Do you keep your horse(s) at home or livery?

[MiJodsR2BlinkinTite]

Poacher turned gamekeeper here.

In my errant youth I had to touch my cap to some very unpleasant people in order to keep my then Pride & Joy in anything like acceptable conditions.

A good few years back I was miraculously able to have my own place; mine is at home now.

I've got space for a few liveries as well (DIY) and we are all a really supportive bunch, which is lovely.

 

[honetpot]

I did DIY or rented fields for most of my horse owning life. If I couldn't afford land a stable in the garden for me was the next best thing, they are classed as domestic animals, and I had an over sized garden with an existing building to convert. It gave FU space, I could also child mind and do show prep at home and not be struggling in winter. I still used DIY and renting paddocks.
I like very hands off basic DIY, the last yard I was on was purpose built with just about every extra all in, I was old enough not to feel the pressure to fit in, if you are not careful its becomes about who has got the 'best' horse, trainer, lorry and what have they won. I am not overly tidy, my yard is cluttered, but at livery you are constantly clearing up someone else mess because it's seems to be always in your way of what you need to use. Escaping home, was a luxury.

 

[Muddywellies]

I can only dream of having facilities at home. Land and equestrian properies are eyewateringly expensive. (Despite husband and i having good jobs) So its assisted livery for me.

 

[Nudibranch]

At home. As a child I kept my 2 small ponies up the road. In my 20s I was the sole livery on a local yard. In my 30s we rented the field next door. Now I am lucky enough to have my own land and stables at home. I only have 1 horse and 1 pony on 10 acres so there would be room for liveries. But I prefer sheep and goats

If I lost it all I'd be looking for sole rent of somewhere. I did a 6 month stint on a "proper" livery yard, and boy was it awful.

 

[Moodymare88]

I kept my previous horse and current horse on DIY livery for over 14 1/2 years. I always enjoyed doing them myself, even with work but my previous yard didn't have an arena and it was horrible. In October I moved her to full livery to a yard with lovely people, super facilities and it isn't costing me any more than when i had her on DIY (plus i don't have the stress of trying to source hay!). I have to say, i always said i couldn't do full livery, but i actually find it less stressful and i have more time to do other things, and go away for a few days plus i am not rushing around. I still get the lovely welcome from my mare when i turn up and she is actually happier there, because she is in a routine but i am happier.

At least this way, i won't have it thrown in my face when i can't do her like i did my previous yard (i broke my ankle and tibia) and a 'friend' offered to look after her for a month and that was thrown in my face, despite me doing her horses.

 

[poiuytrewq]

Home, kind of. OH’s company he works for took on a new farm and it had a house that needed living in, we were happy to oblige.
There was a chunk of waste land/ rubbish dump that they wanted cleared and turned into garden, we proposed a little yard instead and they said yes!
I seem to be the only one in the world but I’m not sure it’s my favourite thing!
Although very much accept I can’t keep the retiree and ponies at a yard and it’s lovely to be able to have them.

 

[Red-1]

Not sure that i would have called any of the posts that I saw 'entitled'. Posters were just giving their opinions, as requested, about the land, with some extra comments about the best way to go about getting experience of looking after a first horse/pony.

I agree. I didn't feel any of the posts were "entitled", just giving their own experiences and offering what looked to me as sensible advice.

I hate the entitled aspect of this thread. I don't think the replies were 'entitled' either, people were asked for opinions and they gave their experience and opinion.

I have 2 at home. The whole property is 2 acres, but that includes the house, yard, stables, arena, large driveway and parking, and garden. I probably have 1 acre grazing, for 2 horses, on clay soil to boot.

I don't think that is enough to 'keep' 2 horses on. but it is enough for 2 horses to live on responsibly. I do this by using all weather turnout in winter to save the fields. In summer, they have up to 16 hours out but always 8 hours in to eat hay as supplementary forage, to save the grazing. I have the area split into 3 paddocks to allow for rotation. One has EMS and is restricted anyway.

I usually find that when someone bandies the word 'entitled' around in this context, it means that people have disagreed with the poster. Being disagreed with hurts, especially if told that your horse care plans are inadequate. It is easier to attack the people with opposing views and try to discredit them, than admit that maybe your own practices are not adequate.

In my case, of course I would prefer acres of chalk soiled grazing, with hills and trees and a stream. But, I have what I have and my horses get a fair deal with turnout every day and meaningful grazing in summer. I would agree with anyone who said that my set-up is not ideal. But, I am happy that my horses get good care, with adequate movement, forage, poo picking and ridden exercise, so I don't feel the need to attack the people who tell me that my set-up is not ideal. I really like their current stable set-up with a back door onto a patio so they can choose being in or out. It also makes up for one of the stables being on the smaller side, as Rigs chooses to be outside for most of the time, having a wander.

I seem to recollect that someone was asking about keeping horses 24/7 on clay soil (if it's the thread I'm thinking of), in a small area, and there was nothing 'entitled' about expressing the opinion that this would likely not be a successful venture. Not much worse than seeing drenched horses wading in knee deep mud with no respite.

Apologies if there is another thread that I missed, with loads of genuinely 'entitled' responses on!

 

[LadyGascoyne]

I agree. I think anyone concerned with people being entitled need to think less about humans and more about horses.

The question shouldn't be 'what amount of space are people entitled to keeping horses on?' but rather 'what amount of space are horses entitled to?'.

 

[Pearlsasinger]

I agree. I think anyone concerned with people being entitled need to think less about humans and more about horses.

The question shouldn't be 'what amount of space are people entitled to keeping horses on?' but rather 'what amount of space are horses entitled to?'.

I agree, we have aporox 3 acres. We have kept up to 5 horses here, stabled overnight in winter and renting extra summer grazing from a neighbour.
We now just have 2 horses, living out 24/7 with access to shelter. The neighbour we rented from sold up, so no extra grazing available. I would love to buy another, very steady horse to potter about on but in the interests of our current horses, I won't.

 

[Traks]

Very envious that the majority keep their horses at home! Can only dream of that…!

 

[toooldtofalloff]

I'd love to have my pony at home but alas not possible. I'm lucky though to have Goose at a friends place about 4 miles down the road, and I do like that there's someone there to keep an eye on him, let him out first thing and check him at 9 pm every night. There's just the two of us and three horses between us, and although my friend doesn't always make decisions about stuff the way I would do it, its not really a big deal I can't really complain! I wouldn't like to be on a big livery yard, I just couldn't cope with the people.
The hacking is very good in the area and there is a private menage on her land. No room for my trailer though... that's a mile down the road but no charge for storing. Another good friend, who has access to it if she wishes.