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June 5, 2007
Well, unless something really odd happens, the farm will soon be ours!
The family of the man who owned the farm has accepted our offer. I can't begin to explain how excited and happy I am - and John, too.
My whole life, I have dreamed of being able to live in the country with enough room for horses and maybe other critters. I hope that Ann, John's mom, is watching from Heaven and is happy how we have spent some of the money she left John and I.
Now, on the practical side - does anyone know how to build horse stalls? We will have a huge barn that was used for dairy cows, so there is a milking area but no stalls. I suspect that Willie and Petey would be rather perturbed if we tried to milk them!
I've been looking on the web for horse stalls, and they appear to be incredibly expensive - $500 for just a door - without the wood. Add 4 walls and the wood for it, and it looks like $1000 or more for one stall - I'd like to have maybe 4 stalls and one wash stall.
So, anyone want to help with that?
Posted by Beth at June 5, 2007 7:25 PM
Comments
Yes, everybody - despite what we spent on the spread... we're cheep.
Posted by: John of Argghhh! at June 5, 2007 8:10 PM
Congratulations!!! I'm very happy for you guys... and your critters! :)
Our stalls were just wood, nothing special. Of course, that was a long time ago... LOL!
Posted by: pam at June 5, 2007 9:37 PM
Tractor Supply (or Coastal Farm & Ranch) markets a fine 3-sided horse shed for about 500 clams, gate extra. It stands on it's own, and it's use will go into the winter as there is an insulating kit also.
As far as gates for existing stalls in a barn, there is a pipe-gate kit, but all the horses I've ever seen in stalls were pretty rough on the gates, so they need to be strong.
I think that this is an excellent opportunity to trot down to the feed store or co-op and get to know the folks, and ask who might like the job of putting up some new stalls/gates.
If you value the horses, don't "cheep" out on the stalls.
Posted by: Rivrdog at June 5, 2007 11:26 PM
Does this mean and end to sink bloggin?:)
should talk to Mr. Grim of Grim's Hall. Being the horseman he is he might know or have other advice.
Posted by: ry at June 6, 2007 12:27 AM
I'll still blog about sinks - but it will be a sink in a different house, Ry!
Posted by: beth at June 6, 2007 3:30 AM
Yayyyyyyyyy!!
I'm so happy for you!!
Congrats!
Posted by: Carrie at June 6, 2007 6:53 AM
Happy dance, happy dance, Wow that is great news, Sorry, I don't have a clue about building horse stalls, could help with gardening though *grin*
Does this mean you guys will be too busy to come to the rendezvous?
Posted by: keewee at June 6, 2007 9:04 PM
Stall building is pretty easy. I've done it in barns in New England before; and it's pretty basic fence style construction.
If you can get me diagrams, floorplans or measured drawings of the space you want to use, I can probably draw you some simple plans and materials lists (gratis of course).
I should warn you though; if you haven't priced lumber lately, those kits aren't much more expensive than doing it all yourself; and they'll probably save you time.
Of course they'd be using thinner wood, lower quality fasteners etc...
Posted by: Chris Byrne at June 6, 2007 11:35 PM
We should have the contract in our hands tomorrow... last signature being obtained tonight.
Gad, I hope they all don't have to be at the closing...
Posted by: John of Argghhh! at June 7, 2007 12:46 PM
YIPPEEEEE!!!! I have no practical advice to offer, none at all. Just know that I am very, very excited for you both. You two deserve your dream coming true!
Posted by: Janette at June 7, 2007 8:32 PM
Congratulations fellow land owners! Here's hoping you won't live to curse this day : )
As far as those critters are concerned, just wait till you find a mess of puppies in the barn someone left as a 'welcome to the neighborhood' gift!
Get familiar with your local Tractor Supply. That place is great and they have EVERYTHING!
Best wishes and good luck! I am so happy for you.
Kerri
Posted by: Kerri at June 8, 2007 9:22 AM