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Discussion on Moving to Tennessee | |
Author | Message |
Member: mysi |
Posted on Sunday, Sep 23, 2007 - 9:14 pm: Well, I am considering getting out of Florida and moving to Tennessee, around Nashville. MY biggest concern is my horses. I have only had about 2 1/2yrs of experience caring for my horse on my own, and even then, my best friend and trainer has been with me holding my hand through it. I have learned alot and I am sure I'll be ok for the regular care, wound care, etc. But I tend to panic when it's something new.But whats the best way to go about finding a good vet and farrier? I googled looking but it seems all the farms there are Tennessee Walking horses and I know a horse is a horse, but is it really all the same? What about hay, is it different everywhere? Grass pastures here are pretty non-nutritional, but I believe in other areas they eat grass instead of hay. How do you know? I also hear bedding is different everywhere too, we use pine shavings which I love, is it available everywhere? Anyone out there in the Nashville area that could give me some information? |
Member: annes |
Posted on Monday, Sep 24, 2007 - 5:34 pm: Hi Melissa,I work in Nashville and live 40 miles NW of the city. It is a great place to live and I am sure you will love it here. As far as vets and farriers, I think you do not need to have one specific to your breed. I have a TB and two TWH's. My horses are on pasture 24/7 and I feed grass hay that is cut on my farm. I did not know about availability of pine shavings (I use Dry Stall) so I called Tractor Supply to ask. I found out they do carry pine shavings so you will be able to buy it here. Do you know the area where you are planning to move? I would be happy to share the name of my vet and farrier if you are near me. I know my farrier goes to Nashville but my vet only serves my immediate area. If I can answer any other questions as you plan your move, please let me know and I will be happy to help if I can. |
Member: mysi |
Posted on Monday, Sep 24, 2007 - 8:46 pm: Thank you so much Ann. What is dry stall?I am actually looking everywhere around the area, mostly south of Nashville. I am going up this weekend to look at some farms in Lewisburg, Dickson, Pleasant Shade and Shelbyville. I'm trying to stay within a 45min drive of Nashville and started looking south because I thought the climate may be warmer. I'm actually going through a divorce and am looking to move out of Florida and to a place where I can have my horses in my back yard and afford it alone. It's not possible here in South Florida. Between board, feed, hay, shavings and supplements I spend about $1500 a month for my horse and pony ($1000 of it is my horse). That doesn't count vet care, etc. I can't live without them, so if I have to move to keep them close I will. How's the winters up there? |
Member: annes |
Posted on Tuesday, Sep 25, 2007 - 11:39 am: The texture of Dry Stall is similar to sand or very fine gravel, is great for absorbing wet and actually improves the composition of the ground in the stall. My stalls are dirt floors and the Dry Stall keeps the ground level. It never has to be removed and I just add to it about 2x a year as needed. I do have to go to Hopkinsville, KY to get it now so I buy about 20-30 40 lb. bags at a time. (I actually got Dry Stall as my Christmas present one year - I guess that is a sign of a true "horse crazy" person). My horses are just in the stall at feeding time 2x a day and when I am expecting farrier or vet.The winters here are not bad at all. Sometimes we get a few flakes of snow in December but February is usually the only month with any accumulation of ice/snow and it never stays around long. My horses can graze in the pasture all winter and I only feed extra hay on the ice/snow days. I break the ice in the water trough with an axe. They also have a pond to drink. I had a heater for the trough one winter but I found it isn't needed enough to bother with it. Shelbyville is certainly walking horse country. Both of my TWH's came from there. You will find it much more economical for everything outside of Nashville. I live in Clarksville, TN with a 45 min commute. Of course with unpredictable traffic, it often takes an hour. If you want to look into areas NW of Nashville, a mid-way point between Nashville and Clarksville is Springfield and Pleasant View. The exits are New Hope Road and Maxey Road. It is a rural area and you might want to check those areas out. It would not be quite as far as I drive. I know you will enjoy having your horses at home. It is great to be able to go to the barn whenever I feel like it. There is nothing like looking out the window and see them in the field. I can't imagine living without mine either. Good luck in your search this weekend. I am excited for you and let me know what you find out. |