I wish I was back at a nice livery yard and not in a muddy field.

Spot_the_Risk

Spot_the_Risk

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www.animalcrackersdevon.co.uk
Having one of those days (settle down for a rant!), also PMT and on a diet, so kind of understandable!

This is the first time in about 5 years that I've been in a 9-5.30pm, albeit self employed, and I'm really struggling with winter. Ours live out, which I do love, and we are very lucky to have our own field, few stables, barns etc, BUT I so miss being at livery sometimes!

Closed the shop at 1pm today, fab, chance to ride, shot home, got changed into a million layers, drove the field, and it was blowing an absolute gale. And I just didn't want to go for a ride in it. Although we have great hacking, most of our off road stuff involves lots of gates, me and my horse cannot get the hang of gates, he also has had a back issue that I am nursing prior to saddle check a week on Monday, and the last thing he needs is me getting on and off half a dozen times to do gates! So, that leaves the roads, and we are blessed with quiet country lanes, but sometimes I find it very hard to be inspired on the same old lanes. Don't want to go for miles, an hour is long enough too.

When I was in livery (I'm talking DIY) I would ride loads more because there was someone to ride with. Generally I like riding alone but sometimes you need a bit of inspiration! Was also thinking that when in livery there's always been somewhere to school or lunge or loose school.

Sorry for long post, just feeling really fed up
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OH, and has anyone else felt like this, ie fot the dream, your own land, and realised it's not exactly what you want after all?
 
Yes I know exactly what you mean, it was was always my dream to have my horses at home, and I do love it - particularly in summer. But it can be a bit lonely and sometimes it is hard to motivate myself, whereas it can be a lot easier with other people around. Had quite a good day today though, took big horse for a lesson and spent the afternoon cleaning up small horse ready for her first show tomorrow
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Im sure you will feel better when the weather picks up.
 
I spend hardly any time with my horse now she's just "in a field". Ok I'm not riding her, but even when she was out 24/7 un-ridden at my old yard, I'd spend ages there. I've just been up to collect some feed etc. from the yard and spent about an hour chatting to everyone and all the horses, but I only spent 20 minutes at the field today
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I really miss being at the yard. And I really miss riding MY horse.
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can I join the fed up club?
 
I am in the same situation as yourself! dont worry it will be lovely in the summer, isnt there someone you can ride out with? I have a few people i meet up with, must admit is boring going out on your own all the time. Just remember you have no one to answer to!
 
I know exactly what you mean. I've done horses at home as a kid: great as an excuse to get out of the house on my own. Horses at livery as a student; annoying as wanted to do my own tihng but couldn't afford it. Horses at home as an adult mark one; depressing. Remember one October, just split up with current b/f and sitting holding electric tape in a gale force wind crying because I couldn't make the damn thing still enough to fasten. Not riding, no company and general misery.

Then did horses at livery when I sold up for my new job and all round mental health; met lots of people including now husband loved the companionship and help. Did that for a few years and most recently am renting a field on my own again two minutes from my house.

Now - I was REALLY scared about this but made a deliberate attempt to become involved in local riding club, I advertised for a sharer/groom to have a friend to hack with ( I have two horses) and the local pub really near my field is where a few local riders go so went there often enough. I also spoke to EVERONE I saw when out hacking and got offers of hacking companions from about three people. So, today for example, my sharer came and rode with me, then a local rider person came and invited me to a local clinic next week and after evening stables this evening I got chatting to a local race horse owner who offered me stabling should I need it ( we have field shelter rather than stable block).

OK I'm lucky I live in a very active riding area with loads of riders but I've had to really make an effort this time because I know how much I hated it before.

If you have transport for your horses it's much easier to get to places but try offering to write for a local show's dressage judge ( no one ever want to), or fence judge at XC if that#s your thing, talk to everyone and advertise locally for a hacking companion. Even the local hunt appreciates helpers and you meet so many people in the same boat.

I'm really enjoying my 'isolation' at the minute and it's even November.
 
i dont know how valid this will be for you, but as your horses live out do you have the space to have two or so liveries on diy at your place as you mention you have a few stables and a barn?
i grew up with horses on our own land and now keep my mare at diy livery and it is nice there are people about if you want to talk or ride, though i mostly ride out by myself. Eventually i would like to own my own land but there would have to be enough to have a handful of liveries (2-5) there as this would help give more of a community feel that i would miss if i just kept my horse(s) alone in the future when i hope to be able to afford this
i was just reading earlier in horse and rider mag, and was totally suprised to find out no license is needed or insurance at a livery yard under current ruling, but obviously i would ensure liveries insure themselves, and have contracts
just an idea, hope you feel better soon though x
 
Thanks, I love the forum, everyone is so nice!

No room for any liveries sadly, it's just over 5 acres and we have 4 in total. Lots of horsy people in the area, and we own the local feed merchants so do tend to know EVERYONE in the area, I guess sometimes you do get more out of being at a yard with others. Silmarillion, that's how I feel, the weather's rubbish so you do the 'chores' as quickly as possible, and then feel guilty. I do have someone to ride with, my OH now has a horse (yes I have a horsy husband!) but his first love is field sports, so riding isn't so interesting to him now until 2 February. He did ask if I was going to do ride and lead, no way, mine is light off the leg and his is in low box all the time!

Maybe the answer is to turn into an alcoholic until Spring, at least I won't have a clue how fed up I feel.
 
Ooops I recognise that feeling ! How tempting is it when the wather is vile to nip back in the house as soon as possible and open a bottle of wine
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conversely I LOVE being back at my field and stables - didnt appreciate how much of an antisocial old cow I was til I tried DIY livery. My horse is happier, I am happier and much richer, meaning the excess cash gets spent on wine. Everyone's a winner!
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Easy solution, box yours over here and ride out with CCJ..she hacks out almost every day unless it's torrential, and her hacks are often fun ones, plus she's great at doing gates!
You may even get a cup of coffee waiting when you get back..
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I rent a field which has my two ponies in it...I try and ride every sunday and when I finish uni early and school in the field...I got fed up with riding my youngster out on my own that I put up an ad in the local tack shop asking if anyone lived locally and if they would like to ride out with me...got a good response and have been riding out with a lady who lives about 11/2 from me....we go across a castle estate and ride for hours...I would normally ride for about 4 hours max and then come home....so its great....especially in the summer....

I would love to have my own land as I get fed up with livery yards...although i do know what you mean....is there a local school you can hire, or can you go to a local yard and use their school...?
 
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