Should I change barns for the sake of seeing my horse more?

i know the boat you are in many of my friends at my barn have left because they want to see their horse more. and their is nothing wrong with that. the barn is 30 minutes away from my home. i've started looking for new places and when spring comes i'll be making some appointments to see these stables. for this barn you found that is closer and has no pics you can email or call to have pics sent to you or you can go and see the place. when you change barn here are some questions you should ask.

price of board?

full care, partial care, or self care?

what is in included in each care package?

what kind of hay do they feed?

what kind of grain do they feed?

how much of each do they feed?

how many times do the horses get fed?

what times do they get fed?

do they get turnout, how long, does it cost extra?

any local trails if you do trails

if your trainer can come to the barn to lesson you and your horse?

you should also check the barn and turnout areas. make sure the stalls are safe and close easily and are secure. the turnouts should be mostly dry and not a muddy swamp. pastures might be muddy because it's been raining so much.

I tell you what, look at both barns. Which one provides you with more opportunity and which one better supports your goals?

Let me put it this way:

Barn 1 = the barn your at now.

Barn 2 = the barn your thinking of moving to.

If you go to barn 2, will your family aka "driver" be able to make more trips out there? And - can you be left to groom on your own and ride as long as anyone is present there; meaning another rider or trainer so you aren't hindering the schedual of the driver? If you stay at barn 1 can you learn English riding? Which barn provides a better .... Say, learning process or more levels...? Which can get you further? How experienced is the trainer(s) at barn 1 vs barn 2. Does barn 2 offer all the same care as barn 1?

Another thing, perhaps, is go visit barn 2 and see how the people are and horses:

Are the horses content and look well looked after? Are any hurt?- how did they get hurt? What are the people like? Do they bother or irritate you? Do they seem knowledgeable and trustworthy?

It is a hard dicistion, I know. But if its something your willing to commit to -having more time, riding, learning, upping your knowledge and choices- then it's worth moving. And, maybe you and your current trainer can work something out so your taking turns going to each others stables to take lessons.

Best thing to do is visit barn 2 and look around at all the facilities and see how the temperaments of the horses are. If they haven't been fed regularly, they'll tell you. And look around, does everything look well put together? Are all the horses watered? What do other people say about the barn? How are the trainer(s) and caretakers? Do you get along with them?

Just ask all the questions to yourself and see what you come up with. It's tough going away from something your familiar with and something you really enjoy, but factor in all your options and see which one better fits you; you might surprise yourself.

I agree about priorities, but those priorities should first consider the well-being of your horse. It won't matter if you get a barn that's close enough for you to go to alone to if the managers don't give two shakes about how well cared for the horses are.

There are many points which have to add up in choosing the right barn. Lay out what you want in your "ideal" barn on a sheet so that it's visible to you, when you go skimming advertisements and talking to people. Know what you want, compromise where you can, but don't skimp on quality where the health of your horse is concerned. You may not get to see them every day, but at least they're being well cared for by others.

If you just can't work something out with a barn, maybe look at a half-lease? That way you can split the fees with someone else, have someone come out to look after and spend time with your horse on days that you can't, so she isn't totally alone. Or ask a friend at the barn, or a trainer or instructor, if they would do things with your mare on the days you can't be there.

HA! That is so well! I can see my thoroughbred mare freaking out over a gentle bulb - or spooking on the grounds that it's instantly darkish in that aspect of the barn. oh, that's well! I just like the Belgian providing to position the Shetland on his again and the mini complaining approximately sizeism.

First decide what your priorities are. If you find a close barn where you could be there alone I would board there.