Equine Econ 101

[Barbaro06]

Well the recession, depression, big bust, however you want to call it has hit home or rather the barn I ride at. They are phasing out their lesson program and they are looking for someone to share the other half of my lease on Mav. But I am looking for a new home to take lessons and got some feedback from a farm not too far down the road from where I live. I can't afford to buy Mav and half leasing is not appealing to me anymore. I believe I'm doing the right thing by moving on, the farm I'm in contact with starts a lesson program next month, weather permitting (which means no indoor ring - but I can live with that for awhile). Besides, she's offering private and semi private lessons which is just what I need.

[Laurierace]

How far are you from Bel Air? You could ride at my barn.

[Vindicated]

That's a tricky one-

If it is okay with the owners/operators at the new farm-I would hang around as much as you can....to make sure you are okay with their practices...I moved barns for the first time in almost 20 years....and then moved again (6 months later)....and while I am not 100% on everything at the farm I am currently at....it is not a horse care thing-it is a money thing (most farms never have enough of it and I understand that)...My critters are happy and that is the important part...

I would honestly make sure that you can be on board with most things at the new farm before you get attached to a new horse-Just my opinion

[Crystal]

everybody out grows their lesson barns from time to time. And the owners must have expected to lose a couple of clients when they were thinking of closing their lesson program.

[KBEquine]

That's a tricky one-

If it is okay with the owners/operators at the new farm-I would hang around as much as you can....to make sure you are okay with their practices... I would honestly make sure that you can be on board with most things at the new farm before you get attached to a new horse-Just my opinion

This is really true - usually the 2nd farm is the hardest because you are used to the way the 1st farm did things & it is your only frame of reference & until you see a few different ways that things have been done, it's hard to know which is right for you & what activities are objectionable to you.

And if you go to the place you can best afford & stretch yourself to have a horse of your own and THEN find out you don't agree with how things are run, you are stuck because you've got the horse & can't afford to move it to some place you consider safe or appropriate.

So, my advice -- find the place you think you want to be & hang out as much as possible. And find other places in the area that give lessons & try them out -- you may find a place you like better & even if you don't - you will see the ways different barns do things & maybe that'll help you refine your goals.

But yes - you are doing the right thing -- the situation has changed & you have grown & most folks change barns often, for various reasons.

[Barbaro06]

Thanks for the tips...Laurie....I'm in Annapolis.

Actually the barn I'm about to leave is the second barn I've ridden here. The first I was scolded for getting on the horse. Time was of the essence and the lesson clock started ticking the moment I got the horse out of the stall.

I want a barn that I can get hands on experience. It doesn't help when someone else tacks up the horse for me. And I don't like my lesson time starting as soon as I snap the lead rope on the halter...personally I don't like being rushed.

I won't get into leasing again until I'm through with my grad school program. My spare time is quite stretched during the week. I do get every other Monday off because I'm on a alternate work schedule and Saturdays are a great day. There would be weeks I would have two lessons which suits me just fine.

It's going to be tough letting go, but when it just isn't working anymore there is no sense in staying around.

[Barbaro06]

I've been doing some legwork on finding a new barn. I think I have it narrowed down to three. Two have indoor rings and the other is a quaint little farm, but no indoor. All three offer Western and English lessons. I'm leaning towards getting back into Western...I know my English equitation skills are OK, but just for the heck of it, do Western and be relaxed a little while riding. I saw one place in person and got the instructor's card. Another is anticipating me making an evaluation ride appointment which I will do and the third place a friend of mine picked up info for me. But I will make a trip to the barn to check it out.

In the meantime I'm going to concentrate on my homework and take time on my decision on my new barn.

[nferro9925]

Good luck Barbaro06. It sounds like you are doing as much due diligence as you can.
Give Mav an extra hug if you haven't left the other barn yet.

[Barbaro06]

Mav got a hug and a kiss from me on Friday. I told him to be a good boy and that I love him. I have a few pictures of him--one's on my desk at work.

It seems like he'll be staying at the barn I just left. The girl who had the other half of the lease called to ask me what size blanket he takes. Seems like she took on the full lease.

[Bunty Lawless]

Mav got a hug and a kiss from me on Friday. I told him to be a good boy and that I love him. I have a few pictures of him--one's on my desk at work.

It seems like he'll be staying at the barn I just left. The girl who had the other half of the lease called to ask me what size blanket he takes. Seems like she took on the full lease.

Hope the economy remains kind to Mav. Lots of horses not so lucky.

[Barbaro06]

Me too Bunty, me too.