[TravelingGirl]

I'm your typical 'started riding in adulthood' rider with all the typical fears, phobias and lack of confidence associated with such. I started riding about a month before I bought Trav...so maybe 6 months ago. Trav is a wonderful horse and my fears and phobias are completely without reason, but alas, they still exist.

Currently I board at a huge facility...150 horses, lessons going on seemingly around the clock, and almost always someone is around to ask a question or share the arena with. Trav has a 12 x 12 dirt floor stall in a barn that's 30+ years old. He gets turned out with 30+ other horses. The barn has 2 outdoor rings, a small indoor ring, a round pen, and backs up to a state park with miles of equestrian trails.

On the down side, I typically share the indoor with 5-6 other riders, mostly small kids with no steering or brakes, the barn staff is young (early 20's) and has grown up there so there's only 1 perspective when doing things, and they tend to not like horses they didn't breed/sell/train. Trav is no worse for wear...fat and seemingly happy after 3 months there, but I always wonder about the advise I get from them and their true knowledge level. For this I pay $335/mo. (+ $18 for worming every other month).

I just located a brand new private barn. A young couple built their house, barn and indoor ring on 50 acres about 30 minutes from my house. The barn is 14 12 x 12 stalls with rubber mats, 6 for their own horses, 8 for potential boarders, has 2 heated wash stalls, a heated tack room, a huge indoor ring, and they'll be building an outdoor ring and round pen in the spring. They do not have direct access to trails...it's a 7 minute haul to the same trail system the other barn is adjacent to. They finished the barn in December and currently have no boarders (I found an advertisement dated 3/2 today which prompted my call to them). They have a trainer who gives lessons on a couple of the 6 QH's they own or you can haul your horse there for lessons.

They are asking $500/mo board, but since they have no boarders right now, I'm guessing that might be negotiable a bit. I have no doubt it's a beautiful facility, but I'm wondering if it would be too isolated for a beginner rider. What do you think?

[QHGirl]

I am not sure if they will negotiate the price, but keep in mind if they do fill the spot up, will you be willing to pay $500/month?

I honestly think it is worth it to move to the private Barn, I have been/seen places like you described and to me, you will enjoy the private one on one interaction at the smaller barn than you will the larger one! Get time for you and your horse to bond properly too!

[Super_Trooper]

Im sure it will fill up soon, and maybe with a variety of rider types and ages...sounds NICE. I would switch...I dont like the "sterotype" barns like the first one...so I understand you feeling out of place there!

[lvmypnt]

Yep, I would go with the private deal. I have Della and Mia at a small private facility that is owned by a family and I love it of course we only pay $400.00 for two horses and that is full board. Except for dewormer. So i feel the $500.00 is a little pricey in my opinion.

[Thrills]

I personally prefer the private barns....and in fact have been boarding at adult only private barns for the last few years.

If you are feeling confident enough..I would go with it. Maybe see if a trainer would come out and give you lessons once and a while too.

I have made very good friendships at private barns because you tend to see the same people all the time.

I hardly doubt they will negotiate price...but it doesn;t hurt to try

[sher327]

although that sounds high (so does the other one lol) if thats reasonable in your area then I say go for it if you like them! I will NEVER board at a big barn, too much drama and activity lol

I board at a private farm 6 miles from my house. There is only an outdoor for now and a round pen but there is some (limited) riding back by the creek etc and we road ride so I don't mind. The quiet environment makes ME calmer and I enjoy the time alone with my horses. I rarely have to share the arena with the owners because our schedules are so different and during show season they are usually gone every weekend, works out perfectly for me LOL

There's a barn like the one you are currently at not far from me. Beautiful facility, HUGE, access to alot of trails, lessons, etc. I would not board my horse there for free I don't want to go dig my horse out of a herd of 40+ horses out on 60 acres LOL I like going to the gate and mine are right there,I'm lazy lol

[KZWestern]

I think that sounds much BETTER for a beginning rider. It is very hard to ride when there are a bunch of other people speeding around, which is worse for beginners because they have trouble in tough horse handling situations. It's better to give yourself time to learn how to handle yourself and your horse and THEN get involved in the chaos.

Also, if this new instructor who you would be taking lessons with is older and more experienced, then that would be much better too. (Unless of course, s/he's a bad instructor which you don't know yet) Plus it will be more private and you can have more one on one time with an instructor, instead of hustling them up to ask them a quick question before they blow you off and run away to give another lesson. (That's the one thign I dislike about my barn, my instructor is giving lessons and trainign for 11 hours a day and it's hard to find a time outside of a lesson to ask a question)

The price, atleast to me, is high. And you didn't mention if there is any turn out. Turn out is very important for horses. So I'd say that yes, it would be better for you to find a different barn then the one you're at. And yes, this other place sounds GREAT except for the price (which as you said is possibly negotiable) and the fact that there might not be turn out. Weighing the options and formulating an opinion is up to you, Trav is your horse! If it were me though, I'd try to get some kind of turn out facility going if there isn't one, try to negotiate the price a bit and move!

[BklynCwgrl]

One of the upsides to boarding in a big facility like you are in now is the social aspect of it. As you pointed out...you're never alone, there's always someone to talk to and ride with. The downside is what you've also mentioned...the care your horse is given, other boarders' manners, etc etc. Private barns are NOT ALWAYS better than the big ones. They have their share of problems also. And, you will most likely be alone more of the time if you board in a private barn. If you don't mind that...USUALLY the care is better. I say USUALLY...because it's not always the case. People open boarding facilities for various reasons...which sometimes have nothing to do with love of horses, and more often have to do with getting a tax writeoff. So......you're taking a chance either way. When I moved from a big place to a small place my horses got much better care. I was alone most of the time and didn't mind it. But...I know other people who have gone to smaller places and DIDN'T get better care. LOL So...good luck. And remember whatever decision you make does not have to be permanent. The search for a great boarding stable is like the search for the holy grail! It is never ending. (Until you have your horses on your own place and you KNOW they're getting great care)

[Shotgun93]

I would ask to watch some lessons with the trainer and ask to see them ride/work with horses, it will give you a better idea of if you would feel comfortable there or not.

[Fox Glove]

I am in a Private Barn..
I like the personalized feel and service,
For my horse and myself I get at a smaller place..
If you have a trainer or coach,
Can't they come there teach you,
and work your horse..

I like the quiet myself..
And the lack of drama..

Just my two Pence,
Paula