Best Weekend Ever! *Picture heavy :)

[HaffiesRock]

So this weekend was the best weekend in my horsey life EVER!

Having been on livery for the last 10 years, I had completely had enough of everything. There was no such thing as peace and everybody had an opinion in what you should do with your horses and a nasty work or 6 towards other liveries, you all know what I mean! At almost 31 years old, I had completely had enough and had seriously started to lose my love of being at the yard. I love the ponies, but I avoided spending any time at the yard and it wasn't fair on them.

So on Saturday, in the fog, I upped sticks and moved to our very own little 4 acre yard!

I was worried, nervous etc but I really shouldn't have been!

So this is where the ponies came from. I was putting out £4.50 worth of hay every day to sustain 2 native ponies?? This picture is when the field was dry so please try to image the knee deep, slippery mud that has arrived with all the rain the last few weeks...

So imagine their shock and delight when they arrived at the new pad! A few picture below of their happiness

I can honestly say I have never seen either pony so happy! My Haflinger was bouncing around like Valegro and I had no idea he could move like that! After a few minutes hooning, they both realised there was GRASS!!

A little later on they went to investigate their field shelter...

Twinkle found a good use for it:

While they were settling in, I made cups of tea (massive novelty!) in my little kitchen, complete with personalised cups

Yesterday we decided to explore the amazing hacking we have. (They did enjoy it, honest)

We came across another Haflinger!

I have spent every light (and some dark) hours at the new place the last 3 days and I LOVE It. The peace, the serenity, everything. All the fear and nerves are gone and the ponies have settles in beautifully. I feel so much better, all the stress of the livery yard has gone, the ponies are genuinely the happiest I have ever seen them and I am just mad at myself that I wasn't brave enough to do this sooner! I enjoyed setting up, putting up fencing, the works, even though it was hard work. And who needs skin on their hands anyway??

So here is the final picture of the happy pony beasts to hopefully make you smile on a Tuesday morning

Thank you for reading, and sorry it was so gushy

 

[Princess Rosie]

Well done for taking the leap! It's a massive relief to leave livery yards behind and finally get your own piece of heaven. Enjoy and lovely ponies. x

 

[stencilface]

Ah, lovely post, and I'm not surprised your lovely ponies are much happier I would be so depressed at being in that postage stamp called a field. I really think its 'turnout' like that that causes so many of our modern horse problems. Looks like the have horsey neighbours too which is just handy all round

Love the little kitchen too

 

[Janovich]

Awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww...... Well all I can say is..Welcome to the first week of sheer bliss, happiness and complete and utter calm in your horsey World.. .

Well done you for taking the initiative (and courage!) to step up and make your situation a very positive and pleasant one, ..for you and the ponies eh?!

Ahhhh... I'm so chuffed for you HR..xx

 

[misskk88]

Glad to hear you and ponies are very happy with the new place! It can be hard taking the plunge, but I would encourage anyone unhappy or fed up to do it! It took one of my friends nearly a year to bite the bullet, but her and horse as happy as larry now!

ps- little bit jealous of all that space you have!

 

[HaffiesRock]

It is just amazing. Both had lost condition once the old YO overstocked. We used to have her 3 horses and a pony and my 2 ponies on 7 acres and the fields were rotated around and the ponies were happy. Then she took on 6 more livery horses, which was bad enough, then sold 3 acres to someone else this summer, so that's how I ended up in the postage stamp paddock That alone was enough to make me move as I have a 5 year old mare and she needs the grass to mature. Then our hacking was drastically reduced when the farmer put up a fence to stop bikers, which also meant horses couldn't get through to the main woods. This coupled with the liveries, who all came with sharers, children, dogs, attitudes etc just made it not fun anymore.

I don't know how quickly weight goes on a horse realistically, but Benji looks better already after just a few days of grass. I have done it sensibly and put them in smaller paddocks while they adjust so not to over load their systems and cause problems, but they really do look a lot better condition wise.I have been putting out a bit of hay and oddly, they have ignored it

So not only do I now have my own yard yard, amazing hacking, 2 equestrian centers on my doorstep and all the peace and quiet I could ever wish for, it actually works out cheaper

 

[Meowy Catkin]

Have I got it right? Your old yard ended up with 12 horses/ponies on 4 acres? Madness.

Your new place is fantastic, may you and your ponies have many, many happy years there.

 

[NU ABO]

Congratulations you! It's lovely having your own space to do what you want with isn't it

We love our little set-up (we'd just love for it to be in a nicer area, which is what we're currently looking for)

Your boys look so lovely, and most importantly so happy! Did you put the field shelter up by yourself, or did it come with the land?

 

[millikins]

Well done, I guarantee the peaceful feeling doesn't wear off I took the plunge 5 years ago and have never had a moment's regret, though as we have no leccy I envy your kitchen.

 

[Shady]

lovely post! they look so happy and your joy with your new life is completely justified, well done you!!

 

[HaffiesRock]

Have I got it right? Your old yard ended up with 12 horses/ponies on 4 acres? Madness.

Your new place is fantastic, may you and your ponies have many, many happy years there.

Yes Faracat, you read that right! Unfortunately, greed took over it seems. I was always promised the yard would stay private and quiet...

But it is gone and forgotten now and I am quite sure the ponies will forgive me now I have provided a proper home for them.

The land is rented, but I bought the 20ft x 8ft container and the field shelter that the previous occupants bought, so no I didn't build it, but it is an added bonus! It is 30ft x 16ft built off the side of the container and one end closes off as a hay barn. I could also be converted and used as a stable I suppose. At the minute I am just using the top section near the shelter, so they will have all the excitement again when I open up the track that runs around the edge

 

[kelsbels]

I don't know how quickly weight goes on a horse realistically, but Benji looks better already after just a few days of grass. I have done it sensibly and put them in smaller paddocks while they adjust so not to over load their systems and cause problems, but they really do look a lot better condition wise.I have been putting out a bit of hay and oddly, they have ignored it

So not only do I now have my own yard yard, amazing hacking, 2 equestrian centers on my doorstep and all the peace and quiet I could ever wish for, it actually works out cheaper

^^^ love love LOVE this! Well done!

 

[3OldPonies]

They look soooo happy. Love the bit where they're discovering the shelter.

As someone who has hated livery yards ever since helping out on one in my teens, and who has always gone it alone - welcome to the clan! It's so nice when you can get on and do what you want, when you want and without the world and his wife wanting to get involved.

(And yes, I do also understand that some people love their livery yards - it's just that they're not for me.)

 

[samlf]

Lovely post - ponies look so happy!!

I too left livery yards behind a year or so ago, and most definitely don't regret it. Just my own place, with good hacking and next door to three schools I can hire. There are always downsides but they are far outweighed by the positives. enjoy!

 

[HaffiesRock]

I am sat at work now, itching to get back there!

 

[jenn44uk]

Just wanted to say how fantastic your yard is, and how happy the ponies look. I think you have every reason to be excited! Wishing you all the best! 😊

 

[Cheshire Chestnut]

Lovely, this has ade me smile lots! I'm really lucky to be at the most amazing, small, quiet and friendly yard, however if I wasn't - I would do the same as you. Well done and I'm glad you're happy x

 

[Adopter]

Lovely post and news, I gave up horses when I was younger until I got my own land, after my youthful memories of other peoples yards and rules!!

Sounds wonderful, nice to be sorted as well before winter!

 

[FellOutOfFavour]

It sounds like you made the right move
Two years ago I moved from a yard with 60 horses on 20 acres of muddy clay and no turnout for weeks on end in wet weather and crowded conditions which were responsible for my horse breaking a leg onto a smaller more flexible yard. I was cautious about moving as the yard I was on before that one made me come really close to giving up horses (I was told I was rubbish far too often!); but I needn't have worried as current yard is neither over-crowded or run by a bully.

 

[flirtygerty]

You have every right to 'gush' you have landed on your feet there, enjoy, loved the pics

 

[Honey08]

I was wondering if you'd moved. Congratulations. You can tell you'll be very happy there. It looks fantastic.

I love the Haffy wafting his tail like an Arab!

 

[PorkChop]

What a lovely post - they look soooo happy

 

[Highlands]

Brill, enjoy!

 

[Peregrine Falcon]

Happy ponies and happy owner. What could be better?!

I love my yard, it's just my friend and I with god knows many ponies and enough fields to rotate/rest etc. It's very homely now, I happily spend a night there.

 

[Cinnamontoast]

Fab field shelter!! Happy ponies!

 

[southerncomfort]

Thrilled to bits for you (and awfully jealous too!).

 

[Jericho]

That's lovely - I always say it's my little piece of heaven when I am around my stables and horses, no matter what the weather is like. It's my own space and have it exactly as I like it. Long may you enjoy it and hope you regain your love of all things horsey!

 

[HaffiesRock]

It was beautiful up there there this morning. I opened them up another section of grass and they trotted off up and over the hill with their tails in the air

I have already saved over £20 in hay in less than a week, and feeds have reduced down significantly too. There is happiness all around.

 

[The Fuzzy Furry]

HR, sorry I missed this thread of yours last night - well done, you sound SO chuffed & also the ponies look really happy.

Its brill having your own place, whether rented or owned

Even after all these years, I still enjoy leaning on a field gate gazing over the fuzzies grazing in a paddock, such a sense of tranquility :cool3:

 

[FrostyFeet]

It sounds like your own little bit of heaven. Wishing you many happy days 😃