A desperate plea for help - how can I find a boarding with TURNOUT in San Diego, CA?

[downthecenterlinetheycome]

A couple of months ago I posted that I was moving to San Diego, CA and needed to find a trainer. Forget trainer - I just need to find somewhere to board with serious turnout! I'm at my wits' end. Should I post this somewhere else (Horse Care?)??? To anyone who can help me with this, here's some basic criteria:

Del Mar/Olivenhain/Rancho Santa Fe/Encinitas area... Encinitas is where I'll be living.
Dressage trainer is a plus, as is dressage arena. Private places OK, doesn't have to be a real boarding stable.
PASTURE! Even a 1/2 acre would be adequite. The more the better. 24/7 pasture or a lot a lot of turnout.

Also, does anyone know anyone in the Olivenhain area who has horses at their house and wouldn't mind taking on one more for boarding? Or a private facility or something? I saw alot of paddocks when I drove through there. Thanks so much!

[poltroon]

You will probably need to go north and inland into Ramona, Temecula, Fallbrook, etc. There may be something in Oceanside.

The California Horsetrader is your friend:
http://www.horsetrader.com/

Good luck. Pasture is hard to come by, especially with riding facilities and especially with a trainer. Land is expensive, and water is expensive and not always available. Worse, it's been a very dry year.

If you're okay with turnout on a dry lot, you'll have more options.

[FEI_JR2004]

Our barn is in Olivenhain, but I'm very familiar with all of the areas you're talking about. As far as I know, right now, there isn't anywhere that has turnout. I have heard that Beth Ball's new barn, which is in the process of being built in Olivenhain (at the end of Lone Jack Rd), will have turnouts, but I don't think they're all that big, and I'm not sure if she's taking new clients. My barn did have some turnout, but we just sold that piece of the property because land around here is too expensive--we paid more in property taxes on that piece than we brought in with board. We have a dirt turnout in the back that is great until we get rains, and horses can go out there as long as you'd like, but it floods in the winter. Land around here is really too expensive. I doubt you'll be able to find anything near Encinitas with turnout options. Sorry I don't have better news for you!

[WombatCA]

I have to agree with the others. It doesn't really exist in San Diego...

[StruckByLightning]

Well, if you decide you're up for Bonsall/Fallbrook, I can PM you my barn's info. It's a private facility but with lovely rubber footing, option of either 24/7 turnout or big stalls with runs (turnout extra with stalls but available), a fabulous dressage instructor who comes in as needed, and super nice people. Truly fabulous care and all the horses are beyond happy there. For me it is WELL worth travel time!

Depending on where you are in Encinitas , it could be as little as 30 minutes to get here, or as long as 45. Try using RandMcnally or mapquest from your address to Bonsall.

There are a couple places in Oceanside that have turnout but they seem to be pretty restricted (ie, no shoes on shod horses) and are more NH or beginnerH/J barns. If you get desperate, PM me & I'll get you the contact info on the places in Oceanside and/or my barn. And if you decide to come up this way, there are also a few places you really, really, REALLY don't want to be at. :no:

[SanDiegoPinto]

I think there are still a few places a few miles north on Twin Oaks Valley Road in San Marcos. I haven't ever inquired about boarding there though, just have driven by the pastures.

I live in East County for this exact reason. Which in turn makes a dressage trainer hard to come by.

[downthecenterlinetheycome]

Damn. I really would prefer for it not to be too far out (I can't drive yet, and it'll be hard to wrangle a ride out of my parents if its over 15 minutes.) Well, I guess I'll have to keep looking... and looking... and looking. Is there any way I can contact Beth Ball (does she have a website, or?) If there's any chance of getting turnout, I'd like to look around. Thanks so much.

[FEI_JR2004]

Beth Ball doesn't have a website. I asked my friend who grooms for her though and the barn won't be done for quite a while, and she isn't taking new clients either. The barn will be private and not open to boarders.

[StruckByLightning]

Have you tried posting on craigslist in the farm section? That is actually how I found my barn (or rather she found me ;) ). I couldn't take it where I was another day & posted a request on craigslist for recommendations. I actually got quite a few responses from private places. Couldn't hurt to try!

[Dune]

Have you tried posting on craigslist in the farm section? That is actually how I found my barn (or rather she found me ;) ). I couldn't take it where I was another day & posted a request on craigslist for recommendations. I actually got quite a few responses from private places. Couldn't hurt to try!

I sent you a PM, SBL. ;)

[Bugs-n-Frodo]

I brought my horses here from the east coast, Maryland, to be exact. It is RARE to find something with grass turnout here in SoCal, and if you do, it will be sure to cost $$$$$$. Dry lot turnout is around and most of the time, you have to take turns with other horses so you get an hour at most. I am at a barn where the ring is YUCK (not flat, not great footing, but ridable for now) and you are allowed to turnout (in one of the rings, round pens or small dry lot) for as long as you want to as long as you stick around the farm and don't leave them unsupervised. I also have my horses in a LARGE pipe corral (that is just about all you find here in the desert) which is 12x48 so they can move around. This is definitely a shock from being in Maryland where horses are turned out in groups, all day, or all night, or both and have plenty of places to roam and plenty of grass. Good luck with your search!

[Mardi]

Tish Quirk's farm iin Rancho Santa Fe has stalls and large grass pastures. She has great help there too.


www.tishquirk.com

[Mardi]

Also try Nick Wagman's barn - Clear Spring Farm - in Rancho Santa Fe. Small dry turnouts and larger grass paddocks. Big airy barn, quiet. Dressage ring.

If you need his number please PM me.

[CurlyLindsay]

I was in a weird temporary boarding situation once where there was no turnout, but with the appropriate motivation ($$) I convinced the owner to turn my horse out overnight every night in the indoor arena.

[Dune]

Also try Nick Wagmen's barn - Clear Spring Farm - in Rancho Santa Fe. Small dry turnouts and larger grass paddocks. Big airy barn, quiet. Dressage ring.

If you need his number please PM me.

Grass turnout is VERY limited there as well, and wouldn't at all be what the OP is looking for, unfortunately.

[SuperSTB]

Different horsey lifestyle out here.

Grass turnout can be found but it's ubber expensive and you'll probably need to look in Temecula maybe Escandido. I just looked at a house/barn in Temecula for sale with 8 acres of grass turnout. It's expensive because maintaining grass *anything* requires irrigation and supurb maintenance. It's not only costly but time consuming. Because this house has been left empty for so long- all the pastures have to be restored. That's a lot of freaking work.

Successful horse management in So Cal demands daily interaction and exercise plan with horses. That's the trade off really for beautiful year round weather. My horses get handwalked, rotated turnout, lunged, ridden or driven daily to stay in shape. They have 24'x36'-48' stall+walkout each (because it's my backyard!) and let me tell you that is the exception to the normal 12X24' stall+walkout. My turnout is a small riding ring.

[Ambrey]

Successful horse management in So Cal demands daily interaction and exercise plan with horses. That's the trade off really for beautiful year round weather. My horses get handwalked, rotated turnout, lunged, ridden or driven daily to stay in shape. They have 24'x36'-48' stall+walkout each (because it's my backyard!) and let me tell you that is the exception to the normal 12X24' stall+walkout. My turnout is a small riding ring.

Yep. It's pretty sad.

As far as grass- remember that this area is basically a desert. If you have an unirrigated pasture, it will be green for maybe 2 months out of the year down there, less up here. Because we get so little rain, pastures get overgrazed and turn into dust and tumbleweeds very quickly.

[poltroon]

Yep. It's pretty sad.

As far as grass- remember that this area is basically a desert. If you have an unirrigated pasture, it will be green for maybe 2 months out of the year down there, less up here. Because we get so little rain, pastures get overgrazed and turn into dust and tumbleweeds very quickly.

A US rainfall map illustrates this very clearly. East of the Mississippi river, nearly everywhere gets 50-70 inches of moisture a year, and it's fairly evenly divided through the year. In Southern California, average rainfall is about 12 inches, and it mostly comes January-March.

[FancyFree]

OP I live in Encinitas. Unfortunately I haven't found that there are any stables close by with turn-out. The place I've moved my horse to has a huge in and out stall and a fantastic trainer available though. A bit pricey but very close to where I live. PM me if you'd like more details.

[SuperSTB]

A US rainfall map illustrates this very clearly. East of the Mississippi river, nearly everywhere gets 50-70 inches of moisture a year, and it's fairly evenly divided through the year. In Southern California, average rainfall is about 12 inches, and it mostly comes January-March.

For a horse treat we hand graze on the front lawn :winkgrin:

If you see grass- it's irrigated. This past winter (which is referred to not as winter but "the wet season") we had more rain than usual so we had nice rolling green hills and mountains but alas that last until... what... maybe April?

Actually today we had rain!!! It's been the first rain I've seen since April :eek: I had to go outside and hangout for a while just because of the occasion!!! But that was at work in Irvine- still hasn't rained at my house which is in the IE.

[downthecenterlinetheycome]

Thanks for the suggestions. Unfortunately I've found nothing with pasture in my price range (all 1500+ and training barns, so training has to be added on top of that.) Uhh... nup. :( Still looking.

[EqLuvr]

Check out www.socalequine.com for boarding options.

[poltroon]

Well, OP, I feel for you. I moved to far northern California to get grass for my horses. (And it's a lot of work to irrigate it and maintain it.)

I think you need to look at plan B. What is your real problem? If your horse needs to be out, there are dry lot situations where the horse can be out 24/7, but with other horses. He'll get dusty and cut and there may be limited shelter, but horses can be pretty happy in that arrangement.

Another option is a barn with 'in and outs', meaning a stall with an attached small sun paddock. You can get pipe stalls, 12x24 or so, covered or partially covered, where the horse has some room to move and socialize. And the combine one of these with a place that will do a 1 hour turnout daily in a larger sand arena.

If you're having trouble getting to the horse daily and he needs more exercise, perhaps you can find a half-lease person to take on some of the riding, since I presume paying a trainer to ride is out of the budget. In some barns, there are enough kids who want riding time that you can get a horse hacked for free.

These are the typical southern California solutions.

If none of those work, and it has to be grass pasture, then you will need to send your horse out of the area to get it, perhaps to a place where you won't be able to visit regularly but you'll know he's cared for. The keyword you're looking for is layup or retirement facilities, and you'll find some in inland San Diego and Riverside counties.

[downthecenterlinetheycome]

Well, I'll only be going to the barn 3-4 days a week, and priority for this horse is grass turnout with friends. He's got a club foot and moving around helps him stay sound, and running with other horses makes him stay sane. I don't know how sound he'd be for riding more often than 3-4 days a week, and he can't do anything serious under saddle (jumping, very minimal cantering because he's totally wacked at the canter, can't keep his balance for more than half a circle, and if he's out of balance lunges on the forehand and puts all his weight on the club foot. We're working on him with this, but we've been very careful to do only balanced cantering because we don't want to cause him damage.) He's barefoot already so no problems being out with other horses.

The situation he was/is in before moving:
Stalled at night, out during the day with a herd on 10 acres of grass pasture. Grass hay and sometimes a little alfalfa. Ridden 3x a week. Dirty and happy.

I guess my plan B is keeping him there if needed, though he would be 14 hrs away from me. I think I need a better plan B. ;)

I could settle for 1/2 an acre with another horse or two. I've heard that's available in San Marcos.

I could also settle for a private place with a few horses on some pasture or huge paddocks.

Basically, 1/3+ acre, grass, with other horses within 20 min. of Encinitas. Yeah right. ;)

Sorry for the mondo post. I really do appreciate your help, I'm just frustrated with the situation after living in the land of acres of pasture, a dressage trainer, and arena for $200 a month 5-10 min from my house. Now, why can't we plant a little patch of oregon 10 min from encinitas? :P

[SuperSTB]

Now, why can't we plant a little patch of oregon 10 min from encinitas? :P

'cause it's geography :lol:

Seriously- grass pasture take mondo amounts of maintenance. Irrigating on a regular basis, rotating horses, etc etc etc. It is costly- very costly. I think what I spend on my front and back patches of grass each month which maybe adds up to a 2000 sqft and I clearly see how costly it would be to manage just an acre or two. Since land is a premium- it's just not common thing for such a desired arrangement. Check the higher elevation areas in the more mountainous places- harder to get to but usually greener.

Now desert weed riddled fields are a bit easier to come by ;) but horses don't seem to get all crazy about munching that. ??? picky equids!

Trust me- we'd all love to see rolling green pastures and for a couple short months sometimes we get that. Mostly it's just a compromise. If movement is what he needs- many barns have walkabouts (hot walkers) you can use or pay for someone to exercise him on the days you cannot.

[nhwr]

I live where San Diego, Orange and Riverside counties meet. My property is in Riverside county, about 1000 yards from the OC, a mile and a half from the San Diego county line. I have 5 acres, about half of that is devoted to dry paddocks. It would cost me about $2500 to $3000 a month to irrigate that amount of land sufficiently to keep grass on it.

Good luck with your search.

[FancyFree]

Sorry for the mondo post. I really do appreciate your help, I'm just frustrated with the situation after living in the land of acres of pasture, a dressage trainer, and arena for $200 a month 5-10 min from my house. Now, why can't we plant a little patch of oregon 10 min from encinitas? :P

That would be nice. Let me know if you ever find something like that.

The new place I'm at has a lot of grassy areas, just not enclosed in a pasture. But I was able to let her stand and graze for awhile, something that wasn't at all available where I used to board. As someone said upthread, the in and out type of stall is what you probably want to be in. Mine is about ten times the size as her old stall. She can actually run around in the back half of her paddock. Just keep looking around. I'm finding that word of mouth is a great source. I found two possible hunter trainers for my daughter through another boarder and I couldn't find anything on the internet. Cruise down Rancho Santa Fe road. There were a few stables I've seen that don't have websites. I also have seen a ton of dirt pasture situations. I'm not sure if all of them are private either.

Good luck!

[downthecenterlinetheycome]

Thanks again. I found a nice place in San Marcos, 30-40 min drive away though. :( Nice people, dirt paddocks about a 1/4 acre. It's an option, but definitely not ideal. Still, I think I might be able to make it work. Still shopping around.

[Jade13]

Savoir Faire Stables in San Marcos has 1/2 acre pastures (not grass) as well as large 16 by 20 barn stalls. Trainer on site is Sandy Burns Gardner. Nice facility

[downthecenterlinetheycome]

Yes, I went to visit Savoir Faire. Wonderful facilities and great people - unfortunately it probably won't work for me because my family has a history of cancer and a place next door sprays their plants with pesticides. To anyone less sensitive to this, I would highly reccomend Savoir Faire from what I've seen of it, and I may still try to take some lessons there; not trying to bad mouth the place in the slightest. I'm in the progress of interrogating the people who spray to see if there's any way I can make it work.

Other possible place didn't work out either... still open to suggestions. Thanks a bunch.

[Bugs-n-Frodo]

The best solution I was able to come up with for my situationw as to find a place that had the option of 24x48 pipe corrals with good coverage. The corrals are set-up in quads so that they can socialize with each other. I wanted my horses to atleast feel like they were turned out. My ring is not great, but my horses are happy.

[SanDiegoPinto]

I'll keep an eye out for you when I take my mare to the ISR/Old inspection at Tish Quirk's on Monday. She's in Rancho Santa Fe. Maybe there's something out there not advertised.

The only other place I can think of is Valley Center, and that's waaay too far away. I kept my mare there in pasture as a filly, but the drive was very long. Worth it, but much too far away from you in Del Mar.

[downthecenterlinetheycome]

Yeah, I talked to Tish. She's very nice, and the location is great, but unfortunately she's full up and her prices are over my budget anyway. Thanks so much though.

[downthecenterlinetheycome]

Still nothing.

Hey, how much is it usually to get a coggins test? My horse needs it for shipping, and it just came with his vet check last time (when I was just buying him.) Anything else usually needed for proffessional shippers?