Going it alone

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animalmania

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I have just acquired a plot of land, around 3.5 acres. It's a bit of a mess, or should I say a blank canvas.
It needs to be correctly fenced as previous owner just put up barbed wire and hoped for the best !!
It has various different types of trees on it. No stables ( I'm going to erect two timber stables) no running water or electricity.
The land owner will be paying for decent secure fencing.
My question is would it be worth getting someone in to give me advise I
About whether these trees are safe for my horses, if the grass is ok and nothing poisonous eg ragwort on it.

I've owned horses for a relatively short time compared to some here and we have always been on private yards so the yard owners have taken care of the grazing/safety of paddocks.

So this is all new for me and wondered if there is such a person who could come look at the land and advise me what's ok and what's not.
Thanks in advance
 
Congratulations! I don't know about the trees etc, but I would assume you'll need to apply for planning permission to erect buildings. A mobile field shelter might get around that but you should contact your local council to check.
 
To be certain about recognising trees and plants you would need to find a Botanist, then check your list against the known problems for equines, there are good list of trees and plants to avoid on web sites.

Although I have stables which I use also as field shelters, it is good to have an area of hard standing for wet weather, I found last winter when it was really wet it helped to be able to put hay etc out on the hard area rather than it disappear into mud.
 
It wouldn't hurt to have someone horsey and experienced,such as perhaps your own instructor or a good yard owner to come and cast an eye over it.
 
Honey08 said:
It wouldn't hurt to have someone horsey and experienced,such as perhaps your own instructor or a good yard owner to come and cast an eye over it.
Click to expand...

Yes that may be a good idea.

I'm having a wobble today about all of this.
I need to write down the pro's and con's of going it alone.
I really want to do this but my concern is that I work 12 hour days and I will need someone to help me out on those days (usually 2 days a week)

I'm thinking maybe of advertising for maybe free grazing in exchange for turn out and muck out on my two days at work. Does anyone think that's asking a bit much of someone?

This is such a massive decision for me.
 
Exchanging grazing for help us a good idea, I get hay in exchange for my neighbouring farmer grazing some sheep with the ponies.

Provided you can get good references that the person is_reliable and will do what is agreed, then it will work. Alternatively in this area there are people who advertise their services to assist with animals when owners are at work, so you might find a freelance groom or similar person to back you up when working.
 
How many horses/ponies do you have that the land needs to sustain?

I've previously had my own place that was a bit shabby to start with and it takes a lot of time and effort, you'll spend far more time maintaining the land than you will in the saddle and the smaller the average the worst it can be as every bit is precious. Last wet winter it got so depressing watching my hard work and money turn into mud knowing I'd have to re-seed/roll/harrow/fertislise all over again in the spring.

But - I did love the satisfaction of having my own place and seeing the results of all that hard work.

I've relocated and back on livery and have to say I like not having to think about pulling the docks, harrowing, over seeding.
 
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