my feet with ownership again as an adult (as well as other life help things) when I moved in. I know it’s not goodbye, but man it feels like lot like it! I know I will make new friends at the new barn too, but change is always hard for me.

The move is a no brainer and I’m excited but

[RedHorses]

You’re allowed to feel different things about the same situation simultaneously.

I moved my two a few months ago and was sad to leave my friends among the boarders and the security of knowing my BO was taking care of my older horse’s special needs. But at the same time I was escaping the negative atmosphere generated by other boarders, and gaining an indoor.

It’s okay. I hope you enjoy your new place! And I envy the 10 minute drive!

[173north]

I always have to process leaving a barn - they are a big part of our lives - but I’ve never regretted it. You’ll stay in touch with the people you connect with at your current barn, and your horsey world will expand as you get to know people at the new place.

(And I’d kill for 11 pm hay!)

[FjordBCRF]

I guess this is my first barn move to some degree so maybe a little more to process. Before I got my guy, I rode with a now very long time friend for 16 years at her home barn and arena. It was a little weird when that stopped, but we’ve very much kept in touch and active in each other’s lives. I’m sure this will be similar.

[LSMarnell]

Sounds like a very positive move for you and Charlie. It is definitely hard when you have to leave your barn buddies. Sometimes all/most of what we like about a barn are actually the people and we can overlook a lot until you just can’t anymore.

My old BO who I spent 10 years with has an ad up for boarding this week…I absolutely miss it there so much, but it is 7 acres of grass and was killing my IR horse. And while the new barn is better for my horses health, it is worse for me in every aspect. Very inconvenient location, my trailer is parked in the pasture and is currently inaccessible due to mud, and it is a lot further away from all of our trailheads. I am happy my horse is still above ground, but I can’t even ride him, so…?
Wish I could find a barn like your new one!

[Spudsmyguy]

Where is it? I want to move there!!

[FjordBCRF]

@LSMarnell - I feel you on the the importance of pasture. With having gone though mild laminitis last spring, I don’t want to take any chances. He was in a lush 20 acre pasture with a grazing muzzle when that flared up. Granted this year he is going into spring maintaining a 150 lb weight loss and is fitter then he ever has been, but with being out for extended overnight hours I’d rather it be on a dryer lot. Then I don’t have to worry about him getting caught up in his grazing muzzle and the like.

@Spudsmyguy - It’s in the midwest snow belt

If I wasn’t networked with different people that know the BO, I would really be looking for a catch here. It really seems like a too good to be true situation. I’d be SHOCKED if the board stays where it’s at for the long term. As it stands between current board and trail improvement fees, I’ll be saving $2K/year which will just go into Charlies bank account. If board does go up, it won’t be a big deal.

[rockonxox]

Our lesson/boarding program shut down so I was forced to switch barns. Most of the riders I grew very close with over the years went to one barn, but due to the distance it was from me I chose to go somewhere else. It was very hard to split up. It definitely isn’t the same and whenever I see photos of the rest of the group together it does make me a little sad. I love where I’m at now and am very happy with the decision I made. Hopefully one day the whole crew can meet up and go on a trail ride and hang out in person.

[FjordBCRF]

I appreciate all the sentiments!

Moving day is planned for Thursday after work; everyone is still on daytime turnout so I figured I’ll take Friday off an head over before turnout just to make sure I’m around for him to get settled, hopefully without any incident. He’s pretty chill so hopefully that stays on the uneventful side.

His schedule will be pretty much the same! He will have access to a round bale in the pasture which is more than he has now. Once he gets settled in with his new herd I may put his grazing muzzle on to limit the hay since he is in maintenance mode. He will prob think he’s in hay heaven.

Any other tips to help them transition? When I first got him he seemed to settle in quickly so hopefully that will be the case this time too.

[lenapesadie]

Fill up some jugs with water from his current barn to take to new barn maybe? It’s a small thing but may help him drink right away. Popping a fly mask on him may keep some of the round bale dust out of his eyes.

[Baybear]

Not sure where you’re located but I’d be a little cautious about Charlie being on a hay roll for a longer period than he may be used to. If the grass is coming up in the pasture, chances are he’ll graze on the grass more than hayroll. If he’s not used to more access to hayroll and the grass isnt coming up quite yet, you don’t want him to be able to stand there and gorge on the hayroll.

Please tell me this barn you’re going to is on the east coast…like Maryland, DE, or VA? I might want to be your new best barn bud.

[FjordBCRF]

Once he gets used to his new pasture mates I’ll likely pop his grazing muzzle on for the hay to limit his consumption. I don’t think there will be much grass in the pasture, everything is still really muddy. He does get a couple flakes now in his current pasture since it’s all mud so he’s used to that. Maybe what I will do over the weekend is not have him out for the full duration of turnout.

I’ve also got a luggage scale that I plan to weigh his flakes with; while it sounds like the other horses get two flakes at a time during stall feedings, im anticipating he will just get one especially with being on the round. Or I may have them hold off on any hay when he comes in for the afternoon and then let him have hay later in the evening for night check.

On the topic of turnout with new horses…we’re moving over tomorrow after work and his first turnout will be Friday. I’m taking Friday off and will be there and over the weekend.

My guy is typically not trouble when he’s been out with other horses, he doesn’t think he’s anyones boss and isn’t a pest to other horses. Until night turnout starts, he will be out with a group of geldings (then it will be him and a senior mare). Introductions always make me nervous, though he’s done well in the past. I plan to walk him around the pasture tomorrow while it’s empty so he can see the boundaries and where hay/water are.

Any other new turn out tips?

[FjordBCRF]

I think the new barn is a great fit for Charlie! He was settled in and napping when we got there this morning. We lunged and rode in the arena Fri/Sat and went to the beach today. He’s also not gorging his hay which is a new phenomenon. There’s not round bales out in the pasture yet so it’s just been finding tiny blades of grass in the mud, but he seems happy and is fitting in pretty well with the geldings.

These were from today