Monday, August 31, 2015

Don't forget! Welcoming new boarders now!

Good Morning!

Don't forget to tell your friends! We are currently accepting boarders (both mares & geldings) to our farm. We also offer field board for clients with one or more horses in stall board. If you want to learn more, feel free to contact Sheri at: (301) 253-9417 or sherithornley@msn.com and set up a time to come out and see the farm. We would love to have you!



Monday, August 24, 2015

CALLING ALL BOARDERS!!! Join the Southwind Family!

Are you looking for a new place to board where you are not just another number? What about access to an indoor arena, outdoor arena, cross-country jumps and trails for hacking? Here at Southwind Farm we welcome boarders of all ages and disciplines. We are more of a "family environment" and have a community feel. We are currently accepting boarders (both mares & geldings) to our farm. We also offer field board for clients with one or more horses in stall board. If you want to learn more, feel free to contact Sheri at: (301) 253-9417 or sherithornley@msn.com and set up a time to come out and see the farm. 























Monday, August 17, 2015

Happy Monday!

Good Morning!

We hope that everyone enjoyed their weekend despite the heat! Even though the temperatures have been ranging in the low 90's, that doesn't mean winter isn't coming ;) If you are looking for a place with an indoor arena to continue riding this winter, we are currently accepting applications for boarders! Visit our website at www.southwindfarminc.com for more info!


Also, don't forget that Southwind Farm is looking for part-time/full-time barn help.  The duties include turning in/out, dumping and filling water buckets, dragging rings, tidying up, etc.  Our ultimate goal is to find a farm manager that can oversee the daily chores of our large boarding stable. Candidate must be good at time management and must be reliable. We truly feel this is a great opportunity for the right person! On-farm housing and a stall for one horse possible. Contact Sheri today with your application!

Monday, August 10, 2015

Part-time Help Needed

Good Morning everyone!

Southwind Farm is looking for part-time/full-time barn help.  The duties include turning in/out, dumping and filling water buckets, dragging rings, tidying up, etc.  Our ultimate goal is to find a farm manager that can oversee the daily chores of our large boarding stable. Candidate must be good at time management and must be reliable. We truly feel this is a great opportunity for the right person! On-farm housing and a stall for one horse possible. Contact Sheri today with your application!


Monday, August 3, 2015

Sharing an Article: Stall board vs. Pasture board

Good morning!

Did you know that at Southwind Farm, if you have a horse in stall board we also offer field board options for other horses? When boarding your horse, there are many decisions to make. One of those decisions is whether to stall board or field board your horse. What is the best environment for your horse to live in? Many people can be unsure at first for several reasons: recently acquired the horse, changing careers, occasional pleasure riding only, etc. Really, the answer is, that it depends. It is important to make sure that your horse is comfortable, happy and most of all, healthy. Stall boarding or field boarding can play a major role in this.

Some people say that a mixture of stall and field board can be the best option. Others with high sport performance horses feel that stall board is the best option. Here another opinion, an article by Ed Dabney who is a natural horsemanship trainer:

"Stall versus Pasture Board"
By Ed Dabney
I strongly feel horses are happier and healthier mentally, physically and emotionally if they are allowed to live the way God designed them - out in the open, not in a box. Horses are not like us. They don't like small cozy places. As prey animals, they like to be out in the open so they can move and see all around.

Horses who live out in a pasture 24/7 are usually healthier than stall boarded horses who live in a hot, musty barn full of urine and manure odors. Walk into most full boarding barns at 6:00 in the morning when the barn has been closed up all night and the ammonia smell from the night's urine will knock you down. I feel sorry for the horses having to stand in there and breathe that all night. No wonder they develop respiratory problems.

I understand that not everyone has the option of pasture or paddock boarding and must board their horse in a stall with little or no turn-out. I also understand that stall boarding is sometimes necessary for some stallions, horses recuperating from certain injuries or for upper level show or performance horses that need the protection of a stall to prevent injury or coat fading.In Wyoming my horses lived in the pasture and had a run in shed available to them but they never used it. They were happy to stand out in 15 below zero weather in a blizzard munching hay. They would grow a heavy winter coat and snow would pile up on their backs. As long as they had plenty of good quality hay their body would generate enough heat to keep them comfortable. (Note: if they were losing body heat the snow on their backs would melt.)Observing my own horses in Wyoming indicates to me they obviously prefer to live outdoors. Certainly we prefer to be indoors on a cold or rainy day cuddled up by the fire in a warm blanket drinking a cup of hot chocolate, however my opinion is, we should allow horses to live in the way they prefer rather than try to force our human characteristics on them.




Original article can be found at:  http://www.eddabney.com/articles/stallvspastureboard.htm