Relocating to Worthing/Brighton area....recommendations/costs

[Cathey]

Also posted in South East but a bit more traffic in here

I have been offered my dream job in Worthing so will soon be relocating....however i have no clue as to how costs differ between where i am now (West Mids) and the South East. I'm trying to do a rough budget to see if my salary will realistically allow me to afford to keep Monty while still maintaining a reasonable level of living!

So, costs i am interested in are:

DIY/Grass livery costs: I currently pay £99 pcm for AYTO (24hrs all yr if required), basic stabling (no electric but electric available on main yard where i tack up etc) flood lit school (£1 for 45 mins) , full set of jumps, showjumping paddock in summer, off road hacking and trailer storage. I would be looking for something similar, nothing fancy required but school, turnout and a few jumps are essentials. Ive factored £150 pcm into my budget for this, is this realistic? Can anyone recommend any yards in the local area that may have a space for a gelding?

Shoes: Shod in front only, currently £30 every 8 weeks. Ive budgeted £40? Any good farrier recommendations?

Hay: Only fed in winter, at the moment i buy direct from the yard for £40 a round bale.

Vets/Vaccs/Dentist: The vets i use do a free call out scheme so vaccs are normally only £30 a shot, dentist £40. How does this differ down south? Any vets and dentists that come highly recommended/ones to avoid?

Finally...sharer: I have a great lady that rides Monty for me 2 days per week and pays £10. Id be looking for a similar set up when i move him, charging possibly £20 pw, is this fair?

Sorry for all the questions, its so hard to guess prices and i cant find much upto date info on the web.

Any other recommendations for anything else very welcome!

 

[Sussexbythesea]

Hi there - Welcome to Sunny Sussex! Intrigued to know what your dream job is in Worthing? It is not well known for its career opportunities! My job is based in Worthing but live about 7 miles west along the coast.

£150 is about right for stable, field with hacking and school (that is what I pay) - some will be a little cheaper and some a bit more expensive. Feed, forage and assistance will be extra. Because Worthing is sandwiched between the sea to the south and the Downs just north on the coast itself availability can be limited around Worthing. Also one of the biggest local yards is being sold off and there will be quite a lot of people looking to move. This means you might have to go inland a bit which makes travel a little longer but if you can get somewhere with direct access onto the Downs you will find fabulous hacking. Patching and Findon are good places to look for Livery if you are Worthing based. Patching - Long-furlong Farm, Lazy T-bar, Lee Farm, Caroline Mac's. Blakehurst - a bit further towards Arundel, plus other little yards. Findon - Rogers Farm, North Farm and several others.

There is a big Equine veterinary practice at Arundel which I and most people in the area use. They do regular clinics at some big yards so it was cheaper but I don't think they do cheaper days or call-out schemes otherwise (if so I wish I'd known about it!). My farrier is Chris Peacock and there are plenty of others in the Area and good dentists - it all depends on who you like.

Hay - Bernard Stocker is a big local supplier - currently £4 for a good small bale, also supplies Euro and Round bales if you have the storage for them. Probably best to sort that out when you decide on yard so you share deliveries etc.

Good FB sites to find livery, sharers etc.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/271820566187891/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/111202162288548/

https://www.facebook.com/SussexHorseCommunity?fref=ts

If you have any specific questions or want to get the low-down on any specific yard / supplier then please PM and I'll try and help.