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My dilemma - the backyard barn; A possible solution? Last post...
Topic Started: Apr 16 2011, 10:54 AM (1,068 Views)
goodhors
We're on a bridge, Chaaaaaaaaarlie!
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My friend has had very good luck with a mini horse as the companion animal. Goats are VERY creative, can be difficult to keep inside fencing and LOVE to climb on automobiles! They leave nasty scratches as they slide down from roof to the ground.

My friend with the mini got it cheap or free, and purchased a calf house for it. I think it is only about 33" tall. Works very well for shelter for such a small equine. Mini has a thick, deep coat, cold doesn't bother it. Has a little blanket for rain, in case mini doesn't go into his shelter during our wet spring and fall rains. You could do an electric tape paddock with so that mini could be confined in with his shelter. Minis do NOT need free grazing, diet needs to be managed rather strictly because they get obese or foundered with any quantity of feed. So dry lot would be GOOD for a mini, limited time on grass, maybe an hour a day or less.

Around here a mini is pretty available, often cheaply. Do check to make sure it is gelded if male. I am not a donkey or mule person, they just think very differently than horses. Check the teeth, many minis have very bad dental problems, over and underbites. Teeth might need some pulled as animal matures, to allow teeth to fit in his mouth. Teeth are the last thing to shrink when you minaturize any animal, like dogs and horses.

Anyway, the mini horse as a friend has been quite the successful, inexpensive buddy for the horse left home, even though kept in paddocks apart to protect the mini from getting hurt. Horse is content, no fussing.
Edited by goodhors, Apr 17 2011, 08:52 PM.
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Trialbyfire
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Thanks for the info on the mini. My trainer has a mini and when it first arrived not all the horses liked him. But I think it probably gets better once they get to know him. Good to know that they will fill the need of "companion" if necessary, though. I'm not sure a goat would actually work as well.

I will do some hard thinking on this. The good news is that I don't *have* to do anything at the moment. But I am feeling worn out with my situation as it is, so the choices of adding animals and/or stall space makes me feel tired. :sigh: If I go down to two horses I'm afraid I might "accidentally" fill that stall anyway :teehee: , which brings me back to where I am now.

Did a full spring cleaning in the barn yesterday and having a minor repair made to my arena today, so I'm feeling better about things. (You never know what will happen when they bring in an excavator, but this will be essentially free.... :woot: ) Hoping for a good ride later today as well!
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Trialbyfire
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Just bumping this up to ask you guys for your thoughts on a possible solution to my dilemma.

A friend is looking to move barns; his daughter actually rides and boards with our trainer and for a variety of reasons he would LOVE to move his young gelding here. As with anything, it has pros and cons:

Pros: Well mannered, sweet 4 y/o QH gelding gets along with all horses, trailers well, has only shown in halter classes but has been hauled to every show anyone ever went to. Goes on trail, rides western. Dad is super handy and would do all kinds of maintenance, haul with his trailer or mine, would do daily work and also cover when we're away (plus pay board). They live about 5 minutes from here. His 12 y/o daughter and my 12 y/o daughter are good friends. 16 year old son is working in my backyard as I type this, and always in need of extra money. Like his wife very much as well.

Two trailers, 4 horses. :woot:
Two boarders, some income, LOTS of extra help.

Cons: Primary rider would be a minor, and horse is young. Obviously need to do something about the 3 stalls issue, but a shed could definitely work. Would have to do some juggling to think about barn layout for feeding, etc. We have another acre we could fence but it's not attached to current pasture, so we'd have to move horses from place to place. (Not a huge deal but just something we don't have to deal with right now). Maybe we'd have to consider alternating pasture time to make sure it's not overgrazed (e.g. maybe 2 horses out one night, 2 the next?) Would still have 24/7 turnout, just maybe not 12/12 pasture/drylot like I have now.

It would definitely solve my problem about trailering....and wouldn't actually *cost* me anything extra (in comparison to buying another horse myself). I think the biggest issue is the minor kid. Maybe I'd have to review my insurance? Definitely would require that parent is here if she's riding (which I'm sure they would also want). Training would definitely be required to continue w/ trainer coming here, but they would want that too.

What do you think?
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Delia
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TBF -- My only question would be whether, since the potential new boarders also ride with your trainer, could there be a situation when you and the new boarder would want to take your mares as well as the gelding to the trainer's or a show at the same time? Then you'd be in the same predicament you're in now unless the new boarder has the understanding that their horse would have to stay home when you want to take both of your horses somewhere.
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Trialbyfire
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Delia
Apr 22 2011, 11:03 AM
TBF -- My only question would be whether, since the potential new boarders also ride with your trainer, could there be a situation when you and the new boarder would want to take your mares as well as the gelding to the trainer's or a show at the same time? Then you'd be in the same predicament you're in now unless the new boarder has the understanding that their horse would have to stay home when you want to take both of your horses somewhere.
Yes, it's possible...although the most likely possibility would be that Kaylee & this gelding would go, and the other two would stay back for now. Neither of them are ready except for the opportunity to get off the property. If we get to the point that 3 of us want to go, we'd take all 4. But since he has a trailer as well, we could do that. Since his horse is so good on the trailer already he might actually help my mares learn to travel.

We are going to consider it. Dh is surprisingly positive and also thinks it will help us qualify for a tax exemption that we're not eligible for now. We'll have to build a new structure, but we have been longing for a place to park the tractor under cover and we are thinking we could build a barn that would have one or two stalls in the front half and space for the tractor in the back. Not sure how easily we could build such a structure, but with help it might not be too hard.

I'll let you know!
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JanM
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I'm sure that there is a kit barn out there with the configuration you want, and that would be cheaper that stick built. Then you just find someone to put it together, and someone to do the flooring (if you do concrete) or if you need an area levelled.

The only concern I have is with the minor child's friends who might drop over, or other visitors. Just make sure you get waivers from everyone involved, and the waivers are approved by your attorney and/or the insurance agent. I hate that we live in such a law suit happy society.
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Black Tack
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I think it sounds like a great plan :clap: :clap: Riding is such a socil sport and I bet your daughter just loves having her buddy there. The father sounds like a very handy dude to have around and your hubby can make sure you have the best waiver available :one:

Hope it all works out for you but sounds to me like it just might be perfect :luck: :luck:
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DairyQueen2049
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Our 2 horses only have run in barns. It works great - we aren't working toward a show hair coat though.

We seperate the horses all the time - for feeding issues and so no one gets crazy with the other causing kick lamenesses, etc.

The more you trailer your horses the more they go "ho hum. Where to today?" Seriously. Ours self load - alone or with each other to go. They just hop in.

If one stays its the screamer/runner but only for a little while. Then things quiet and all is well. Until the trailer pulls back in.

This is handy if you ahve to run one horse to the farrier or whatever. Or you get hurt and one horse has to leave the other for help.

Some young girls are a charm to have around - responsible, caring, pleased to have a place for their horse. Some not so much. You could do a trial basis.
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Trialbyfire
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DairyQueen2049
Apr 25 2011, 01:57 PM
The more you trailer your horses the more they go "ho hum. Where to today?" Seriously. Ours self load - alone or with each other to go. They just hop in.
I want this! :) Hopefully soon.

Going forward with this and seeing how it will turn out. Oddly my current boarder is the one who is getting a little weird and is considering moving. Which brings us back to where we are now, except 3rd horse will be an experienced traveler with an owner who can build a shed in one day....so we can get a 4th horse or mini if we decide we need one. We'll see....

People can be complicated. :)

Thanks for all the thoughts! I really appreciate it!! :hug:
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Trialbyfire
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Think its going to work! :cheer: We're going to look at pre-built or partially built sheds next week. Maybe something like this:

Posted Image

We don't need 2 stalls and not sure we can fit 20 feet where we want it, but apparently you can alter the construction and maybe we can get something half done for a little cheaper and finish it here. :luck:
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FlashGordon
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People CAN be complicated, TBF! Which is why I like horses...lol! ;)

So glad it is going to work out. The shed looks great!!! Keep us posted.
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DairyQueen2049
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Cute! Try Klene structures too - and you want a lot of overhang in the front - to keep the muck at bay right at the entrys.

http://www.klenepipe.com/
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goodhors
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DairyQueen2049
Apr 27 2011, 05:33 AM
Cute! Try Klene structures too - and you want a lot of overhang in the front - to keep the muck at bay right at the entrys.

http://www.klenepipe.com/
Along with the overhang, lay some geotextile fabric and stone for the entry way. Maybe even layer the stone with big sizes in a dug out hole in front of the entry. Do fabric first, stones, TAMP down hard. We rent a power tamper to do the best job. Then another layer of fabric and crushed stonedust and tamp again. Make the finished height above the surrounding dirt area to keep it drained off.

Not sure if you have the money, but draintile around the building then down hill if possible, fabric and stone over the tile, should keep your little shed well drained if conditions are very wet. Dig out the dirt inside the stall area, put down the fabric and crushed limestone for drainage in there. We put rubber mats on top, makes stall cleaning MUCH easier, saves bedding, no pawed holes in the floor.
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Trialbyfire
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Just thought I'd give you guys an update....

We have a shed!! Not entirely finished, unfortunately, since we have had about 28 days of rain in the last month....but it's up and I'm getting mats today for the floor, and the new boy comes tomorrow. New boarder built the shed in two days -- it was WAAAY cheaper than buying one and we could make it exactly what we wanted.

Luckily all my pastures are open and in good shape (wet, yes, but lots of grass!) so we can come up with various ways to group horses so that they get along well.

Hoping for some dry weather so we can get the footing in front of the shed finished and get staining. And it's so nice having a handy guy around ....all my broken manure forks have been fixed already. And we have a list of things to work on so that in about 2 weeks we can sit back with a couple drinks and watch the kids play with the horses.

Here's a picture of the shed 90% complete. It also has a "tractor-port" on the back side so I don't have to dig my tractor out of the snow to plow the barnyard anymore! :woot:

Posted Image
Edited by Trialbyfire, May 24 2011, 05:23 AM.
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MayaTy02
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very cool! I love it, more room for ponies!
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