1.31.2013

To move or not to move...

I went up to the barn yesterday for a quick ride. Walk, trot, canter, a bit of leg yielding, and a super slow walk around the property because it's pretty icy up there.
    The drive to the barn is really getting to me lately. On a good day it takes me an hour, as long as there is absolutely no traffic. By the time I get to the barn, I'm in a rush to get back home to my daughter. My husband works odd hours (usually 8am-8pm), and I work mornings, so there is no riding before/after work. Maybe in the summer when it stays lighter out longer I'll be more motivated to ride after hubby gets out of work, but I'm usually exhausted by then! I don't have my daughter in daycare (she comes to work with me), so I either have to have a family member watch her or wait for my husband to be around to watch her so I can go to the barn. After spending over two hours in the car each time I want to visit my horse when I'm at the barn I never have time to just relax with him and enjoy him. It is just all work, and then goodbye. I feel like I can't spend the time grooming him that I want to, and forming a better bond with him off his back.
    The problem is, other than the distance, his barn is a dream come true. There's something like 400 acres of trails right off the property, the barn is always spotless, my horse is treated like a king, he gets lots and lots of hay, the indoor is huge, there is no barn drama, and my horse is just so HAPPY. He is turned out all day with his gelding buddies, then comes in at night to a super clean stall and a mound of hay. I know that he is always cared for. I never have to worry. Every other barn he's been at I've had to worry.
     But having my horse in an entirely different state than myself is tough. I can't just pop up there and say hi to him. If I moved him closer to home I would be looking at about $400 more a month than I'm paying now for board. Lessons/training rides would be nearly double what I'm paying now. Although me and hubby are good about saving money, we do enjoy going out to eat, and the occasional Starbucks. Moving Finn closer to home would mean absolutely no extras, and a lot of sacrifices. But, I just don't know how much longer I can stand being in my car for over two hours a day. I forgot to leave my check for board at the barn yesterday, so after work this morning me and my daughter drove up to the barn to drop it off. There was a lot of traffic, a few detours, and it took us nearly two hours to get up to the barn...TO DROP A CHECK OFF!! Ugh...
    Here's a few pictures from yesterday.







8 comments:

  1. Austin traffic is so bad, that I spend 2 hours in the car each day I want to drive. At least 30 min to work, 1 hour to the barn from work, and then 30 minutes back to the barn from my house. The drive is draining, but I love the people there - so I stay for now. If I were you, I'd keep him there. You said the care is phenomenal and that is the most important. With the extra finances spent with moving him close and the possibility of lesser care it seems risky to me.

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  2. I know, you're absolutely right. He is so happy that it wouldn't be fair to move him. I live near Boston and the traffic is absolutely horrible here as well. Guess I just need to suck it up! :)

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    1. Where near Boston? I used to live in Plymouth and the Quincy. Traffic up there can be a total nightmare for sure!

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    2. I live in Woburn (20min from Boston) and my horse is in New Hampshire ( I have to take 95, 93, and 495 to get to him!) Did you keep a horse in Plymouth? My horse was at Valinor when he was in foster. :)

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    3. I didn't own, but I leased a bit and rode lessons at Valinor! Love that place - great people and beautiful facility.

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  3. Sounds like a sucky barn but otherwise a dream boat of a boarding facility! Hope you can work it out :)

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  4. I'm new to your blog, but reading this post I can completely empathize! My mare is 45 minutes away and also lives in another state. It's just frustrating, all the driving and not just being able to "pop in" when I feel like it. So, like you, I'm also considering the pros and cons of moving her. It's not an easy choice to make in the least!

    Hope we can both work it out. Kinda nice to know I'm not the only one!

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  5. Hey there, just found your blog. I know how you feel, my horse is quite a ways away too and want to move her some where else that is just as high quality as the one I'm at now. I hope you can figure it out and I'm so glad I found your blog :)

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