Sage Knoll Farm

Om Denne Stallen

Mission:
-Affordable boarding for horses with unique needs, and relationship-based horsemanship and biomechanics education.
-A model of horse management that is centered on horse-welfare and ecologically-conscious land stewardship
-A diverse and inclusive community of people who want to learn from horses.

Boarding amenities
Paddock Paradise Track System
Alleyways that wind around the property to the entrance to each field with slow feeders along the way to keep the horses moving and foraging. 24/7 access to low NSC hay throughout the track. The footing consists mainly of class I sand or gravel over a well-draining base. This keeps horses' hooves dry and mimic the conditions they were evolved to live on– rugged dry terrain. There are also sections of dirt track and wooded areas to stimulate novel movement over diverse terrain, and provide comfortable spaces for rolling and napping. Easy keepers and metabolic horses have access to pasture for the amount of time appropriate for their unique situation or not at all, but the track system allows them to move about in a small herd without over-consuming grass. Wooded areas for natural shelter, but no run-in sheds. This keeps any herd members from being able to guard the shelter. If a horse is struggling in the elements, I can bring them into the barn until they’re back to normal and turn back out with appropriate blanketing. Night turnout in fields (for horses who benefit from grass)
Metabolic and laminitic horses experience health issues from grazing on the rich grasses and forbes we have growing in Kentucky, so each horse’s pasture schedule (or lack thereof) is totally individualized. Pastures are tested in the fall and spring to guide decisions on when grazing can safely resume after sugar peaks in those 2 seasons for any at-risk horses who do well consuming moderate grass. Horses are removed from pasture in February until the grass is at least 6” high and reasonably low in sugar to keep the pastures healthy and the horses off of high NSC forage.

Morning and Evening Supplemental Feeding
Every horse has their own unique nutritional needs. Boarders are required to provide the additional supplementation that they would like to be fed to their horses. Hay and pastures are tested biannually so that we know exactly what nutrition the horses are getting from their forage, and boarders can work with a nutritionist to figure out what additional supplementation would suit their horses’ needs.

Salt is provided both free-choice and in the horses’ supplemental meals to ensure they get at least 2 tbsp/day, or more during excessive heat and sweating

Stalls
Horses are fed their morning and evening meals in the stalls to eliminate the safety issues of fence feeding in a herd and ensure that every horse consumes only their own carefully selected supplementation. Feeding time in stalls is also an opportunity for wellness checks and extra care to be provided, such as changing hoof boots. Horses will only be in the stall for as long as it takes everyone to eat during meal times (maximum 1 hour, on average 15 minutes). Utilizing the stalls for these short periods reduces stress in the case of medical circumstances that require stall rest. Double-sized stalls are available in case of emergency or a case-by-case rehabilitation decision (with fans provided). In the case of stall rest, the aim will be to have the horse return to regular routine in the track and/or pasture as soon as possible, as decided by that horse’s team (myself, the vet, farrier, bodyworker, etc.). We also have small paddocks next to the track in case of an injury recovery requiring minimal movement. Stall use and shavings beyond the normal morning and evening feeding use will be billed accordingly.

Fly Gear, Sun Protection, and Blanket Changes
Boarders can provide sunscreen and fly repellent for their horses to be applied during feeding times. Blanket and fly gear will be changed during feeding times, as needed per boarder’s request
We can teach your equine to use a button board to communicate their blanketing preferences so you know your horse is getting exactly what they need, and not just our best guess!

Tack room
Tack room is insulated and climate controlled. Space in the tack room is available for each boarder to store their belongings and feed/supplements

Wash rack
An outdoor wash rack is available for use outside the barn.

Riding Arena
20x40m sand outdoor dressage arena.
The arena is groomed as needed.
Jumps and cavaletti available.

1 required lesson, training session, or rehab session per week (4 per month) are included in board to ensure in depth monitoring of the health and wellbeing of all the horses at Sage Knoll Farm. Annemieke Buis specializes In classical dressage and postural rehabilitation.