How to Set up a Horse Farm on a Budget

Disclaimer: I’m still figuring out the answer to that question. In my last post, I shared the news of my new 16-acre farmette that we moved into in April. In three months, we’ve accomplished quite a lot, but still have a long way to go before it’ll be ready to move the horses in. The biggest obstacle? My budget, of course. Here’s what I’ve picked up along the way about getting this farm up and running on a tight budget.

1. One Step at a Time

It’s so easy to get overwhelmed with everything that needs to be done–and money that needs to be spent. When we moved here, there was the small house, indoor arena (huge bonus!), an old chicken coop, a caving-in hay shed, two mismatched run-ins, and rudimentary fencing (a mix of T-posts and tree branches for posts, with rusting high-tensile wire).

Needless to say, there’s a lot of work to be done here. But with a more than full-time job and a tight budget, everything can’t get done at once. Although I’m anxious to move the horses in, I have to frequently remind myself to stop, breathe, and tackle one project at a time. First, we tore down the chicken coop and most of the hay shed, since they were virtually unusable and that’s the best spot for the barn to eventually go. Next, it was tearing out fence posts and cutting wire. Hopefully within the next week, it’ll be putting new posts in.

2. Don’t Be Afraid to Get Your Hands Dirty

As horse people, I’m sure none of us are afraid of dirt. But what I’m talking about is more along the lines of hard, sometimes gut-wrenching manual labor–the kind you have to grit your teeth to get done, that gives you a great tan and rough hands. If you don’t have money for the equipment to make your job easier, put your head down, get yourself a good pair of gloves, and get to work.

Case and point: the fence posts. I don’t have the budget for an $800+ PTO-driven auger attachment for the tractor. Hell, I barely have the budget for a $200 gas-powered hand auger. But if it comes down to shelling out the extra $600 for the equipment or buying 50 more posts, I’ll take the posts. So, my choices are either the more affordable gas auger, which I’m told can be difficult to use depending on the soil type, or get reacquainted with the good old-fashioned (wo)man-powered post hole digger. Where there’s a will, there’s a way.

3. Know Where to Skimp and Where to Splurge

At almost every turn, there is a cheap way to get things done. In my experience, it’s best to pick one or two things that you absolutely refuse to skimp on when it comes to cost, and then be economical on the rest.

If you’re having a hard time figuring out where to invest your money and where to save it, think about your end goal. For me, it’s to have healthy, happy, SAFE horses here. So things I will not cheap out on include the fencing and the barn’s structure. I tore down the old fencing because it was downright unsafe, although it probably could have worked for a while. The run-in sheds are fine for the summer, but what happens in the winter when we get 3, 4, 5+ feet of snow and ice? We do have some plans for cutting costs on the barn (that’s for another post), but the physical structure of the barn will likely be overbuilt, not like the flimsy hay shed.

For me, it’s worth waiting a little more time to bring horses in if that means I can save up to do those two things right.

4. Stay Positive

It’s easy to get so wrapped up in bills and budgeting that you lose sight of why you’re doing this in the first place. For me, remembering to be grateful that I even have this little slice of land in the first place has been a tremendous help any time I start to get too bogged down in finances of it all. In my experience, things do usually happen when they’re good and ready to, and there’s little we can do to speed that up, no matter how hard we try. So keep up the grind, but also remember to stop and smell the hay fields once in a while.

Lesson Report 04/29/18: Kelsey on Vicky

Note: guess who meant to post this last week and forgot? This girl.

If you’re recently joining us here at The Almanac, then you may or may not be aware that I have ridden a lot of horses at a lot of barns in a lot of saddles in a lot of disciplines. Because of this, I feel a bit like a jack of all trades (jill of all trades?) and truly a master of none. I’ve had a long time desire to improve upon my dressage skills, and several friends have told me that it will be a great way to fill in those holes in my education. Flat work is always the key to everything. I call it the Xenophon theorem: 2+2=more leg. More leg ≥ flat work.

This is my second lesson at a strictly dressage barn, and let me tell you that it made me feel like I’ve never ridden a horse before. Ellie, my trainer, is patient, but I worry that my mistakes may be testing that patience. Everything that I’ve learned through my years wasn’t necessarily wrong…. It just wasn’t right. I also discovered that I have no idea how big 20 meters actually is. After 17 years of riding, apparently I still don’t know how to close my fingers. My version of elbows being bent is apparently about 87° away from being a right angle. But, here’s the shocker, y’all: I used too much leg.

I’m not entirely unconvinced that me using too much leg isn’t a sign of the apocalypse.

Every coach has told me at some point or another that part of learning is unlearning the old stuff, which results in three steps forward and two steps backward. Example: “I promise you that she doesn’t mind you shortening your reins. Shorten your reins. Bend your elbows. Close your fingers. Shorten your reins. Stop using your outside leg. Is she bent in the correct direction? Look over her ears. Close your fingers. Bend your elbows. Shorten your reins.” Maybe that’s a bit hyperbolic, but repetition is the key to building muscle memory, so that’s what I chanted in my head as Ellie talked me through it.

Vicky wasn’t up for chatting after our lesson because there was hay in the stall.

Vicky is a different ride from the horse I rode last time, Bailey. She’s in that large pony/small horse size zone and has a conveniently short neck. She also has a nice response to leg aids. This meant that she quietly and politely told on me whenever I incorrectly used my leg (read: used outside leg when I needed to use outside rein), but I didn’t expend all my energy trying to move her forward. Bailey is an absolute sweetheart but my nonexistent leg muscles and his journey to sainthood means that my attempts to move him forward were basically lost on him. Vicky’s responsiveness meant that I actually got to spend my energy fixing my body, my seat, my position.

This lesson, I didn’t move out of a trot, which I was fine with. I’m still adjusting to Florida’s heat (nearly a year later) and when I finally had a few laps and circles that were successful, I was happy to call it a day. I didn’t want to get tired and start to unlearn the correct methods; more importantly, Vicky had already put up with me enough, so I didn’t need to push her to be nice.

I’m already looking forward to my next ride because it means I get to keep patching these holes in my education. It also gives me an excuse to go treat myself to a much needed new helmet and maybe some new sun shirts. Suggestions welcome.

[ReBlogged] Marilyn Little: Serial Mount Bloodier — The Salty Equestrian

Thank you to Renz over at The Salty Equestrian for sharing this info. Please give this a review and share your thoughts!

 

 

FYI I’m linking to places with pictures of Little riding with blood in the horses mouth but as I don’t have permission to use those pictures I’m trying to respect photographers by not re-posting. Instead there are definite little sprinkles of other articles (sources) here and there that you can click on. So if you follow […]

via Marilyn Little: Serial Mouth Bloodier… — The Salty Equestrian

A Bit on Myler Bits

I know this topic will not bring as many laughs as I hope my last post did. I feel though it is a subject that is not discussed enough in the equine world, and is much too important not to be. I recently read the book A Whole Bit Better. My friend Parker was the one who loaned me this book. So, thank you Parker for peaking my interest and furthering my knowledge on the importance of a bit in a horse’s mouth. A Whole Bit Better is a book written by the Myler brothers Dale, Ron, and Bob. These three brothers set out to educate the equine world of how important is to properly bit your horse, and engineer bits to do so. Two brothers Ron and Dale are avid horse trainers/ riders. Bob, however, is the welder/ engineer of the bits. Their goal is to provide a pleasing ride for the horse and allow proper communication between rider and horse.

This book is all about bits, but you probably could have figured that out by now though. When a bit is properly fitted the horse is more willing to perform and do what is asked at all times. Depending on their training of course. Willing meaning the horse is comfortable enough to be responsive to commands, broke at the pole, engaging their hind end, and rounded through the back. I know for non-horse people I just lost you. This basically meaning the horse is supple and willing to perform. The Myler brothers have miraculously accomplished this by taking the time to fully understand a horse’s mouth, and what is most comfortable for your noble steed.

My last visit with Atlas was what got me thinking more about bits. It was Atlas’s first ride back since the ulcers, and his time to show himself off to potential lessors. He was perfect of course, and lazy as ever. Big shocker for Atlas I know. He was better though I had my boy back, and even better he sold himself. Great news for our pockets! My trainer was looking over his bridle/ bit to ensure he was comfortable. Of course, his bridle was too small. What took me back the most was when she said “his bit was too fat for his thick lips.” What? His bit was too fat? That was the first I had ever heard of this. A trip to Dover ensued after this lesson. I wasn’t complaining. I bought Atlas a skinner Eggbutt Frenchlink. Something simple that would relieve some of the pressure off of his bars (see picture below). So far with his new bit, and thankfully a bridle I already had, he is performing very well.

Photo example used from book!

I am your typical crazy horse lady and like to think I know everything about horses, but I am forever learning. A lot of this awesome knowledge I am about to lay on you I got from A Whole Bit Better, and some I knew. I feel it is important to pass along this awareness. So, here is what I got for ya!

How does a bit work? The Myler brother’s keep it simple, “You put pressure on the reins, the reins, put pressure on the bit, the bit puts pressure on various parts of the horse’s mouth and head, and voila! Your horse responds.” Really it should be this simple right? In some ways it truly is when your horse has been properly trained. The way a bit feels in a horse’s mouth can make all the difference. Texture has a lot to do with how accepting of a bit a horse will be. Any sign of resistance could potentially mean the horse is simply unhappy with the texture. In the book the Myler brothers ask you to pinch your tongue for thirty seconds and walk. As you walk to increase the pressure. I tried it, wasn’t overly thrilled I must admit. I got to 13 seconds. Really the hardest part was swallowing. The tongue is the most sensitive thing in a horse’s mouth. The majority of pressure created from the us to the reins, to the bit is placed on the tongue. Of course, a horse’s reward is us as riders giving and relieving that pressure. Depending on the bit pressure is distributed on various parts of a horse’s head and mouth. Basically, bit = pressure = your horse’s response so long as your horse is comfortable.

As you may know there are many different types of bits in this world. Each bit serves a different purpose. A bit’s single intention is to provide a way of communication between horse and rider. A bit, however should never be solely relied on for communication, as your legs, and seat play a role too. A bit is a great training AID, but NOT the only tool that should be used. A bit in a horse’s mouth that is not properly fitted can be painful. I mean really would you want something in your mouth that isn’t properly fitted for you? If a bit is properly fitted the horse is respectful of such and will follow each aid given from rider to horse, or at least try. We all know it doesn’t always go as planned.

What if the bit is not fitted correctly? Horses will begin to show signs of resistance. The Myler brothers say “Horses speak through resistance. The horse is communicating that he is trying to be good, but needs something different.” The Myler’s brother’s solution is to use a softer bit. A stronger, a harsher bit can cause even more resistance. What are the signs of resistance?

• Excessive chewing- Often when a horse is chewing at the bit this can be a sign of worry/ anxiety, or discomfort. Chewing can also mean the horse is having difficulty swallowing because of too much tongue pressure from the bit.
• Head tossing- Head tossing is a sign of the bit being ill fitted, or even the bridle being too tight in certain spots.
• Sitting behind the bit- A horse will round their neck and try to put their head to their chest. Doing this is a way for a horse to completely evade any contact from your hands to their mouth, causing a stiff and heavy horse.
• Sitting above the bit- This meaning the horse is not supple and relaxed at the poll. Thus, causing the resistance for a horse to be responsive to your aids. The horse is not relaxed, and unwilling to perform.

Types of bit evasions. Photo from book.

All this talk of Myler bits, so what makes them stand out? It’s a simple notion really- “Each bit has its own system of working in a horse’s mouth, and each system is tailored to the particular needs of the horse and rider combination.”- per the Myler brothers. (I tried stating this on my own, but they said it way better than I could have.) Myler bits are intended to provide the most comfortable ride for your horse, allowing the horse “to relax into the bridle.” This idea comes off as so simple, but can make all the difference in your ride and horse’s behavior. Here are more of my infamous bullet points to break it down for you.

• Myler bits are designed with a curve. A typical bit lies mostly on a horse mouth, thus making it difficult for your horse, steed, pain in the butt, I call Atlas a unicorn (most days), to swallow. This curve allows your horse to easily swallow, thus paying more attention to his task/ commands given.
• Myler bits have different bits for each level of training your horse is at, and the rider as well. What a cool concept right? When your horse first begins training, the bits will distribute pressure on your horse’s tongue and bars, but releases when your horse relaxes at the pole. As your horse advances the bit is changed with less pressure each time. The perfect reward system for your now perfectly trained horse. There are three bits for this training process.
• Independent movement of a bit- definitely one of the coolest features, at least I think. Many Myler bits can move freely on one side, and not have any effect on the other. Putting it simply, one side of the bit moves and the other does not. With this really unique feature in a bit “you are able to isolate and communicate with one side of the horse’s mouth and not interfere with the other.”

While these are just the basic key features that make a Myler bit stand out, I would highly recommend reading the book A Whole Bit Better. This book has greatly enhanced my knowledge on the importance of properly biting your horse.  We often ask so much of our horse’s and have great expectations. Each horse is unique in their own way and have their own specific needs to make them happy. With these expectations and great demands we ask of them, it is important to make sure your horse feels relaxed enough to meet these requests. I have never owned a Myler bit. However, knowing that the Myler brothers have such a dedication and passion to make sure your horse is enjoying their job has made me have a great deal of respect for them. It is often difficult in the equine world to find those who really take the time to care, and further their knowledge of horses.  The Myler brothers have done this, and accomplished it through experience, watching, learning, and trial and error. While I have just bought Atlas a new bit, my trip to Atlanta this weekend you will find me back at Dover purchasing a Myler Bit.

Work Cited: Myler, Dale, Bob, And Ron. A Whole Bit Better. Toklat Originals, 2004.

 

Welcome to My New Farm!

My favorite childhood book was and still is The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett. The most memorable scene in that book, for me, is when Mary’s uncle offers to give the little girl anything she wants — books, toys, dolls, anything in the world. And she replies, “Might I […] might I have a bit of earth?”

Maybe this quote stuck with me because I’ve always known that I, too, would choose a bit of earth if I could have just one thing. Or maybe I learned that I wanted this because of Mary. Either way, about 20 years later, I got my own bit of earth and some days, I still can’t fully believe it. Here’s how it started.

–

Just a few days after turning 28, I closed on my first house — a small cape cod with 16 acres and the (very) rough beginnings of a horse farm. Like most little girls who have the fortune of knowing a horse from a young age, this has been the dream. Although there’s still plenty of work to be done and a barn to be built before I can move my horse here, knowing that I’ve finally found a bit of earth to call my own is beyond enough.

Like most great things in life, finding this property happened when I wasn’t looking. As a self-employed freelance writer, I’d been trying to jump through hoops to get a mortgage for over a year, so my search was on hold until I had a second year of tax returns for my business. But then I scrolled past this property, which had been on the market for over a year, on a local horse group on Facebook. On a whim, my boyfriend and I hauled a little over an hour away to check it out.

We’d seen a handful of horse properties already. Usually, it was the same story — within minutes of showing up, we easily spotted the thing that put the property in our price range in the first place. Most of the time, it was that the house would need tens of thousands of dollars of work put into it, or the barn was full of bats and falling in on itself. Or it was mostly unusable land, or not quite enough for more than one horse. Sometimes, it was a highway.

So when we pulled up to this house, we were looking for it. The thing that would instantly make us lock eyes and signal to the other, “Let’s get out of here.” But I was having trouble finding much of anything. And when my boyfriend wasn’t giving me the look, either, I thought maybe we’d stumbled onto something out here.

Long story short, we were able to get a mortgage and close on our new property with relative ease. We’ve been living here for just under a month now, and I’ve already learned some valuable lessons that I thought I’d share with others who might be looking for their bit of earth — or worse, discouraged that they’ll never find it:

1. Hard work and a crazy dream really do pay off, and it is usually when you least expect it. So keep plodding along.
2. Learn to make the best of your current situation. While I’m not in love with the boarding stable where I had to move my horse until I can get a barn up and pastures reclaimed, I’ve had to come to terms with the fact that it’s the best I can do for the moment. Don’t let these kinds of decisions eat at you.
3. Plan for the long-haul. I could slap up a temporary stall to get my mare here sooner, but I’m trying to keep the end game in sight. Focus your time and energy on the things that will help you achieve your big-picture goals.
4. Pick a partner with a shared dream. If you’re going to have horses and you’re going to have a partner, the two are going to have to meld together in some way. Choose someone who will feel fulfilled with the kind of life you envision for yourself.
5. Trust your gut. Even if your friends and family don’t seem to think you’ll be able to pull off the impossible and find the farm of your dreams, or make a career as a writer, or [fill in the blank], politely accept their concerns, put your head down, and keep going. You know better than anyone what you are and are not capable of.

There’s my inspirational advice — I’ll share some more stories about my new farm life in my next post!