When I was about 30yrs younger, I used to work part-time at a barn/ranch that was located not to far from the NASA Causeway, near Titusville, FL. They advertised trail rides, mostly geared towards tourists, and I remember having to clean mildewy saddles, because the humidity was always high. They didn't have a climate-controlled area, so about every 2 weeks, I went about cleaning them and any leather tack laying around. Otherwise, I had a lot of fun there and bought my first horse from the owner. Those were the days!
I went horseback riding at that place a few different times growing up when I'd visit my dad in Flordia.He worked for Nasa, and I'd travel from Washington State to visit, and he'd take me riding there. Good memories!
You can tell when something has been designed by a horse person who has been in more than one barn before. The center aisle being nice and wide makes things easy. I agree with the drain for the wash rack, but in my area we also need a major plumbing investment to have one installed in a livestock barn regardless of the blockage issues. The size of your stalls also makes me incredibly happy for the horses because they can move, stretch, lay, etc. Thank you for sharing your second home.
Very very well thought out. About the squeaky sounding saddle, I always use baby powder where leather meets leather. No more squeaks Seldom necessary more than once.
So nice to have things just the way you want them. I've always had to make do with what comes with the farm. We do just fine but having it the way I want would be wonderful.
I'm working on my barn now. Nice to know the things I'm thinking about are what you have in your barn too! Was happy to know the size of your indoor, as that's about the size of arena I have room for
Thanks, very interesting. I particularly like the wash rack drainage idea (because I never would have thought of it). Do you feel like an overhead heater in the barn is superfluous in your climate? We had them in the wash racks at a big cutting horse operation I worked at in Farwell TX and we used them a lot. I think it's quite a lot colder here in winter, though, and we were fitting horses for the NCHA futurity sale in December, too.
When we brought our 45 acres in Nz that was the first thing we did was design our stables round pen and arena all set up for convenience , I did concrete breezeway and the stable floor was constructed with a natural base and my stables have runs off them which can be open to access to grazing I try graze my horses on a circuit around a paddock, that way they are restricted on the green stuff but encourages walking 😊but I would love to have a covered arena but we are on a hill where we can get 120 km winds !
Circuit grazing has only recently come to the upper midwest as to have the horses graze while walking so it is more like recreating a natural herd. Really love the idea, but have not personally seen it in practice much in the upper midwest US. Still big acres of pastures to turn horses out to.
Very nice setup, Tim! Really enjoyed the tour, as well as seeing the well thought out custom features! And the cat door, lol! Blessings from NW Florida!
Thanks for sharing, very interesting. Question...I was surprised that your tack and wash rack is in the front of the barn and not at the arena end. Was that a purposeful decision?
If this a second posting, my cat was involved. What do you think of the mechanical wheelbarrow? After i left my stable, they installed a contraption that was supposed to take the sawdust and such to the manure pile.
Hi apart from make sure you keep away from other horses and warn any companion regarding this issue and get rid of her. How would you deal with am exbrood mare that will kick another horse if they get to close to them. This is the second mare like this but this one is worse. And although I have warned other riders they are stupid enough to get to close behind. In England we have a red ribbon tied I the tail to warn other riders. U fortunately even if yoi make a point of keeping clear of other horses some idiot will pull up behind you. And if your horse kicks them.i spite of the warming red ribbon you are liable for the damage. This is crazy both my horses got right up the backside of my horse waiting to open a gate when they kicked her horse. Fortunately she didn't need the vet but I was furious that she rode so close. I have ridden as a civilian with an Army instructor and they have drilled it into my head to keep a safe distance at all times. It's a big worry. JJ Stamford Lincs UK 😉
When you are on your horse or have her in hand she is to listen to you and obey you no matter what is going on around her and how close another horse is. I am surprised your army instructor did not address this. Part of military drills are to work formation riding stirrup to stirrup and nose to tail. Your horse's behavior is a hole in her training that should be corrected.
When I was about 30yrs younger, I used to work part-time at a barn/ranch that was located not to far from the NASA Causeway, near Titusville, FL. They advertised trail rides, mostly geared towards tourists, and I remember having to clean mildewy saddles, because the humidity was always high. They didn't have a climate-controlled area, so about every 2 weeks, I went about cleaning them and any leather tack laying around. Otherwise, I had a lot of fun there and bought my first horse from the owner. Those were the days!
I went horseback riding at that place a few different times growing up when I'd visit my dad in Flordia.He worked for Nasa, and I'd travel from Washington State to visit, and he'd take me riding there. Good memories!
Lived in Mims & Titusville 18 years. There were several barns in the area & lots of trails.😊
I live in humid Tennessee and it's the reason I started using beta biothane bridles and even rope reins some. That mold
Robert E.Lee’s horse .. Traveller 😀
Combination of Architecture and horse sense is always a good one.
Interesting! I live in the North country, so we try to keep warm and out of the wind. 🤭
Every horse person’s dream! Thank you for sharing it with us.
Enjoyed the tour and good ideas.😊
You can tell when something has been designed by a horse person who has been in more than one barn before. The center aisle being nice and wide makes things easy. I agree with the drain for the wash rack, but in my area we also need a major plumbing investment to have one installed in a livestock barn regardless of the blockage issues. The size of your stalls also makes me incredibly happy for the horses because they can move, stretch, lay, etc. Thank you for sharing your second home.
Very very well thought out. About the squeaky sounding saddle, I always use baby powder where leather meets leather. No more squeaks Seldom necessary more than once.
Can't do that here. The humidity turns the powder into a gooy paste.
I remember the ingenuity of the dividers and thought that you had an engineers mind and you do! The design is proof.
Thank you for the tour. No detail left out. Like a horsemans dream. I think either Robert E. Lee or George Washington's horse was named Traveler.
Nice set up on your barn. Well done and thought out. Thank you for the tour. 💕
I have noticed your very nice and efficient facilities. Clever grading, and the ceiling fans were an excellent idea.
Wow you’ve got a great facility there! Your Architect’s training must have helped when it came to designing it❤
I loved this tour. What a very thoughtfully designed setup you have. I noticed the squeaky saddles....lol!
So nice to have things just the way you want them. I've always had to make do with what comes with the farm. We do just fine but having it the way I want would be wonderful.
Absolutely gorgeous!! Love your set up!!
Thx for the walk through Tim.
very informative, thanks a bunch
Beautiful set up.
Thank you
I'm working on my barn now. Nice to know the things I'm thinking about are what you have in your barn too! Was happy to know the size of your indoor, as that's about the size of arena I have room for
Thanks, very interesting. I particularly like the wash rack drainage idea (because I never would have thought of it). Do you feel like an overhead heater in the barn is superfluous in your climate? We had them in the wash racks at a big cutting horse operation I worked at in Farwell TX and we used them a lot. I think it's quite a lot colder here in winter, though, and we were fitting horses for the NCHA futurity sale in December, too.
There are a few days when a heater would be nice but not enough to justify the expense.
When we brought our 45 acres in Nz that was the first thing we did was design our stables round pen and arena all set up for convenience , I did concrete breezeway and the stable floor was constructed with a natural base and my stables have runs off them which can be open to access to grazing I try graze my horses on a circuit around a paddock, that way they are restricted on the green stuff but encourages walking 😊but I would love to have a covered arena but we are on a hill where we can get 120 km winds !
Circuit grazing has only recently come to the upper midwest as to have the horses graze while walking so it is more like recreating a natural herd. Really love the idea, but have not personally seen it in practice much in the upper midwest US. Still big acres of pastures to turn horses out to.
The best part of your barn is every time you are in the wash rack area, a horse “video” bombs you. I just love it!
Love the access from barn to covered arena
Thanks for the tour of the Barn Tim. How big are the stalls? Are you still going to do a video about your Round Pen? Long Live Horsemen.
Hi Ty. The stalls are 12*12. Yes I keep forgetting to do that video on my round pen. I'll try to remember to record it on Monday.
Great...Thanks for the interesting tour of the barn & arena.😊
Those are some really cool ideas.
Thank you Tim that was interesting. Looks like you have a great set up.
Very nice setup, Tim! Really enjoyed the tour, as well as seeing the well thought out custom features! And the cat door, lol! Blessings from NW Florida!
My guess on who rode Traveler- either G. Washington or R.E. Lee.(Strong lean towards Lee)
Enjoyed the tour.
Good guess. It was Lee.
The cat is a camera fixture. : )
I enjoyed the video. 😊
Thanks for sharing, very interesting. Question...I was surprised that your tack and wash rack is in the front of the barn and not at the arena end. Was that a purposeful decision?
Yes it was.
I love your barn! Do you have automatic waterers in your stalls and outside?
We have automatic waters outside but not in the barn. I want to know if they are drinking or not.
If this a second posting, my cat was involved. What do you think of the mechanical wheelbarrow? After i left my stable, they installed a contraption that was supposed to take the sawdust and such to the manure pile.
We use the tractor bucket for that.
Can you talk a bit about where the horses we see outside are staying? Is there a second barn?
That is turn out pens. Horses get 12 hours out and 12 hours in.
Are there any things about the barn and arena you would do differently?
More turn out pens would be nice but that is in the future plans.
❤❤❤
Which way is your barn oriented? East/west?
North South. We need the south breeze.
Do you have screen in the windows above the stalls?
No.
Just to add I remember clearly regarding riding to close behind . If you can not see the fetlocks of the horse front you are toooooo close.
Hi apart from make sure you keep away from other horses and warn any companion regarding this issue and get rid of her. How would you deal with am exbrood mare that will kick another horse if they get to close to them. This is the second mare like this but this one is worse. And although I have warned other riders they are stupid enough to get to close behind. In England we have a red ribbon tied I the tail to warn other riders. U fortunately even if yoi make a point of keeping clear of other horses some idiot will pull up behind you.
And if your horse kicks them.i spite of the warming red ribbon you are liable for the damage. This is crazy both my horses got right up the backside of my horse waiting to open a gate when they kicked her horse. Fortunately she didn't need the vet but I was furious that she rode so close. I have ridden as a civilian with an Army instructor and they have drilled it into my head to keep a safe distance at all times.
It's a big worry.
JJ Stamford Lincs UK 😉
When you are on your horse or have her in hand she is to listen to you and obey you no matter what is going on around her and how close another horse is. I am surprised your army instructor did not address this. Part of military drills are to work formation riding stirrup to stirrup and nose to tail. Your horse's behavior is a hole in her training that should be corrected.