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| Update...Help me decide...Barn A or Barn B; for my retiree | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Mar 11 2007, 06:42 PM (411 Views) | |
| snaffle | Mar 11 2007, 06:42 PM Post #1 |
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Is the meadow on fire?
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I have a retired 18yo TB named Tyler. He retired last June and I've kept him at Barn A until recently. My trainer has several horses in Florida, so she had some open stalls and I moved Tyler 'home' for a few weeks so I could spend more time with him. My trainer's coming back from Florida soon and I need to move Tyler either back to Barn A or to a new barn. After doing some research and spending the weekend visiting various barns, I've narrowed it down to Barn A or Barn B. Barn A pros...he's already lived there for several months, so it's a known situation. It's only 10 minutes from my other horse's barn, so it's easy for me to visit. It's small...only two other horses there, so it's nice and quiet. Turnout is great; the horses are out all day. It's run by a husband and wife who have moderate experience with horses. My horse seemed pretty happy there. Barn A cons...my horse got REALLY thin this winter. I had to ask them to feed additional hay. He also has a really nasty case of thrush. Stall bedding is rather skimpy. My trainer kept two of her retired horses there at the same time I did. Her horses ended up even thinner than mine. It got so bad her horses were eating their stalls. My trainer and the BO had a parting of the ways, so my trainer's horses are not there anymore. Barn B pros...small (6 horses) on a private farm. The BO is a highly experienced horsewoman. I believe my horse would get excellent care there. The barn is in excellent condition and was spotless. Turnout is good. Most of the horses are retired and there's really no where to ride so the barn should be pretty quiet. Barn B cons...it's FAR away. It's about an hour from my house and 45 minutes from the barn where my other horse is. Barn A and B are the same price. So, which would you choose? |
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| Frozen Asset | Mar 11 2007, 07:53 PM Post #2 |
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Schooling
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I'd go with B. It would be worth the extra drive to know my horse was being well taken care of. |
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| SadiesMom | Mar 11 2007, 08:07 PM Post #3 |
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Is the meadow on fire?
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I agree - definitely Barn B. With Barn A, it's a good thing it's so close, as you probably would want to check on him daily! With Barn B, you know you are getting quality care from a knowledgeable horsewoman and that would mean everything to me. |
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| Crackerjack | Mar 11 2007, 08:38 PM Post #4 |
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We're on a bridge, Chaaaaaaaaarlie!
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Barn B.... I had the hardest time finding a good retirement place for my first horse. If I trusted the BO and the care I'd only go up once a week( with a weeks worth of treats of course!). I wouldn't feel obligated to go up everyday. I actually ended up boarding my horse at a place 6 doors down from my second horse and went to see him only once a week (because of time constraints) and because I trusted the BO and loved the care the old guy got I knew he was happy. Barn B sounds ideal for a retired horse. |
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| equusrocks | Mar 11 2007, 08:48 PM Post #5 |
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Magical Leopluridon
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Barn B. The thrush and thinness issue would be a deal breaker for barn A, at least for me. |
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| Ice Princess | Mar 12 2007, 06:01 AM Post #6 |
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Shunnnnn the unbeliever. Shunnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn.
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I'd go with B.. even if the distance prevented you from going there as often as barn A at least you could trust enough that your horse is getting well fed and taken care of and also that there is someone experienced so if (and I hope never! ) any medical emergencies happened they would be capable of dealing with them.
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| HJ049 | Mar 12 2007, 06:13 AM Post #7 |
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Thomas H. Cruise!
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I agree wuth Barb B. It doesn't sound like your horses are getting cared for the best at the other barn. I would rather drive farther, and have the piece of mind that my horse is happy and safe.
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| Onelanerode | Mar 12 2007, 09:36 AM Post #8 |
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Off visiting Candy Cave, be right back.
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Another vote for Barn B -- it'd be worth the extra time/driving for the peace of mind you'll get.
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| onthebit | Mar 12 2007, 11:44 AM Post #9 |
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Off visiting Candy Cave, be right back.
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The skinny horses would make it no-contest for me to go with Barn B. |
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| snaffle | Mar 12 2007, 07:10 PM Post #10 |
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Is the meadow on fire?
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Thanks for your input, everyone. It's a unanimous vote for Barn B. I had a discussion with one of my trainers yesterday about this. Needing my horse close by and being able to see him often is really a lot more about me than it is about him. |
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| snaffle | Apr 6 2007, 06:49 PM Post #11 |
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Is the meadow on fire?
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Tyler moved into his new home in BARN B yesterday! Thanks to everyone for your advice. I talked to the BO today and she said he was getting settled in. I'm going to visit tomorrow. |
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| JointVenture | Apr 8 2007, 07:18 AM Post #12 |
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Shunnnnn the unbeliever. Shunnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn.
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I'd keep looking for Barn C. I know I wouldn't make it to Barn B to see the retired horse very often. That's a long drive. Barn A doesn't sound suitable. Can you explore other options? |
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| snaffle | Apr 8 2007, 12:19 PM Post #13 |
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Is the meadow on fire?
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JV, after committing to Barn B, I also found Barn C. Barn C is only 15 minutes from the barn where my other horse is. Tyler actually stayed at Barn C for a few weeks and it grew on me. I'd already committed to go to Barn B, though and didn't want to go back on my commitment. Anyway, I'm going to give it a few months. Barn B is not too far from the showgrounds where I show a lot in the summer, so I should be able to stop in for visits every couple of weeks. If I find after a few months that it's just too far away, I can move him back to Barn C. Poor boy! I'm sure he's tired of moving around. |
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| DairyQueen2049 | Apr 9 2007, 07:13 AM Post #14 |
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DRAGON BREATH. DRAGGIN' BUTT
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Hmm- my old mare loved to move to new places and meet new horses. Even in retirement. I hope your retiree is the same. |
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) any medical emergencies happened they would be capable of dealing with them.


12:31 PM Jul 11