oldies & DIY

[rubysmum]

people not horses
i am only in my 50s - so not old yet - but am beginning to wonder how/if i will manage the basic no frills type DIY livery that my finances dictate as i get older - i can see that having your horses at home on on your own yard allows you set up things to suit you better as you become more creaky - but wonder how other people manage with no help as they reach their 60s & 70s- please share your experiences/inspiring stories

 

[dilbert]

The women in their 60's at my yard still work so I gues thats how they pay for their horses at the mo

 

[ThePony]

Had an absolulty lovely lady at our yard on DIY - 86!!! Put us to shame as she rode in all weathers and stuck to her schooling! It is totally possible as you get older to keep going (I think the secret is just never to stop as you'll have a hard job getting going again), but to be just as amazing might not be completly achievable - I think she might be a one off legend tbh!

 

[hudsonw]

You'll manage...it might take a bit longer to do the jobs but you'll be amazed how you just do things without thinking.

There is a bloke on our yard in his 80's still riding, teaching and even competing...the only thing he struggles with is his water buckets...

If your really worried then you could always (when the time comes) advertise for a bit of help

 

[Snowysadude]

Theres a few on our yard that manage fine (50's and 60's) and our yard owner is 81 and still going strong! He and his son do all the maintenance now and hes up walking his dog every morning (a massive rottie who would pull me over). I know a few other people who have put horses on 24/7 turnout so they only have to do one end of the day to check and feed as its less pressure. Or you move to a yard where the odd bit of help is avaliable or one like ours where liveries that work etc help each other out so it saves them time and money

 

[Janah]

I'm 60 + with my boy on DIY.

Mucking out is easy as I deep litter and twice a year dig whole bed out with the help of my OH.

Water buckets, I use one to top up others rather than carry a full one. I do struggle getting muck on top of muck heap, but manage. I'm slower than I used to be but can still run circles round many a youngster.

Jane

 

[Penny Less]

I am 63 and have been pondering this for some time. I think I will have to go on assisted livery when I cant physically do the work, no way will I get rid of my horses. I do try to find shortcuts and easy ways of doing things, I split the mucking out between one in the morning and and one evening. Stopped soaking haynets and started steaming so much lighter. Never do two trips where one will do as my old mum used to say "dont walk about with both arms one length" (meaning always be carrying something !