Use the navigation bar above to access articles and more discussions on this topic.
| Author |
Message |
    
joj
Member
Username: Jojo15
Post Number: 614
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, Jan 22, 2006 - 10:03 am: |   |
I moved to a small acre and half 2 years ago. Good idea at the time, but realize wow how small. I only had the one horse at the time, so i really didn't need a structured environment. But then my TB came home, and she is such a hard horse. Hard on the ground, hard on everything. So i had to build something. My TB was on pasture, but i realize now that this is up, she is better behaved because of the structured environment it gives her. She was brought up in a stall. and ultimately they don't forget that.
It ain't much but i love it. Its just enough to put them up when i have to for vets or grooming. Or if its cold and rainy which doesn't happen much here in Florida. It's situated so i didn't have to cut down any trees. and faces the entire back, 1/2 acre. I added the corral fencing so they can be corraled and out, but not on the grass. I have to manage that very carefully. In the winter i only turn them out at night. and i don't have to turn my palo out much since the vet told me no grazing for her now that we know IR.
I put down 11 loads of fill. 2 loads of #1 and then hired a barn guy to put it up. It still needs alot of work. It was $3600 for the materials. $3500 for the labor. and $1000 for the fill. not bad i think, but all i could afford. It sits about 100 ft from my back patio. Which is good.
I posted a couple years ago asking whether or not living on such a small property could work. Its tight, but doable. for now ;).... The shed behind the stalls houses all the feed for everyone. And The goats live in the pen next to the horse fencing. They just lost their shed from the hurricanes. and will build them a mini version of this. And my piggy just roams the property at will.
I do have to hurricane proof this better. I am not satisfied with what the builder did to the roofing. he did put up hurricane straps, but not enough. and i learned that the posts should be bolted to the joists not just nailed. and he hammered the straps in instead of screwing them in. but no matter, i have it up. I think it works for what i need. and was a great learning experience.
Here are some pics... |
joj
Member
Username: Jojo15
Post Number: 615
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, Jan 22, 2006 - 10:07 am: | |
 |
joj
Member
Username: Jojo15
Post Number: 616
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, Jan 22, 2006 - 10:08 am: | |
 |
joj
Member
Username: Jojo15
Post Number: 617
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, Jan 22, 2006 - 10:14 am: | |
Here is the back, and of my nubians.
If anyone has any ideas to make it better, let me know. I know i want to concrete the outside walkways. but other than that... don't know.
 |
Ann
Member
Username: Lilly
Post Number: 99
Registered: 2-2005
| | Posted on Sunday, Jan 22, 2006 - 10:30 am: | |
Do you have any horse management books by Cherry Hill? She writes the best books on building barns and managing your horse property - along with lots of other horse advice. Just go on to www.barnesandnoble.com and type in Cherry Hill as author. Her book, 'Horsekeeping On a Small Acreage', may be perfect for you.
It looks like you live in a sandy area. Are you feeding the horses anything to help prevent sand colic?
Ann |
Ann
Member
Username: Lilly
Post Number: 100
Registered: 2-2005
| | Posted on Sunday, Jan 22, 2006 - 10:31 am: | |
By the way, I love the goats!!!!
Ann |
Diane Edmonds
Member
Username: Scooter
Post Number: 191
Registered: 9-2000
| | Posted on Sunday, Jan 22, 2006 - 10:32 am: | |
joj looks good to me, how nice to have them in your backyard. When we put up our run in I told the builder to make it tornado proof as he could. I tell ya it's built better than our house I think. Too bad the horses don't think so. With fill and paddock it cost aroud $5500 it is 12' deep x 36' long excluding paddock. |
Sara Wolff
Member
Username: Mrose
Post Number: 1081
Registered: 1-2000
| | Posted on Sunday, Jan 22, 2006 - 11:28 am: | |
This is lovely! I'd guess the hurricane proofing is most important. Having just come in from the barn, holding my 3rd cup of coffee in my hands to warm them up from the 0 degrees outside, those palm trees of yours look really nice! Good thing you don't have a bigger place, some of us from colder climes might come for a nice long visit! |
Stacy Upshaw
Member
Username: 36541
Post Number: 88
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, Jan 22, 2006 - 11:54 am: | |
The only thing I have decided to do differently on my next construct is have stall doors direct to pasture as well as the ones on the front. My husband helps with the horses sometimes, and all are safer if he can turn them out without leading them to a separate entrance. I really like the sturdy simplicity of this barn, and the view from your house is just the ticket. If the weather is bad, you can see them all cozied in, enjoying your labor. I lost my 80 foot lean-to barn to Katrina - I don't know if hurricane straps would have made any difference as the entire structure ripped out of the ground and wrapped around the neighbor's pecan orchard... |
Sara Wolff
Member
Username: Mrose
Post Number: 1082
Registered: 1-2000
| | Posted on Sunday, Jan 22, 2006 - 12:54 pm: | |
Stacey, our old place had stall back doors that opened into pens, and the pens had gates that opened onto the field. Moving horses in and out was so easy!! They would wait by their stall gate in the evening and you'd just open the gate for them.
Where we are now my husband built an alley way in front of all the fields with gates opening into each field, and one opening into the arena. To move horses from field to field you just open the appropriate gates and they go right into where you want them. At night, open the gate into the arena, which is right next to the barn, they come into the arena, and it's easy to take them one by one to their stalls...but not quite as easy as it used to be. |
Robert N. Oglesby DVM
Moderator
Username: Dro
Post Number: 14563
Registered: 1-1997
| | Posted on Sunday, Jan 22, 2006 - 4:46 pm: | |
I think it looks great joj. We have been stallion hunting in FL this past week, and your situation looks very good comparing to the some of the farms we saw as we ran up and down the roads. It is a tough environment for horses with the sand and heat and leaving the trees in place should help with the latter. If they begin to chew on the trees you can wrap them with chain link fence to prevent serious damage, though you have to let out the fence in growing trees every year or so.
The goats take me back to a pair of Nubians we had identically marked, Sammy and Molly. They were given to us as they were infected with CAE so their lives where shortened a bit but they were a delight while here.
DrO |
joj
Member
Username: Jojo15
Post Number: 618
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, Jan 22, 2006 - 5:28 pm: | |
Delight is a perfect word for goats... They are absolutely the most docile sweet things ever. Not a mean bone in their body. these two are purebred nubians, searched all over florida for the perfect goats for dairy. i named them Samson and Delilah. But i'm still working on the husbandry parts of it, so no babies yet.
Thanks all for taking a look. i am proud that i have done this all by myself. An acre + and large animals is alot for a new homeowner. well, septic, mowing, manure, (ick) cleaning, maintenance, gutters... its never ending. But, i think the money was well spent on the barn.
Ann, yes i have posted a few times on here about sand colic... I have had one bad episode, and now feed accordingly. Actually the area you see used to be all grass that is the fill i had brought in. During the hurricanes it flooded so now it sits pretty high up.
Stacy that is what i am afraid of. But i did make the builder add concrete to the poles. We used 6x6 and sunk them 3 ft. that is why the roof is a bit low, but after the hurricanes i couldn't find anything larger than 14 ft. And its sturdier than what i anticipated. 2 12x12's and the roof is put on for wind loads of about a 100 but who knows.. he promised me this barn ain't going anywhere. But still i have to figure out how to bolt and add more straps.
Sara come on down... its so freakin hot right now. ick. We had so far 5 days of cold weather. That is not fun. Those palms are wild. I have three of them and 2 more i found starting, so i blocked them off. I found they do eat the palm fronds periodically. And the bark off the slash pine trees around the property. But not much. What is the biggest pain is the sap that gets on them when they rub.
Hey Dr. O if you're in the Wellington/Loxahatchee area ever, come for a visit. I promise not to ask you vet questions... And if you trailer down here, you can park in my drive, its so long can fit a mega camper...
is that not the cutest face ever....
 |
Sara Wolff
Member
Username: Mrose
Post Number: 1085
Registered: 1-2000
| | Posted on Sunday, Jan 22, 2006 - 6:47 pm: | |
That is a cute face! I've always had a soft spot for Nubians.
Thanks for the invite, but I can't come unless I bring 14 horses and four cats. My husband will take care of the dog! |
Robert N. Oglesby DVM
Moderator
Username: Dro
Post Number: 14571
Registered: 1-1997
| | Posted on Monday, Jan 23, 2006 - 7:01 am: | |
When I showed the pictures of the goats to my older daughter she yelled "it's Sammy". I hear they have paved the roads in Loxahatchee, are you still having to dodge alligators?
DrO |
joj
Member
Username: Jojo15
Post Number: 619
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Monday, Jan 23, 2006 - 8:47 am: | |
Oooh big battles going on here. We moved here for a country way of life. Than the developers moved in with their Mcmansions that take up the whole acre, and city ideas, and the ken's and barbies of the world can't get her porsche down the street, so alot of people want paved roads. And city water causes barbies hair color treatments, turn odd colors when she washes in well water, so they want city water now too. and i have 2 mcmansions going up on my street...sad. so yes many of the roads are paved or fighting too.
I have an aliigator in my canal. And as long as i don't see him on the grade i'm fine, but after the hurricanes you saw them everywhere, since the canal water was so high they just wandered over. At the time the goats were little. So this is another reason the barn is so nice, I sleep better at night. We have other big problems Feral iquanas are everywhere, killing off the native species. I see dead foxes and racoons on the roads daily too from all the land clearing. It really is a shame.
Good tip: if you see a dead alligator on the side of the road. DON'T get out of your car... I did that when i moved up here... and it flung around and gnarled at me. chase me a foot or two, i was totally in shock.. and dismayed, already had thoughts of a pair of boots and a belt in mind.... |
Sue G
Member
Username: Warwick
Post Number: 262
Registered: 4-2002
| | Posted on Monday, Jan 23, 2006 - 12:52 pm: | |
Your set-up looks lovely, Joj. And I love the goat photo. Many years ago I bought a goat named Diana for the barn. Unfortunately she wasn't the least bit interested in hanging out with the horses and far preferred to spend her days on our sundeck watching us through the patio doors. She would take the odd break from that to greet the neighbour's kids when they'd get home from school, then would resume her vigil on the sundeck. I ended up giving her to a friend who owned a petting zoo and she was happy as a clam with all the attention she got. Very cool critters those goats... |
Angie
Member
Username: Ajudson1
Post Number: 333
Registered: 6-2003
| | Posted on Monday, Jan 23, 2006 - 6:22 pm: | |
joj,
I think your barn looks very quaint, I love it!! I have been trying to post a picture of what our 1st barn looked like to give you an ideal what our "not much to look at" barn was like........but I can't get the picture to post. (too big, and I did change size) Using Picasso....anyone with suggestions?
I'll try again tomorrow...my son needs the computer now.
And, I love the goats too. Even more I loved your "Kens & Barbies"...how true!!!! We thought we lived in the "boonies", but it's getting too crowded here too. Guess we have to be bazillionares and buy like 1000 acres and live in the middle of it for any privacy!! |
joj
Member
Username: Jojo15
Post Number: 620
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Monday, Jan 23, 2006 - 7:05 pm: | |
Quaint...  thank you... I am a proud parent of a new barn... not really a barn, but my first. Since building it i forgot all the things i have to do to keep it nice. With structure comes discipline....
and manure management did get a bit more difficult. manure without any shavings decomposes quite rapidly. add shavings and old hay and well... now i have a problem... and its only been 3 months... I'll figure it out eventually.
sue, You were tooo good of a mom to the goat... I learned that you must buy TWO. My neighbor had gotten one and she wouldn't stop crying. for weeks. finally she returned it. Knowing this i wanted to know what to do and everyone said unless she is going to be a pet, get her a wether.... SO I DID... but none the less they're pets... so much for the barn for the horses. The goats sleep in one stall and the pig in the other.... horses if given the opportunity don't go in there unless to hoover the hay the goats missed.... But to successfully raise a goat to be on its own another goat is going to help that immensley. And i didn't buy them to keep the horse company. It would have been nice, but i don't trust the horses with them in the open. |
joj
Member
Username: Jojo15
Post Number: 621
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Monday, Jan 23, 2006 - 7:14 pm: | |
Oh angie... i have another 6 months on my loan with restrictions of selling, but i think i might start looking again for at least 10-20 acres... somewhere far far away from florida... anyone have any thoughts?
because ken and barbie are invading and even my experience at the local market is getting scary. They want to know if the fruits are ORGANIC... oh well.. my little market place...what's next? Oh no manure on the streets? |
Sara Wolff
Member
Username: Mrose
Post Number: 1093
Registered: 1-2000
| | Posted on Monday, Jan 23, 2006 - 7:45 pm: | |
joj..oh..don't mention the manure on the streets. The reason we left California is our nice little mountain lumber town was taken over by folks from San Francisco area and manure was declared hazardous waste!!! it had to be contained in either cement or metal, and carted off to the landfill, where it could be disposed of for a hefty price! (We were giving ours composted to a local nursery who bagged it and sold it for gardens)
It doesn't matter where you live, the same thing is happening all over. We moved here 13 yrs. ago. At that time we were surrounded by alfalfa fields. Now, there developers are building up everything as fast as they can. Land that sold, with water, for $2,000/acre is now selling for $65,000/acre and up. I love this area, and I love our view, and luckily we have almost 50 acres, but even so I am feeling "pinched." I just can't find a place that is sparsely populated, yet not too isolated and pretty enough to want to live there. (Sorry to you guys in the SE US. I can't take the humidity.) |
Robert N. Oglesby DVM
Moderator
Username: Dro
Post Number: 14580
Registered: 1-1997
| | Posted on Monday, Jan 23, 2006 - 8:11 pm: | |
Joj, your description of the public antics reminded me of the number one tee shirt, bumper sticker, tattoo, etc... in Loxahatchee when I was there and development was going wild on those crushed coral roads through the swamps. First picture a full frontal picture of Yosimite Sam with both guns drawn and shooting in the air with the following caption: Loxahatchee, love it and leave it alone!
DrO |
Ann
Member
Username: Lilly
Post Number: 102
Registered: 2-2005
| | Posted on Monday, Jan 23, 2006 - 8:23 pm: | |
joj,
I don't know how you feel about Northern Louisiana but land is still pretty cheap there. There is a very, very, good chance I will be moving to the Shreveport/Bossier City area this year and I have been shopping for land. I love the area and farms are very reasonable. An example: about 30 minutes from town, over 3000sq ft house built in 1999, inground pool, 10 acres of pasture ready property - all for $270,000. Currently Kevin Costner and Ashton Kutcher are filming a movie there called 'The Guardian". Oh, but you have to get used to the black widows and fire ants. |
joj
Member
Username: Jojo15
Post Number: 622
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Monday, Jan 23, 2006 - 11:31 pm: | |
Ann, Can't be any worse than gators, rats, and wild hogs....
i want a bumper sticker like that.... Dr. O... how are you familiar with Lox? Can you believe it out here? 40,000 acres... are all slotted for development. and bought by someone.
Right now there are over 10,000 homes. Each on an acre or more. They say its 80% developed... i didn't realize i was part of the problem. i was thinking i was getting away from it. My neighbors have been here for 15 years. They helped build those roads. and the history of the coral roads coming from the seminoles, is pretty bitter sweet. This IS where people would say, " if you believe that, I have some swamp land in florida i can sell you"....LOL I could never get a better education, though. True Southerners, i live right next door.
The everglades are so beautiful.. i can only imagine what it was like before all this development. how majestic. There is a guy out here that still has the original line of cracker horses. Can you believe it?
At least Corbett (all 67,000 acres) will never be developed. But they are fighting to get it no hunting...
And you know what? Did you hear about the Scripps thing? all the money people started buying up land thinking its coming and wham, ONE judge quashed it in its tracks...So now all those that bought out here thinking they'd make a killing are trying to leave, leaving a glut in the market...
I am 2 streets away from the proposed Scripps development that never will be....woohoo...Well to an extant. i was kinda getting all excited myself thinking after this i could afford something pretty awesome...But i'm sure it'll get developed into something else...
Ann, where? i will look in that area?
sorry didn't mean to hijack my own thread... this barn is a typical florida barn for this area. just enough but not too much. |
Priscilla Severini
Member
Username: Priscds
Post Number: 97
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, Jan 24, 2006 - 2:29 pm: | |
jojo as soon as i started looking at the pics of your barn i knew you lived in Lox. It looks almost like my back yard .... I am just down the street from you , on 73 and Apache |
joj
Member
Username: Jojo15
Post Number: 624
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, Jan 24, 2006 - 3:01 pm: | |
oh my...what a small world... wanna go riding? how cool is that... i'm off hall and 97th.... woohoo.... |
Ann
Member
Username: Lilly
Post Number: 104
Registered: 2-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, Jan 24, 2006 - 3:07 pm: | |
HiJOJ,
The area I was referring to is the ARK-LA-TEX. It is in the Northwest corner of LA, near Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas. I was specifically referring to Bossier City and Shreveport and the surrounding area. There are great restaurants, little community theatres, a brand new venue for concerts and sports. The two cities have great family oriented Mardi Gras parades and they throw other great festivals throughout the year. The locals are very friendly and supportive (of military families at least). I like the balance of city and country that exists. I have all the shopping I want without all the crowds. Dallas is about 3 hours away.
Here are some examples of what you can get:
Very nice house built in 1999, 5 bedrooms, 4 baths, attached garage, inground pool, 5.3 acres, all for $269,000. This is a very, very nice house.
Or you can get a 2000 sq ft modular home on 25 acres for $195,000
My favorite is a 2 story house, 2918 sq ft, 3 beds, 2.5 baths, 9 acres, built in 1982, above ground pool and pond on property, all for $195,000 |
Priscilla
Member
Username: Priscds
Post Number: 98
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, Jan 24, 2006 - 6:45 pm: | |
WE try and get a bunch of people together on Sat. or Sun. and always go out to JW Corbitt and ride for hours ... next month we are all going to try and go out to Okeechobee and go camping and riding for the weekend |
