DIY Convert!!!

[cob1]

For 2 years ive had my ned on Part Livery in the winter and 24/7 turnout in the summer - i have never been down in a morning to the yard until the past 2 or so months (due to box rest and injury etc). Even had one of them in at night the past few weeks on DIY.

Its soooo lovely to get straight up, throw clothes on and get to the yard at 5:45!! Its nice to see them and really sets me up for the day - now, with the winter coming i dont want to put them on part livery (and im saving teh pennies!).

What does everyone do liverywise and what would they prefer?

Also how early do they start?

 

[AmyMay]

[ QUOTE ]
Its soooo lovely to get straight up, throw clothes on and get to the yard at 5:45!!

[/ QUOTE ]

Ah, you sound all bright eyed and bushy tailed - it won't last

I've always been DIY - Personally wouldn't consider any thing else. But I'm in the position where I can get to the yard easily (I live 5 mins away). Obviously not everyone is in that position, plus work commitments etc. plus personal preference means that some people will prefer either part or full livery - all the time, or at certain times.

The mornings with the horses are the most special time for me - and despite really not wanting to get out of bed on those dark, cold winter mornings, more often than not it's worth it

 

[pinkcatkin]

I have had my mare at home for five years now and I have to say that although it is very hard work I absolutely love it. I too treasure those early mornings, the constant contact and relationship with one's horse, those special beautiful crisp Autum mornings when it feels so good to be alive, even though you poo picking.

And, the freedom to do things how you choose, feed what you want, graze them where you want. Would never, ever go back to livery, and would probably never be able to afford it either.

 

[Keltic]

[Ah, you sound all bright eyed and bushy tailed - it won't last

That made me laugh Amymay!!

Id say go for it, ive had my horses on DIY since i was 12 and im now 36 so have a few years experiance of early mornings lol, i feel a huge satisfaction after ive done my 2 before work and it really wakes me up!!
Try it for a winter, and think of all the goodies you can buy wth the money you save, my best tip would be buy yourself one of those thermal mug things, i drink my coffee on the way to yard and have slurps inbetween jobs!!
Good luck

 

[Nailed]

I have always had myhorses on DIY i love going down in the mornings, getting greated my a happy whicker and watching them have there breakfasts, all snug in there rugs.

I also like the bond you get with them when they are on DIY you really cant gain this type of bond if you are not doing all the work!!

Lou x

 

[alsxx]

It really wakes me up, and although the initial thought when the alarm goes of at 5.45 is 'oh god do i have to move' is not fun, once I'm up I'm fine. I'm much more awake the mornings i do them (i share with someone else the turning out duty) than when i get up an hour later!!

I do really enjoy doing mine, and also mucking out in the morning saves so much time at night = more riding time

 

[quirky]

Mine is on part livery (no DIY on our yard) as he is a nightmare if he is not one of the first out and I can't be sure I could get up before everybody else. I did have him on another yard on DIY for 4 months but it just about blew his brain, so we moved.
If I had a saner animal, I'd move it closer to home and have it on DIY, purely for financial reasons.

 

[Hippona]

Ive always been on DIY - and I live 5 mins from yard, so 'almost' like being at home.....i like doing them myself, i'm at the yard mucking out by 6.30 mon-fri getting stables all ready.....then after work i can ride, or take daughter for a ride- all chores are done, so we can bring them in, groom and feed.....

I think i may not be completely normal- but i love leaving the yard on a morning before work, stables all done, haynets up - all swept clean and neat....ready for them to comre back in.

Plus financial reasons too i suppose- i have 3 horses on diy for probably what it would cost for me to have 1 on full livery.

 

[Cop-Pop]

I have mine on DIY and I love it but the yard is on the way to work and I can't afford to have two on PL. There are times when I'd love to have them on full livery, let alone part livery

 

[Riverboy]

I love having mine on DIY. Best time of the day first thing in the morning, esocially on cold crisp days. Alarm goes off at 5.15 but i enjoy it. Having just moved to a friends house its not convienent for me to be there in the mornings (stable is opposite her bedroom window and there is a tree surgery business that operates out of the yard so lots of machines and men about in the mornings) so she pops him out for me - I really miss seeing him first thing and am finding it harder to get up at 6.30 than i did an hour earlier!!!

Good luck with DIY - there are far fewer bad days than good!

 

[Archie07]

Archie is on DIY, I live 10 mins away and the yard is on the way to work. I personally wouldn't have horses if I couldn't keep them on DIY, just a personal preference though. I love seeing him first thing in the morning and when he's not throwing a yearling hissy fit, it really makes my day!

 

[xnaughtybutnicex]

I'm a DIY convert too LOL since beginning of last yr cos horse was lame and was there every day anyway. The winter isnt so fun though!

 

[Pink_Pampas]

I've only ever been on DIY and I dont think i'd go for part or full livery even if I could afford it. I love looking after him myself and being around him, but it does help living 5 minutes away and working flextime!

 

[the watcher]

I have always been DIY, although have negotiated sharing turnout duties in the past, simply because I have to be at work at 7am some mornings and would need to be at the yard very very early.

I do prefer it though and like to do my own every day, but that probably has more to do with me being set in my ways and having my own routines

 

[Leah3horses]

Am on my own yard and would never go back to livery.Can't believe that some people have their horses on full livery and only go see them on a sunday!Anyway that's besides the point lol sorry. It's true, the bond you have with your horses when you do everything is much better, you know when the slightest thing is wrong with them and you know that things are being done properly.Yes it's hard work,I don't have any help, but that's a lot of what having horses is about surely?You put the hard work in, and you have a happy horse who you have a close friendship with.How lucky are we who can say this

 

[Persephone]

It is so lovely to see your neddy in the morning. Makes my day!

 

[Jericho]

I am lucky that I keep my horses at home so very DIY but I love the winter mornings as I have to get up before children to do all the jobs and then bring in and feed after they have gone to bed and its my special 'me' time. The sound of a horse munching contentedly on her haynet on a big thick bed whilst you give them a good groom is one of the most relaxing feelings in the world. In the summer they live out and dont need as much attention and the children are buzzing aorund so not so regimented although the horses love us all being in and around them in the garden! I even go out for a last check if when the young girl who keeps her pony at mine in return for chores does the feeds and hay. Would find it difficult being on a yard although would love use of a school and some extra company for horses (my mare gets very attached!) and me to hack out with!

 

[Angua2]

I have always had mine on assisted DIY ( for want of a better term) in that their bucket feeds are put in when the full liveries are and they are brought in from the winter turnout pens when YM goes home