I've been boarding my horse Rosa at a stable that's about 26kms and a 25 minute drive from home for 1.5 years. I'm thinking of moving her to a stable that's 10kms farther from home.
Here are the main factors to consider:
[B](1)[/B] It currently costs $300/month for outdoor board -- meaning that Rosa is outdoors 24/7, and the only thing the stable owners provide her with are hay, a spot in a pasture, and a lean-to.
If I move Rosa to the new stable, board will be $265/month for indoor board -- meaning that in the winter, she'll be outside during the day and in a stall in the barn at night, and in the summer she'll be in a stall in the barn during the day and outside at night.
[B](2)[/B] The cost of board at the current stable will likely go up each year.
The cost of board at the new stable has never gone up in 7 years, and won't be going up in the foreseeable future.
[B](3) [/B]The current barn isn't heated, but it has a heated tackroom with a locker for each boarder, hot water, and a proper bathroom (heated as well).
The new barn is heated, but the tackroom doesn't have lockers, and there's no hot water (just cold) and no bathroom (although boarders can use the bathroom in the house).
[B](4)[/B] At the current barn, I have to pay for extra services -- like feeding Rosa her arthritis meds, basic medical care, putting a blanket on her, etc.
At the new barn, all of these services are free.
[B](5)[/B] It's great that the new stable will give Rosa her arthritis meds. But I have one concern -- I currently have to go see Rosa every 2nd or 3rd day to give her the arthritis meds. Which makes going to the stable feel like sort of an obligation at times. It would be great to be able go whenever I feel like it as opposed to when she needs her meds. On the other hand, will that make me lazy about going to the stable??
[B](6) [/B]The current stable has an indoor arena, which comes in handy when the weather is bad. On the other hand, I hardly ever use the arena, because I'd much rather ride outdoors -- I've used the arena maybe 6-7 times all winter.
The new stable has a lit outdoor arena. Which is great for riding at night, but if it's -30 or raining or the ground is icy, it won't do me much good.
[B](7)[/B] The current stable doesn't have a lot of options for trail riding. There are basically three "loops" that I can take, and that's about it. After 1.5 years of riding the same loops, I'm getting bored!!
A friend of mine who owns horses lives near the new stable. She said that there are lots of quiet roads, farmers fields, and forested areas to go riding, and that you can ride for miles without seeing a car. And she said she could show me where trails are, and she can ride with me once things quiet down after her daughter's wedding this summer.
[B](8)[/B] The current stable has a 1/2 mile dirt track, which is awesome for cantering. Although it isn't as well-maintained as it could be.
The new stable has no track, but there are apparently long, straight trails that are safe for cantering.
There are other pros and cons to moving Rosa, but these are the main ones. The bottom line is that I think the new stable would be better for Rosa but not as good for me in some ways.
For those of you who remember my red paint dilemma, you know I'm terrible at making decisions!! So I could really use your help here!! Which stable would you choose??
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Done -- I gave my 30 day notice today. I'm moving Rosa to the new stable in April.
Whew!! That's a load off my mind!!
Thanks for encouragement :)
Smoodgie I think Monday summed up pretty good for you. Heat .
If i were a horse with arthritis I'd want heat.
The new stable sounds great. I like the fact that Rosa will have better shelter from the elements. The new stable seems to be better equipped. Have you actually met the people who run it? It sounds like they are genuine horse lovers if they offer some of these services for no extra charge. How many people would do it? Plus----pretty nice of them to let people use their bathroom. I guess it's up to you, Smoodgie. Maybe drop by unannounced someday and see what you think. Talk to some other boarders there if at all possible.
Smoodge. It seems you've made up your mind about this, I think it's a good idea to move her. You should consider getting her excersized by someone though daily. Since this new place has an indoor arena, ther are probably more kids/teenagers there, would you consider letting a teenager have her on board for a few days a week?
My gut instinct tells me that that Rosa would be better off at the new stable. And that would mean less worrying for me!! When it's -42, I know she'll be warm in the barn, and not outside having to deal with the cold.
It's not so much the longer drive to the new stable, but the type of drive that makes it less appealing. To get to the current stable, I can take about 10 different routes, all on quiet roads and including highway driving. To get to the new stable, there's really just one way to get there -- about 25kms on a winding road. Nice scenery, but not good if you get stuck behind a slow driver!!
I don't know anyone who's boarded their horse at this stable, but my friend who lives close by said that the horses always look happy and content out in the pastures. And she showed me a map of all the places I could ride -- much more variety than at the current stable.
Janet, Rosa seems to handle change quite well. The thing with horses is that they all need to find their place in the herd. So when she's put in a field with new horses, it'll probably take a few days for them to sort out who's the boss and who's the subordinate. And the thing about horses is that it isn't a true pecking order -- the top horse might be picked on by the bottom horse, even though all the other horses pick on the bottom horse and get picked on by the top horse.
I think I've pretty much made up my mind to move Rosa to the new stable. It's just scary doing something that will effect both her and me, and not knowing how it'll all work out. I'm really not good with change!!
Thanks for all your comments and thoughts :)
i know in the end you will do what is best for Rosa.....and it is sounding like the new place offers many more advantages, ecpesially the important things, such as her meds........which is great when you are away or just not able to get there.....10kms really isnt that much further.....one concern and this may not be a concern.....do horses adjust well to change? basically would the move upset rosa?
smiles
janetc
I agree with going with what is best for the horse. Just the idea of having shelter and getting meds whether you are there or not seem like a big bonus to me. Have you spoken with anyone who has used the other stable to be sure the animals are well cared for?
The 10 Km probably shouldn't be much of a factor, really what are we talking here, 15 minutes more each way? That won't be a big deal once you get used to it.
Maybe if you made a list from most important features to least and compare you could get a clearer picture of what you should do.
smoodgie...
what does your "gut instinct" tell you?............I didn't realize there were so many issues and factors when caring for a horse................I commend you for being such a committed caregiver.............you are truly a great person.................good luck with your decision.................
Having read all the pros and cons it comes down to what is better for the horse. The biggest is the 10 km distance will that be a factor for yor time to get out there. For me it wouldn't make a lick of difference as once I had made up my mind to go distance means nothing. I think the best thing I read was the area to get out and ride and having a friend to ride with.
I would choose the best stable for my animal, not for myself.