My barn’s not fancy, by any stretch of the imagination, but it’s special. My dad built it for me in the 70s. At one time we had 7 horses inside and a run-in portion for cattle. I had one box stall and several tie stalls for the rest of the horses. Since they were turned out most of the time, I only brought them in during inclement weather.
My barn has had several upgrades since then. We’ve added two very nice box stalls with Eco Green Grid floors, Behlen stall fronts, and easy-access water. It now has a heated tack room and a shop at one end of the building. Even with these improvements, I’ve always longed for a barn with an aisle. My dream barn may look something like the photo below. A heated wash rack and concrete aisleway would be on my list of amenities.
One can always dream—so I do! I’ve been home so much over the last year I’ve spent a lot of time at the barn each day. Although I’m not getting much horse time with the magazine’s pivot from print to digital, I still find my solace in the barn away from computers and media (even my phone usually gets left in the house). Barn time means listening to horses eat and the smell of steamed hay on a cold day. It’s heavenly!
What is your dream barn? What list of things would you want your barn to include? Would you have an indoor arena or outdoor? Watch for more information on building your dream barn. Meanwhile, check out our cover story this month. White Construction Equestrian Services shares their story of building luxury buildings and arena footings for equestrian properties. Read about it on page 6.
Please let us know how you like our digital editions. We’ve added audio so you can enjoy hearing your favorite articles while you’re at the barn. The magazine is easily read or listened to on your smart phone so give it a try. I’ve created a YouTube video on how to get the most from the digital magazine. Check it out here.
Enjoy your riding and driving time!
Quote: “If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.” – John Quincy Adams (1767-1848) Diplomat, Lawyer, U.S. President
See this article in the 2021 March online edition:
Owner / Publisher | Canfield Certified Trainer
Karen Pickering is a lifelong horsewoman and the founder of The Northwest Horse Source, which began in 1995 as a small equine newsletter and grew into a respected industry publication. With more than 30 years of experience serving the horse community, Karen now focuses on helping equine businesses and organizations build visibility, credibility, and lasting relationships through online marketing, digital promotion, and educational platforms.
As a Canfield Certified Trainer, she blends proven success principles with real-world industry experience, supporting both businesses and individuals navigating change in today’s digital landscape. Karen remains deeply connected to the horse industry and is passionate about serving the community she has helped build for over three decades.
