So what *is* Baywind Farm?

[WashingtonBay]

It's a dream. :) A vision, a goal.

It's my tidy little boarding stable located somewhere not too far from here, with top-notch but relaxed facilities for about 20 well-tended horses and easy access to lots of forest trails. It is named for my Bay, who you all know. His registered name is WR Baywind.

It's maybe 5 years out. Maybe less. We can hope.

But in the mean-time, it's also the domain name we already owned when my hubby said "why don't we just make a forum that works?" So here we are.

In due time, the home page baywindfarm.com may change to show progress as our stable starts to take shape.

Whenever my stable does get finished one thing we know is it will have a rockin' forum! :cool:

Bay is 28 now. I hope he gets to see it.:)

[SedonaThunder]

Bay is 28 now. I hope he gets to see it.:)
I have every confidence that Bay will see the stable named after him!:) Surely you've read about Elmer the 37 year old Arab that's still runnin endurance?! I know how hard you work to keep Bay in good shape so he doesn't get old and stiff - just keep up the great work (we look forward to those longeing video's anyway!) and we'll be there to celebrate with you, WBoy and Bay the day you cut the ribbon!

[Vibe]

Wow it sounds like it will be awesome!! Well if you keep taking such good care of bay I am sure he will be a good old resident. Having his well deserved retirement, on beautiful Baywind farms!

[cloedoll]

Sounds like a dream! WashingtonBoy was the one who came up with the idea to make the forum?

Bay is 28 now. I hope he gets to see it.:)

Me too! (:

[WashingtonBay]

WashingtonBoy was the one who came up with the idea to make the forum?Yeah - He's the one who knows how. :)

The question was would anyone come. We've been thrilled that you all did. :D


THANK YOU ALL for your well wishes on Bay. I hope too, he's still got years to enjoy being the old Boss Man at BaywindFarm. It makes me a little teary thinking about it.

[Ranger44]

If you can run a stable half as well as this forum I see nothing but total success. You guys sure seem to know how to take the bull by the horns.

[vicklynn]

How cool WB. I sure hope that Bay gets to see it too. I would think, if he dosnt, that you would have a pic of him over the entry way.

[rather-b-riding]

Yeah - He's the one who knows how. :)

The question was would anyone come. We've been thrilled that you all did. :D


THANK YOU ALL for your well wishes on Bay. I hope too, he's still got years to enjoy being the old Boss Man at BaywindFarm. It makes me a little teary thinking about it.


If you build it they will come....:)

[Equine_Woman]

I may move to Washington and board at your stables. Lol. I sure miss having a world class barn to be at all the time. . .somehow my pasture just doesn't cut it!!!

[Gypsy Rose]

I have a feeling Baywind Farm is going to be a wonderful place.

And I think there's a good chance that Bay will be around to see it.

More and more horses are living well into their 30's. Hopefully, the same will hold true for Bay, as well as my Gypsy.

I think it will be neat to watch your dream take shape!

[oursarge]

Wow it sounds like it will be awesome!! Well if you keep taking such good care of bay I am sure he will be a good old resident. Having his well deserved retirement, on beautiful Baywind farms!

This says it all. I'm sure it will be beautiful and a place everyone will want to board and Bay will be showing people around on opening day!

[Ariesgrl131]

Thats so awesome wb!

[WashingtonBay]

Thanks all, it's so exciting to post and think about I feel like going out and getting started! :)

Welcome Ariesgrl :)

[42many]

Ariesgrl - glad you made it!

WB - the success of this forum just continues to re-emphasize how sadly lacking h.com had become. Really, the best thing they could possibly do at this point would be to FIX the forum fully (and update it!) and then go straight to you guys and buy you out - give you a nice lump of change for your time and effort and beg you to pretty please let them have all their potential customers back. From a marketing standpoint, I can't help but shake my head about how far off-base they've gone. Someone mentioned on a thread back at h.com that it was free and we shouldn't complain. The truth, however, is that whether planned or not it was a powerful advertising and market analysis tool for the h.com main website. That they either don't know or don't care about that aspect astonishes me! If I went into Sears every day for a month and their elevators and escalators didn't work, eventually I would stop bothering - especially if any comment I made on it was either ignored or "oh yeah we'll fix it".

[Ariesgrl131]

Thanxs Wb and 42many, I love this new fourm layout. (Especially the colors!)

[WashingtonBay]

You're absolutely right 42... about the opportunity they have squandered.

I won't sell you back to them, promise. ;)

[cheval]

But the really important question is... are ya gonna be draft friendly???

[WashingtonBay]

Sure, probably :) I'll have one or two BIG stalls I think. What else do they need that is particular to them?

[cheval]

At least a 12 x 20(24) stall, paddock with 4 boards high (prevents them from the urge to lean over) and preferably with a hot tape/wire across, and good gates that are raised higher than you would for a light horse so they can't back up to it and sit on them. :o Two buckets of water in the stall.

That's about it.

It's really shocking how anti draft a lot of barns are. The fact is, most of them are easier to handle than a light horse. They do poop more and they can be hard on the fencing/gates if they aren't done correctly. But other than that we have several horses at our barn that are way worse than Solon. He's NEVER once broken through his stall walls even though he easily could. EVERY week there's a horse that kicks a wall down or knocks a board down. They are always trying to figure out how to keep the horses from doing that.

Some of the horses body slam the walls. They have a lot of power behind them when they do that. One stall had hot wire along the walls to keep the horse from doing it and that worked out really well.

[Tatesgram]

to FIX the forum fully (and update it!) and then go straight to you guys and buy you out - give you a nice lump of change for your time and effort and beg you to pretty please let them have all their potential customers back. .


No, no, I won't go back...you can't make me :huh:

[magayle]

:cowboy:what a perfect dream life! can't wait to see all the progress photos

[Toodlestoo]

I'd certainly be one of your first customers if I lived on the West Coast!!! You and your hubby's attention to detail guarantees that it would be a first class facility. Good luck and hopefully, your dream will come true sooner rather than later.:)

[WashingtonBay]

At least a 12 x 20(24) stall, paddock with 4 boards high (prevents them from the urge to lean over) and preferably with a hot tape/wire across, and good gates that are raised higher than you would for a light horse so they can't back up to it and sit on them. :o Two buckets of water in the stall.

That's about it.

It's really shocking how anti draft a lot of barns are. The fact is, most of them are easier to handle than a light horse. They do poop more and they can be hard on the fencing/gates if they aren't done correctly. But other than that we have several horses at our barn that are way worse than Solon. He's NEVER once broken through his stall walls even though he easily could. EVERY week there's a horse that kicks a wall down or knocks a board down. They are always trying to figure out how to keep the horses from doing that.

Some of the horses body slam the walls. They have a lot of power behind them when they do that. One stall had hot wire along the walls to keep the horse from doing it and that worked out really well.

Well I build tall fences and set gates high anyway. I think they're a lot more secure if a horse can't get his head over it and lean. And I like hot wire on things. The safest fence is the one they don't even want to touch, right?

Do you pay more for your double stall? I mean, if he had two stalls with the divider removed, do you pay more for that where you are?

I intend to have runs off the stalls with doors to the outside that are very rarely, if ever, closed. That prevents a lot of that bored destructive behavior.

I'd keep Solon company during high winds... I don't like them either. :~\

[Equine_Woman]

Sure, probably :) I'll have one or two BIG stalls I think. What else do they need that is particular to them?

Strong Fencing!!! Lol. My friend has two 5 year old Percherons and they are forever breaking fences and gaits. Funny story, when they were 1 Sonora and the Perchs were in the same pasture and someone. . .no telling who, ripped a 10 foot gate off the fence post. It looked like a truck ran into it. Do you know that my friend blamed Sonora for it too!! Umm. . .my little 13.2 hand yearling that weighed all of 550 lbs (maybe dripping wet) couldn't have bent a rail on that thing if she ran full force at it!!! But I had to pay half the cost!! Grrr.

She moved away from there shortly after and the fences kept on going down and bending, and gates are just bent to pieces there. . .and NONE of my fences are bent anywhere!! Funny.

[cheval]

We all pay the same but everyone has double stalls at our barn (started with Solon actually- they saw his and wanted big ones too). We pay $300 for everything. Stall, cleaning 6 days a week, hay, grain (he gets packer pellets but they still pay for that).

The only thing you pay outside of the 300 is for supplements.

[Cat]

Sounds like a wonderful dream! Can't wait to see it unfold here - must share photos as it progresses.

[Miracle Whip]

I have to say, I've never heard of destructive behavior at the stable I worked at last summer. Seems to be a boredom thing or other issue. Sadly, there are too many horses in this world that don't get enough exercise or attention. I have seen it done many ways here, individual runs, group/herd turnout, and small groups by sex or age. Some boarders have their own pasture because they own 2 or 3, or 5 horses. Don't forget to have a hay field...I don't know how you could afford to not have one.

[WashingtonBay]

Probably wouldn't have a hay field. The space would be better used as pasture around here. This area is not great for growing hay. I've not met a local bale yet that was really worth feeding. Mine just stir it around and lay in it.:rolleyes:

[WashingtonBay]

Bumping this up. We have a lot of new members here... who may not know why we are what we are. :)

[PoniesRock101]

oooh wow! I never noticed this thread! very cool.

DIdn't you have layout plans drawn? I could have swonr you posted them somewhere. ( I really liked them is why I remember!;) At leaqst I think they were yours at least!)

[offgridgirl]

Don't forget to have a roof that can support lots of Solar Panels....GO Green
You won't have an electricity bill!!

[jeezitsjacki]

its not sunny enough for solar here!!! she will be in the dark all of winter :p

[offgridgirl]

You get solar energy on overcast days(can get a sunburn too!!) and there isn't heat build-up....

[WashingtonBay]

I've drawn a few sketches of a barn design, with a living and office space.

Not professional plans, and who knows what we'd really end up with, but I really like it. :)

[WashingtonBay]

Don't forget to have a roof that can support lots of Solar Panels....GO Green
You won't have an electricity bill!!

We will consult you for our green offgrid options when the time comes! :)

I'd like to have water when the power's out!

[Gypsy Rose]

Oh, wow! That's a dream stable for sure! It would be really neat if you'll be able to do it.

[FredRock]

Might want to look into a windmill, too. I don't know how windy it is in WA, but in NY the wind is always going. Apparently you can end up having enough power from one windmill to power your barn, and get a decent paybeck from the gov't for putting it in. It's $$ to start out, though.

I hope Bay enjoys many years at his namesake farm. You seem to be really, really, well thought out about what you want.

[WashingtonBay]

I DO want a windmill. We don't have constant wind, but high winds are the major cause of our power outages because of our tall trees and power lines.... so it seems to me like when we have winter wind storms, if I could use it to give me power when it kills the power for everyone else, it would be a win win! :D

[HeartofSteel]

I have a question about your dream barn Wbay :)
Is the arena viewable from the stalls or is it kinda enclosed?

[WashingtonBay]

I picture the arena as a half wall or rails, so you'd see all the way across a big open space... and it would let as much light and air in as possible from the upper windows.

It's not a big arena... but it would not be the only one. There would be outdoor arena as well... if business and finances are good, perhaps another covered one.

A lot depends on the kind of clientele we want to attract. Show people, jumpers, or trail riders (I think the last one) what kind of facility they'll want.

[HeartofSteel]

The concern I have about having an arena in the barn without an enclosed or high walls is the dust factor, even if it is watered and drug often

[WashingtonBay]

Yeah true enough. the footing would be important... what's brought in there.

[HeartofSteel]

Yah, I have been to a few places that have arena's inside of the barn and either they are completely enclosed, doors and all with viewing rooms or they have high walls.

[WashingtonBay]

Good consideration! I'd like open and airy for daily life... but maybe you're right it would be better with walls. I know I'd want it solid on the bottom 4 feet or so, to keep horses from kicking the footing out into the aisles.

You know so much of the year there is a damp that permeates everything... and you couldn't make dust if you tried. But in summer, when it dries up, it really dries up, and a horse moving in the arena would make dust that would permeate the barn if it wasn't given some design thought.

[pandorasmom]

I have to agree with EVERONE on what has been said. :)

Ditto ditto ditto! :grouphug: :D :);)

I did not even realize this was an older thread. But still agree on what I read the first two pages since I didn't know there was more then 2 pages. LOL :p Don't I feel stupid!

[HeartofSteel]

Yah I did some research in different footings and daily activities and the amount of dust that comes from them. Pretty much if you can see any dust when your riding you should be riding in it because of the health hazard it is for not only you but your horse since there nose is much closer to the ground. Sweeping isles is a big one also especially if theres horses in the barn. I went to one place to check out a working student position and they had cobble stone floors. The most beautiful floors I have ever seen in a barn but they were as slick as ice if the horse was shod. They have some kind of big push vacuum that they used instead of sweeping or blowing the isles. Even grooming is a big health risk, we should be wearing masks when we do it but seriously who's going to do that.

[WashingtonBay]

Well, I'd say if better design would be to enclose it, then I'd move it, and have a wide aisle between the stalls with the arena on the outside wall so it could be open in summer.

I just picture it being dark and stuffy otherwise, I've been in arenas like that and didn't like them.

You're not far from here, so your experience might be similar, but visible dust has never been a huge issue in any of the show arenas or boarding arenas I've been to. I think we're too humid.

I like a rough concrete for the aisles... at least rough enough that shod horses can walk without slipping, and I pictured blowing it out.

[WashingtonBay]

Cancel that (about moving the arena) really.... I don't want any enclosed stalls without an outside exit.

[Miracle Whip]

Is he really 28? Didn't you have a pleasant surprise when you looked at his paperwork last?

[WashingtonBay]

Heh... that's right. He's 27. This was posted when I was still off by a year. :)

He's younger now. :)

[Gypsy Rose]

Wish Gypsy could go backwards in time like that!

Wonder how well that recycled rubber arena footing would work? I've heard good things about it keeping the dust down.

[Kaitlyn]

I still giggle when I see Wb's posts and it says Bay is 28, when he's really younger..Curious Case of WashingtonBay's Bay.

[WashingtonBay]

WashingtonBay's mom is not so gud with maths. :)

[allie0]

Thats awesome ^-^ Glad to see you're living your dreams =D
I'm sure Bay will live to see it, and I'm sure it'll be paradise for you guys too <3
I'll send some irish luck your way XD!

[shewasmyshadow]

Wonder how well that recycled rubber arena footing would work? I've heard good things about it keeping the dust down.

I was going to suggest that!! I actually worked at a barn that used the rubber tires footing and it is HEAVEN on earth to ride on!!! Wonderful for arthritis joints.

[CircleR]

Sounds awesome!! If your boarding facility is anything like the forum, it will be a fun, relaxing, and a great place to make friends and talk about horses!! Best wishes for all your dreams to come true WB!!

[WashingtonBay]

:)

[Gypsy Rose]

There's only one problem I see with it- it's too far away for me to come see it when it's done!:cry:

[WashingtonBay]

There will be pictures...

And if we're true to our hopes... webcams where the boarders can look in on their horses any time. :)