End of an Era

 Peebs' barn has slowly been winding down their boarding operation, and is going to close in May. I knew it was coming, but it was still a bit of a shock to get the official notice. We've been hauling over there for lessons since 2018, and Cinder moved there in 2019 and Peebs in 2020 so it feels like we've been there forever. I'm going to miss this perfect little barn. 

I've been on the hunt for the last few weeks for another retirement/low key boarding barn that offers as much turnout as possible. My area is (normally) fairly wet in the winter and a lot of barns really limit winter time turnout to save their fields from turning into absolute mud pits. Peebs has been used to pretty much 24/7 turnout the past few years, either being out in the pasture or the dry lot paddock with a run-in shed. And his stall has a large run off it so even when he's "in" he's not stuck in a box stall. I don't want him locked inside all winter. 

I put up a post on a FB boarding group and got some leads, and I asked my vet for recommendations when Peebs got his spring vaccines. Trainer M also offered a stall at Cinder's barn if I can't find anything by the time I need to move out, and I joked that Peebs could earn his keep by doing pony summer camp. I ended up touring three barns and am going to drop of a deposit check on one tomorrow. 

The first barn was the farthest away (45min) and $50/month more than what my current board is. I would have to switch both vet and farrier as it was outside of their service area. The farm was absolutely lovely, part of a 250 acre family farm that grows their own hay, but their pastures were super lush and they keep multiple hay nets full in all the stalls. Which for most horses would be great, but not Peebs. His fecal water syndrome is best managed with limited hay, soaked hay pellets, and he needs to be out on non-lush, short pasture. I liked the place, and it would be an awesome retirement home for most horses, but it just wasn't a fit for us.

Barn 2 was recommended by my vet, only 20 mins from my house, but $175/month more. My vet goes to this barn regularly, but I need to see if my farrier does or will. Its about a dozen horses, half retired half not, but very laid back and relaxed. Horses are in at night, and out during the day with the option for 24/7 turnout in the summer. The property is on a hill, so when its snowy/icy horses don't go out but get indoor arena turnout. Someone is there 24/7 and they check on the horses multiple times a day and do night check. I really liked the vibes of this barn. 

Barn 3 was the same price as my current barn, and while 40mins away, it's only 10mins off the freeway that I drive on to go see Cinder, so I would be passing it multiple times a week. Again, would have to switch vet and farrier, but this barn did include holding for their farrier in the board price. It was a backyard barn, with an old somewhat run down barn that had two stalls that aren't used. Horses are out 24/7 with run-in sheds and fencing was flexible to make a smaller paddock or let the horses out into a bigger pasture. The fences were falling down a bit, and "theoretically" hot. The manager only comes out twice a day to feed, and the horses are mostly unsupervised. I would have to let them know when I was stopping by, so the property owners (who are only there in the summer) wouldn't be surprised by people showing up. Which I understand, but I don't want to have to make an appointment to see my own horse. 

So barn 2 it is! I still need to iron out the date of our move, and see how much tack room space there is so I can pair down all the shit I have, but I'm relieved to have found a place for Peebs. Hopefully he settles in well and the moves goes uneventfully.