Yep -- we're STILL working on the fence. [That would be the "royal 'we'" since it's actually Mark who is doing all the work.] The front fence was completely finished this weekend - momentarily. It was done until they tightened up the fencing to the point where an 8" diameter post snapped off at the base. Sigh. Now Mark wil have to dig out that post and set another one in concrete -- AND set a couple of support posts, as well. Apparently the directions instructed that support posts be attached to the corner posts, but not the end posts. Oops.
But that broken post is clear at the back where the side gate goes -- well behind the barn -- so the front still LOOKS complete. Actually, it's nice to learn that if a tree falls on the fence or something breaks a post later somehow, the rest of the fence will still be fine.
Here was the view on my way out this morning. We still need to get the electric gate opener. We're just trying to decide what all the thing needs - like a key pad or a speaker button or what. Not sure yet. We don't want to put it in and then discover that something is missing and have to re-do it. Enough is enough! We need to get it right the first time.
This picture - although it's very hard to make out -- shows Ladybug's paddock that sits between the barn and the side fence and comes forward from the barn another 60 or 70 feet. It's about 35 feet wide and about 80 feet long overall, so I'm thinking it will be a fine area to use as a "round pen" until we get the real one put up in back. That pile of "quarter minus" limestone in the picture is for the top layer in the stalls. There are 3 layers of limestone of various sizes under the stall grid. Each got put in and tamped down with one of those rental things to the point where when Knight was there he could run over it and even paw at it and it stayed solid and in place. That tamper thing seems to force the pieces together to the point where they are almost like solid concerete - but water (and urine) drain right through and there are no sharp edges sticking up to get stuck in their feet. Once the stalls are finished, they'll be covered with shavings the same as a dirt floor -- but the theory is the shavings will last longer because the urine won't spread out and soak them. Then once every quarter or so the stall grid supplier recommended that we clear out the shavings and spray the stalls with Oxine AH.
Tested and proven effective against a broad spectrum of bacteria, fungi & viruses including E. Coli, Salmonella, Avian Influenza, Canine Parvovirus, Rhino virus and many more. May be used at low concentrations due to its ultra high activity level. May be used on floors, walls and ceilings of confinement facilities such as barns, pens and kennels. Can also be used on handling and restraining equipment, forks, shovels and scrapers used for litter and manure removal. Can be used for fogging or spraying. Citric Acid, an activator, must be added before dilution.
It's supposed to not only sterilize the stalls, but eliminate the fumes that aren't good for horses to breathe. It's a chlorine dioxide product as is White Lightning, but it's a lot cheaper and I never heard anyone suggest using White Lightning to sterilize stalls or for an animal to breathe or to suggest putting it in their water! In fact, I've read somewhere that Oxine can be used to prevent or even cure heaves. (Not sure where I read that, though.) Here are a couple sites with more info on the stuff. You can order it from Amazon just like everything else in the world, and it's not even all that expensive.
Anyway, that stuff, combined with the fact that the horses will have continual access to the outdoors at will, should keep the barn fairly tidy -- we hope!
Another view of the front fence. It's good that it's Bug's paddock that will extend out into the front, and that has a gate with direct access to that area, because that way it will no doubt be mostly her pasture and she's actually tidy enough not to ruin the front yard!
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