Relocating to Huntsville, AL and Looking for Info

[besttwtbever]

I have been presented with the opportunity to relocate from the PNW to the Huntsville, AL area for a few years. I have a little farmette here in WA, where I currently live with my horses. I’ve been looking and I think I would want to purchase horse property as opposed to boarding, although I would probably board for a month or two while I get moved in and set up.

I have lived on the East and west coasts and the midwest (Indiana) and although I imagine Alabama would be similar to Indiana, there are probably some differences that I might not be factoring in. Could all of you that live there give me some insight into horsekeeping in that area? I’m more looking for things to be aware of that the average person wouldn’t know if they hadn’t lived there. Any and all info is welcomed so thanks in advance!

[sandsarita]

Are there certain things you are wondering about? I lived in Alabama for 4 years, Huntsville for 2 of them. I am originally from Oklahoma and have since moved back and there were no drastic differences for me. I definitely loved the town and out of the places I have lived, it is where I would most want to move back to.

[Montanas_Girl]

What is your preferred discipline?

[allons-y]

Plan ahead for ice storms. That is my hometown. Rare snow but ice storms every couple years. Hills and mountains are picturesque but impossible in ice. Check with Diana for boarding at Flint ridge farm, English and dressage

[bugsynskeeter]

[QUOTE=allons-y;8998442]
Plan ahead for ice storms. That is my hometown. Rare snow but ice storms every couple years. Hills and mountains are picturesque but impossible in ice. Check with Diana for boarding at Flint ridge farm, English and dressage[/QUOTE]

They were just hit by a tornado about a month or so ago. They might not be ready to accept new boarders yet.

I rode there in High school - great people.

[dkcbr]

[QUOTE=besttwtbever;8997199]
I have been presented with the opportunity to relocate from the PNW to the Huntsville, AL area for a few years. I have a little farmette here in WA, where I currently live with my horses. I’ve been looking and I think I would want to purchase horse property as opposed to boarding, although I would probably board for a month or two while I get moved in and set up.

I have lived on the East and west coasts and the midwest (Indiana) and although I imagine Alabama would be similar to Indiana, there are probably some differences that I might not be factoring in. Could all of you that live there give me some insight into horsekeeping in that area? I’m more looking for things to be aware of that the average person wouldn’t know if they hadn’t lived there. Any and all info is welcomed so thanks in advance![/QUOTE]

I have relatives there and have spent some time visiting, although not in a horse-y capacity. But it’s a very nice town and I occasionally contemplate moving there myself. I wish I had more insights that would relate to your questions, but did want to mention that if you search on “Huntsville”, there are some other threads that might have add some ideas, suggestions, etc. to what you get on this one.

[besttwtbever]

The quote feature isn’t working for me so apologies there.

I did see several other threads but they were 5-6 years old so I thought I’d post again.

I used to ride H/J bust stopped for various reasons and now am an occasional trail rider. I might be interested in starting back up but probably not to the extent of needing a trainer or lessons. I’d be more interested in just a few schooling shows here and there, is there a scene for that in the area? I read that there is some fox hunting there, does anyone know if that is still the case? That’s something I dipped my toes in during my time on the east coast and I’ve wanted to get back into it since.

I’m just curious about general horsekeeping. What hay is commonly fed there, is it easy to get? I’m a bit spoiled here in that I drive 2-4 hours and get absolutely beautiful alfalfa for $6/75 lb. bale. It’s looking like that might not be the case there. However, it does appear that horses can live on pasture most if the year, is that a correct observation? I have 2 hard keepers and 2 air ferns. Are there lots of bugs? Good vet in the area for both major (colic surgery, etc.) and minor more routine things (teeth floating, vaccines, etc.)?

What about predators, diseases, etc.? Here we have the occasional case of WNV but not really much else and really nothing in the way of predators that bother horses. I’m assuming things like EPM and WNV might be a little more commonplace there? I hear there are several types of venomous snakes there, and I’ve never really lived in an area where there are, so are they a concern to horses, or not really? Are there many native plants that are commonly found that pose a risk to horses that I should be aware of?

I realize there are probably several questions here I can find the answers to myself but I figured I’d ask anyway.

[besttwtbever]

Bump! Anything you all from there could tell me would be greatly appreciated.

[cdalt]

I lived in Winchester TN for 2 years and made many trips to Huntsville (about an hour drive) and loved the area. The only suggestion I have for you is a farrier’s name - Sloan Hamlin turned out to be one of the best I ever had (and I had two different certified journeymen (by the AFA) farriers in FL before my move to TN). He is also one of the kindest people I met while living in TN. It has been 5 years since I moved back to FL so am not sure whether he is still in the area (he lived in Fayetteville TN, not far from Huntsville). If you PM me, I will give you the phone number that I have for him. I also used the vets (both large and small animals) at the Fayetteville Animal Clinic and found them to be good and very reasonable in their pricing. Hope this helps some.

[Scribbler]

I lived in Tennessee just north of Huntsville, back in PNW now. The midsouth is extremely hot and humid in the summer and does tend to thunderstorms and tornadoes in the flat parts. I didn’t do horses there but real estate seemed quite affordable.