Big Moves

Now that the news has been shared with all of the right people in person or more privately I get to share it with all of you… 

 We’re moving to Tenessee! Kyle got an incredible opportunity and it’s going to be quite the adventure!

Goodbye Bluegrass State… Hello “Volunteer State” or “Big Bend State”. Definitely less catchy state nicknames for TN that is for sure!

There is a lot to figure out still but I am very excited. The only not so awesome part of this big change is that we have to sell our house that we just finally started to settle into. 
 We are still trying to iron out all of the logistics but the plan for now is that I will keep my job and work remotely from home. We will be renting for awhile hopefully downtown and then once we figure out how long term it is we will start the process of searching for a house. 
I am really excited about the fact that I will be slightly closer to an awesome trainer that I have gotten the chance to ride with once so far. I’ll have to haul out to her but I think between getting a lesson on a schoolmaster and help with Annie it’ll be well worth the drive. 

For those of you that recently moved with horses and dogs in tow do you have any tips? If you had to sell your home before moving how did you deal with when to give barns notice during that limbo? (My BO knows already but still) Or how early do you find a new barn? Also for any other bloggers in Nashville or that have lived there in the past any good tips for me? Feel free to email if you think that’s easier. Any and all insights are appreciated! 😊

33 comments

  1. Kelly says:

    Congrats!!! Big adventure and fun ahead 🙂 When we moved to KY for a year for my husband’s job, we rented out our home in Indiana and rented one in KY (we were unsure the move would be permanent). We started looking for a boarding barn 3 months before we moved – found the barn before the house! Our former barn also knew we were moving – but I gave them formal notice 30 days out.

  2. Stephanie says:

    Congrats!! Tennessee is the best state. 🙂

    I grew up south of Nashville and went to college in West TN. I still have a lot of contacts in the area, so let me know if I can help!

  3. Jackie says:

    Is it bad that my first thought was “oooh awesome BBQ”?

    Anyway, best of luck! I would check with any state show aassociations, they usually have trainer listings and are a good place to start!

  4. Carly says:

    Congrats!! At least you’re moving from one part of horse country to another! My advice for moving is to take as much time as you possibly can before settling on a house and barn. We only had two weeks to find a place when Hubby got transferred to NY and we ended up settling on both of those things. I hated my first barn up here, and I can’t wait until we close on our house next month and get the heck out of the place we’re renting now. If we’d had the time, I think we would have been a lot happier from the get-go. Good luck!

  5. Megan says:

    Woohoo! Best of luck with the move, I just moved for work but it was only an hour and a bit away (so I could leave my horse where he was for a month due to barn drama in the new area and still was able to ride him enough), three hours adds a bit of stress. Fingers crossed everything goes smoothly!

  6. Austen says:

    Saddle up for the advice train! Though, you aren’t moving across the country like us, or with the military (I assume, because that’s a special sort of PITA), so some might not fit.

    1. Find a barn ASAP. Lots of barns have wait lists for exactly what you’re looking for. Some don’t. Either way, it’s good to call around and see what’s available for your time frame and be able to price/make housing choices based on a probable drive.

    2. I miiiiight have picked housing partially because of my barn location. Sure, I’m still 45 min away, but at least I don’t live alllll the way on the south side of the city. That would have been impossible.

    3. I find it’s best to give your barn owner notice that you’ll be leaving to be polite, but don’t give formal “notice” until 30 days out and you have everything finalized at your old barn.

    4. I’ve moved far away with the horse a couple of times now, and it’s waaaay easier to get yourself settled for a day or two BEFORE moving the horse. That way you are already there and feel comfortable (and have a nice place to shower after the horrors that can be getting a sweaty and stressed out horse acclimated to a new home.) That’s what I would suggest.

    5. Start getting your shots and health paperwork in order. Ask new barns what shots they require. Talk to your vet. Don’t forget traveling papers. Blah, blah, blah.

    6. Ask around at your new barn about farriers. You’re moving close enough you might be able to ask your vet/farrier for recommendations. Recommendations via word of mouth are the BEST.

    7. When in doubt, ask a local tack store. They know everything/one and have heard everyone’s gossip. They are good people.

  7. emma says:

    oooh big news – congrats!! sad to leave the lovely new house, but all in all sounds like an incredible opportunity! good luck with all the logistics 😀

  8. Susan Friedland-Smith says:

    When I moved from Illinois to California with my previous horse, I kept him in Illinois for a couple months until I could find a suitable boarding situation in California. I knew he was in good hands at his then current stable and it let me take my time to get to know the area and find another good situation.

  9. Amanda says:

    Wow! Congratulations!!! Tennessee is great, and the Nashville area is particularly aswesome.

    When I’ve moved, I usually leave Tristan behind for as much as a month. After one too-quick move into a new barn, I take my time now to really spend time at each potential new barn, sometimes taking a lesson to be extra-sure. I have arranged for either 24/7 turnout or training board while I’m away depending on his circumstances. That also helps me to figure out my own routine and then add him to the mix.

    When we moved houses – which granted was just from one town to another – we boarded Arya during the days for a few days and let her get gradually used to the house at night, and that gave us a puppy-free day to unpack & keep moving.

  10. Lauren says:

    Congratulations! As you know, I’ve been there and done that… twice! At least you’re only going a few hours so you’ll probably have a little easier of a time. Hopefully.

    Goodluck!

  11. Karley says:

    How exciting!!! That is awesome that your job is going to let you work remote!!

    It’s nice that you aren’t too far so you can go look at prospective barns and houses.

  12. Sarah says:

    Congrats on the big move! I hate moving, but hopefully everything will go smoothly!

    In terms of your horse, if you’re happy where she is now and you trust the barn, it might be best to leave her behind for a few weeks/a month. That way you can get settled and then get her settled. It’s hard trying to do both at once (and, if you’re like me, your horse’s settling will come first and therefore unpacking won’t happen).

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