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TOUR
the
FARM
| Damrock Farm consists of approximately 40 acres of woods and pasture land. We bought the farm in 2004 and immediately started improvements to the existing paddocks. There were three wooden paddocks, one 200' X 200', and two 100' X 100'. Each had a very small shelter and the fences were in pretty rough shape, tipping over in spots, varying heights, very small gates, etc. We eventually took them all down, but have reused many of the materials to rebuild them. One winter paddock is now usable and a second will soon be done. We also removed the small shelters that were in place and are in the process of rebuilding them before winter sets in again. For summer turnout, we took over the fields that a local farmer had been haying for several years and have so far built three large grass pastures. Two more are planned for 2011. When the summer pastures are all done, there will be plenty of good, healthy, rotational grazing. There is a large grassy riding area for use by boarders and plenty of trails in the surrounding woods and fields. Within the riding area, we have an 80 foot round pen. We chose 80 feet rather than the traditional 60 feet because the round pen is used for exercising sales prep horses and also those who are getting ready to enter track training. The larger the circle, the less stress is placed on the joints and tendons, making the exercise much less likely to cause injury to the horse. By far, the biggest project has been the new barn. The barn was built almost completely by myself and my husband with minimal help from a few family members and friends. The barn has nine 12' X 12' stalls and a larger foaling stall. There is a feed/tack room and a storage area for tools, wheelbarrows, extra buckets, etc., that also contains our water supply. We added this area so that nothing needs to be left in the aisle where it could possibly injure a passing horse. We designed the barn ourselves with special attention being paid to excellent ventilation and loads of natural daytime lighting. The stalls and aisle also have great lighting for night work. The stall lights were specially chosen to provide enough light to be used for inducing early estrus if desired. We installed the electrical supply with enough power, plugs and breakers that we can run heated buckets in the winter without the risk of overloading any circuits. We can also safely use heat lamps to keep those early babies warm until their bodies acclimate to the cold. All the stalls are matted and the upper walls allow the horses to see their neighbors. The slotted upper walls also improve the overall ventilation in the barn, essential to the health of the horses. Our hay is stored in an upper loft which is also well ventilated. Straw for foaling mares is stored upstairs with the hay and we keep our shavings that we use for most of our other bedding needs under cover in the overhangs outside the barn or in an empty stall if available. Farm equipment is also stored under the overhangs. Damrock Farm is still a work in progress, but we are up and running with all the essentials in place for the excellent care of any type of horse, with a special emphasis on broodmares and foals. Come and check us out. You'll be glad you did! |
| DAMROCK FARM Pam and Dave Zielinski, owners 877 State Highway 67 Amsterdam, NY 518-843-9311 |