E-Book coming soon

Watch for my new e-book. "What to do first" It will be an interesting read on where to go when you decide you want a new horse barn.
Expect to see it by June 1st. packed with information for everyone.

CA - Barnlady
California Horse Barns

Property Location & zoning

Well, as promised, let's investigate your property. First, you probably purchased in an equestrian zoned subdivision or rural area. You should check with the county you live in to see what your property is zoned as ; Example - A-1, A-2 or just R-1. This will help to determine what you can and can not do with your property. Another item to investigate is if you have an HOA (Homeowners Association) and CC &R's on your property. You need to read them thoroughly to see if there are restrictions on out building structure size, location, setbacks and even the number of horses that you may have on your property. You don't want to get on their bad side, you also do not want to strain neighbor relationships. If you are unable to determine these things, you can always contact your county building department, a title company or the county recorders office. You will need to give them not only your address but the assessors parcel number to your property which is also called your property tax id number.
This research will help you determine whether or not you can have horses on your property, how many and what type of structure you can have and if there are any restrictions on size, color, materials etc.
Good luck with your search.

CA - Barnlady
California Horse Barns

Thinking of Buying a Barn? What's first?

With so many Barn choices on the market these days, it's hard to choose. Probably the biggest question I get is "How much is this going to cost?" We are all price challenged these days. Your Barn choices typically break down into only 2 categories - Wood or Steel. People of old had huge Barn raising parties and bar-b-ques and raised large wood barns in a few days - what fun that would have been. However those wood barns typically served several purposes and probably only housed horses in them at night - in the winter. The barns were built as a working farm building to store feed, milk cows, store farm equipment, but not typically for housing the working farm horse for any length of time.
Today however, most of us see our horses as not only companions (not unlike our Dog or Cat), but an investment as well. No matter what your dicipline, your horse(s) are an investment, so we want them to be safe and protected. Now the Wild Horse of today - they have ways to gain protection from the elements from natural cover, however our horse areas have usually been cleared clean and we build a structure for them to escape the elements. That's were a barn comes in.
Going back to a wood barn, they are cool looking - but they are also made a natural materials and that takes maintainence. Lots of Maintainence!!! Add the cost of termites and you'de be building a new barn soon.
Ok, so let's get back to what to do first when looking at purchasing a barn? Look at your property to see what space you have to use for your barn. Check with your local juridiction as to permit requirements, side-front and rear setbacks, color schemes, fire codes and how far the Barn has to be away from any human living area. These things will help to eliminate frustration, anger and anxioty. Most people get these feeling from not knowing. Anyway after you have investigated these things and are pretty clear on the "how, what, where, when and why", then you can move forward.
We will start with that in the next entry.

CA - Barnlady
California Horse Barns

To Windy today

Well, last weekend we had our 3rd ride on Blackjack. It went really well. We even went on a short 30 min. trail ride in the wash near our home. Today though it is toooooo windy to ride right now. Hopefully later this afternoon will be better.
Also, Jerry's barn repairs are complete, the new walls and gables being covered work really well. The changes for Julie's barn have been completed. However the corrals are another issue to be taken care of this week. I will be posting new pics soon on the website for Julie's Barn.

Teresa the Barnlady
California Horse Barns

Finally the ride

Hi Everyone,

I just wanted you all to know that we had our 2nd ride on Blackjack the 2yr old mustang. It was good - he did really well.

I also wanted you all to know that we just finished a very cute 4 stall Carriage House Barn - pics will follow. Thank you to all my past and current clients. You are all special to me. Please be sure to keep in touch. :) Barnlady

Horse Sites of Interest

Hi Everyone,

Thank you for your comments on my new website. I love it too. I thank you all for forwarding the information to your other horsey friends. The more the merrier.

I'd like to tell you all about my adventures with my "boys" too. Many of you may know that I adopted 2 mustangs in May 07, a yearling and a 2 yr old. They are coming along very nicely and I had my first ride on "Blackjack" sunday - he's the 2 yr old. How exciting for me. My husband was there to watch and I made him very proud. He has a comment "I have people for that" and he has me to train "his" horse. ha ha.

I will keep you all posted. Have a great Valentines Day.

Teresa the Barnlady
California Horse Barns

WE ARE LIVE

Yah hoo --- We are live!!!!! Enjoy.