The Bull Run Hunt Kennel is in need of renovations in order to improve the health and workability of the hounds, horses, and staff. The proposed plan is to remove the raised floor tack room and pour a concrete slab with a tack/meds room and hound/horse feed storage area. This will improve our kennel, and thus impact our hounds and staff in many important ways.
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Dedicated Feed Room - storing feed in a feed room and out of the freezers that are in aisle ways of the kennels will enable us to ensure cleaner kennel space and that feed is being kept as fresh as possible before being fed to the hounds. The condition of the freezers currently being used to store hound feed is deteriorating in spite of being painted with rust proof paint - making it even more difficult to ensure sanitary conditions where hounds eat and are treated/medicated
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Rodent/Flea/Tick/Tapeworm Control - Pouring the concrete slab for the tack room will eliminate a large habitat area for rodents - this will help with the rat problem in the barn and kennel - rats are a prime way that fleas can be introduced into the pack and therefore tapeworms as well - anything that we can do to increase prevention of these problems cuts down significantly on treatment costs in the future
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Insulated & Heated Tack/Meds Room - Pouring a slab floor for the tack room is going to allow for more effective insulation therefore making it easier to efficiently heat the space - during this past winter the hunt had to store medication, supplies, and beet pulp for both hounds and horses - in the refrigerator in the kennels or directly next to the baseboard heaters (fire hazard) to keep them from freezing. Being able to heat the tack room will create a much improved working environment for staff during the cold
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Hot Water Heater Location - Tack room improvements will also allow for the hot water heater for the kennel and barn, to be kept in a heated space and therefore be more energy and cost efficient.
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Utility Sink/Washer/Dryer - Adding a utility sink in the tack room will provide a space when necessary to treat injured hounds. The addition of a washer and dryer will prevent the necessity of using the huntsman's personal washer and dryer for barn and kennel laundry and will reduce the wear and tear on the newly renovated huntsman's house
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Addition of Direct Stable Access - Currently in order to enter the stable side of the building you have to go through the working area of the kennel. This new design allows movement between the tack room and stable without going through the kennel, allowing for easier simultaneous stable and kennel work to go on.
We are asking that members and friends of Bull Run Hunt consider donating to help with this project. If you would like to donate or have any questions please contact Bucky Hill, BRH Board Member at (540) 229-5477 or bhill@cfcfarmhome.com