Home or livery ?

[Spirit7]

I’d say home but make sure you’ve factored in the cost of keeping the horses at home as well as your mortgage (in case you hadn’t).

 

[Jules111]

We took the leap and bought a border line derelict house with land that was in no way set up for horses. We're not exactly young and I don't think I ever really appreciated how much physical work would be needed. Every single fence post (I stopped counting at 500) was knocked in by hand using a post knocker - couldn't afford to do it any other way. We now have 5 at home and I ride less than I did at livery because we don't yet have anywhere to ride during the worst of the weather. I think back to the indoor at my old livery yard and wonder why I didn't appreciate that more.

BUT I am glad we took the plunge. I'd rather complain about the work when things are tough knowing that on those lovely spring and summer days I can look out of my kitchen window, see my horses and know it's all part of a dream I couldn't believe would be real when I was a child working crazy hours at a riding school so I could have a 60 minute ride. The 10 year old me would be over the moon to know that at 50 I'm looking out at the land I now own and the horses that are mine. I owe it to that horse crazy kid to stop moaning about the bloody weather and be flipping grateful.

 

[Leah3horses]

Seconded McGrool!

I'm moving my ponies to the small, lovely livery yard my horse is on . Will be the 3rd time of having them at home, in 3 different houses and location , and 3 times now I've gone back to a yard. I've always lived on my own and for security, extra help and a lot less isolation are my main reasons for moving them back to a yard. The atrocious weather this year and the trashed paddock , and hip replacement op 4 weeks ago just put the tin lid on it. I need reliable help/livery services.

My particular ponies are also bored at home because it's just those 2 and they never even see another horse because of the high fencing..They really like other horses and are bonded with my big horse, so will be better for them ,for sure.

Saw you didn't go for it in the end, can't blame you at all.

 

[myheartinahoofbeat]

Home! I am in my 50’s and managed to rent somewhere with land during Covid. A lifestyle change. We rented to see how we would manage at home after always having done livery. I now have had 5 horses which I wouldn’t have done if I didn’t have my own land.
Now is probably the wrong time of year to ask as I hate the wet winters and mucking out but I would definitely say go for it if you have the opportunity. I don’t regret it at all. Your relationship with your horses will deepen, it will be a tie but ultimately it is hugely fulfilling. Being able to watch them in the field at home is a special pleasure which is the thing people always say but it is so true. Go for it

 

[Muddywellies]

It seems that by having them at home, most people are forfeiting riding time. This is what would make me regret having them at home. If I was honest with myself, I couldn't afford the 60/70/80k I would need to build the beautiful arena I have at my livery yard, and wouldn't have the time to ride. We're doing pretty well with our dressage, slowly making our way up the ranks, and if I spent all my time doing my horse jobs, I would have no time left to ride. And I would have a very basic 20x40 arena. I think for me to achieve my dressage goals, livery suits us best (for now ).

 

[Spirit7]

It seems that by having them at home, most people are forfeiting riding time. This is what would make me regret having them at home. If I was honest with myself, I couldn't afford the 60/70/80k I would need to build the beautiful arena I have at my livery yard, and wouldn't have the time to ride. We're doing pretty well with our dressage, slowly making our way up the ranks, and if I spent all my time doing my horse jobs, I would have no time left to ride. And I would have a very basic 20x40 arena. I think for me to achieve my dressage goals, livery suits us best (for now ).

Sounds sensible. Best luck with your dressage.

 

[Sarys]

I’m currently considering the jump to home. Seen something and my house going on market tomorrow.

I think I would ride more as new place has manège. All I seem to do currently is poo pick

Surely it’s easier than travelling all day. I have 3 on DIY and work from home.

Honest answers as I deliberate. It’s always been the dream but I’m scared of making a mistake.

 

[McGrools]

I’m currently considering the jump to home. Seen something and my house going on market tomorrow.

I think I would ride more as new place has manège. All I seem to do currently is poo pick

Surely it’s easier than travelling all day. I have 3 on DIY and work from home.

Honest answers as I deliberate. It’s always been the dream but I’m scared of making a mistake.

I think it is a great idea 80% of the time, make sure you mud proof well enough and try not to buy clay land or else very wet winters like this one are soul destroying.
Also going away on holiday becomes a problem if you don’t have trustworthy help.
Also having no one else to ride with could be unmotivating.
I have always been happy to hack alone but a lot of people I know prefer company xx

 

[Sarys]

I think it is a great idea 80% of the time, make sure you mud proof well enough and try not to buy clay land or else very wet winters like this one are soul destroying.
Also going away on holiday becomes a problem if you don’t have trustworthy help.
Also having no one else to ride with could be unmotivating.
I have always been happy to hack alone but a lot of people I know prefer company xx

Thank you.
Unfortunately everything is clay here. I’m up to my knees now at livery. We don’t have any help here as YO are farmers. So going away is same situation really.
My daughter rides too so I’m hoping it gives us more time together and she can help more.
There is one lady I occasionally hack out with but I’m not the best with working to timings if that makes sense lol.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

The only way I have ever been able to ride before work has been by keeping the horses at home. When they were at livery, I had to factor in travel time and facilities for getting changed into work clothes. There was no way it was ever going to happen. And now that we are both retired, I certainly wouldn't want to have to travel to a livery yard in preference to popping out in my dressing gown to check that everyone is where they should be with all legs in place before I have breakfast.

 

[Squeak]

I have my horses at home and love it. You can manage things to suit yourself - for instance I don't need to poo pick as I harrow and rotate instead. If the land is wet then you could build some all weather turnout for when needed. It all makes it so much easier to look after the horses. The biggest difference for me was that even when the horses were a 5 minute drive away I could never be quicker than 25 minutes by the time I'd got in and out of the car and driven there and back and done whatever it was I'd needed. At home I can literally pop out the door and be back in a couple of minutes, it makes a huge difference.

I don't find it lonely having them at home, I have people I can hack out with if I want, I do some lessons with friends and fun rides and comps etc. Potentially your daughter might find it more lonely depending on her age but as long as you're happy to transport you could do PC/ riding club, meet her friends for arena hires, lessons, hacks, comps etc.

 

[Sarys]

I have my horses at home and love it. You can manage things to suit yourself - for instance I don't need to poo pick as I harrow and rotate instead. If the land is wet then you could build some all weather turnout for when needed. It all makes it so much easier to look after the horses. The biggest difference for me was that even when the horses were a 5 minute drive away I could never be quicker than 25 minutes by the time I'd got in and out of the car and driven there and back and done whatever it was I'd needed. At home I can literally pop out the door and be back in a couple of minutes, it makes a huge difference.

I don't find it lonely having them at home, I have people I can hack out with if I want, I do some lessons with friends and fun rides and comps etc. Potentially your daughter might find it more lonely depending on her age but as long as you're happy to transport you could do PC/ riding club, meet her friends for arena hires, lessons, hacks, comps etc.

Thank you. It’s my daughter who found the property. We are out at PC most weekends.

 

[Sarys]

The only way I have ever been able to ride before work has been by keeping the horses at home. When they were at livery, I had to factor in travel time and facilities for getting changed into work clothes. There was no way it was ever going to happen. And now that we are both retired, I certainly wouldn't want to have to travel to a livery yard in preference to popping out in my dressing gown to check that everyone is where they should be with all legs in place before I have breakfast.

That’s what I’m thinking. In the time I’ve done the travel I could have ridden.
Also daughter could ride after school without having to wait for me to finish work and drive there.