advice from liveries..

[5horses2dogsandacat]

I'm looking at some grass land, its 25 acres mostly rolling grass land but there is a steep hill down to the road, which is a quiet country lane.

It won't be up for sale for 3 years but out of interest what are peoples feelings on turning out on a sloping paddock?

I would also put stables on the otherwise of the hill so its well hidden from the road. We already own the field next door and I would put hardcore down there for parking, however that would be about 75m walk from parking to stables, up a little track that would slope up a bit..

Just ideas Ive been thinking about and like to think them over with others

Thanks for any suggestions!!

 

[Ladydragon]

It won't be up for sale for 3 years but out of interest what are peoples feelings on turning out on a sloping paddock?

Our turnout is literally the side of a mountain if that's any help...

On a serious note, I think the uphill/downhill aspect is helpful for their fitness - even just walking around grazing...

 

[YorksG]

I wouldn't object to a sloping field, but would never again put a horse in a field which is above the road by more than a foot or two. I would also not be happy about no vehicular access to the stables, both for deliveries but also what happens if (or rather when) the hunt or knackerman is necessary, winching down a track is not pleasant.Will you be living on site? I would not want to keep horses where there was no-one over nighting there.

 

[brightmount]

I've been on livery where the fields slope, but there have also been flat parts to the fields. It hasn't been ideal where I live as we are on heavy clay, and it gets impossibly slippery in winter. If the land is well drained where you are, it may be OK, but probably more suited to native type ponies than horses. Also when I needed to rehab a couple of my horses, the lack of flat well drained grazing was a problem. I think most liveries would prefer level ground or gentle slopes, as there is less risk of injury, but that's not to say the hilly ground can't be used.

 

[criso]

It wouldn't worry me as for years I didn't know any different. Where I grew up in South Devon everything seemed to be on a really steep hill, we used to school on the flat bit of the valley but even that sloped a bit and flooded in winter.

Have to say never had such fit horses for such little effort since.

 

[5horses2dogsandacat]

There is vehicle access, VIA a track that would need opening and a proper surface putting down. Drainage is good as a brook runs along the bottom of the slope, so drains into there. There would be secure storage on the farm opposite in the form of a large barn and there's a small bungalow right by the vehicle access at the bottom of the fields. Is also be offer equine physio by that stage, fingers crossed... got to pass the human side first!! Lol so would be offering rehab livery too.

We're also a 20 min drive from of the main EC in England and an hour from mk event.

 

[5horses2dogsandacat]

Oops can't edit but meant to say secure storage on the opposite farm for lorries and trailers Xx

 

[indi4]

As long as my horse is fit and healthly i don't have an issue turning out on a hill, have done in the past, but there has also been a part of the field which is sort of flat so they don't have to spend all their time on a hill. If i had an older horse or one with joint/stiffness problems then i would only turn out in a flatish field. Think alot will depend on how steep the hill is and weather there is a flat area in the field

 

[NOISYGIRL]

As my horse has arthritis I wouldn't keep my horse on a sloped field and I always think what if there was an injury where you needed flat turnout. I would think long term of joint problems

 

[5horses2dogsandacat]

It's just the one field the rest is nice flatish/rolling fields so the rehab horses or other with issues would have plenty of turn out. If not my ponies will have loads of turn out Xx

 

[Meowy Catkin]

As with Ladydragon, I live in an area where it's almost impossible to get a totally flat field. My horses used to live on flat land. When I first had my yearling he was everso ungraceful going down the hill, he can now negotiate the terrain with ease.