Monday, December 30, 2019

Happy New Year 2020!

As another year comes to a close we want to thank the wonderful group of people who make up our Southwind boarding community for another great year at the farm! We have high hopes for 2020 and can't wait to see what the new year brings. If you are looking for a fresh start for your horse, consider making the move to Southwind in the new year. Learn more at the link below!

www.southwindfarminc.com

Monday, December 23, 2019

Merry Christmas from Southwind Farm!

As another holiday approaches, our Southwind Farm family sends you and your loved ones our warmest wishes. May you find the true spirit of the season and may it fill your heart with joy this year! Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from all of us at Southwind Farm!



Monday, December 16, 2019

Calling All Boarders! Get a fresh start in 2020 at Southwind Farm!

Calling all horse owners!

If you have been on the fence or thinking about making a boarding change for your horse(s), now is the time! The new year is right around the corner and Southwind is currently accepting stall boarders for the upcoming year. Come join a barn family with outstanding care and a welcoming environment. Horses of all ages and breeds are welcome and you won't find a more conveniently-located barn in Montgomery County with easy access to bordering counties.

To learn more about the Southwind's values and our standard of care visit: www.southwindfarminc.com or reach out to Sheri Thornley at  sherithornley@msn.com today!

Monday, December 9, 2019

Steps to Winterize Your Trailer

"It’s that time of year when we all start to ask ourselves, “how can it already be this time of year?!” Whether you spend the warmer months camping, attending horse shows and events, or both, it can feel like every winter arrives sooner than the last. Before you know it, the leaves are falling, temperatures and dropping, and it’s time to pack up the trailer for the season (HorsesDaily)." If you own a horse trailer and are slowing down for the season, now might be a good time to clean, organize or prep your trailer for the colder months ahead.

If you are looking for an indoor to ride in this winter even during bad weather months, come board with us at Southwind! www.southwindfarminc.com 

Here are a few tips from Horses Daily to winterize your trailer:

-'Clean it inside and out! If the weather is still warm enough or you have access to hot water, it is a good idea to give your trailer a thorough cleaning before prepping it for winter storage.'

-Learn how to manually override your brake controller.
'It’s crucial to get familiar with your tow vehicle’s brake controller, no matter the season! The brake controller sits in your tow vehicle, and powers the trailer brakes whenever you press your foot on the brake pedal. If you haven’t already, read your brake controller manual and learn how to test your brake controller’s functionality.'

-Get antifreeze service for trailer living quarters
'For RVs, travel trailers, or any other trailer with living quarters, a professional can run antifreeze through the water pipes to protect them from cold temperatures. This method to winterize a trailer generally involves hooking up a bypass line to avoid the hot water heater, draining moisture from all valves in the trailer, as well as other technical processes. It can be done once at the beginning of winter.'

-Cover your trailer and park it off grass
'Your trailer is clean, drained, and winterized. Now you just need to store it safely for the season. First, covering your trailer will protect it from the elements–but as we’ve discussed before, not any old trailer cover will do, especially for horse trailers. Standard horse trailer covers are generally manufactured too short so they leave tires, bearings, and fenders exposed. Instead, buy an RV trailer cover to protect your trailer from its tires to its roof. Find them online and order based on your trailer’s dimensions.'

'Second, avoid parking your trailer on grass. Grass traps moisture and pests, which can wreak havoc over the course of the winter. Look for a gravel, asphalt, or concrete parking spot. If you can’t find one, put wood planks over grass to park the trailer on (Horsedaily.com)."




Monday, December 2, 2019

Tack Room Organization Tips!

Any time you bring equestrians together at a place like a boarding barn, it's easy to accumulate clutter and become disorganized. Especially during winter when there are extra layers and things to keep warm. That's why we take great care at Southwind to keep our barn aisles and tack room spaces clean and clear of clutter. We know our boarders work to do their part as well and for that we are thankful! If you are looking for a few tips to get your own tack room or space organized, here are a few thanks to an article from Equus Magazine.

• "Mount leftover or recycled household cabinets for additional off-the-floor storage. If you don't have any "extra" cabinets, post a want ad on an online swap site. For easier access, remove the cabinet doors."

• "Repurpose a blanket rack to hang saddle pads. Storing your damp saddle pad on a rack instead of over your saddle protects the leather from salty sweat. This will also help your pad keep its shape."

• "Purchase a step stool that has interior compartments. A storage step stool is a great place to keep grooming aids, such as braiding and/or banding equipment. Plus, it is highly portable."

• "Invest in a filing cabinet to organize important papers. Assign a file to each horse in the barn and keep a copy of his health, insurance and farrier records along with special feeding instructions or other documents. Keep the originals in the house for safekeeping."

  • "Use clear, plastic drawers to organize everything from brushes to first-aid supplies. The translucent containers make it easier to quickly find what you need (Equus Magazine)."


If you are looking for a place to board this winter that works hard to ensure our boarders are happy and safe, visit www.southwindfarminc.com