Which barn would you choose?
(Wasn't sure what flair to use since nothing really fit)
Hey all, I need some help! I have to choose between two great facilities and have no idea what to do (I know, terrible problem to have, I get it!).
Barn 1: this is where we currently board. Price is $70 less per month per horse than where I am considering moving to, and it's about 15 minutes from my house. It is more convenient for me after work, it's closer to all the horseshows etc, and my horses are happy and thriving. Has a huge indoor and outdoor, and big grass pastures in the summer (pro and a con because it's a long walk when I'm rushing after work to get riding and get home, it also requires my one gelding to wear a muzzle which gives him rubs). However, I don't really have any friends there, people are nice enough but I don't have anyone to ride with and really miss that 'barn family' feeling. It is also a more adult oriented facility so it is challenging to bring my kids because they don't really enjoy it and I am constantly making sure they don't disturb others. The mud in the spring is AWFUL (like up to their knees, the barn owners try their best but it is a losing battle without a SIGNIFICANT financial investment), and the ticks are bad in the pasture. There's also a concern that the board will increase significantly this year as they are honestly way undercharging and I know they are feeling the crunch but trying to avoid increasing fees for their boarders. I don't think they're going to be able to do that by fall. Also this barn has free trailer parking.
Barn 2: this is a facility owned and operated by a close friend of mine, but it is about 25-30 minutes from my house. It's more expensive, the fields are smaller, and they only get grass pasture every few days in the summer as it is on rotation (this would mean my cushings guy wouldn't need a muzzle but likely would gain the weight we've worked hard to lose due to not moving as much in the smaller paddocks). Has an indoor but is much smaller than the one where I currently board, but the footing is better and their outdoor is a great size. No/very minimal mud during the wet seasons, and smaller herds (current barn has about 12-14 horses in the paddocks sharing two feeders, new barn would have 4-5 horses per field). I have several friends who ride at this barn, and the people I met there the other day were a lot more friendly and chatty than the ones at my current barn. This farm is VERY family friendly, my kids would have other kids to play with while I ride, they have a play structure, and there is definitely more of a 'barn family' atmosphere, which I really miss. My kids could grow up as barn rats if they want and brush or ride as much as they wanted on the barns ponies, but even if they didn't, they'd still have more fun at the barn and I'd be able to relax more about not having to watch their behaviour constantly.
Hacking areas and care at both facilities are basically equal (although care at my friend's place would be slightly better), and both allow me to use my own vet, farrier and coach.
What do I do? Is there something obvious I'm missing that would make this choice easier? I have to decide soon as places at my friends farm rarely open, especially not two at the same time, and she needs to fill the spot.