Friesian Quest Property Entry
Security and the Safety of the horse's staying at Friesian Quest are a primary concern. Our entrance is monitored by a security system, and we use a double automated keypad gate system. There is an entry gate that is accessible from the road, then there is a second gate entry that can act as a holding area if needed.
The Barn
Our Barn is block construction with stuco. The stall fronts are MD Construction, customized to the Friesian Quest black and gold theme. Each stall has a sky light, an automatic fly spray system, security monitoring, automatic waterers, fans, and a water misting system. Each stall is rubber matted with a french drain system and then bedded with shavings.
The Arena
Our work arena is just steps away from the Barn, Mare Motel and the Hot Walker. It is equipped with a dual gate entry system, Sprinkler system to keep the dust down, and is padded to help defer joint and bone damage during exercise and play. We have also chosen, a plastic rail system so if a horse chooses to challenge the rails for whatever reason, permanent injures to the horse will be less likely. Rails are easy to replace, not the horse.
The Pastures and Paddocks
We designed the paddocks with Friesian's in mind, Perimeter Safety, and different areas of different sizes and purpose that are suitable for Friesian's of all ages. All the horse enclosure rails are plastic 3 rail with hot wire across the top rail, with box mesh leading from the top rail into the ground. This hopefully keeps horse appendages where they belong, and allows Friesian's to grow long manes, and allows for protection from the elements. The gates on the paddocks are made of steal with hog wire. All of the turnout pastures have sprinkler systems which are used to cool down the horses and to allow for water play in the summer months.
The "Triangle" as we call it is the first network of paddocks, are about 2000 to 2500 Square feet each with a 10 x 10 Sheds - with rubber mats on the shed floor, and Automatic waters, that are adjoining to a triangle pasture. This set of paddocks are predominately used for mares whom have newer foals or are expecting. This gives them enough area to exercise, however it is not large enough for a young foal to gain too much speed and get into trouble. The adjoining triangle pasture has two large trees for shade, automatic water, and grass when weather permits.
The "Middle" section as we call it is the second set of paddocks that are set up the same way as the triangle system however the paddocks are much large in most cases upwards of 3000 square feet, with a half acre turnout. The half acre turnout has two large trees and a shelter w/rubber mats for shade as well as water's.
The third paddock system consists of even larger paddocks, that open up to an even larger turnout system. These paddocks do not have the 10 x 10 shelters. These paddocks are tree lined, with large mature oaks trees that keep their leaves year round. Some of these paddocks have large oaks inside the paddock area as well. We find this area better suited for the yearlings, two year and three year olds whom need plenty of room to run and play as a herd.
The Mare Motel
We designed the mare motel with stallion paneling on all four sides to 6 feet in height. This helps to assure that our visiting mares do not have easy access to the other mares, and lessens the ability to rub out the mane. Each enclosure is 24 X 24 with a 50 percent cover, has a water misting system for hot days, off the ground feeders, and automatic water's. The location is easy access to the arena for turnouts and to the breeding & palp area, as well as the barn for bathing.
Mare Motel Rear View shows feeders and waters - some owners bring special supplements which is kept in cans. Mare Motel Front View
The Breeding / Palp Area
This is a multi-purpose area in three sections that has been constructed for the safety that is needed for the horse, its offspring if present, and the Veterinarian and our staff. Each area is separately gated and secured with the highest quality building products available today.
The Foal Holding Pen: The enclosure on the far left is for a foal to be maintained in a protected area where both the foal and mare can see each other - the area is rubber matted and has an automatic water dispenser.
The Mare Procedure Pen: This is where the mares are checked for follicle size, receive Artificial Insemination, and are Ultrasounded for pregnancy. Please note the mare stocks in the center which are designed to straight or slant load based on the experience of the mare. The stock has its own protection roof from the sun. Each mare is loaded, then the rear and front gates are closed, the mare is cross tied, and then given a treat while in the enclosure by the handler. This apparatus has a fenced enclosure around the stocks for those mares that have a young foal that needs to stay at their side during a procedure.
The Stallion Collection section: This is pictured to the far right. The phantom is used to support the stallion during the collection process. If a mare is needed for the collection of a stallion, that mare is placed behind the protective 9 foot barrier made of steel and concrete composite wood, with a handler as oversight of the mare at the cross ties. Once the stallion has completed the collection, the mare can be easily moved to the next set of stocks for the artificial insemination process.
