A "what would you do" post......opportunity to save oodles of dosh...

[wizzi901]

I have just been offered 4 acres with two stables/shelters for my mob.

Current situation is DIY livery (assisted) 3 nice stables but dont use one of them, have tack room, storage etc but have to buy YO supplies of hay and shavings at a price. Horses very happy there, school, jumping paddock but they MUST be brought in every night. £30 a week plus t/o costs etc PER HORSE

Offered situation £30 a week FOR ALL THREE HORSES, plenty of grazing, shelters convert to stables if required and are open all year round so shelter available. No running water but water available reasonably closely, no electric but could easily get gennie or power pack for winter evenings.

Its a BIG saving and I could do with saving some money, its safe, sheltered and private, lovely hacking, both yards are.

My only concern is that I may miss the social side of the yard where i currently keep them, daughter also likes current yard although no other kids really ride much.

Dont know what to do, heart is saying move and save money and have easier life, not spending half the time mucking out....other bit of me says I would miss my friends there, although in reality its 10 minutes a day.....

What would you do................

Distance isnt an issue as both are within few miles....

 

[Kat1e]

Move!

 

[Shilasdair]

If you don't move in, I'll move in and commute from Glos!
S

 

[teabiscuit]

go!

have you got transport then you can travel your horses to do's? and catch up socially that way?

 

[ihatework]

If you are wanting to school/compete your horses stay where you are otherwise if they are just companion or happy hacker then move.
I rented a field for my horses to be turned away in cheaply, it had no electricity and the only running water was a trough, with a small shed for storage. Fine for the short period I needed it for but no way could I have stayed there when my horse came back into work. Winter is particularly bad.

 

[_daisy_]

personally id jump at the chance to have your opwn place. I dont think youll miss the social side of the yard as youll be able to do what you like when you like without any comments being made or people watching you. YOu could always arrange to go out riding and meet up somewhere in between both of the yards? or just go out for a drink to catch up if you miss them that much.

 

[ColouredFan]

I think it depends, I was in a big livery yard and moved to a private yard we rent in total, we have been there since 1994 and love it, however it does have its downsides, no one on site to assist when you cant get there ie getting your horses in putting them out, which is sometimes a real pain, we are in charge of maintainance BUT the big advantage is that we can do what we want have the horses in or out as we please and until now this has realy suited us, we even had our first foal born there is march (one of the stables is 16x12 so perfect foaling stable). As my sister and I have got older (im now 27) i have missed the facilities, i started eventing last year and really miss a school, luckily we have one within 5 min hack but this is no good in the winter on dark night, guess you have to weigh up if you have the time to always do your horses (as you are currently on assisted) and if you will miss the company, i know we did. wouldnt change our decision for anything and now we have 4 (5 inc foal) horses we couldnt afford to keep them all in livery

 

[Thistle]

If you are knowledgable and confident then move, if not and you feel you need backup then stay.

 

[Salcey]

No contest - I'd move I love being on my own I'm sure you have friends that would give you backup if required

 

[Christmas_Kate]

Definately go.

 

[airedale]

carrying water when the supply is frozen or it's snow won't be easy - what is your normal winter weather situation ?

no electricity is a big pain and a generator may sound fine but they are very nickable - bit like the battery electric fence units

 

[wizzi901]

hmmm, think its a decision....going to move....do have transport so thats no issue. I have rented fields before with a lot less than this has, at least we have running water from a tap and dont have to get water from the stream with buckets and string!! (that was some years ago but we did it).

The shelters are solid and large and the place is so idylic and quiet and surrounded by cottages that have known the person who owns it and their horses for years and keep an eye out.

Hacking sounds fabulous and at least I ought to try it. My boy is 26 and still competing but I guess if he slows down at all in next couple of years then this will be ideal and peaceful for him.

Thanks for your comments, always helpful to have other opinions...

At least this place we dont have to drive over a scary little weak bridge with trailers........

 

[charlie76]

Marsden, I used to have the yard along the road, 3 stables, running water but no electric- I liked it in the summer but in the winter it was a nightmare! No company and no electric- we had a generator but it wasn't the same as having proper electric. I wouldn't do it again unless I had electricity, running water and an arena.And it would have saved me a FORTUNE!

 

[teabiscuit]

if you hired it all year round, but went back to the stables for the worst two months of the winter, would it still save money?

 

[tinker512]

[ QUOTE ]
if you hired it all year round, but went back to the stables for the worst two months of the winter, would it still save money?

[/ QUOTE ]

But don't forget it may not always be possible to get back onto the livery if the stables have been taken up, not fair on YO to keep them free for the possibility

I would just say go with your heart...I know I would find it difficult without electricity or arena, but if you are determined and really want it you will make it work

 

[Daphnelia]

It sounds lovely, and exactly what me and my friend are looking for. Lucky thing lol!

xx

 

[the watcher]

I had something similar for a year, I spent as much time maintaining it as I did with the horses and the lack of school, lights and a winter sea of mud ground me down in the end- I went back to livery at twice the price

 

[pixiebee]

£30 a week for you diy livery is expensive!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! MOVE!!

 

[wizzi901]

righty decision made, moving in next couple of weeks. It has a school also, with markers already on it and I can take my jumps with me, hacking looks fab mostly off road and the real bonus is we get a mini shettie to keep my lot company when I take the other out.

Basically paying for whole lot in a week what I pay for each horse x 3 a week! - one is out on loan at the moment but at least if he comes back it wont cost us more.

Managed to find nice power pack for the winter too yay! - looking forward to doing my own thing again, but luckily social side can be sorted as will pop in there on way from work to keep in touch with the gals and as mine will be so close to where i now live, can do them once daughter is in bed asleep, as other half can babysit!!

Needed a second look to make my mind up and deciding factor is that my oldie will need a nice place to retire in time and it means I can get another to compete at no extra cost in livery.

Remind me of this in the winter when I am once again up to my ears in mud and hay!!

 

[Lynne21]

Ooooh! Freedom to do what you like! No contest for me - you can always hack up to the other yard for the social side and get them to hack to you. MOVE!!!