BarnManager’s Shopping Guide: Summer Essentials
June 1, 2023| | in category Uncategorized No comments yet

Entrepreneurial equestrians are always coming up with new products for both the horse and rider. Testing out every new invention is more than most people can handle, so keep reading for BarnManager’s favorite summer must-haves for equestrians and their equine partners.

For the Rider:

Long Sleeve Sun Shirts

Protecting yourself from the sun during the summer is a necessity. Long sleeve sun shirts with ventilation are a great way to stay cool while also helping to prevent skin damage. These shirts often have a collar to protect your neck from the sun as well. Go with a brand that makes the shirt in a light or moisture wicking material. Have fun choosing from lots of fun patterns and price points to suit your needs.

Mesh Show Coat

Over the years, show jackets have evolved from heavy wool to lighter technical materials. These changes have been wonderful for summer horse showing. Many jacket manufacturers now also offer styles featuring breathable mesh material that are also machine washable. Mesh show coats are very comfortable to ride and compete in due to their lightweight and stretchy material. Mesh coats are on the pricier side but they can be a worthwhile investment for long, hot, and humid horse show days.

Sun Visor

Although many helmets now offer styles with a larger brim, consider the option of purchasing a clip-on sun visor. Clip-on visors provide more coverage from the sun’s rays and allow for the flexibility of removing them when riding indoors. One thing to remember about them is that they can fly off in windy conditions, so plan accordingly.

Sport Sunscreen

Sunscreen is extremely important whenever you are outdoors, but especially during the summer when you spend all day outside at the barn. Finding a good sunscreen to use while riding can be challenging. Some sunscreens feel too heavy or can wash away when you sweat. Look for products that are specifically designed for sports. They will protect you longer and continue working even if you are sweating. Sunscreen sticks are a good option for equestrians because they are easier to apply on the go and do not drip in your eyes when you sweat. Consider zinc- and mineral-based sunscreens that are better for your skin and the planet. If your horse has a pink nose you may want to put some on them as well!

For the Horse:

Ice Boots

Ice boots have a variety of benefits for horses and can be used throughout the year, but boy, do they feel good after a workout in the heat of summer. Icing your horse after exercise can help reduce and prevent any swelling, cool their tendons, and aid in treating injuries.

Soundproof Ear Bonnet

Unfortunately, summertime often means a lot of flies. Ear bonnets help keep flies away from your horse’s ears. Consider looking into soundproof ear bonnets, especially if your horse tends to be a little spooky. Although you cannot use these in the hunter or equitation show ring, soundproof ear bonnets can be used in the jumper ring. They are also a great idea if your horse is sound-sensitive while trail riding.

UV Protective Fly Sheet and Mask

Flies can make summer turnout problematic. Depending on the location of your farm and the paddocks themselves, the fly population can cause your horse to be very agitated while in turnout. Investing in a fly sheet and mask can help minimize the annoyance of flies while your horse is in the field and while you hand graze them. There are also UV protective fly sheets and masks that help protect your horse’s coat and eyes from the sun.

Invest in a few of these summer essentials to make sure you and your horse are ready to handle the sun, heat, and flies this season.

Have questions about utilizing BarnManager or want to give it a try for yourself? Request a live demo here!

BarnManager is designed to be a part of your team, with the compatibility and credentials necessary to improve communication, simplify the management of horses, and get you out of the office, off the phone calls, and into the barn with the horses you care about! Click here to get a free demo and find out more!

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BarnManager Horse Health Series: An Owner’s Guide to Colic Surgery Recovery
May 25, 2023| | in category Uncategorized No comments yet

Every owner dreads having to decide whether or not to send their horse onto the surgical table for colic surgery. Before that difficult moment occurs, it is important that the horse’s owner or caretaker understands what to expect throughout the recovery process. Keep reading to find out what you need to know about colic surgery recovery from board-certified equine surgeon Dr. Weston Davis of Palm Beach Equine Clinic in Wellington, FL.

Stages After Surgery

Immediately Post-Surgery

As soon as a horse is up and returns to its stall at the veterinary clinic where the surgery was performed, careful monitoring begins, including physical health evaluations, bloodwork, and often, advanced imaging. Physical exams will be conducted at least four times per day to evaluate the incision and check for any signs of fever, laminitis, lethargy, and to ensure good hydration status. An abdominal ultrasound may be done several times per day to check the health of the gut, and a tube may be passed into the stomach to check for reflux and accumulating fluid.

Before the horse can be discharged, it must be regularly passing manure and back on a semi-normal diet.

Returning Home

Veterinarians often recommend the use of an elastic belly band to support the horse’s incision site during transport from the clinic and while recovering at home. Different types of belly bands offer varying levels of support. Some simply provide skin protection, while others are able to support the healing of the abdominal wall.

Two Weeks Post-Surgery 

Photo by Jump Media

At the 12-to-14-day benchmark, the sutures will be removed from the horse’s incision site. The incision site is continuously checked for signs of swelling, small hernias, and infection. 

At-Home Recovery

When the horse is home, the priority is to continue monitoring the incision and return them to a normal diet if that has not already been accomplished.

The first two weeks of recovery after the horse has returned home is spent on stall rest with free-choice water and hand grazing. After this period, the horse can spend a month being turned out in a small paddock or kept in a turn-out stall. They normally return to full turnout during the third month. Hand-walking and grazing is permittable during all stages of the at-home recovery process. After the horse has been home for three months, the horse is likely to be approved for riding.

Generally, when a horse reaches the six-month mark in their recovery, the risk of adverse internal complications is very low, and the horse can return to full training under saddle.

When to Call the Vet?

After colic surgery horses should be monitored closely throughout all stages of recovery for signs of unusual behavior. Decreased water intake, abnormal manure output, fever, pain, or discomfort are all signals that a veterinarian should be consulted immediately.

Long-Term Care

In most cases of colic surgery, patients that properly progress in the first two weeks after the procedure will go on to make a full recovery and successfully return to their previous level of training and competition.

Depending on the specifics of the colic, however, some considerations need to be made for long-term care. For example, if the horse had sand colic, the owner would be counseled to avoid sand and offer the horse a selenium supplement to prevent a possible relapse. In large intestinal colic cases, dietary restrictions may be recommended as a prophylactic measure. Also, horses that crib can be predisposed to epiploic foramen entrapment, which is when the bowel becomes stuck in a defect in the abdomen. This could result in another colic incident, so cribbing prevention is key.

Generally, a horse that has fully recovered from colic surgery is no less healthy than it was before the colic episode. While no one wants their horse to go through colic surgery, owners and caretakers should understand the recovery process to help ensure the horse successfully returns to health.

NOTE: These guidelines are only suggestions, and you should always follow the specific instructions from your veterinarian.  

Have questions about utilizing BarnManager or want to give it a try for yourself? Request a live demo here!

BarnManager is designed to be a part of your team, with the compatibility and credentials necessary to improve communication, simplify the management of horses, and get you out of the office, off the phone calls, and into the barn with the horses you care about! Click here to get a free demo and find out more!

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BarnManager Q&A With: Kerri Short
May 18, 2023| | in category BarnManager Q&A, Uncategorized No comments yet

BarnManager Q&A With: Kerri Short

Kerri Short, manager and groom for Anna Marek of Marek Dressage based out of Ocala, FL, and Dunnellon, FL

What are three things that are always in your ring bag and why?

The first thing I always make sure I have in my ring bag is a towel for wiping off boots, horse slobber, or anything else. I also keep silver spray just in case there are any last-minute nicks or scrapes. The third thing is sugar cubes for the good ponies! There are a lot of other things that are always in my ring bag but those are my top three.

What’s something you learned early in your career that has stuck with you?

Early in my career I learned that happy, healthy, shiny horses are due to good feed, grooming, and management.

Who inspires you the most in the industry and why?

Photo courtesy of Kerri Short

I would say there is no one person in particular who inspires me. Anyone who has made the horse industry, grooming in particular, their livelihood is inspirational. It can be a tough life, so I admire a lot of professionals and grooms that continue to always do a nice job and care for their horses. The love the equine industry “lifers” have for the horses is pretty awesome.

What is your best tip for staying organized during a busy show day?

A white board! It is so important to write down all the times, schedules, and other important information about what needs to happen during the day. A white board is perfect for this because you can write down a lot of notes and easily make any changes.

What is one horse show you have never been to but would love to attend?

When I was an event groom, I always wanted to go to Badminton and Burghley Horse Trials. In the dressage world, any of the team shows, like the Olympics, Pan American Games, or World Championships, are high on my list.

Mares, geldings, or stallions? Why?

I think a good horse is a good horse!

If you were a horse, what would you be and why?

I would probably a short Cob horse. I would definitely hate flies and want all the fly gear!

Have questions about utilizing BarnManager or want to give it a try for yourself? Request a live demo here!

BarnManager is designed to be a part of your team, with the compatibility and credentials necessary to improve communication, simplify the management of horses, and get you out of the office, off the phone calls, and into the barn with the horses you care about! Click here to get a free demo and find out more!

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Ways To Maintain Your Horse’s Fitness Outside of the Arena
May 12, 2023| | in category Uncategorized No comments yet

Although riding your horse in the arena is a great way to maintain fitness and practice for the show ring it can become redundant. Some horses become ring sour from constantly doing the same work in one location day in and day out. Continue reading for BarnManager’s favorite activities for keeping horses fit outside of the arena.

Hill Work

If you live in an area with hills, taking your horse up and down the inclines is a great way to not only maintain but also improve your horse’s fitness. Depending on the how steep the hills are, you can walk, trot, or even canter your horse in both directions. Hill work can be tough for horses, like it is for humans, so make sure to start slowly. Remember to pay attention to the ground itself, which could be slippery after rain, especially on grass. Adding hill work to your routine a couple times a week will give your horse a mental break from the arena while also exercising different muscles to stay fit.

Trail Riding

Trail riding is a wonderful change of scenery for horses and riders that need a break from the ring. It is also a fun activity to do with your friends. Trail rides can include navigating inclines, stepping over logs, and walking across streams, all of which are great experiences for your horse. Even if you stay at a walk riding out on trails can help maintain your horse’s fitness and improve their stamina, while also giving them the mental exercise of exploring new environments.

Field Work

If your farm has a field that gets checked for holes and rocks making it safe to ride in, exercising your horse out in the open space can be a great way to vary their work routine. Even if you do exercises that are similar to those you would do in the arena, they are more challenging because you are in a new setting and on a different type of footing. After you and your horse gain confidence, galloping in an open field is a truly memorable experience.

Treadmill

Although not all farms have a treadmill, they are a great way to keep your horse fit without riding. They are also a useful tool when turnout is not an option due to inclement weather conditions. Treadmills allow you to control both the speed and incline for your horse, so they are an easy way to add light hill work into their routine. Some barns even have water treadmills, which provide the added benefit of low-impact and high-resistance training.

Walker

Similar to a treadmill, walkers are a good way to maintain your horse’s fitness in between riding sessions. Although they do not have an incline option, you can adjust the speed in order to fine tune your horse’s workout. Like a treadmill, using a walker is another safe way to get your horse out of its stall when turnout is not an option.

Like all athletes, sport horses need to be fit and ready to compete, both physically and mentally. Although it is still important to ride and practice in an arena, consider mixing up your horse’s exercise routine with different ways to keep them in top condition.

Have questions about utilizing BarnManager or want to give it a try for yourself? Request a live demo here!

BarnManager is designed to be a part of your team, with the compatibility and credentials necessary to improve communication, simplify the management of horses, and get you out of the office, off the phone calls, and into the barn with the horses you care about! Click here to get a free demo and find out more!

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What To Know Before Taking a Job as a Barn Manager or Groom
May 4, 2023| | in category Uncategorized No comments yet

Job hunting in the equestrian industry can be hard. Positions with the same title can have vastly different expectations, responsibilities, and benefits. Before accepting a position as a groom or barn manager make sure you understand the details about what you will be asked to do. Keep reading for BarnManager’s key questions to ask during a job interview. 

Job Responsibilities

The biggest question to ask when considering a job or during the interview is finding out what your responsibilities will be. For example, get clear on whether the role is specifically grooming, barn managing, or doing a combination of several things. Find out ahead of time if office work will be involved, such as ordering hay, making hotel reservations, or submitting entries so you understand more about what your days and weeks on the job will involve. The more questions you ask about the employer’s expectations for the role and what it takes to be successful in it, the more you will know whether or not it is a good fit for you.

Size and Business Model

Another factor to think about when considering a job is the number of employees and horses at the facility on average. Also ask how many people do certain jobs, including the role you are interested in performing. This information will help you understand how much teamwork or sharing of responsibilities is expected and how busy everyone is throughout a typical day. Find out about the barn’s business model as well. Sales operations run very differently than boarding faciltiies, and competition-focused or discipline-specific stables have different expectations than pleasure, trail, or big lesson barns.

Riding Opportunities

Photo by Jump Media

While some people want riding opportunities as part of their employment, others do not. Either way, it is a good idea to ask if it will be required or if it is an option. Some farms offer occasional flatting opportunities to staff members while others expect staff to ride several horses a day. Get clear on this important topic during the interview so everyone involved is on the same page ahead of time.

Show or Travel Schedule

If you are applying for a position at a show barn, make sure you know the annual competition schedule. Even if the job calls for you to stay home, understanding how often the barn’s horses, customer, and staff are on the road is crucial. Additionally, whether the position is based at home or goes to shows, it’s also useful to have an idea about how many staff members and horses stay or go during the various show seasons and for how long. For example, you may not want to accept a position where you would be left at home in charge of caring for half of the the barn’s horses if most of the other employees are away at the shows.

Days Off

This question is extremely important to ask for any job in the equestrian industry. Days off are not always guaranteed every week, especially at show barns, so having an understanding of what is expected ahead of time is essential to being happy with the position if you decide to accept an offer.

Staff Turnover

Although this one can be tricky to ask directly, do your best to learn about the workplace culture at the barn. Ask about longtime staff members and try to get an idea about how long other employees have been working there, including those who have held the position they are looking to fill. A job or an organization with high turnover could mean that workloads are unreasonable or employees are not treated well.

Job hunting is challenging so make sure to gather as much information as you can about a role you are interested in to help make an educated decision about whether or not it is a good fit for you.

Have questions about utilizing BarnManager or want to give it a try for yourself? Request a live demo here!

BarnManager is designed to be a part of your team, with the compatibility and credentials necessary to improve communication, simplify the management of horses, and get you out of the office, off the phone calls, and into the barn with the horses you care about! Click here to get a free demo and find out more!

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Keeping Your Stable Safe & Secure During Competitions
April 7, 2023| | in category Uncategorized No comments yet

by US Equestrian Communications Department

With show season moving into full swing in many parts of the country, it’s important as a barn owner, stable manager, or exhibitor that you remain vigilant and prioritize safety and security in your stabling area, particularly at a competition. Unintended contamination, trespassing, and stealing are all behaviors or outcomes that can occur if your stables aren’t protected and secure. We’re providing a few tips and recommendations on how to ensure your stable and the horses in your care stay safe at a competition.

Tips & Recommendations

  • You are responsible for your stable and the horses in your care at a competition. Ensure that your staff and clients understand best security protocols and practices and are educated in keeping the stabling area safe and secure. Be conscious of how you are monitoring your stabling area, both during the day and after hours.
    • Safety and security measures should or can include stall and tack room cameras, locks on medicine cabinets, securing tack and equipment, and closing trunks when unattended–all simple ways of protecting your property and your horses.
    • Lock stable doors when they’re not in use to prevent trespassing or unwanted access/entry by others.

Continue reading on US Equestrian.

Have questions about utilizing BarnManager or want to give it a try for yourself? Request a live demo here!

BarnManager is designed to be a part of your team, with the compatibility and credentials necessary to improve communication, simplify the management of horses, and get you out of the office, off the phone calls, and into the barn with the horses you care about! Click here to get a free demo and find out more!

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BarnManager’s Spring Checklist
March 30, 2023| | in category Uncategorized No comments yet

Spring is a favorite time of year for many equestrians, especially those who spend the winter in a colder climate. Before the season is in full bloom, complete these tasks to help ensure a successful rest of the year. Continue reading to learn about BarnManager’s spring checklist.

Finalize Your Summer Show Plans

The early spring is a great time to nail down your barn’s summer show schedule. There are numerous steps in finalizing a show schedule, especially if your barn plans to travel a lot. First, create a list of events with your employees and send it to clients for their input on which shows work with their schedule. Begin this task early so clients have time to confirm which shows they want to attend. Once you have a solid list of who is going to each event, start working on filling out entries, coordinating shipping, and booking hotels. Entries are often due at least a month in advance, and sometimes hotel rooms can be hard to find. Starting this process ahead of time will prevent the challenges of making last-minute arrangements.
(Did you know? Users can add their show schedule to BarnManager’s calendar feature and share it with all clients and employees.)

Schedule Vaccines

Many farms vaccinate horses in the spring and fall. When scheduling a time to set up vaccinations with your vet, it is important to consider your upcoming schedule. For example, horses need a couple of days between being vaccinated and shipping or competing. Planning ahead and talking with your veterinarians about the best time to give vaccines based on your upcoming show schedule is crucial.

Take on Spring Cleaning Jobs

Everyone knows spring is the perfect time to deep clean your barn. Consider doing tasks such as cleaning all brushes, re-organizing your tack room and feed room, washing and storing winter blankets, and scrubbing dirty equipment. It is also a good time to walk through your paddocks to see how they weathered the snow, ice, and mud. Be sure to check for broken boards, dangerous-looking gates, giant rocks, or large holes.

Click HERE to read about spring cleaning jobs that are often overlooked.

Go Through Paperwork

As a new show season approaches, take time to double-check that all of your record-keeping is correct. Make sure all paperwork is up to date and in the correct spot. Take note of any missing or old documents that need to be updated for the upcoming show season. For example, if you notice that certain horses need new Coggins papers, make a list and schedule the vet before they expire.

In addition to paperwork, also make sure all checklists for routine barn chores and packing for horse shows are up to date. If you received a new horse during the winter, make sure their equipment is included in the packing list. Similarly, while you were spring cleaning you may have thought of another task to add to the daily chore list for employees. Although these lists don’t change drastically, taking a moment to ensure they are correct will help make the rest of the season run smoothly for everyone.
(Did you know? BarnManager allows users to upload documents and organize paperwork for easy access. Users can also create and edit checklists that can be shared with all employees.)

Although things can start to get busy in the spring, it is also a great time tackle a few important tasks so you are ready to take on the rest of the year.

Have questions about utilizing BarnManager or want to give it a try for yourself? Request a live demo here!

BarnManager is designed to be a part of your team, with the compatibility and credentials necessary to improve communication, simplify the management of horses, and get you out of the office, off the phone calls, and into the barn with the horses you care about! Click here to get a free demo and find out more!

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Tips for Walking a Jumper Course To Win
March 23, 2023| | in category Uncategorized No comments yet

Jumper courses ask technical questions of horse and rider at every level in order to achieve a clear round. Winning requires even more precision, so a solid plan developed in the course walk is essential. BarnManager spoke with U.S. Olympic silver medalist and international grand prix rider Peter Leone to learn how he walks to win. Read Peter’s general course walking tips in our first part of the blog HERE.

 Be Prepared

It is important for the rider and their trainer to have an honest conversation about where the horse and rider are in their development process before adding the pressure and nuance of riding to win. For any rider, the first step is being comfortable with the fundamentals of riding a jumper course. The rider should have an understanding of their horse’s stride length and be able to lengthen and shorten their horse’s stride while maintaining balance and without losing their position. They also should be able to ride an exact track to and from each obstacle.

Similarly, the horse has to understand how to jump different types of obstacles – verticals, oxers, and liverpools, for example. They also have to be comfortable when presented with a variety of obstacles in succession – like in a combination, a direct line, or a bending line. Of course, riding to win isn’t something that should be done all at once. It is a gradual process of introducing horse and rider to different course challenges before putting it all together.

We only learn and improve by pushing beyond what we already know. You can’t be afraid to try to apply what you learned from the course walk to your ride. You have to have confidence in what you walk.

Photo by Giana Terranova Photography

Do Your Homework

Like a talented artist, each course designer has their own style and elements they tend to favor in their course plans. Knowing your course designer for an important upcoming competition can be an advantage in your preparation. One course designer might like to build jumps off of short turns, while another might test the athletes with questions of adjustability. Knowing what to look out for and then practicing those challenges at home before the competition can lead to a pleasant sense of déjà vu when walking and riding the course.

Have a Plan

Remember that even when walking to win, knowing the format of the class is still very important. For example, in a class where faults are converted to seconds on your overall time, you might want to take more risk. In a class where you need to qualify for a jump-off, riding the first round cleanly is paramount. There’s also the case where you have a class that takes back only the top 10 riders for a jump-off, in which case a clear round might not be good enough if it’s not quick enough. I always tell myself and my students that when riding a first-round track, to think of it as a speed round where you want to place between fifth and tenth, so you aim to be efficient. Keeping all of this in mind when you walk will help you make the best plan.

Smooth Is Fast

Photo courtesy of Peter Leone

The smoother rides are almost always the fastest. Walking a track that allows the jumps to come up out of stride, without interrupting the horse’s pace or direction, is much faster than a more reckless ride with control difficulties.

When you walk to win, try to find and walk the most direct lines between jumps. Sometimes that means jumping an obstacle on an angle to line up the next jump. Another way to be faster than your competition is to make a tighter turn on landing. You also have to judge where there is opportunity to make turns inside other obstacles or arena decorations. In some cases, it can be faster to go around so that you can keep a forward pace instead of losing time in an abrupt turn.

Be sure to take a look at the most difficult parts of the course for you and your horse in your entrance. This will maximize your chances of answering those difficult jumping questions. Because you and your horse will have already seen and felt these challenges in your entrance, you can be as smooth as possible in your execution.

Take the jump material into account. Even though you are trying to be as quick and efficient as possible in order to win, you have to be sensible about the risks you take. A tall, airy, delicate fence requires more balance and consideration than a more impressive oxer which you can ride at more aggressively.

You also have to consider your horse’s tendencies. Many of today’s courses have lines built on fractional striding. A line might walk six-and-a-half strides, or seven-and-three-quarters strides, or four-and-two-thirds strides. That forces the rider to make a decision. If you have a bending line to the right and your horse has a tendency to drift right, then you might walk the leave-out striding. If your horse bulges to the left, then you might have to plan for the extra stride. These questions challenge the rider to make the smoothest, and therefore fastest, plan to suit their individual horse.

Practice, Practice, Practice

It is so, so important to practice walking courses. When you walk, formulate your own thoughts on how the course should ride, and then watch how it actually rides. Combine what you walked and what you watched to find the best plan for your horse to win.

When I compete in a grand prix, even if I have a pole down in the first round, I still stay to watch the jump-off. I think about what I walked to win the class, and then see what ends up winning. Nowadays, the footing at most of these competitions is so excellent, that horses are able to open up to 18’ strides instead of the typical 12’ or 14’ stride. I am often surprised and impressed to see riders leaving out more strides than I thought was possible when I originally walked. Practicing walking to win, particularly with jump-offs, and watching classes gives you more knowledge and better preparation for when you are riding to win yourself.

There is so much to learn from walking a jumper course and watching the class. Practicing this skill and coming up with your own effective plan can help you and your horse achieve the best results.

Have questions about utilizing BarnManager or want to give it a try for yourself? Request a live demo here!

BarnManager is designed to be a part of your team, with the compatibility and credentials necessary to improve communication, simplify the management of horses, and get you out of the office, off the phone calls, and into the barn with the horses you care about! Click here to get a free demo and find out more!

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Tips From the Pros: Buying a Farm with Martha W. Jolicoeur
March 19, 2023| | in category Uncategorized No comments yet

Deciding to buy your own farm is a decision not to be taken lightly. Understanding the process and knowing what properties will align with your needs are crucial factors to consider. BarnManager spoke with Martha W. Jolicoeur, one of the top-ranked real estate agents catering exclusively to equestrian clientele in Wellington, FL, to learn from her experience and expertise.

What are some important first steps a person should take when they decide to start looking for a farm?

When you start the process of looking for a farm you want to make sure you know what your budget is, especially when looking at equestrian properties. It’s important to hire a realtor you trust who comes recommended and specializes in horse farms.

What’s the first thing you look for when you walk into a farm, and what are a few other important qualities or features to look for?

As always in real estate, it’s all about location, location, location. Other features or qualities depend on what the buyer is looking for. For example, if you’re in Florida seasonally, you may need less land than if you’re here for a longer period of time. When looking at equestrian properties, it is important to remember that the maintenance of a property in Florida during the summer months is more than what is required in the winter; it rains every day in the summer, and everything grows really quickly.

Another important feature people who have experience working at a horse farm often look for is the ability to see the paddocks from the barn. Also, walkers are currently an important feature for many buyers. A farm that has a covered walker, or room to install one, is highly desirable.

Are there any features you consider to be absolute dealbreakers?

Anything that would be dangerous to the animals is a dealbreaker. Everything should be in a good state of repair. For example, there should be no nails sticking out in the stabling or fencing. If you’re selling, make sure the fencing is painted and looks nice because fencing is important and makes a strong first impression. For the barn itself, you want neutral colors. A barn that is painted in darker colors often looks dated which is a turn-off.

Are there certain features that are often overlooked but important when looking to purchase a farm?

Drainage is an essential feature for any barn. Also, having shade for the horses in the paddocks is often overlooked but is so important. It is a good idea to consider the direction of the barn and if it catches the wind. Having a breeze blowing through a barn aisle in the summer months is a great quality. Specific to barns in warmer climates, understand that rubber pavers do not do well in the sun. Many people are now using a poured rubber instead, which is easy to clean. You want to look for a surface that is attractive and can stand the test of time. If there is light footing in the ring, you don’t want a dark aisle surface that immediately shows the sand when you come into the barn.

Although shopping for an equestrian property is an exciting experience, it is also a large investment. In order to find a property that will best suit your needs, it is important to do your homework and to work with a knowledgeable realtor who understands the nuances of the market.

Have questions about utilizing BarnManager or want to give it a try for yourself? Request a live demo here!

BarnManager is designed to be a part of your team, with the compatibility and credentials necessary to improve communication, simplify the management of horses, and get you out of the office, off the phone calls, and into the barn with the horses you care about! Click here to get a free demo and find out more!

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