D66
Well-Known Member
If the field is not cleared before she goes retain some money to pay for a contractor to do it. It might be worth getting a quote in advance just in case.
In regards to land management if you are on facebook have a look at the group "Land management for horses with Dr Lisa Schofield".
You'll perhaps see land and acreage similar to your own. If you post your predicament and pictures of the land they will be able to advise (just a word of caution always read the "pinned topics" first and always say please and thank you when asking any questions on there). That page will give you a proper idea of where and how to start restoring your land
In regards to land management if you are on facebook have a look at the group "Land management for horses with Dr Lisa Schofield".
You'll perhaps see land and acreage similar to your own. If you post your predicament and pictures of the land they will be able to advise (just a word of caution always read the "pinned topics" first and always say please and thank you when asking any questions on there). That page will give you a proper idea of where and how to start restoring your land
I joined the facebook group and posted... lets just say very very different opinions on there, and I was advised against becoming the landlord from hell... according to a lot of the people who replied, not poo picking and harrowing once a year is absolutely fine and that I was being interfering by even suggesting that it wasn't. So now I am really confused. Is it just a case of do what we think is best (obviously making sure its stills safe for the horses)?
I joined the facebook group and posted... lets just say very very different opinions on there, and I was advised against becoming the landlord from hell... according to a lot of the people who replied, not poo picking and harrowing once a year is absolutely fine and that I was being interfering by even suggesting that it wasn't. So now I am really confused. Is it just a case of do what we think is best (obviously making sure its stills safe for the horses)?
I saw your post on that FB page earlier and wondered how you'd react getting a very different view there to here.
I would add that there are a lot of people on that FB page who are anti poo picking and will go to great lengths to justify their position. That is entirely their choice as it is my choice to keep my land clear and only spread well rotted manure as and when I choose.
I looked to rent 6 acres a few years ago and the owner was insistent that poo picking was essential because another site that she owned had been left in a terrible state with huge latrine areas that the horses wouldn't eat. I was OK with that but even if I hadn't been I would have respected her opinion - her land her call, rather than being the landlord from h3ll as that FB page would imply.
I joined the facebook group and posted... lets just say very very different opinions on there, and I was advised against becoming the landlord from hell... according to a lot of the people who replied, not poo picking and harrowing once a year is absolutely fine and that I was being interfering by even suggesting that it wasn't. So now I am really confused. Is it just a case of do what we think is best (obviously making sure its stills safe for the horses)?
Experiences here…
- in my rural, far from London area, the going rate for grazing is £50 per acre per month. That usually includes secure fencing but nothing else. If there’s poor fencing you might get a stable or two for the price as you’d be expected to sort fencing. Land is good, you can keep approx one horse per acre living out and it stays ok.
- closer to London I have paid £55 per acre per month with 2x yearly harrowing included and water also, with a tack room, field shelter and two stables. Again, good well-draining land.
- farmers tend to suggest harrowing as if you poo pick it needs disposing of somehow and muck heaps are a legal headache as you cannot legally just pile it all up in a corner any more. Large open areas are also difficult to poo pick and best harrowed.
- if your land gets boggy in winter or is steeply sloping, you won’t get £50 per acre necessarily as you won’t be able to keep as many horse on it.
-on yards local to me it’s about £140 per month for DIY, including a decent sized school with jumps, a stable per horse, fencing maintenance, muck disposal, water, electricity and paddock spraying.
- my field is rented out for £50 per acre per month. Post and rail fencing, no water or electric. Poo picking is up to them. We sort spraying.
However much your land is worth, your current tenant may not be able to make the increase. Finding land for 3 horses will take a month or two, but she should be able to find 3-4 acres somewhere for approx £150-£200 per month. Then you could rent yours as a whole for more.
We’re in Herefordshire ?You sound remarkably sensible and reasonable, I would have happily rented from you. As far as I'm concerned poo picking is best practice, people are entitled to their own views on this, in my opinion contras are generally seeking to justify their own laziness and poor land management.
Its your home, you want it to be kept in accordance with your own wishes and best practice, if people who cant/wont accept this then there are plenty who will and are willing to pay a decent rate, will be a pleasure to have around and cause you no trouble and stress. Unfortunately there are people who can barely look after themselves let alone horses and land, and think that you should subsidise them - steer clear!!
Purely out of interest where abouts are you?
In regards to land management if you are on facebook have a look at the group "Land management for horses with Dr Lisa Schofield".
You'll perhaps see land and acreage similar to your own. If you post your predicament and pictures of the land they will be able to advise (just a word of caution always read the "pinned topics" first and always say please and thank you when asking any questions on there). That page will give you a proper idea of where and how to start restoring your land