Going out of Business: Economy and Equine Ownership

"I deeply regret to tell you that (we) have decided to close the boarding operation..."

Damnit. Of course- I finally find the perfect barn, my horse is happy and her behavior does a complete turn-around, the trainer (CJ Weldon) is great...and the barn goes out of business shortly after we get comfortable...

Unfortunately, this is not the first time that this has happened to Ruby and I. When I first started taking riding lessons, things were a little different: board at a decent facility with both and indoor and outdoor was about $400/month. Hay was $2 per bale. Fields had plenty of grass. Now, years later, a decent barn with an outdoor only is about $600 and hay is close to $8 per bale. To compensate, many barn owners pack as many horses as they can into a field, which tears up the grass and causes more expenses to go into hay and feed, meaning your horse gets to live in what is called a "dry lot." I have always been picky about field management at boarding facilities, so this is a deal breaker for me. But why does this happen?

Through my observation, I have found that one cannot have a horse boarding facility in this area and still be profitable. Let's face it, the economy is struggling, people cannot afford to pay an arm and a leg for board, and the cost to feed horses is steadily increasing. In order to offer board at a reasonable price and still make it, barns need to offer other services, such as training, sales, or lessons. In case you were wondering, this is the third barn at which I have boarded that went out of business, and all three were explicitly for boarders.

Where to next?
Connie, CJ, and I have discussed some options, and here is the dilemma: Ruby seems to really like CJ, but to board her with her would be hitting the margins of my budget. Which is more important: the spoiled pony, or my money? For now, I will follow the rest of the boarders (and CJ) to the farm across the street...I am hoping Ruby will continue to make good progress there so we can finally get our jumping confidence back! In the meantime, I will continue working with Connie (and Jimmy)...making progress toward my next lesson with Harry de Leyer!

Riding arena at the new barn!