Harv's digs: Old style charm
Barn A is on a farm whose origins date back to the Civil War. There are miles of trails available to boarders in a parklike setting. It was at one time a top level eventing barn and now it's more of a "mixed bag" of pleasure and dressage riders. The staff provide horses with a high level of personal attention and they closely monitor the 20 horses in their care.
Riley's place: Clean and bright
Barn B is a new 40 stall facility, bright and new and clean and well ventilated, with tons of amenities. I love the felt footing in the indoor, the presence of a sprinkler system, and the horse-friendly design of the barns. It's family owned and operated, and the folks there were integral to the success of Riley's rehab. I'm grateful to them and was glad they filled the stall immediately (long wait list).
Barn B is the most upscale facility I've ever boarded at -- but it's a financial stretch for me. Barn A is at my price point, and besides I love it there and trust the staff completely with the care of my horses. Oh, I work there too. Oh, and my trainer will come there.
Harv and Riley have never met before last Saturday-- they're stalled next to each other now, and I'm tickled that they've totally bonded. Harv had been upset when the stall next to him was vacated -- he kept calling and calling for the horse that left. Then Riley came, cool and confident and curious. He settled right in, and actually helped to settle Harv down. They canoodled over the top of the divider and touched noses from their dutch doors. When I lunged Riley the next day, Harv was calling to Riley
and Riley was calling back -- it was too cute.
It is so wonderful to see both of them at once, and not feel that in visiting one I'm neglecting the other. I'm deliriously happy right now.
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I can feel your satisfaction. I've had my horses split up before and it's really stressful. The last time we moved we had 46 horses spread out over 6 places before we got the herd consolidated at our present (and last, I sincerely hope) farm.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! Now that you don't have to drive between barns, even more time for you to spend with the boys. :) And more money to spend on carrots! (Or fancy leather goods... I still drool over those halters...)
ReplyDeleteHow exciting and wonderful - especially that they are next-door neighbors and are liking one another. :)
ReplyDeleteThat's great news! They both look quite happy in your video clip. Glad to know there's a budding "bromance" for the boys.
ReplyDeleteYay! That's wonderful!
ReplyDeletethey look so cute peeking out of their stalls next to each other...I had my horses in two different barns and I hated the extra commute...now you'll have more time for both of them...
ReplyDeleteAwesome! I had no idea those two were in separate stables (that would be a tough one with the eenie meenie method :oP Even better that they hit it off...you just never know how that one will go until after, and see me give those boys a great big BOO-YEAH!
ReplyDeleteI'm so happy for you Stacey! How wonderful for your boys, and you. I know you'll have a great weekend! :) Becky
ReplyDeleteDo they get turned out together too? I'm very happy for you amnd your boys!!
ReplyDeleteI would like that but Harv is so bonded with his current buddy Seal, who is also the barn owner's horse. I didn't want to break them up, and even if I did the barn owner would not be happy -- didn't wanna go there.
ReplyDeleteRiley is going out with a 12 year old Dutch warmblood -- a real sweetie but with a reputation for nudginess. I was just a smidgen worried but they are getting along famously and very compatible.
Sweet! One happy family!
ReplyDeleteThat's wonderful for you and the horses!
ReplyDeleteDoesn't it feel strange to have more than one horse and they don't know about each other? Made me feel like I was cheating on one when I was with the others. Odd I know, but that is how I felt. I like my happy herd all together.
ReplyDeleteHarv did seem to look at me strangely when I was attending exclusively to Riley (when he first came). It wasn't "alarm" exactly but i do think he noted it. I've still been giving the lion's share of attn to Riley, but there is some sort of mathematical equation for treats vs. personal attention. Harv doesn't mind if I focus on Riley, so long as I throw him some treats. He sees it as equal time.
ReplyDeleteThe barn workers/boarders tell me that both of them look for me when I leave the general area by them, and when I return I see two expectant faces in the back window of their stall. They are both just adorable.
Those two faces are so cute! What fun it will be to have them together and already buddies. They are like long-lost brothers.
ReplyDeleteIt's probably best not to have them as turn-out buddies. I don't know why, but when I've had owners insist their 2 horses be TO buddies they seem to get even more buddy-sour than other pairings. Then it's horrible for everyone when one is taken out, or, in other word, the whole time the owner is at the barn.
ReplyDeleteOh they look so happy together! And what a great feeling it must be for you. I really hope some day I will be able to do the same with my two!!
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