keeping horses

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janeyrob

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For the past few years I have kept my horses on DIY yard but costs are rising. Because of restricted turnout hours in winter I have to add £16 a week on top of my basic livery to pay someone to turn out/ get in for me which makes my weekly rent around £42 (in winter) before I pay for feed, hay, straw. How does this compare to other areas. It is a good yard - very friendly but I have a heavyweight cob and would like him to be out as much as poss within reason. I have been offered a lovely field suitable for both horses. Another owner has the field next to it. Field is fenced, watered has shelter and is very reasonably priced. Yaers ago I would not have hesitated but am nervous of moving from the big yard situation. I have a cob which I basically hack. Am not into competing etc. What do others think - do any of you keep horses in your own fields I would welcome other folks' experiences.
 
**Gives Nailed a big big hug**

I pay £45 p.w for livery inc. Hayledge and in the summer we have use of the fields to ride in aswell as free use of a lunge arena and 2 outdoor schools, however you have to pay for the indoor. We also have restricted grazing in the winter. So I pay£9p.w for someone to turn her out so I pay £54 p.w in the winter for livery. not inluding feed, bedding, shoes etc..
 
i have some on own land and some ive had stabled at a local yard, for various reasons. from now on thyre all going to live out all year round, cant wait to be gone from the big yard environment and get some peace!
 
I rent a field from a farmer and have put a mobile field stable in it as the shelter was not great. I have no water or elec but manage very well with water butts linked to the stable guttering and containers that I bring round. My lad lives out 24/7 on restricted grazing as he is a good doer but because I can manage the land myself and look after it, I never have mud problems in the winter or a lack of grazing. I would not look to do anything else and my horse is happy because he is well managed and I am not stressed because I have everything in hand.
 
Mine are kept at home and always have been. I love it and dont like the idea of livery at all TBH! Mine live out 24/7 and I have 2 stables with hay barn, tack room, rug room etc.
 
I pay £80 per month per horse. This is DIY and just includes nearly new stable and grazing and use of tack room, pen and electric/water. However, my yard owner and I help each other out, as there's only the 2 of us and I have 3 and she has 5, so if either of us can't get up there for any reason, then we just get on with it. No charging etc. I'm sure it works out equal in the end and certainly saves my pocket a fair bit.

Is there anyone on your yard you could have that kind of agreement with?
 
a few years ago we did all manage by helping each other out yard was cheaper too. Its dearer now because more facilities and as htere are more horses we all have to pay to have them brought in at similar times. This came about because once some started coming in at 4ish those whose owners came later began running round and yard owner does not like horses churning fields up so the system was introduced where we have to pay to have them brought in. This is usually from end Sept to mid April. It is a lovely yard in lots of ways though. I am so not sure what to do. My fat cob could be out more than we are allowed! Thanks for your responce.
 
Thanks for that.. Its good to hear examples of how people make alternatives work. I am really tempted I think one of the things that worries me is security - the field is in a lane probably about 100 - 150 yds from nearest house - but I know that I can get very silly about things so its really good to have ohters thouhgts! Husband thinks its my age!!!!!!
 
I rent my land off a farmer 2, 1/2 acres with water and i have my own mobile stables. I have two ponies and pay £80 a month. I have the shetland on restricted grazing and the coloured mare has the rest of the field to herself. I also have a sectioned off part of the field as a menage area.I keep mine out 24/7 with access to stables if required.The only down side is the hacking as im right infront of a main road.with bust traffic
 
I rent 6 acres from a farmer friend - all I have is a spring filled water trough and my own mobile stable but i ( and my 2 horses) love it.

Only issue is I keep all my *stuff* (not tack or rugs) in a shed which has now been broken into twice.

But I wouldn't move them - they live out and are so chilled - plus I do exactly as i wish in terms of feeding, worming etc etc - be brave - you'll love it!
 
I keep mine at home (at this moment they are in the garden being lawn mowers!) I also have (free) use of a paddock about 1500 sq metres which I split into two, right across the lane from my house. They come in at night at the moment because I know they are safe, I can walk across the yard and give them their 10pm hay and there is no real shelter in the field. I have a barn with three stables and keep my tack and feed in the basement of the house. It is a bit scary having total responsibilty without the support of a yard but tbh it's a great freedom to be able to do what you like and the financial benefits are not to be sneezed at.
 
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