I need any input I can get. My husband is considering a position in Irvine and I need to get a sense of the area and boarding opportunities for eventing barns. Will live just outside of the city in any direction that puts us closer to a barn. Please any input and suggestions welcome. Concerned about a horse moving from VA and used to ample turnout time and pasture.
Thank you!
The word pasture and California are rarely used in the same sentence here! Meaning there is none, sand/dirt pens, are pretty much all your going to find. By pen I mean something 20x 40 if your lucky. Galway would be your best bet, but that probably a 1 1/2 to you, not to even mention traffic! Not a lot of eventing facilities in midst of the city. Norco may have something but it’s a total dry lot too! You do know there are water restrictions in place going on because of the drought right?
Look in North Tustin. Also check out Peacock Hill Equestrian, the one in Orange, not the ranch in Shadow Hills.
San Juan Capistrano is south of Irvine but also very horsey.
Don’t listen to the gloom and doom. Our horses thrive on hay, and any water restrictions would be on bathing or watering the grad on the grounds, not on the horses’ drinking water.
What’s your budget? just ballpark it. Also “just outside the city” doesnt mean what it means most other places, they are small cities that all run together, no open land between them.
The general area around North Tustin and the adjacent canyons is a good suggestion. Could also just start at the OC Fairgrounds or Huntington Beach Eq Centerbuntil you get situated, there are still private places and small barns without trainers around community arenas but you need to look for those and they are mostly word of mouth. Sort of fancy backyard kinds of deals. Might be your best option but it will take time to find something.
But pasture is rare indeed in the land of sky high land prices.
Thanks for the input so far. I realize I would give up pasture it’s the turnout I’m concerned about. When a horse goes from only being in for a couple hours to only being out for a couple hours is my concern. Someplace that has true all day or night turnout is my goal, but is that possible?
[QUOTE=rosiewrb;8398304]
Thanks for the input so far. I realize I would give up pasture it’s the turnout I’m concerned about. When a horse goes from only being in for a couple hours to only being out for a couple hours is my concern. Someplace that has true all day or night turnout is my goal, but is that possible?[/QUOTE]
Yes. But probably not in the immediate Irivine area, and not grassy. Most horses out there live in pens with an attached stall or run in, they are always “out”. IMO they do better that way anyway. The regular stall places are much pricier and most dont have “real” turn out for very many on a daily basis.
Youd need to go way out to find that. Still not going to be lush grass.
[QUOTE=findeight;8398300]
What’s your budget? just ballpark it. Also “just outside the city” doesnt mean what it means most other places, they are small cities that all run together, no open land between [/QUOTE]
I pay $385 here so around $500/$600 should be fine.
Ok so best option is a pen . Is there a chance for a few hours in a larger pen with others? Husband work would be southern irvine (blizzard corp) and prefer 30 min drive or less to barn but could live out of irvine a little to make a barn closer if that makes sense. But really need show jumps and if possible xc on the property or close driving.
[QUOTE=rosiewrb;8398579]
I pay $385 here so around $500/$600 should be fine.[/QUOTE]
Where is here and what does that include?
Not sure about a xc course but show jumps are fairly common. I know there is Eventing action down in San Diego County. Basic board prices arent that bad as indoor arenas arent a necessity and they have alfalfa so grain can be an extra fee. Its everything else that gets you.
[QUOTE=findeight;8398608]
Where is here and what does that include?
Not sure about a xc course but show jumps are fairly common. I know there is Eventing action down in San Diego County. Basic board prices arent that bad as indoor arenas arent a necessity and they have alfalfa so grain can be an extra fee. Its everything else that gets you.[/QUOTE]
Roanoke, VA. About 1.25 hours from Lexington. Full board (in during hot hours of summer and nights for winter otherwise out). Full grass pasture so with no pasture in CA would need to account for alfalfa and hay. Gets little grain but included along with blanketing fly spraying holding for vet etc. Trailer Storage as well.
Those things like blanketing and holding for vet/farrier are typically extra but it varies. Blanketing is much less an art, they can go nekkid most days if you are inland, a lightweight can stay on all day if it’s chilly. No need for anything heavier then a lighter mid weight and even that is questionable unless they are freshly body clipped. Can be cooler and quiet damp along the coast but in your end of the state, you will most likely be inland.
Most places have the big, 3 wire bales of alfalfa, they weigh upwards of 80 lbs a bale. If they feed 3 or 4 flakes a day, that’s usually 25- 30 lbs of the stuff easy. It’s different from the mid Atlantic and most of the rest of the country. Don’t be afraid to ask specific questions.
When I kept out there in basic boarding situations grain was extra so I just brought my own and fed after the horse cooled out. Never needed much if any at all with the good grade of alfalfa they get out there and mine didn’t really work hard enough to need it. Never even saw colic until I moved out of state.
That’s a tight budget for that area. As others said, there is no “just outside the city”. All of the cities run together.
I would suggest asking about “mare motels”. These are very open barns with larger stalls/runs. They give your horse the opportunity to walk around, socialize, and get some sunshine. Sometimes they are even cheaper than a box stall. But it’s not enough room to run or buck or play.
As someone else mentioned, pens or other outdoor board might be an option, and I would certainly consider that. There’s really no significant weather that a horse needs to be protected from.
I think you can find all day turnout, but you may need to increase your budget. But all day turnout is often solo in a sun pen. I do think the horses enjoy the change of scenery, but it’s not the “run and buck and play” turnout.
Because of the lack of turnout, some places offer AM lunging, hot walkers, arena turnout, etc. This is helpful for high energy horses (assuming you ride most evenings so they are getting some exercise 2x a day). It may also help your horse adjust to a more confined schedule.
It’s not all doom and gloom though. Horses are happy and healthy and live good lives. There are lots of boarding options, trainers, service providers, etc. But it’s not what you’re used to. You will need to compromise in big ways (usually either commute time, price, or services), and it will be a bit of an adjustment for you and your horse (mostly you).
By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. You may also receive promotional emails from The Chronicle of the Horse. You can opt out at any time.
For Customers
Company
Terms of Use
