It has been quite the process. Because the plot is literally a forest, we've had to cut down trees and literally de-forest the area bit by bit. It's exceptionally time consuming, especially due to the fact that we want to try and keep and preserve some of the larger trees to turn into fence boards later on.
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Driveway punched in on April 22nd. Turning left will take you to the house, turning right would take you to the horses. |
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This is where we started. |
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Standing at the edge of the driveway, looking to where the arena will be. Barn will be to the left. Taken in May. |
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Towards the end of July. Added more "driveway" and started to dig down to clay. |
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Comparison photo L-R is April, May and July. |
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We finally struck clay at the end of July! |
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And now, end of August we have a giant swimming pool. A very expensive swimming pool. |
It's been a roller-coaster of work and emotions. We contracted out work on the lot mid-August and had a lot of the crappy soil and stumps trucked out which left us with the attractive swimming pool we have now.
The plan is to continue pulling down trees and pulling out the soil to clay. The current "dirt" on our lot isn't the greatest and if anything, absorbs water. Another contractor in town has offered to dump "reject" dirt at our lot free of charge, so naturally we've said yes.
It doesn't look like much and I honestly don't have much to say about it other than holy shit it's a lot of work and we still have another 4.3 acres to clear. Although, the rest of it will be easier as it will be pasture land and "dead space".
I have narrowed it down to a few barns and designs, though.
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Barn Choice #1 |
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Barn Choice #2 (And most likely what we will go with, but with 3 stalls instead of the 4 pictured). |
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Stalls will be "rolling doors" for added space-saving. |
In addition, some other thoughts include corner feeders (so I don't have to worry about Spud getting Suzie's food), possible automatic waterers, saddle trees and a blanket closet.
I am still figuring out how I want the barn placed and where I would want a feeder to go, manure pile, etc. The biggest issue is figuring out if I want the barn to go length-wise with the property or width-wise, which is frustrating in itself because both pose positives and negatives.
This is what I am tentatively thinking. |
Still so much to do. So much to think about.
Screw it, we'll just keep our mud swimming pool the way it is.
it's all very exciting and all very stressful. I know because I lived it. In terms of which way to orient it- look to the way the prevailing wind goes so you can make sure that there's airflow in the summer.
ReplyDeleteTell me about it! No, seriously!! I want to know the secrets of not going insane.
DeleteI really want this barn done ASAP but the money aspect makes me shy away like an Arabian at a desensitizing clinic. LOL
I started with my design and what I wanted in it.I then found a builder and went from there. It's a pretty simple barn. I took photos of the progress: https://flic.kr/s/aHsjrWFDss
DeleteWow! It looks amazing!! Thank you for sharing :)
DeleteThe stalls are beautiful.
Thanks. Ed built the stalls for me after the contractor left. I love them.
DeleteDefinitely face it with the weather - it sucks to have to clear snow drifts from the door all winter long and to have to keep everything shut to keep the rain/puddles out. My OCD preference at our place too was to face the sacrifice pens away from the front too so I'm not annoyed looking at the poop that magically appears in my clean pens 15 min after I get back to the house. Love the design, so excited for you :)
ReplyDeleteThe hilarious thing about our weather is that it is merciless and comes from all sides, lol.
DeleteAlthough, I do have to agree that I need to find out where the brunt of it is coming from and position it accordingly.
It is truly a pain-staking process. So much time, money and energy....
The mud swimming pool is very attractive. Who needs a house anyway?
ReplyDeleteGrab a snorkel and let's go!
Deleteomg so much work! you guys have accomplished a ton already this summer, good luck with the barn design!
ReplyDeleteIt's been crazy! Hopefully I'll get more done next Spring... hoping to have a barn up by next Fall
DeleteSo exciting! A friend of mine recently did a similar thing and I loved following her progress on Facebook :D
ReplyDelete