In the last blog we uncovered the difference between our Horse's view of "Need" vs. the Owner's view. They were glaringly different. Let's break this down to see where your dollars could be more easily saved to ensure your horse's real needs are met. You might want to grab a piece of paper and a pen for this one.....
The horse Needs Shelter. List 3 options for shelter that would meet the horse's need. Now List 3 options that would meet your needs. If the lists are the same you've started to identify the problem. The horse doesn't need a barn... I know some of you wrote that down on both lists. Humans need a barn. This brings me to today's point. Now just by my previous statement you're going to form the opinion that I'm one of those out-yonder-crazy-horse people ....which is entirely not true. Coming from a Competition background I love a beautiful barn just as much as the next horse person. But my horse doesn't care if the floor is paved in gold, he's still going to poop in the aisle. That's one of his needs.
This is one of the places you can save yourself some Dollars to make a little more Sense out of owning a horse. Are you in a barn that your horse needs, or are you in a barn you need? Only you can make that decision. Here's some suggestions on what to look for if you decide to check out a few other options:
~ Is the Barn Safe?
Look for sharp edges, bad fencing, check footing and stalls. What is the ratio of turnout size to the number of horses? Don't judge a book by it's cover here - some of the best priced, safest barns are also some of the oldest.
~ Check the Location
Is the barn close to me, or do I have to go out of my way to get there? Even if the board costs are low you must factor in your costs in gas every month to visit your beloved horse. Most of us drive a vehicle that gets less than 30 mpg, so if it's longer than a 25 minute drive your board bill just increased. Some live in areas where the nearest barn really is an hour's drive - in that case, it might be a wise investment to buy an ugly little used car for yourself. Bottom line - watch the cost to get to the horse. Decrease this and you might be able to afford a different barn.
~Can I bring my Trainer?
This is the biggest setback when changing barns, so ask the question. To a large population of Facility owners filling the stall is more important than only allowing clients of their favorite trainer to live there. If the answer is "Yes" make sure that you are courteous to other riders while in your training sessions. Again we urge you to crunch the numbers and see what works out in your benefit.
These are just a few of the questions to ask when you are considering a change for your horse, and your pocketbook. Just stay focused - new and shiny is always pretty, but the good and old are what last forever.
The horse Needs Shelter. List 3 options for shelter that would meet the horse's need. Now List 3 options that would meet your needs. If the lists are the same you've started to identify the problem. The horse doesn't need a barn... I know some of you wrote that down on both lists. Humans need a barn. This brings me to today's point. Now just by my previous statement you're going to form the opinion that I'm one of those out-yonder-crazy-horse people ....which is entirely not true. Coming from a Competition background I love a beautiful barn just as much as the next horse person. But my horse doesn't care if the floor is paved in gold, he's still going to poop in the aisle. That's one of his needs.
This is one of the places you can save yourself some Dollars to make a little more Sense out of owning a horse. Are you in a barn that your horse needs, or are you in a barn you need? Only you can make that decision. Here's some suggestions on what to look for if you decide to check out a few other options:
~ Is the Barn Safe?
Look for sharp edges, bad fencing, check footing and stalls. What is the ratio of turnout size to the number of horses? Don't judge a book by it's cover here - some of the best priced, safest barns are also some of the oldest.
~ Check the Location
Is the barn close to me, or do I have to go out of my way to get there? Even if the board costs are low you must factor in your costs in gas every month to visit your beloved horse. Most of us drive a vehicle that gets less than 30 mpg, so if it's longer than a 25 minute drive your board bill just increased. Some live in areas where the nearest barn really is an hour's drive - in that case, it might be a wise investment to buy an ugly little used car for yourself. Bottom line - watch the cost to get to the horse. Decrease this and you might be able to afford a different barn.
~Can I bring my Trainer?
This is the biggest setback when changing barns, so ask the question. To a large population of Facility owners filling the stall is more important than only allowing clients of their favorite trainer to live there. If the answer is "Yes" make sure that you are courteous to other riders while in your training sessions. Again we urge you to crunch the numbers and see what works out in your benefit.
These are just a few of the questions to ask when you are considering a change for your horse, and your pocketbook. Just stay focused - new and shiny is always pretty, but the good and old are what last forever.
