Stable Specifics

To make riding in inclement weather more appealing, the stable and the arena are combined into one building. There are four stalls, a tack room, a wash rack, a hay and grain-room, 3 grooming areas and 3 parking bays for truck, trailer and tractor. The arena size is 60′ x 156′, which is an adequate size for effective jumper training; you learn to turn.

To make upkeep more efficient, we have installed automatic waterers in each stall and monitor water consumption for each horse with individual water meters that can measure to the 1/10th of a gallon. Additionally, the arena has an automatic irrigation system to maintain optimum moisture content in the footing and cushion for the horses. All stalls have rubber mats and each horse has 24-hour access to a sand covered paddock. This arrangement allows us to use less shavings as the horses like to lie down outdoors. With less shavings, stall cleaning is quick and easy with a broom. We collect and compost the manure from the stalls and paddocks in a 10′ x 20′ covered bin and when complete, we improve our pastures with the material, or recycle with a local topsoil company.

Pasture Management

Pastures are maintained for turn-out and training. We rotate our turn-out areas to limit over grazing and to allow for summer outdoor practice. As we rotate the turn-out areas, we harrow and then mow the areas to promote grass growth and limit undesirable plants.

These practices meet the criteria for the Sound Horsekeeping badge of honor for protecting nearby streams and rivers.