Selling up to go back to livery.

Ilovefoals said:
Thanks folks. Some really good ideas you've suggested. Feeling a bit better about things now. I feel like it's my fault we are struggling as it was me who persuaded OH to move here and it's me with the expensive hobby. He never complains really tho. Occasionally we have a huge row but I do feel bad about it all. All he wants is a quiet life and a holiday! He works very hard, as do I, so I feel we need some kind of reward for our efforts. Not just struggling with money, time and motivation. Thanks again for helping me to clarify some stuff in my head xxx
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Been reading this thread with interest, having just moved to a rented cottage with land and stables and loving it! But ask me again after a few months...

Regarding your husband wanting a holiday; a few years ago, while I was still on livery, one of my friends with a similar set up to to yours went away and offered me the chance to house and horse sit plus take my own horse over there. I loved it! It was like a mini break for me and my boy, new places to hack and explore. My friends appreciated having someone on site to look after the horses (and dog!). May be worth mentioning to your horsey friends if they would like the opportunity? Although I do appreciate that it's not just the time and looking after the horses it is the money too.

When deciding to make the leap from livery to having my lad at home I talked to lots of people, bouncing the pros and cons off a huge range of friends which really helped, the non horsey ones came up with good points too.

Although I've only been there a short time, I'm loving the freedom of being able to do what I want when I want. I often spend an hour down there last thing when all I need to do is skip out and top up water and hay!

There are lots of keen non horse owners about (I used to be one of them), who would jump at the chance of helping out with yard duties possibly in return for riding but possibly not. I've worked at studs, farms and showing yards, all unpaid, even since I got my own (when he was out of work), just to be around horses and gain more experience.

I's also agree with the above posters who say don't worry about the school and yard roof, when thinking about liveries. I've been on much worse yards and it's the atmosphere that counts the most, so long as you explain up front.

Good luck with whatever you decide.
 
Having bought a place with land 6 years and having to spend loads on a house with a lot of problems and on the land, stables etc I can see where you are coming from OP. I have missed the company of a livery yard and I'm sure I would be better off financially if I sold up, moved to a small house and put them on DIY livery. And maybe we could have some nice holidays. However myself and OH love having the space and the ability to keep the horses the way we want. Also I feel that a place with land is an asset that is not easy to find around here. there have been a lot of good ideas on here and I wish you luck with your decision. As others have said consider the costs of moving along with everything else. Spring/summer is probably the best time to put your place on the market if that's what you decide so take your time.
 
Thanks everyone. I'm amazed at all the responses I've had. Thank you so much.

I'm going to sit down with hubby and my parents in a couple of weeks time and discuss our options. My brain is whirring with ideas at the moment. One end of our house can be made self contained which we could use for a lodger with the option to have their horse here too. The only problem is that it needs a lot doing to it. Replastering, new windows etc which we don't have money for. The other option I considered was to do something like doggy daycare. We have such a huge garden and that end of the house could be turned into a doggy creche with it's own garden access. But again, we need money for fencing etc.

I actaully really love the horses being at home and if we had some spare cash, I'd be happy I think as we could afford to buy things to help. Eg a quad, weed sprayer etc etc. Doing it all by hand with a bad back is not fun. But also the lack of company gets me down too. So 1 or 2 diy liveries would be great. I only have 8 acres so can't really have too many here but even 1 person who is the right person would lift my spirits I think. I have rung an estate agent this morning and they are coming next week to value the place. Meantime, we will work out what exactly we can afford house and livery wise and if we are no better off, we will stay and try to come up with solutions to make life easier.
 
Our arena is not very good at our yard, but the only person that moans about it is me, and thats only because im riding a 4year old with spaghetti for legs, most people hack at our yard. So dont let that put you off getting someone in for livery.
 
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