Monday, June 29, 2015

Horse Heaven in Prior Lake


18591 Mushtown Rd., Prior Lake, MN 55372


 I can't believe this lovely hobby farm hasn't sold yet! This gem is perfect for the horse owner who wants to keep his or her horses at home without sacrificing the comfort and amenities of a bigger boarding stable! Located outside Prior Lake in the southwest metro area (only about 30 minutes from Minneapolis or St. Paul), this barn is fully insulated and can be heated in the winter.  The barn has a caretaker's apartment above it with bedroom, kitchen, living room and a full bathroom, perfect for live-in stable help!


It has floor-to-floor rubber mats not only in the stalls but in the extensive grooming area. The garage doors in this photo open up to the indoor arena.
The indoor arena measures 60' x 120' and offers mirrors so you can check your position and your horse's and a viewing deck from above.


The barn has 7 box stalls (10' x 11') with Nelson automatic waterers, rubber mats, and sliding doors. There are two hot/cold wash stalls, one inside the barn and another one outdoors also.

The tack room is insulated which helps keep it cool and dry in the summer to prevent mold and keeps your leather warm in the winter also.

One outdoor arena is USDF regulation sized (60 m x 20 m) with sand trac footing and split rail fencing.

In addition, there's a fenced 70' x 300' arena with a judging stand (it even has electrical outlets!) and an unfenced jumping field measuring 100' x 200'

Not enough room for you?  There's a 2nd barn which is insulated with 3 foaling stalls (12' x 15') and outdoor California-style pens (10' x 15') which are great for hot summer days & nights. The 2nd barn also offers additional hay storage space. There are pastures and paddocks with shelters for additional turnout options.

The 3,200 sq. ft. home offers hardwood floors (easy maintenance!), Anderson windows, & Hunter Douglass window treatments. The great room has large windows to let in the sun and an inviting open floor plan.

The kitchen is well-lit with a fireplace that opens on both sides with the living room.

The lower level is cozy with another fireplace. The home also boasts a large deck overlooking the horse pastures.
This bit of horse heaven is listed for under $800 K and would be an ideal location for a smaller boarding, breeding, or training operation or as a private stable to keep your own riding horses.

For more information & photos, 
go to http://www.donavin.com/18591.html

A virtual tour is also available. 

Browse other hobby farms and horse properties for sale at www.donavin.com.





Sunday, June 28, 2015

6411 80th St. SW, Stewartville, MN 55976

This 35-acre horse property just outside Rochester has a 26-stall barn, and an indoor arena, both of which can be heated in the winter.   Truly a lovely facility, this income-producing equestrian facility is available for private showings.  Take a look below at the features of this immaculately maintained boarding and training stable.

Aerial shot of the long driveway, pastures, stalls, and indoor and outdoor arena

Aerial view of the outdoor arena, barn and indoor arena

Stall barn and expansive parking lot for horse trailers and hosting horse shows or other events

The barn entryway is classy and inviting with stunning wood boards and concrete floors.

The grass pastures are thick and lush and trees surround the property.

The large and well-lit indoor arena is insulated and can be heated in the winter.  It is also attached to the 26-stall barn.  

The outdoor arena is huge and conveniently located next to the barn and indoor arena.

Even the smaller paddocks offer grass for turnout.

The property has several large pastures as well such as the two above.

The stalls are built in floor to ceiling with lovely wood and sliding doors.

The tack room has sections for each boarder with bridle and saddle racks.

The wash stall offers hot and cold water for year-round baths or treating injuries.

For more photos of this simply stunning equestrian facility or to make arrangements for a private showing, go to http://www.donavin.com/stewartville.html

Saturday, June 27, 2015

Dressage at Alpine 3 & 4 this weekend!

It's not too late to catch some dressage riding at Alpine Farms this weekend!  Tests begin at 8:30 am and the show lasts until 1:30 pm.  There will even be several Intermediare rides and a Grand Prix!  


Alpine Farms is a particularly beautiful property in Medina.  Their indoor arena is 100' x 200' and there are also several outdoor arenas (a 157' x 240' all-weather footing and a 150' x 350' grass arena).


Below is the grass arena surrounded by natural trees.


This is the all-weather footing arena.


Prefer to stay home and look at horse properties and hobby farms for sale?  Check out www.donavin.com  for NEW listings, including a 36-stall equestrian center with an exercise track and a 60' x 120' indoor arena in Shakopee, as well as a 26-stall heated facility in Stewartville.


Friday, June 26, 2015

Brookside Farm Hunter Schooling Show Tomorrow!

Brookside Farm is hosting the 2nd of 5 Red Pine Horse Show Association hunter schooling shows TOMORROW. Registration and schooling begins at 7:30 am. Classes range from ground poles to 2'9". 


These shows are affordable with friendly people and great opportunities for green, inexperienced riders or horses.  Check out the FAQs for information about the Red Pine Horse Show Association membership and rewards program.


Brookside Farm has this lovely indoor arena, so the show goes on rain or shine.


Questions about the show?  Contact Missy.

Browse hobby farms and horse properties for sale at MN horse properties.

Thursday, June 25, 2015

Fly Control: What You Need to Know

This time of year, horses and their owners are plagued by flies. Here is what you need to know about the many methods of reducing the pest population on your horse property and minimizing their effect on your horses.

Types of Flies

There are the pesky little flies that target the legs (stable flies), others that go for the eyes (face flies), still others that irritate horses' bellies (midges).  There are deer flies (larger than usual flies with a painful bite), horse flies (good grief! they're huge!), bot flies (which lay eggs on horses' legs which are then ingested by the horse and cause intestinal issues), as well as house flies, horn flies, and many more.
Mosquitoes feed most at dawn and dusk and gnats can cause sweet itch, where horses rub out their manes and tails due to irritation.

Fly sprays

The most common method of dealing with flies is to spray horses (and sometimes people) with a fly repellent spray. There are many different brands and formulas.  Some fly sprays are highly toxic and even kill flies, mosquitoes, & ticks and should be handled with care.  Those that are oil-based are better able to provide lasting coverage than those that are water-based, however they are often more toxic to people as well.  There are several all-natural or organic sprays now available, but even these can cause allergic or skin sensitivity reactions like with the recent essential oils issues of SmartPak's new OutSmart Fly Spray (*note: SmartPak pulled the product and is re-evaluating their formula).

My favorite fly spray is Pyranha Wipe & Spray which kills flies as well as repels them.  It also contains Lanolin and is Citronella scented.  However, it can cause flaky skin if applied too frequently or if not periodically rinsed off by rain or a bath.


Feed-through Supplements

Fly predators
Another angle horse owners try is to feed an oral supplement which deters flies like SmartPak's SmartBug-Off and SmartBug-Off Ultra, which contain garlic, apple cider vinegar, Omega 3 fatty acids, and diatomaceous earth to discourage insect breeding in manure. Another option is Simplifly which contains an insect growth regulator to prevent flies from reproducing in manure.  Owners of horse hobby farms and equestrian properties can purchase Fly Predators, bugs which eat fly larvae and do not bother people or horses.  Both Simplifly and Fly Predators work best in isolated situations without neighboring properties with horses or cattle, as in those situations flies can spawn on neighboring properties can fly over to pester your horses.

Fly Wear

My horses wearing sun visors, Cashel leg guards and fly sheets
Many horse owners use fly masks, which keep gnats out of horses' ears and face flies away from their eyes.  Fly masks also function as sunscreen for horses with white on their noses where hair coverage is thin. There are even fly visors, with a solid area over the forehead to provide additional sun protection.  
In addition, fly sheets protect the body of the horse from biting flies. Look for one with a bellyband if your horse is particularly sensitive to sweet itch, although be warned that geldings might pee on them! Especially small mesh, like these from Schneider's Tack, provides protection against mosquitoes.  

If you horse tolerates wraps around his or her legs, fly wraps can prevent stomping to shake off stable flies. My favorite is the Cashel leg guards, which actually stay up because they're well-contoured and come in sizes from pony to draft.

Cashel leg guards

Manure Management

One of the most tried and true methods of controlling the fly population at your hobby farm is to remove manure regularly from stalls and paddocks and if possible to move it off the property all-together. Flies breed in horse manure.  Similarly mosquitoes breed in standing water so you can reduce their population by directing waterflow and minimizing puddles.  Goldfish in water tanks can also limit your mosquito population on your property.

Conclusion

From the internal protection of feed-through supplements to the external protection of fly repellents and fly sheets and fly predators, there are many ways to reduce the fly population on your hobby farm or boarding stable.  

Do you want to buy your own horse property so you can manage your horse's exposure to pests?  Browse hobby farms for sale here.

Wednesday, June 24, 2015

Buffalo Rodeo this Friday & Saturday!

Did you know the Buffalo Rodeo is Minnesota's longest running Rodeo, running annually since 1955? It is also one of seven rodeos nominated each year for the honor of National Small Rodeo of the Year.

Buffalo Rodeo historical photo from http://www.buffalorodeo.com/history.html

Tickets are available online and at the gate - doors open at 5 pm Friday and Saturday. On Thursday June 25, admission is free for mutton bustin', stick horse races, novice barrel racing, and a scavenger hunt. Vendors will be open that night.

Here is the schedule for the weekend's festivities. Saturday includes a contest for the Best Dressed in Pink, contact Patti for details.  There will also be the band Rusted Revolver giving a concert after the rodeo. All events are rain or shine.

Photo from Buffalo Rodeo Facebook event page
Have you always wanted to keep your horses at home?  Browse hobby farms and horse properties for sale in the Twin Cities metro area at www.donavin.com
or www.mnhorseproperties.com


Tuesday, June 23, 2015

Pig Pond Classic Schooling Show on Sunday!

It's not too late to sign up for the Pig Pond Classic dressage and jumping schooling show at Birchbury Farm this Sunday!

Contact Jill now to sign up for a dressage time.  All jumping (stadium and cross country) competitors may sign up the day of the show.


Here is the entry form. Classes include dressage introductory level through first level and eventing dressage tests as well as jumping classes up to 3'3". Negative Coggins and release forms required for all horses. There will be a snack shack and great prizes!


Looking for a hobby farm or horse property of your own? Browse www.donavin.com and www.mnhorseproperties.com

Monday, June 22, 2015

Leslie Law clinic Tomorrow!

Leslie Law is a British rider and trainer who is the reigning Olympic individual gold medalist in eventing (Athens 2014). He is teaching a clinic at our very own Roebke's Run today and tomorrow!  


Tomorrow, Wednesday June 23rd, is the cross country part of the clinic. The weather forecast looks perfect (upper 70's and sunny), so check it out!




Roebke's Run at Schweiss Stables is a simply stunning cross country course.  Designed by Captain Mark Phillips, the course is one the midwest's finest courses.  For more photos of the jumps, see my previous blog or go here.

Questions about the clinic?  Contact Brook.

Want your own cross country course? Check out Sunborn Stables which is for sale.  

Saturday, June 20, 2015

23604 Cates Ave., Faribault, MN 55021

This hobby farm outside Faribault is simply stunning! 10 acres of grass pastures, new beautiful barn, spacious shelters, and plenty of space to play for adults, kids, and horses!  It is adjacent to the Straight River Golf Course and only 4 miles from town, yet offers quiet peaceful country living.


 The huge yard has a jungle gym for kids to play on and plenty of room for them to run.  


The barn is new with a lovely overhang/patio area, concrete floors, and room for stall or storage of hay or equipment. 



The horses have spacious shelters with walls on all four sides and a wide opening.  The dry lot leads out to to a gate to the grass pasture.



The pastures include mature trees as well!


The 4-bedroom 4-bath home built in 2000 has custom wood cabinets, a 3-season porch, granite counter tops, wooden floors, a tree-lined driveway, and this glorious jacuzzi tub and shower in the master bathroom.


There is a separate 4-stall garage for storage of RVs, farm equipment, 4-wheelers, boats, etc. The garage building boasts this lovely apartment or guest house above also.


Check out the virtual tour here and more photos here and here.

Browse other hobby farms and horse properties for sale at www.donavin.com and www.mnhorseproperties.com