Pros and cons of buying your own field . . . .

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Muddywellies

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Just had a rather surprising meeting with the bank, and it seems we may be able to borrow to buy a field. So now I have to decide if it’s actually sensible ? It will be slightly more expensive than being on livery, which is fine, but looking at it from all other angles. It feels like a huge commitment (tho no bigger than our mortgage I guess) which is making me nervous. Plenty of other people do it so why not me - maybe I’m just over thinking it ??
 
I love my field- I love not having to be involved in any yard politics or worry about anything but my own horses. It comes with stresses and setting it up to work easily and maintaining it properly takes time and money, but absolutely worth it.
 
Factor in costs of hiring local contractor for harrowing, rolling, hedge cutting, muck heap and occasional tree work, ditch clearing etc unless you are able to do this yourselves. Put away a monthly sum for repairs and for the above works.
Do temp internal fencing for 1st year or more, till you are happy with layout but lash out on getting decent perimeter fence to a good standard.
Ensure some form of hard surface from road into field and make a yard area, so it's easy to get vehicles in and out, inc for muck heap.
I love having my own yard. The only downside is getting free lancers in if I go away or am incapacitated.
I know that each time I leave the yard that it will be the same as when I left it (immaculate or in need of a sweep up) 😊
 
All pros and no cons as far as I am concerned. You are in control, you can develop the grazing as you want to, control the weeds as you want to and manage your horses as you want to with no-one to set rules that don't work for you. And one day you will have no more need to make repayments so your horses can live rent free - just about the time when you are too old to do much with them lol.
Oh! One con (if like me you are on your own)..............no company except the radio!
 
No cons I can think of! Land is unlikely to go down in value so you can’t lose really.

I love my little piece of the country and the freedom and security it gives me.
 
I’d just say think about the field’s location eg I wouldn’t buy next to a housing estate (I used to have one and people wheeled their lawn mowings etc and dumped into the field. There was also a mains sewer ran underneath which in a torrential downpour overflowed and flooded the field with sh1te.... and the neighbours sewage pipe ran across field and we discovered leaked...)
Also find out what the soil is and how well it drains.
So, like house buying, location, location, location
 
Just be very careful about working out all the maintenance costs. New fencing, harrow, possible spraying can all add up
However. I would love the security of owning a field. I have rented for over 7 years in the same place and it’s vwdy cheap but I do all work to maintain. Not sure what I would do if I lost it. Also good hacking location as no facilities to ride there
 
i would go for it if :-
1. it is at least big enough for number of horses plus a bit extra so if bad winter you can sacrifice a little.
2. the land is well draining and has decent fencing
3. you can get permission for at least a field shelter
4 you have water on tap

it sounds like a great idea but you must factor in costs of maintenance, also security , you will have to keep any valuable items at home, tack etc, will you be happy going there on your own in the pitch black nights in the winter, as horses are not classed as agricultural animals , you need to make sure that horses can be grazed there before purchase....it is lovely to have your own land but also quite a bit of work. i rented land for many years from the council and they did not do anything at all except take my money each month so all else was up to me, but i loved having my own little space we had stables but were not allowed to have concrete floors so if they were taken down there were no sign that they had been there.. and ran lights off car batteries
 
I think it might depend on how far away from home the field is and what the security would be like, also do you have mains water/electricity? None of these things are insurmountable but might add to the cost (although I can recommend solar powered lighting).

Our horses are at home, so slightly different but I certainly wouldn't go back to a livery yard, setting your own rules is priceless!
 
There are most definitely cons. No facilities, no company, having horses out 24/7 in the depths of winter makes it nearly impossible to do anything with them, you are responsible for all maintenance, dont underestimate how much work goes into maintaining grazing! And then you have the hassle with companions. Unless you are lucky and have sandy soil then its mud all winter. You say you will put up a couple of stables, but you will need planning which isnt always easy. Will you have electric and water? Its not much fun without them.

I've never owned a field but have had sole use of one. It was fine for youngsters and my old hacking horse but I wouldnt ever want to do it with a horse I wanted to work. Its just so much effort and hassle that for me it negates any benefits!

But if all that doesnt put you off, then go for it :)
 
Leo Walker said:
There are most definitely cons. No facilities, no company, having horses out 24/7 in the depths of winter makes it nearly impossible to do anything with them, you are responsible for all maintenance, dont underestimate how much work goes into maintaining grazing! And then you have the hassle with companions. Unless you are lucky and have sandy soil then its mud all winter. You say you will put up a couple of stables, but you will need planning which isnt always easy. Will you have electric and water? Its not much fun without them.

I've never owned a field but have had sole use of one. It was fine for youngsters and my old hacking horse but I wouldnt ever want to do it with a horse I wanted to work. Its just so much effort and hassle that for me it negates any benefits!

But if all that doesnt put you off, then go for it :)
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TBH I’m not going into this totally blind - I’ve had horses at home previously but my life is very very different now. I was quite ‘privilaged’ before - now I have a very ‘normal’ life so am extremely aware that I have to make the right decision. I know what goes into maintaining your own land, have twice gone through the planning process to build yards etc etc. But when you don’t have the security of a wealthy builder partner (though I would never ever be without my now husband - as poor and un-buildery as he may be :-) ) then it all just makes me nervous. It seems so much safer staying on livery but 1/ I’m lining someone else’s pockets and it’ll never be mine 2/ I can run things how I like 3 / no yard politics. My mind is working overtime now. I honestly thought it would be a flat ‘no’ from the bank.
 
Muddywellies said:
TBH I’m not going into this totally blind - I’ve had horses at home previously but my life is very very different now. I was quite ‘privilaged’ before - now I have a very ‘normal’ life so am extremely aware that I have to make the right decision. I know what goes into maintaining your own land, have twice gone through the planning process to build yards etc etc. But when you don’t have the security of a wealthy builder partner (though I would never ever be without my now husband - as poor and un-buildery as he may be :) ) then it all just makes me nervous. It seems so much safer staying on livery but 1/ I’m lining someone else’s pockets and it’ll never be mine 2/ I can run things how I like 3 / no yard politics. My mind is working overtime now. I honestly thought it would be a flat ‘no’ from the bank.
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1. Then you do sort of remember how much land each horse needs to be able to graze, roam around, and "get away from the other guy" if it has to:)

2. It is constant work and the less land, the bigger the expense because it takes more to keep it clean and able to be grazed:)

We have 25 acres. It had four horses on it until my two elders passed, now there are only two. It has never had to be fertilized. All we do is bushhog 3-5 times during the growing season. Sometimes lightening hits a big tree on fence line and we have to get out the chainsaws, tractor, 4-wheeler & trailer to haul the cut tree to a burn pile. We check fence every day, when we run the dogs.

Even if you do hire some things done, you still need some equipment to do some mowing, move manure, a truck to haul hay, etc.

3. If you like to travel, you would also need to know someone very reliable would be available to feed for you and follow your instructions while you're gone.

***

I had to board for several years - no choice, MESSY divorce. Thankfully, I was able to find a local/private boarding facility where the owners took as good a care of my horses as me. BUT I was thrilled to pieces when I was again able to get my horses on my own property. I was a die hard trail rider, so I never have needed arenas or anything fancy to train a horse.

If you are in good physical health and aren't afraid of work -- then being the horses home -- just know that there WILL be days when don't get to ride because of something that has to be fixed -- you might find yourself lucky to get a horse brushed:)

Conversely, nothing on this earth beats going to your own barn to feed, early in the morning, and hearing a horse nicker to you -- it makes all the work and being out in the crummy weather worth every minute:):)
 
Muddywellies said:
TBH I’m not going into this totally blind - I’ve had horses at home previously but my life is very very different now. I was quite ‘privilaged’ before - now I have a very ‘normal’ life so am extremely aware that I have to make the right decision. I know what goes into maintaining your own land, have twice gone through the planning process to build yards etc etc. But when you don’t have the security of a wealthy builder partner (though I would never ever be without my now husband - as poor and un-buildery as he may be :) ) then it all just makes me nervous. It seems so much safer staying on livery but 1/ I’m lining someone else’s pockets and it’ll never be mine 2/ I can run things how I like 3 / no yard politics. My mind is working overtime now. I honestly thought it would be a flat ‘no’ from the bank.
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In that case, it sounds as if you know what you are letting yourself in for and understand the pros and cons. The bank obviously think you can afford it, so - go for it!
 
Pearlsasinger said:
In that case, it sounds as if you know what you are letting yourself in for and understand the pros and cons. The bank obviously think you can afford it, so - go for it!
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Hmm, there’s an awful lot to consider. There are some benefits to being on a yard (though sometimes I can’t bear it!) and not having the responsibility of my own land. I’m a very cautious person and now that I know this may be do-able, the thought of doing it is making me nervous. I have a good support network, a friend who could (at a cost) do the maintenance, looking after the fields etc. In theory, it’s all possible. I have an awful lot of thinking to do.
 
You could buy (if you find the right place) then tenant it out for a couple years on a repairing lease? A friend moved onto hers with her 3 horses, lost 2 within a year (old age and a colic), moved back to livery and rented hers out for 4 years. She had no end of applicants. It was returned back in a very good condition.
 
Had my retired girl at home; loved it but it was hard work and isolating. In the winter was a hard slog, summer fab. Small paddocks on clay. Lots of ongoing work. Livery yard - if something goes wrong owner fixes, home it was me.
It worked out not that much cheaper for me than full livery; as I bought a pony companion for the mare, had someone bring in each day when I was at work and continued to stable each night as was horses preference, had muck removed, Harrow rolling etc.I was often exhausted, working full time, long hours and doing two before work and again after, livery I’d turn up and ride.

Since she’s passed I had one on full livery again and now I share.
As full livery I’ve never really got involved in yard politics so that’s not a concern but it’s always a compromise on a yard but it also was at home- still couldn’t provide ideal set up due to time, money constraints.I did miss horsey chat and not having anyone to check stuff out with on hand. I didn’t have facilities at home either. I also found it tough in winter as horse did not enjoy being out in wet and certainly not when it was dark so would have to plan whole life around horse, which is not the same as a yard as staff can look after if owner can’t to if horse needs vet, dentist, farrier- tbf that has what prevented me from having another at home and back on a yard. Husband not horsey so he also enjoys days out doing other things!
However, if I didn’t have to work full time, I’d have another at home!!
 
From a purely financial point of view I've worked out the costs of setting up our field, field shelter/stables/hardcore/fencing were the main expenses, and on going costs, field maintenance/repais/water, and after 8 years since we bought it I'm about £7000 better off than having one on DIY livery. This doesn't include the purchase price of the field or take into account that it has increased in value.
 
What's your motivation for wanting your own bit of land? I would say find a field and rent it for six months-year before you decide to buy. You'd have far less to lose that way.

I personally like being on a yard - I know there's always someone around, I can put my horse on full livery at a moment's notice, the facilities are all there, I don't have to worry about any of the maintenance stuff and the risk of dickwads nicking anything you might want to keep up there is far lower.
 
Pearlsasinger said:
Have you actually found a field that is for sale?
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Yes. It’s lovely and perfect spot but has a public footpath through it which I’m not comfortable with. In my experience footpaths over equestrian land just don’t work. I’ll make some more enquiries but I may pass on this one (it’s a little over priced too). But knowing we can do it financially opens up lots of possibilities. . . .
 
I would avoid land with public footpaths, too. It was one of our criteria when we were looking before we came here. There is a footpath which runs round the outside of our fields (on neighbours' land) and that causes enough problems!
 
SpringArising said:
What's your motivation for wanting your own bit of land? I would say find a field and rent it for six months-year before you decide to buy. You'd have far less to lose that way.

I personally like being on a yard - I know there's always someone around, I can put my horse on full livery at a moment's notice, the facilities are all there, I don't have to worry about any of the maintenance stuff and the risk of dickwads nicking anything you might want to keep up there is far lower.
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I know there are definite benefits to being on a yard but I just really need to do things my own way now. I need my independence. I would like to have the freedom to leave out when I like (horses still in at the moment :-() and not have to struggle to get arena time. I could give a long list as to why I need my own place. Furthermore, there is a distinct lack of decent yards here - if there were more yards I’d have a better chance of finding the perfect yard. So I now just feel it may be time to go it alone. It would have to be a long term project but eventually would like to have two or three stables, storage and an arena. You mention renting a field but I need some facilities and a small sole charge yard just doesn’t exist to rent here. So choices are remain on DIY livery or invest in some land. As others have mentioned though (as did my husband earlier today) if it didn’t work we could either sell it or rent it out.
 
Pearlsasinger said:
I would avoid land with public footpaths, too. It was one of our criteria when we were looking before we came here. There is a footpath which runs round the outside of our fields (on neighbours' land) and that causes enough problems!
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Oh I’m glad you said that - I was afraid I was being a bit persnickety. But no, I know they cause great problems.
 
I bought my own land last year, it took ages to go through so I moved in at the end of October. First winter on my own was an eye-opener for me, plus moving from good-draining chalk to wet clay was a bit of a shocker. Field maintenance this spring has been hard work and expensive, and I've hardly ridden since being there. However I wouldn't change it for the world, I don't miss my old yard although I do miss the hacking and having people to hack with. I love my own company, and I have found a really reliable freelancer who covers for me, plus I've developed a fab network of farmers and hay suppliers who are all very helpful.
ETA: I have a footpath running through the field and it's not caused any problems so far.
 
OP, I would avoid property with a public footpath running thru it like the plague.

There's a thread on another forum about folks who are having problems with fence neighbors not respecting their wishes to not feed the horses -- the neighbor wife allegedly also bought a grooming kit to groom the horses without the owner's permission.

I can just imagine what people might do while passing thru the property on a public footpath -- trying to ride your horse comes to mind------
 
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Muddywellies said:
Hmm, there’s an awful lot to consider. There are some benefits to being on a yard (though sometimes I can’t bear it!) and not having the responsibility of my own land. I’m a very cautious person and now that I know this may be do-able, the thought of doing it is making me nervous. I have a good support network, a friend who could (at a cost) do the maintenance, looking after the fields etc. In theory, it’s all possible. I have an awful lot of thinking to do.
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You know the saying - better to regret what you did than what you didn't do. Go for it and if it doesn't work out after a couple of years you can always sell it again, you won't have lost much in comparison to the livery charges over that period (assuming it is adequately fenced so you don't have that to do?)
 
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