My Transition from “Horse Boarder” to “Farm Owner”

We have been keeping horses at home for over six months. I knew the first year would be filled with on the job training requiring not only extra reserves of humor but also resources. What a shocking depth those two will go when it comes to setting up a horse farm. This lifestyle isn’t for every horse owner, but I knew early on, for sure, it is what I was made to do. Never mind I sat on a horse for the first time in my early forties, I understood it wasn’t just a hobby for me but a lifestyle I desired that suited my inner self. I am a unique brand of crazy and I have the most incredible husband who supports it. (Thank you honey. I really blindsided you with this horse thing.)

Once I understood my goal to run a barn of my own, I began to get educated on every possible aspect I could learn about horse keeping. This is a secondary subject to my primary goal of learning to ride. I observed hay quality, watering practices, manure management, footing for the riding, what to do in extreme weather, turnout, stall management, and basic vet care. It took me almost a year of practice to confidently be able to give a shot in the vein. But I knew if I owned a farm I couldn’t wait for a vet to arrive if our horses colicked and needed an intravenous shot of banamine. I need to know how. I can do it now, no sweat.

Try as I might, equine nutrition eluded me for years and years. Everyone I talked to had conflicting answers. This is a subject worthy of its own post, and I’ll save the shame and shock of the story for that event. I will say though, I have finally found not only the feed that makes our horses perform at their optimal best, but with it the consultant who can guide me as the grass changes, or through allergy season, strange reactions, and hay fluctuations. I finally have my person I can trust who analyzes my horse’s activity, feed, grass, water and can advise to keep their weight and energy optimal.

The real challenge of keeping horses at home surprised me. I can walk from my house to the barn ten times a day without thinking about it and that’s the best part of having them home. It is fun to see them at all hours of the day. I can look out my windows and see them grazing in a pasture. When they need special veterinary treatments, I am here to do the several doses or wraps a day, and that’s convenient. When it rains, we can hand walk as necessary several times a day. We switched them to five feedings a day but that’s not a bother because I’m happy to go up and deliver a meal.

But what I miss is how I could escape the business of life and go to the barn.  I lost a real refuge from the noise of life when I stopped being a boarder. I could be alone with my equine best friend, set aside hours where I am unavailable to the repairmen, delivery men, contractors, and even my family. I had somewhere to go that was “away”.  It was a daily “do not disburb” sign on my life. And the only thing I had to think about at the barn was relationship with my horse and riding. Now, when the arena develops sink holes from too much rain, it is my problem! When a hurricane is blowing through the barn I am responsible for the safety of five horses. When the arena is too wet to ride on I have to find a new place to go temporarily. When the pastures are too muddy and will ruin the hooves I have to make that call. It is MY neighbors who get disturbed when the poop sits too long on the roads. (We always return to scoop it up but that’s hard to do when mounted.) When fences are broken, I have to find the guy to repair them.

Here’s a great big kiss, hug and thank you to all the boarding barns out there who care for all these details so boarders can enjoy the refuge of coming to the barn and being with their horses to escape the everyday drains of life. May I be bold and tell all of you boarders, you really could never afford what it really costs to keep your horse safe, fed, clean, and exercised? Most owners are barely breaking even so you can enjoy these privileges. I am embarrassed by the times I felt entitled to better, or more for my horses while boarding. Now that I know the toll it takes on the time, mind, and resources of a barn owner I regret my former boarding expectations. They give you a real gift when their prices are affordable.

they say this year has had more rain than ever…but being my first year… I have a hard time believing this…

I could spend all day every day on the management aspects of having a farm for only five horses! I have to smack myself on the head once in a while and say, create the refuge here. Find the way to keep the riding the priority for myself amidst all the management details. Some days it is a real struggle to find the window of time where I can be alone with my horses, groom them as if I were free, and ride them to my heart’s content without a single worry in my life. I do it because living a life of no regret is one of my goals. I bought a farm to keep them home so I can improve our relationship, not be distracted from it.

I can’t count how many times I have paid good money for my instructor to come teach me how to ride my new mare and I fight myself not to spend most of the ride perturbed about the soft spot in my arena because of the excessive rain, fearful of how impossible it is to secure a reapir man for this problem. Or I am distracted by the workers making too much commotion during my one hour a week I want to learn. It didn’t take me long to get my stern face with my hand on my hips and chase everyone away at noon on Wednesday so I could enjoy my quiet farm, learn to ride, and get a good list of homework for the next week. At 11:30 on Wednesdays I begin waving my arms and pointing my finger towards the end of the driveway, shouting “out” if necessary.

I knew I had a problem when I was happier riding in my neighbor’s arena than my own.

 

I rise early to have coffee with my husband before he leaves in the dark to enjoy his day as a business man.  I dress warm, leash up two dogs and traipse up to the barn in the dark to say good morning to our horses. It is my favorite time of day when they greet me in the morning and the day is about to begin. During this time alone in the barn feeding them I prepare my day by committing to when I will be there to devote myself undivided to the relationship with my equine partners. It is a struggle still to ride two every day. I am hopeful it will become normal and easier in my schedule. Thankfully, Ali has helped me with Rudy these many months while I learn about Gigi. When our construction projects wind down and life on the farm becomes normal I am hopeful riding two or even three will be effortless and as free as I always imagined life as a horse farm owner would be.

It’s not there yet. If you are a boarder I suggest you hug the owner of your property and thank them over and over for providing you with a refuge to enjoy your horse. If it isn’t perfect enough for you, then be quiet and find a way to help out. It’s almost impossible to get enough help to provide for the care of these animals. Expect less, help more and be thankful that someone is providing a safe environment for your horses where you can find refuge.

We have three extra stalls on my farm. I have two full time helpers not including Jack and myself to care for five horses. And we provide the most excellent environment between the four of us. It is almost time to make decisions about the three extra stalls. I think I want to experiment with one excellent lesson horse, one young developing horse for sales, and one boarder who is willing to pay for what we offer here. There might only be one of those in NC, I hope they find us. I know I offer the highest quality of care available so I believe I must not compromise and give it away. The learning of being a horse farm owner seems to be a never-ending education. That’s the best part of engaging life with horses, the education has no end.

When dusk rolls in and night is near on the farm, my family finishes the dinner dishes, dresses warm, leashes up two dogs and makes the short walk to the barn to tuck in the horses for the night. It is a family affair involving, topping off waters, feeding the evening meal, filling hay bags, and removing poop so they can have a good sleep in clean bedding. Craig loves participating in this evening chore and the horses know he is the carrot guy. It is the most intimate family affair I have ever known. Anyone who visits our home can’t wait for “night check”. It is very special. I wouldn’t trade being an owner for a boarder ever, but it does have its challenges and if I am not careful the riding will take second chair. I am not willing to allow that to happen. That means I maintain my grit, my resolve, and my goals. It’s a high calling but I will rise to it. I am now an owner, but I have strong riding goals.