Any recommendations for a boarding barn near HITS Post Time Farm? Beginning/Mid Jan - Mid April
Would prefer hacking distance rather than having to trailer…
Advice on bringing a horse to FL for the first time, experience for both of us!
Thank you!
If you are unbelievably lucky or willing to pay through the nose, it may be possible to find this so late in the year but it’s not likely. I had my available stalls rented by September 1st and I’m about 8 minutes from HITS via trailer. Unless you are directly across the street from the main entrance or just across 326 on the same road, hacking really isn’t feasible given that the show grounds are situated between two major roads (Hwy 27 and CR 326). The year I bought my farm, I spent a few weeks at HITS on my way to and back from WEF and boarded in Pinnacle Park which is barely 1-2 minutes to the horse show by car. Even being as close as that, hacking still took a good 20-25 minutes and with as fast as people drive around here it definitely isn’t something I wanted to repeat so I trucked in and out from that first day on.
Is there a particular aversion to being on the show grounds? The HITS accommodations are pretty decent and you can rent paddock space as well. No matter if you hack in or truck in, you’ll be paying a non-stabling fee and still paying for your stall off-site. Even though I own my own farm and I’m only a short drive away, I still keep stalls on site because it makes my life so much easier (especially with things like getting my hunters and eq horse braided).
As for advice in general…
-Be prepared for extremes in temperature; it may be 75 degrees during the day and 35 at night
-While it is our dry season, we certainly can get some good rainstorms during the winter. It’s not frequent, but bringing rain gear is always smart.
-Everything is at least a 10 minute drive from the show grounds. It’s about 10-12 minutes to the nearest grocery store and about 20 minutes to SR 200 where the majority of restaurants, stores, and hotels are located.
-The Horse and Hound is a horse show staple and while not my personal favorite, still worth checking out during a not-so-busy time of the day. Try to get in for dinner and you’ll be waiting for some time! Other restaurants worth trying are the Ivy House in Williston (don’t miss out on their Krispy Chicken!!), the Yum Yum truck in the United Hay parking lot, Pepe’s on 40, and Frog’s BBQ in Williston on 27
-Supplies of all kinds can be bought for far less money than you’ll pay at the horse show and you’ll have a much greater selection. Some of the local favorites are Tack Shack, TT Distributors, OBS Feed and Supply, United Hay, Quality Hay, Seminole, and The Good Apple (great consignment shop).
-Save yourself a bit of time to just drive around Ocala. There are some incredible and storied farms and it’s definitely not like anywhere else!
Safe travels and enjoy! COTHers usually try to do a get together during circuit, so keep a lookout for that if it’s something that interests you.
Have stalls and apartments available about 5 mins from hits
Lou
352 895 4420
I think I’m getting my own paddock at the horse show. EEK expensive, but haven’t really found anyone to share it with. If you’re interested in splitting one, PM me !
Thank you Punkie that is extremely helpful information.
I’m going down there for work, I just decided I wanted to take my horse down there so I had something to do with my little but extra spare time.
I guess I will be looking for nearby barns, I just thought being able to walk over if I ever wanted to show would be ideal but it doesn’t sound that way - I’ve never been there & never realized things weren’t as close as they seem.
Thank you Shedilybip but my horse will not be staying on the HITS grounds, he lives outside and goes crazy in a stall lol - I can’t make him unhappy for 3 months, it will be no fun!!
