Tuesday, May 24, 2011

So, You Want To Build A Barn

Buyer beware! Having your horses at home is wonderful, but, like anything else, there are trade-offs. Before you decide to build your own barn, talk to others who have done so and get their take on the pros and cons of having your equine pal at home.

The expense involved in building a quality barn can be summed up in the actual cost of labor plus the cost of building supplies.Be sure to get at least three estimates from reputable barn builders. Be sure to ask loads of questions. You may email me for further assistance. I have way too much barn building information to put in this blog post.

Manure management is the biggest expense when owning your own equine facility. Bedding is expensive, waste removal is costly, and repair to farm equipment can be pricey. Any type of horse-at-home establishment is very time consuming. Remember,time is money. Be prepared to spend 365 days a year and at least four times per day doing some sort of barn/horse chore. It will cut into any leisure activities you currently have.

I don't mean to be discouraging, just realistic. Yes, it's great having Trigger at home, but be prepared for a major life style change.

Happy trails.

Sunday, May 8, 2011

Oops!

Oops! Brilliant Speed didn't win the Kentucky Derby, as I predicted. He's still a great horse. After watching replays of the race, I noticed he got boxed in by the other horses. Number 2 post position is not a good place to be in the starting gate. There's no chance to settle into a pace.

I'm always thankful the jockeys made it around safely and the horses, except for one, didn't get hurt. Archarcharch went back to his stall after the race in a  horse ambulance for an xray, for a possible minor fracture. It always bothers me when horses pull up with any kind of injury. They give their all when they run.

It'll be interesting to see what Billiant Speed does with the rest of his racing career. You never know what can happen in the world of thoroughbred horse racing.

P.S. Congratulations, Animal Kingdom, for winning the Kentucky Derby.

Monday, May 2, 2011

My Kentucky Derby Pick

Brilliant Speed
"For one to fly, one needs only to take the reins." ~ Melissa James

I don't normally do this, but I'm going to this time. After checking all the pedigrees of the 20 horses, their jockeys, and their trainers, I'm going to give you my Kentucky Derby pick. He's not a choice by the top professionals, in fact, he's not a choice by anyone, but the colt is my pick based solely on pedigree.

My Kentucky Derby pick is Brilliant Speed. His sire is Dynaformer, his dam is Speed Succeeds. Dynaformer produced Barbaro one of the top speed and distance horses in racing history. Speed Succeeds comes from the Mr. Prospector blood line. Mr. Prospector was one of the top throughbred stallions in the world. In fact, most of the Derby contenders have Mr. Prospector as part of their pedigree. Should be an interesting race.

We all know anything can happen in a horse race. But, I feel really strong about this pick. I'm hoping Brilliant Speed takes after his half-brother, Barbaro. We need a hero.