BIG CHANGES coming and I can see the light at the end of the tunnel, and it doesn't look like a frieght train about to run me down.
Red Pony Farm is ending its offering of horse boarding. We are still without a barn (and I am not so niave as to plan on it actually getting up before snow flies. and even if it did it will be too late for 2009 hay storage) and with only pallets and tarps for hay storage hay rots fast when the temps get above 50 and rains are as relentless as they have been for the last 3 weeks. I am paying 6.00 for 2008 hay and making runs every 4 days for another 20 bales. This years hay is only 3.50 when I pick it up from the wagon. But no one can get new hay in when it rains every day. Many of the fields are under water. I heard a report that the strawberries were suffering in the rain. I yelled. I think hay is a bit more of an issue in Maine! I need to have less hay needing storage and one of my sheds freed up to stare what I will need to get to July 2010.
Then there is the horse manure issue. I cannot manage manure here. It is completely overwhelming! I will not take in customers until I can have as pristine a place as the little farm in Standish!!! And I will charge a lot of money. And I will not care if I have no takers.
I am on a mission to get down to one horse. I have found a new home for old Annabelle. She leaves on the 11th. I was so sure that I was going to have to put her down at the end of July and it has been very upsetting. But I have been borrowing some of the money all winter to feed too many horses and that is not the sort of thing I was raised to be comfortable doing. The boarders are leaving sometime within the next 56 days. It's been a good experience and I have met some really great people. But I am notable to it here under the current conditions. I will have more time for working on changing things with less to look after.
I much prefer the cattle business. When the hay spikes in price I can always just eat them. Much easier on the nerves. And they make a lot less mess.
Is it manure disposal you are having trouble with? That can go away for free.
Good for you deciding to charge what it's worth to board a horse. You know most horses are boarded for less than it costs to board a dog. With way more labor and real estate involved.
Posted by: Todd Chrisman | June 28, 2009 at 21:37
If I could pick it up from around the stumps and undergrowth and roots and rocks and stock pile it I wouldn't have a problem.
I 've been doing some research on pricing for boarding. I have been enlightened. I would have to charge 300.00 JUST to break even, not 235.00 like I have been. I kept trying to do the math and wondering why I was going backwards. I should have studied business not psychology!
Posted by: ell | June 29, 2009 at 09:30
I like your clarity and your taking action. And yes, cows can eat rougher hay than horses can, and yes, they can grace our dinner tables, too. Best wishes.
Posted by: LJBartlett | July 12, 2009 at 20:40
If you're selling your fjords, i know of a home for one of them...mine! We dont have a lot of money, but we are looking for a nice hearty family horse, and we have a soft spot for fjords...She would have a gorgeous pasture and a run-in and a box stall. Also a cow friend. That is if you still have them and if you think she would be ok with kids. I grew up with horses and am finally fiancially able to support a horse and fill that horse shaped hole in my heart!
Posted by: Joni Libby-James | July 13, 2009 at 20:45
LJBartlett, I cannot tell you how happy I am making myself these days! It's been a long time coming. I have more time to work on my passion: horse safe bridges on all trails in Maine!!!!! AND I have almost all my winter hay put up already. I am making myself giddy with delight. I am starting to plan a real vacation for the first time in years. BTW I'm feeding the round bale silage to the cows. They adore the stuff! Do you use that?
Posted by: ell | July 20, 2009 at 19:18
We don't have cows right now, so no, not feeding silage. We fed whatever we could get, a true delight compared to the stress of hay, especially this year when it's been so wet. But a few years back it was August before we got first cut hay...
Posted by: LJBartlett | July 27, 2009 at 13:02