maggie123
Well-Known Member
Im currently looking into more cost effective ways of keeping my mare than part livery. I have found a small DIY yard which is very reasonably priced where she could live out all year if I wanted and am considering moving with a friend so we could share chores etc. My problem is that I work full time in London and with the commute home and then the 40 min drive to the yard I cant really get down every day. Through the summer every other day (sharing day on day off with my friend) would be fine but winters I would struggle as it would be either 6am or 8pm when I was down and pitch black! So I was thinking two options:
1) Hire a freelance groom for during the week for my days to do both horses
2) Look for an experienced adult who is more local / works part time etc to share for free / minimal costs who would be prepared to look after the two completely on their days.
The sharer issue is complicated by the fact my mare is in the process of being diagnosed with what is suspected to be navicular so whilst hopefully fine to hack and school in time would have to be ridden by someone sympathetic who understood the importance of soft ground etc and didnt want to jump. Also no school at the DIY yard although I could mark one out in the field and there is lovely hacking.
Do any of you hire in freelance grooms? How does it work? How much does it cost? All I would need is a field check / feed/ feet picking out etc. unless it was snowy in which case they would need mucking out etc.
Or do you think someone would be willing to share a horse with navicular? She is a 16.2 ISH- a lovely ride, sensible, well schooled and a lot of fun.
Of course Im not planning on moving or looking for a sharer (if possible) until I have a diagnosis and prognosis from the vet and am confident I can manage her condition (if it is in fact navicular) and know her limitations. But its always good to be prepared
She is kept in Cobham, Surrey if this helps.
1) Hire a freelance groom for during the week for my days to do both horses
2) Look for an experienced adult who is more local / works part time etc to share for free / minimal costs who would be prepared to look after the two completely on their days.
The sharer issue is complicated by the fact my mare is in the process of being diagnosed with what is suspected to be navicular so whilst hopefully fine to hack and school in time would have to be ridden by someone sympathetic who understood the importance of soft ground etc and didnt want to jump. Also no school at the DIY yard although I could mark one out in the field and there is lovely hacking.
Do any of you hire in freelance grooms? How does it work? How much does it cost? All I would need is a field check / feed/ feet picking out etc. unless it was snowy in which case they would need mucking out etc.
Or do you think someone would be willing to share a horse with navicular? She is a 16.2 ISH- a lovely ride, sensible, well schooled and a lot of fun.
Of course Im not planning on moving or looking for a sharer (if possible) until I have a diagnosis and prognosis from the vet and am confident I can manage her condition (if it is in fact navicular) and know her limitations. But its always good to be prepared
She is kept in Cobham, Surrey if this helps.
) and I get a horse I could never afford to keep by myself.