Horses
Those particular members of the equine genus who live on TerraOasis - they sometimes like to pretend they are not domesticated - usually when the weather is nice and there is work to do. However, when the weather is too hot, too cold or too buggy, they are quite happy to live the life of a pampered pony. That’s because life on TerraOasis revolves around horses, and they know it.
Although small, TerraOasis is a full boarding and training operation, with a barn, arena and 6 paddocks. Care and feeding are among the first and last activities of the day. Riding and maintaining the facility occupy much of the remaining free time.
Horse Training & Sales
In addition to boarding, TerraOasis trains horses for resale. As a small operation, our trainer works on a single training project at a time. Training includes taking the horse to riding lessons and shows, gradually increasing the horses ability.
These horses don’t simply pass through like temporary tenants. Training takes a long time - years, in fact. Trainees have to learn more than just their new working skills, they have to become good people-horses too. Integrating into the herd, acquiring manners, and learning the routine are all part of the process.
Tanqueray is the current project. An off-the-track thoroughbred gelding, Tanq is being re-trained for hunting and jumping. Although he is only a 2005 model, Tanq is already showing great promise.
Environment
Like many people and businesses, we make an effort to be environmentally conscious:
- Conserving water & electricity
- Using composted stall bedding & kitchen vegetable waste instead of chemical fertilizers
- Using fly predators and other natural alternatives to control flys and invasive insects
Now we are taking on a new challenge: When adding or replacing trees, shrubs and other plants we are selecting only those species that are indigenous to the region.
Our hope is that it will bring TerraOasis farm into greater harmony with the surrounding, natural environment, and reinforce the sense of place. After all, this is a Virginia farm, so the flora should include those species that evolved here.
Barn
The wood frame/board & batten barn was built by Groffdale, out of Pennsylvania. It is configured with 6 stalls, a feed room, and a supply room. Tack cabinets added along the aisle walls are for storing bridles, helmets, and other riding gear.
Stalls along the south side are equipped with dutch doors, so horses can be let out under the south-side awning. A full year of hay can be stored in the loft. Flourescent lights along both sides of the center aisle and over each stall provide plenty of light. Water is available from hydrants at both ends of the aisle.
Arena
The arena is twenty four by forty eight meters with sand footing. It is configurable as a small dressage ring or for jumping.
Landscape lighting along the sides provides just enough illumination to ride at night. Evergreen trees along the north and west sides provide protection from wind.
Paddocks
Six paddocks, totalling 15 acres, provide ample turnout space and adequate rotation. The paddocks are enclosed with three board fence.
Four medium-sized paddocks - two on each side of a fenced aisle - are used for turnout but are all flat enough to be set up with a jumping course. A small paddock near the barn contains three more tiny “starvation” paddocks. These are used when horses need turnout, but are not allowed to run around or eat too much. They are also convenient as a corals, to make it easier to catch a pony who is going to be ridden soon.
Then there is a big field where riders can go out for a gallup, and horses are sometimes allowed to play.
Riding
Riders at TerraOasis have an assortment of options. In the arena, they can practice dressage or set up a jumping course. If they need more space, jumps can be set up in any of the paddocks. Or they may simply choose to hack about in one of the fields.
Riding trails are accessible from the farm without leaving the saddle. Many of the nearby property owners allow riding, and there are wide verges along many of the public roads. Within a short driving distance (by horse trailer, of course) are several parks where there is trail riding, cross country jumping, and many horse events. Most of the riders at TerraOasis also take lessons and show.