SatansLittleHelper
Well-Known Member
Just pondering after reading a few threads on here about giving up horses and so on. The main reasons seem to be time and money.
But do people make it too hard for themselves?? I mean so many people spend money on bedding, livery etc and so much time on mucking out, feeding, trekking across fields to turn out.
Because I have a disabled child and I suffer from depression, which gets quite severe at times, I have had to simplify my horse management.
Instead of stabling my horse lives out 24/7 with a field shelter and a pal. This only costs £60 a month and no mucking out/turning out to do which obviously saves on time. Large water troughs that automatically refill, saves times and back breaking lol.
Because I opted for grass keep I managed to get land to rent minutes from my own doorstep so less time/fuel for travelling. If I'm feeling energetic its close enough to walk to. Nearest livery yards are a few miles away and not cheap.
Basic feed...balancer/chop/kwikbeet...saves time/money.
No shoes...saves money.
I appreciate that this lifestyle wouldn't suit all owners and horses but I do wonder if it could be an option for some that are struggling.
I find that it's less pressure as I only have to go up once a day if Im having a bad time of it...or go up 5 times a day/stay there all day..whatever, if Im in a better frame of mind.
Please dont get me wrong it can be naff not having a stable/school etc but on a personal level the benefits far outweigh the negatives.
Nor am I trying to make out Im perfect lol...but I just sometimes think it could be less stressful and less pressure for people struggling
But do people make it too hard for themselves?? I mean so many people spend money on bedding, livery etc and so much time on mucking out, feeding, trekking across fields to turn out.
Because I have a disabled child and I suffer from depression, which gets quite severe at times, I have had to simplify my horse management.
Instead of stabling my horse lives out 24/7 with a field shelter and a pal. This only costs £60 a month and no mucking out/turning out to do which obviously saves on time. Large water troughs that automatically refill, saves times and back breaking lol.
Because I opted for grass keep I managed to get land to rent minutes from my own doorstep so less time/fuel for travelling. If I'm feeling energetic its close enough to walk to. Nearest livery yards are a few miles away and not cheap.
Basic feed...balancer/chop/kwikbeet...saves time/money.
No shoes...saves money.
I appreciate that this lifestyle wouldn't suit all owners and horses but I do wonder if it could be an option for some that are struggling.
I find that it's less pressure as I only have to go up once a day if Im having a bad time of it...or go up 5 times a day/stay there all day..whatever, if Im in a better frame of mind.
Please dont get me wrong it can be naff not having a stable/school etc but on a personal level the benefits far outweigh the negatives.
Nor am I trying to make out Im perfect lol...but I just sometimes think it could be less stressful and less pressure for people struggling