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Monday, June 3, 2024

charlie's big step

Charlie moved to his new farm yesterday. I'd be a big fat liar if I didn't admit to having pretty complicated feelings about it all. 

homeboy hasn't stepped onto a trailer in almost exactly one year... still a pro tho <3 <3
Sadness at leaving.... leaving a lot of happy memories (for both me and presumably Charlie); leaving friends; leaving familiarity...

was slightly suspicious unloading across the street from the new neighbors tho!
Sadness at facing the reality that this is probably Charlie's official transition into at least semi-retirement. (Bc the denial** has been very strong with yours truly for a very long time...).

(**Tho he's actually looking pretty sound right now, even tho we pulled his hind shoes a couple weeks ago! Like, maybe sound enough for some toodling around!! Probably not ever sound again for "work," but ehhhh toodling would be nice!)

was immediately right at home inside this nice traditional barn. they even made him a fancy nice new name placard!
But I also feel relief. Like a burden has been lifted. For years, now, I've had to be a ruthless and zealous advocate for my horses in the face of frankly indifferent management. If I wanted my horses to receive a basic minimum level of care, it was up to *me* to make it happen. Going more than 2-3 days in a row without a trip to the barn was absolutely out of the question.

stalls are BIG
That has all changed for Charlie, now. His new barn has the most wonderful and relaxed vibes. They were ready for us, and Charlie settled in immediately.

got to chill in his new stall with a snack and some hay for a few minutes before turnout
In some ways, the barn reminds me a lot of where Isabel lived (minus the lesson program). It's small, intimate, laid back --- with a lot of people who basically just love their horses and enjoy horsey pursuits, in a whole variety of flavors. 

charlie and avi moved together, which is nice bc they've already lived together for years
Obvi most of my decision to move Charlie here revolved around general lifestyle for him -- like turnout. I've always tended to prefer large group turnout for Charlie, but it's increasingly difficult to find (land prices being what they are). And where you can find it, it's often done at the expense of the land itself. 

instantly at home <3 <3
That's honestly the biggest reason Charlie stayed where he was for so long --- straight up access to large tracts of grassy pasture. 

The new place is different in that it's predominantly paddocks instead of pasture, tho the paddocks are HUGE. And the number of horses kept on the grounds is an explicit function of what the land can support. For example -- there are at least another half dozen empty stalls in the barn. But mgmt will not fill those stalls bc the *paddocks* are already at capacity. 

these "paddocks" are unbelievable. relentlessly managed to ensure continual grass 
Paddocks are rotated carefully, with 1 of the 7 always vacant and resting at any given time. They keep 2-3 horses in a paddock at any given time, and in this way manage to continue growing grass through the season. 

all this, plus automatic waterers and a run in shed
That attention to detail, that careful planning and management.... It all honestly kinda hit me like a ton of bricks LOL, after years of... well... the absence of any of that haha. I was basically like, "Woweee, who do I make the check out to??" lol...

obvi they were quite interested in their mare neighbors, but even more interested in #datgrass
It is, in fact, a working riding barn, too. Charlie might be the only semi-retiree here. So you can expect to get a tour of the new riding facilities eventually. 

They are relatively humble in scale, but quite nice and complete. There's an attached indoor with nice fiber footing that gets dragged regularly. And the outdoor ring is actually pretty generous in size -- I estimate it's about the same size as the outdoor dressage court at the old place.

i haven't moved all my stuff yet, but the tack is transferred. just in case!
There are apparently trails, too. And every time I've been there so far -- whether for tours or actually moving in -- there have been a variety of people all out and about doing things with their horses. 

then back to doozy's barn for a bittersweet schooling ride
Honestly. I have high hopes. I have a good feeling. This farm is farther from my house than either the old place, or Doozy's future place -- but it's triangulated fairly conveniently between the two, such that if I'm already at one barn, it's quite easy to get on over to the other. So that's the plan for now.

she's still got a little time left at this farm, but these strolls are numbered....
It was easy enough to get back to the old place after tucking Charlie in for the night, and still have time for a wonderfully pleasant (and pleasantly productive!) jump school on the redhead. 

The times, they are a changin', folks! Still a little more time tho before I rip the bandaid off completely....



23 comments:

  1. I don’t know how you wouldn’t have feelings about such a major change. Charlie looks good and his new digs seem lately and fit the bill.

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    1. thanks -- i'm really hopeful it'll be a good place for him, esp re: helping him thrive and maybe be a little more sound!

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  2. Those are really good size paddocks!! He looks pretty at home already.

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    1. they are extremely generously sized -- and honestly i love that they are slightly hilly too! i'm already looking forward to seeing him again hopefully later today, to see how he's feeling

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  3. It's such a relief to move somewhere that you don't have to micromanage every little f-ing thing. Also, Charlie is still super close to me, so yay for that!
    Doozy, not so much....

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    1. it's funny bc doozy is actually going to be slightly closer to me, but like practically the other side of the world from where she is now, all things considered lol....

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  4. Your mixed emotions are completely understandable. Change is hard, even positive change. Looks like a lovely new place for Charlie with plenty of amenities for a semi-retiree. He already looks quite at home in the photos.

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    1. i basically hate change and resist beyond all reason... but usually it ends up being a good thing. hopefully lol! this has been a long time coming.

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  5. Love those paddocks and change can be difficult - if it makes you feel any better, Mae has been a lot happier and relaxed since she's not in "full training" anymore

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    1. sometimes it's so hard to know what will be best for our horses, and what's going to help them live their best life!

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  6. It's such a huge step after being there for so long. I had those feelings when I left a farm I spent 10+ years at, but it was for the better. I'm so glad you can take a break from micromanaging his care, I was in that position at one point but if I wasn't there daily, it wasn't done. He looks to be quite pleased in his new digs, jealous of the giant pastures!

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    1. the turnouts (and management thereof) is honestly really what sold me on this place. like yea i'd prefer if there were larger groups bc charlie <3's his bros.... but honestly the way this place is set up seems really horse-centric and friendly, so hopefully he'll love it!

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  7. It looks like a lovely place, and the thought of not worrying if you can't get out sounds lovely. Definitely tough to make a change and I hope it all works out well for you and your horses! I have been struggling with the idea of making a change for quite a while, complicated by a lack of options local to me. I almost emailed you to vent but couldn't find your address lol.

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    1. dude i am so happy to talk through the whole experience, including all the various research points, pros / cons, places that i crossed off the list (and why), etc etc. feel free to reach out at fraidycat.eventing at gmail :)

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  8. I'm glad Charlie settled in quickly at his new home. I hope Doozy's move goes just as smoothly!

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  9. This place looks so nice! I live on an island in FL, so pastures that look like that do not exist. I hope Charlie thrives there! It must be a weight off your mind to know he is cared for and it will be fun to see the facility as you settle in and get to know it and the new people there!

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  10. Those nice big paddocks are a dream. Lucky horses!

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  11. Change is hard. But there are always positives. The management hopefully stands up to its first impressions and that will make both you and Charlie happier!

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  12. Sounds like an upgrade all around. Onwards and upwards!

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  13. His neck looks so long in the 3rd picture lol

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  14. Change is never easy, but this really looks like a good one for Charlie. That's so wonderful he got to move with his buddy too! I hope maybe being in a better managed facility you can get a handle on the soundness stuff. I feel like you guys aren't really ready to retire just yet.

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  15. It sounds like the care will be great at that new barn, and those paddocks are still plenty of room!!

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