Monday, September 10, 2007

Barn Building and Team Building

Barn Building

The Second Chance Team is getting a new barn soon. The materials have been delivered and the crew is on it's way to build. I am excited about having my own barn.... but the costs of outfitting it have just hit me! Did you know that stall mats are $40 each and you need SIX per stall? Yikes. But, my critters will definitely appreciate some cushioning, and I will definitely appreciate their not being able to dig big holes that I would have to fill annually!

I am working with Jake to figure out how to set each stall up. I am thinking that corner feeders that allow the horses to eat in a natural head down position would be preferable over the trendy swing out feeders that look cool, but can result in the horse banging his/her head on it (Bailey has definitely lost some forehead hair to swing out mangers) and reaching up to eat their hay. I found some corner feeders with a place for grain and salt block on the sides that look nice and safe.

I am bucking the trend for automatic waterers because I just don't like them. Horses like to drink their fill and they can decide it is not worth the wait for the small bowl to refill so they can drink more, and then they can end up with colic issues. So... buckets it is! At lease buckets are less expensive right? :)

Tackroom organization is something else. The horses need their stalls to be comfy and user friendly, but when it comes to organizing the tackroom... although I have visions of brass bridle hooks, horse blanket hangers, saddle racks, a refrigerator etc.... I might have to put off having the tackroom of my dreams for a while. I am still considering myself lucky to have an actual "room" to put tack rather than the horse trailer, or the garage!

Team Building

Jake, Tokaj and I are planning on heading out for a cross country jumping day on September 30. I am going to introduce Tokaj to some cross country jumps at a leisurely schooling day. It should be fun and low key. I am hoping Tokaj takes to cross country jumps with her characteristic gentle enthusiasm. We have done some jumping at home and she is very willing and a good jumper. She has been helping me get the rust out without one complaint so far.

P~

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