Ever since we opened the sanctuary back in 2000, we wanted to have a place where we could exercise the horses and dogs in wintertime. For us, winters typically last from November through April, with snow on the ground through that long stretch of months.
The snow gets too deep here to be able to turn the horses out to pasture even for exercise, so for several months the most "turn-out" they get is in their corrals ... which is to say, not much. We had no place to exercise them on a lunge line or ride them. For the young blind ones like Nikki who we had trained for riding, the training came to an abrupt end when the snow piled up. Taking several months off from training is not a good thing for a young horse.
And though the dogs have plenty of room to run around and play in the yards, they're still on snow and ice in winter -- and we wanted to be able to let them run around on dry ground out of the weather. For the sighted dogs like Travis we could also set up agility courses, and for the blind ones we could set up scent trails.
In short, it was "life enrichment" we wanted for both the horses and dogs, and the answer was an indoor arena that would become our exercise barn.
Earlier this year we received an unexpected bequest, and along with a smaller grant from a private family foundation, we suddenly had the funds to make the exercise barn a reality. Our contractors just finished building it a few weeks ago, and there it is in the photo above.
It's 70 feet wide and 130 feet long. That's on the small end for an indoor arena but it is large enough for our needs. Although we didn't have the extra money to install lighting yet, there are "light panels" along the west and east walls -- you can see them right underneath the edge of the roof in the photo. These fiberglass panels let enough natural light in that the building is very usable during the day with no artificial lighting.
It's not insulated yet because that would have meant another $23,000 on top of the construction cost, and we had already spent enough! But on a bitterly cold and windy day, it will feel very different inside, just getting out of the weather and off the snow.
So while it's kind of basic, this exercise barn will let us do what we have wanted to do for a long time -- add an entirely new dimension to the quality of life for our disabled dogs and horses. This will be a very different winter for all of us!
What a fabulous idea!!! I am sure all will enjoy it. I still wish you all a very short winter season!
Posted by: Nina | September 14, 2008 at 06:31 PM
Can't wait to use it!! I know everyone will love it.
Posted by: Laura & Levi | September 12, 2008 at 10:13 AM
That's terrific news! Please post videos throughout the winter -- can't wait to see the fun!
Posted by: Jamie | September 12, 2008 at 07:11 AM
What an amazing idea! I know the animals will be happy for the area to stretch their legs during the long, cold winter! You folks never cease to amaze me.
Posted by: Debbie | September 12, 2008 at 05:34 AM
What a glorious idea! I'm sure the horses and the dogs will just love their new indoor arena!
Once again, a huge thank you from the bottom of my heart, Alayne & Steve, for all you do to make your furkids happy. God bless you!
Posted by: Carla Polastro-Nigro | September 12, 2008 at 12:48 AM
I pray that more funds come your way for the exercise barn to install insulation and lights! I have no doubt it will. This is a wonderful addition and I'm sure the residents feel the same. KEEP UP THE AWESOME WORK!!
Posted by: Shirley * James * Portland, OR | September 11, 2008 at 11:29 PM
That's fantastic! It's great you have reached another goal for the enjoyment of the horses & dogs! They will love it!
Posted by: Colleen & Sweet Kitty Erin - San Antonio TX | September 11, 2008 at 10:42 PM
What fantastic news about the new exercise arena! That should improve everybody's quality of life greatly this winter!
Posted by: maggie | September 11, 2008 at 08:01 PM
Why not have a special seasonal or holiday campaign set up in order to get the insulation into the barn? I am sure your regular readers of the blog/website would be happy to chip in to get this task accomplished by winter!
Posted by: Marla | September 11, 2008 at 07:41 PM
Yahoo! That's excellent! What goes around comes around, and your incredibly giving hearts have a way of bringing it back to you from the generosity of others!
Posted by: Leila | September 11, 2008 at 05:47 PM