30 Day Blogging Challenge Day 12-The Barn I Ride At
Well here we are at day number 12 in my 30-day blogging challenge! This is 12 days down, 18 more to go! By the time I am done with this challenge, you will all know so much more about me and my horses as well as my strengths, and my weaknesses. I wanted to offer a little more to you about myself, and thanks to me reading the incredible blog She Moved To Texas, I found her 30-day blogging challenge and decided to emulate what she had done. I am lucky to have the barn I ride at be at my home.
The barn I ride at has its good points, and a few bad points. The best thing about the barn is, it’s in my backyard. I love having my horses at home. It is so nice to be able to go out the back door and walk to my barn, which is about 100 yards away from my house. I love being able to be in complete control of what my horses eat and when they are fed. It is also nice to be able to go out and ride on my own property, instead of having to be away from home. I would feel awful if my horses were boarded, and I was always away from home, at the barn. Because that is where I would always be. I don’t think my husband would be very appreciative of that.
The things I like About My Barn
Having my horses so close means I have access to them 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. And we have made some improvements to our barn and riding area that help me to make the most of my time with my horses. And the biggest benefit of my barn is I am not spending money every month on board for my horses.
There are miles and miles of trails I can ride literally out my back door. This is very nice when I want to take my horses for a walk, or change up their training routine. It helps to keep it fresh for them, and me.
We brought in a few truckloads of sand, so I could have a “real” riding area. And I have built many different jumps over the years, which I can move and set up as I like.
I don’t have to worry about others riding in my riding arena, and if the other horse is out, and in the way, I can simply put him in his stall and then ride without many interruptions, or interference.
We also invested in an arena drag to help keep the footing even and spread well for riding.
It may sound odd, but I like having the horse manure too. The manure that my horses produce daily make excellent compost. We use this for our gardens, and I also give it away to my mom for her to use as well.
The Things I Don’t Like About My Barn
I do love having my horses at home, this to me is awesome. But there are some things I would like to change to make it a perfect equestrian set up.
The barn itself is basically a run in shed that we have converted into a 2-stall barn. Each ‘stall’ has a paddock area attached, which I love, except when the weather is bad. I wish I had a ‘real’ barn that I could keep my horses in. I wish it had a covered aisle way so I could tie my horses for grooming, and then I would have an indoor area for my farrier when he comes to trim my horses’ feet.
Another thing I don’t have is an indoor riding area. I know that a lot of people don’t either, and I make do with what I have. But it would be so nice to have an indoor arena so I could ride when it is dark, or when the weather is bad. If I could add an indoor arena to my little property, this would make it nearly perfect.
There is no running water, or electricity to my barn. This would be a relatively simple (but expensive) addition. And I think the only way we would add this expense would be if we got a new barn. Otherwise, I will just have to deal with dragging hoses, and plugging in the Christmas lights I have in there right now. But I think I am going to change the lights I have in there from the little Christmas lights to the larger globe style lights.
It Is What It Is
I know I will always want for more at my barn, but sometimes you don’t always need more. I am happy with the improvements we have made so far. And this property has come a long, long way from when we first bought it 12 years ago. And I am thankful for what I have, very thankful. My horses are happy and home with me, which is what I have always wanted.
