I'm in a bit of a dilemma, and need some completely unbiased opinions on these two barns. They both have pros and cons, and I'm very personal with both places so I can't possibly decide without help. I am absolutely stuck with either or, so it can't be neither.
Barn one:
• 75 acres of mixed terrain pasture, from large fields, rough cuttings, sandy spots, a brook.
• a single line of Hotwire around the whole thing
• absolutely no drama
• herd of four, two geldings two mares
• round baled hay
• hard feed comes out of your own pocket
• not many trails, but lots of wooded "could be" trails with a bit of work
• relatively quiet road/location
• no barn, but three run in shelters with option for a stall in one.
• minerals and additives out of own pocket
• I would have to learn my own hoof care
• lots of room to work
• option to build an outdoor arena or round pen, improve the site
• option of 24/7 turn out
• option to live on property for work
• riding partners an hour and a half ride away with indoor arena/jumping course
Barn two:
• secure secure fencing
• about an acre an a half of pasture, with two buildings inside
• one other horse
• other horse is extremely herd bound/buddy sour
• busy road, main drag
• miles and miles of trails
• an unnecessary amount of drama
• owners are a bit heavy on hard feed- they provide oats and are very generous with feed
• farrier on site
• no working area (arena, round pen, open field)
• no run in- either stalled or out
• must be stalled at dusk, pastured at 8-10am (out from 8-5pm, so 7-9 hours turn out time)
• square bales, non free choice
• salt block provided
• an hour and a half away from where I live
• no one to ride with within 50km
So if you had to choose one, which would it be and why? What would be the deal breaker?
Barn one:
• 75 acres of mixed terrain pasture, from large fields, rough cuttings, sandy spots, a brook.
• a single line of Hotwire around the whole thing
• absolutely no drama
• herd of four, two geldings two mares
• round baled hay
• hard feed comes out of your own pocket
• not many trails, but lots of wooded "could be" trails with a bit of work
• relatively quiet road/location
• no barn, but three run in shelters with option for a stall in one.
• minerals and additives out of own pocket
• I would have to learn my own hoof care
• lots of room to work
• option to build an outdoor arena or round pen, improve the site
• option of 24/7 turn out
• option to live on property for work
• riding partners an hour and a half ride away with indoor arena/jumping course
Barn two:
• secure secure fencing
• about an acre an a half of pasture, with two buildings inside
• one other horse
• other horse is extremely herd bound/buddy sour
• busy road, main drag
• miles and miles of trails
• an unnecessary amount of drama
• owners are a bit heavy on hard feed- they provide oats and are very generous with feed
• farrier on site
• no working area (arena, round pen, open field)
• no run in- either stalled or out
• must be stalled at dusk, pastured at 8-10am (out from 8-5pm, so 7-9 hours turn out time)
• square bales, non free choice
• salt block provided
• an hour and a half away from where I live
• no one to ride with within 50km
So if you had to choose one, which would it be and why? What would be the deal breaker?