All the barn complaints over the years...

Why is finding a horse boarding facility that meets your needs so hard? I would say it's a two sided street, no one side is to blame. Not all barns are perfect and not all horse owners are easy to please.

With that being said here are some "issues" I have had at multiple barns. I can not stress that this isn't one barn, all these problems were split between 6 barns! I've moved around a lot.

Forgetting to feed my horse. There have been a few times I have showed up to the barn and saw my horse sulking or trying to sneak hay from his neighbor...they forgot to feed him hay!

Not feeding hay is the worse, not feeding grain is not so great either, but missing hay causes the most distress for a horse. My poor baby!

Feeding really bad hay. Worse then cow hay and it has happened. I've seen mold in my TB's hay when I boarded out in Virginia...leading him to colic a few hours later. I have also seen trash in hay and thorns. Seriously what is with people...are they even looking at the hay?

Forgetting to feed supplement. Don't advertise you feed supplements if you forget every time. Supplements need load doses and constant feeding to be effective or it's just a waste of money. Luckily, this one isn't a deal breaker. You as the horse owner can always just do the supplements on your own once a day.

Bad trainers. To be around, to train with...yuck. There have been times I purposely go to the barn late or early to avoid the trainers.

Bad people. Same thing as bad trainers, just a bad vibe, or maybe the people aren't so bad but you just don't fit in and it's uncomfortable.

Kids running a muck.

Bad arena. If it's hard to ride my horse then I question why I am paying for all the facilities.

Uncontrolled barn sickness. If a horse shows up sick, separate the horse. It might hurt that horse owner's feelings but it's better then having everyone pissed off because now their horse is sick.

Too clicky. The barn seems fine, everyone get's along, until a "click" forms. Typically, the "click" is a group of young college or mid-20 year old girls, all good riders, who get to ride whenever they want and show all the time. They come together with other similar girls and follow the trainer around like groupies. When you catch one on their own, they are friendly, when they all group up they tend to act like you don't exist or you catch them gossiping. Typically, a click forms when people are young and immature...but I have seen them form with older ladies too. Just depends.

You can't ask for anything. Some barn managers take it personal when you ask them to change your horses feed or living situation. Instead of the manager taking it as a customer needing a service (basic business-customer relationship) they read too much into it. Next thing you know you are considered the unhappy boarder and the barn manager is complaining about you to other clients. Ugh...drama.

Too many rich people. Trust fund kids, girls with daddy money, rich clients are hard to be around when you aren't rich at all. I have been 100% paying for my horse since I was 18 and I have owned a horse since then. The median income, single girl, trying to make ends meet with a horse may be misunderstood. They may think you are not as into riding as they are because you can't own 5 horses, take lessons every week, or travel to all the shows. It's just not financially feasible for me. It's just a giant misunderstanding...I don't get their lives and they don't get mine.

Too much money. When you have one of the above, plus you feel like you are stretched financially immediate stress may set it and you have the urge to jump ship.

I always found it interesting that when you board a horse they have you sign all these papers saying you understand the rules but they don't have anything that states how they will care for your horse. Things could easily change. A perfect boarding situation can go from heaven to hell over night. Maybe that's why we are forced to move so much. We all dream of having our own horse facility, keep dreaming...

Barn Fun

I love my barn because there are some serious riders, jumping some serious height and that is always exciting to have around!  The weekend we have a new rider from Wellington, she has a project horse (1.45m!) and 2 horses at 1.60m!  And of course we can't forget our 2 prix horses!  It's pretty fun here in the world of jumpers...

Beautiful Barns Day #4: Final Touches

Beautiful Barns Day #1:  Stalls
Beautiful Barns Day #2:  Tack rooms
Beautiful Barns Day #3:  Arenas
Beautiful Barns Day #4:  Final Touches (today!)

Final day of some pretty barns, 4 days of religious internet searching is over.  Sigh.  Just a few extra goodies below that make some barns better then others.

Round pens that are more then just cow fencing.

Riders lounges and viewing areas.

A good wash rack and grooming stall

Pretty turnouts

Using flowers to add some decor.

Beautiful Barns Day #3: Arenas

All of these arenas will want to make you ride!

Also check out the previous photos from day #1 (stalls) an day #2 (tack rooms).

Covered arenas, a little outside and a little in.

Barrel flowers are a nice touch.

Arch ways all the way around and light colored sand give this arena elegance.

 This arena is pretty perfect with windows throughout, wood, and stone.  The little stone road even seems to match!

This arena is huge and the ceiling is amazing.

I love the garden along the edges.

A large jumping arena.

I found so many covered arenas online, they must be becoming more popular.

Clean jumps, good footing, and a nice view of some fields and fall foliage.  This is my favorite.

In California maybe?

This arena footing looks ridiculously perfect and untouched!

The high ceiling, wood, beams, and multiple levels of windows make this arena a jaw dropper.

That guy looks like he is having a lot of fun.

I think we all know who this arena is for!  Lipizzan!

This makes me want a covered arena- you can ride outside at night!

Tons of huge windows and a chandelier.  Lot's of light.

There is something charming about a classic grass arena.  I love the rock detailing and trees right in the arena.

Another pretty grass arena.

An arena with amazing views

A round shaped indoor, looks like a dome almost.

Of course the final arena is at Spruce Meadows.  We all secretly want to ride there so why not throw it in!

Beautiful Barns

This week I will be exploring beautiful barns.  2 days down, 2 more too go!

Check out posts so far.

Thursday:  Luxury stalls
Friday:  Tack rooms to live in
Saturday and Sunday stayed tuned!

Beautiful Barns Day #2: Tack Rooms

Thursday through Sunday I will be exploring beautiful barns.  Yesterday was stalls, check out here.  Today tack rooms.  Who wouldn't want a nice tack room, this is where we  spend most of our time off the horse cleaning, eating, and chatting!

I wonder where the stairs go off to...maybe a viewing area?

This is an amazing tack room.  The window is an elegant touch.

I love how the show halters are in display in cases.  The windows, door, and tack room give it a cute shop like feel.  

Tack rooms should always have sinks and windows.  The walls are beautiful.

All that light is great!  Tons of space.

The candle chandelier gives it an old charm.  Love the high ceilings.

Don't forget about your boarders!  Here is a way to separate tack for them, I love lockers.  No one can steal your stuff and it hides other people's messes.  These ones are roomy.

Finished wood lockers.  I see a kitty butt.

 The floor is a little funky, I like it.

Slightly more simple, but still charming with the light wood.

Tile floor, a great durable option that looks nice.

 I had to throw this in there for a little history.

Contrast of  white wall and stained wood adds some pop

More display cases, pretty cool.

 Light wood always looks good against dark tack.

Counter space is always needed.

Vintage decorations are very equestrian chic!

Another simple tack room, but lots of light and fans keep it beautiful.  The brick floor is a great idea.

Uniformed tack trunks are always a great idea to keep it neat.

More plants inside.

Gentlemen's tack room

I am a fan of light painted wood.  It almost looks like stalls, a great boarding option so add more wall space and not crowd tack.