Decision made - I’m selling up and going back to livery!

[cblover]

Does that title send a shiver down your spine? Lol Well.....for those lucky enough to have their own land or a private place.

It’s been a big decision for hubby and me but we’re happy we’re making the right one for us. Hubby was very ill with Covid last April and tomorrow is the first time he’ll be returning to work after virtually a year off. Phased return of course. I can honestly say it changes you....we are both totally different people after the worst year we’ve ever had to endure.

We want to be mortgage free....oh what will that feel like!?! Holiday more, have the pressure taken off work commitment as we aren’t sure hubby can even work full time yet. Time will tell on that one. I feel so incredibly blessed to have had my own place but the mortgage free situation has always been hubby’s dream.....so now it’s his time!

I’ve just got one horse left and I’m going back to a local livery yard where I was 13 years ago before we bought our little place. It’s gonna be a Wendy I know that and I’m dreading walking away that last time but we need to do this.

If this pandemic has taught us anything, it’s that we all have too many material things. We need to have less and do more. Make memories! I may only survive the week.....so wish me luck. lol. I hope to be moving in a month or so. Take care everyone.

 

[EventingMum]

Good luck, I think covid has changed the mindset of many people. You are right to do what you feel is right for you and your OH.

 

[JoannaC]

I totally get where you are coming from. We've been having similar discussions as to what we will do once i'm down to one horse. I have loved having them at home and so glad I have been able to have the experience but am also quite looking forward to the time when I can spend more time just riding and also have more flexibility to go away. I've even been considering selling my ridden mare but I think that's just the Winter talking and i'll be fine once the weather perks up! Mortality certainly makes you re-evaluate what's important, although we have been so blessed at this time not having to leave our property for anything other than food and always having lots to do so there are a lot of pluses.

 

[tiahatti]

Good luck. Its good to hear that your husband is on the mend.

 

[southerncomfort]

Sounds like a good plan for you both. Hope your husband continues to improve.

 

[IrishMilo]

I love being on a livery yard - I would miss the chatter and socialising so much if I kept horses at home. A big part of the fun for me is seeing my horse friends every day, and it's a massive convenience to have services when you need them too.

 

[Baywonder]

Wishing you and your DH all the very best @cblover.

You are making a decision which is right for you both, and that is the only thing that matters.

 

[Squeak]

Glad your husband is on the mend. It's certainly been a tough year that has made us all evaluate what's important. Hopefully you will enjoy being on a livery yard again, it will certainly be more convenient.

 

[luckyoldme]

Wheyhey! Good on you.
I still remember your posts about your mam and that's another thing that makes you realise what it's all about.
Good luck in this new stage of your life

 

[Abby-Lou]

You sound at peace with your decision which is fantastic. Covid has given us all a big slap in the face and made us look at our lives differently. Very sadly I will be attending my first Covid funeral tomorrow I hope its the first and last ! Good luck with the changes and so glad your husband on the mend x

 

[Cortez]

Apart from the COVID part I could have written your post about my own situation. Last horse is retired, husband died 15 months ago and I closed our business. Time to downsize, move on and have fewer ties. Life's too short....

 

[Spotherisk]

That sounds a great plan - if I have another riding horse I will probably go into diy livery despite having the land at home and two unriddens here! Go and enjoy your time together and feel so much more free!

 

[Pearlsasinger]

It sounds as if you have made the right decision for you and your OH and for your horse, I wouldn't want just one horse at home. Enjoy your free time!

 

[cblover]

Thank you all, it’s been a long time coming. But I already feel better about the whole thing. It feels right in my gut, so I can’t go far wrong.

It seems I’m not the only one with big decisions looming, for those facing them.....I wish you the very best.

 

[ycbm]

We've been debating for a year now when it will be right for us to make the same move. I'm tired of the work and being alone. I'm just hanging on day by day to see if getting out of these social restrictions will reset the balance.


I hope all goes well with the move, hubby fully recovers, and you love it in livery.

 

[cblover]

I’m going day by day too. I’ve even left the horses out tonight so I can have a lie in.....well after 7 and before 9am. Lol

Winter is such hard work and I’m exhausted. The livery yard is fully diy but I have friends there. It’s dry, clean, lit up and someone comes on a magic tractor that makes the muck heap disappear! Wow! Even the fields are relatively dry and you don’t have to bucket water to the fields. I’m getting excited just typing about it.

 

[doodle]

I sometimes think a field of my own would be lovely. However as you have said the muck heap magically goes away and hay and straw magically appear. If a fence is broken it magically fixes, same with lights.

 

[Muddywellies]

This resonates with me. Our current options are, buy a small house with a bit of land and a mortgage, or buy a larger nicer house and be mortgage free. Recent events have made us choose the latter. I can't wait to be mortgage free, with someone else doing the mucking out, whilst we get out there and make memories.

 

[cblover]

How life’s twists and turns can change how we feel. We looked for 15 years for our own piece of land and I was so excited when it became ours. Our own slice of heaven. It was very special.
Now....it just fades into the background compared to those I love.

 

[Equi]

I kept horses at home for 15 years and honestly I would never do it again. I keep my little ones at home obvs and I enjoy that but I would miss my livery yard way too much with the big one. I dont have an arena at home so that probably doesn’t help but even if I did I know my horse would get ridden about once a year lol at livery I feel I have to do more.

 

[SadKen]

Your post reads as though you'd be shocked to hear any supportive voices - but there are huge benefits to livery if you have the right yard. As those of you posting above who wish to do so, move back to livery, that means properties come on to the market for those of us naive folks who have a dream to keep our horses at home. And I'm guessing be rudely awoken! I don't worry about my girl on livery when I'm not there - but I'd be out at 11pm doing last checks if she was at home, and worrying about her a lot more because it is ALL on me. Never mind the expense.

Good luck with your move and the next chapter.

 

[cblover]

One thing I do worry about is the ever growing trend of keeping horses by themselves in individual paddocks. I’m hoping I can share as I can’t do with them being alone. If not, I’ll find a mini as company.

 

[dogatemysalad]

You sound wonderfully positive. Totally agree about how things change your priorities. Hope your downsizing and returning to livery works out well for you and your family.
My husband was surprised when we were house hunting to realise that I didn't want a house with land for the horses. Having had them at home before was hard work. Livery is rarely perfect but it's lovely to just focus on looking after your horse instead of the land and buildings. I also missed the company.

 

[[139672]]

My sis and hubby down sized to be mortgage free after she’d been seriously ill and had to take a part time job and huge pay cut. They are really happy ? And her health is much better. Glad to hear your husband is on the mend. Take care x

 

[cblover]

I can’t wait to have no mortgage! I know we’ll feel care free. It’s a long time since I’ve felt that

 

[SatansLittleHelper]

So pleased for you that you are able to do something that makes you happy. Life is definitely too short
Glad to hear your hubby is on the mend too.

 

[Orangehorse]

Sounds like a good idea, and you know and like where your horse will be living. I don't blame you at all, it will give you so much more freedom. I hope OH gets back into work and continues to get better.

 

[Gingerwitch]

We've been debating for a year now when it will be right for us to make the same move. I'm tired of the work and being alone. I'm just hanging on day by day to see if getting out of these social restrictions will reset the balance.


I hope all goes well with the move, hubby fully recovers, and you love it in livery.

Now I think you need a competitive young teen on your yard. Your so wise with horses but I sense you need a fun friend to. A younger teen could be a win win, help with the chores fie lifts to clinics and shows. X

 

[Scotsbadboy]

A lovely positive post OP and glad hubby is on the mend. I keep mine at home, we've had this place and our own land nearly five years with a mixture of emotions. Our plan in four years when my husband retires is to downsize and go mortgage free. Back to livery for me also and im not too fussed (for now, lol) as long as it has a nice vibe and decent turnout all year. Maybe a nice private yard to stay away from the masses but we'll see Good luck

 

[Gingerwitch]

Glad you have a plan. Hope hubby continues on the up xx