Surely this makes sense... right?!?

I can understand why you'd like to rent the field but there are lots of possible snags with this plan. As a first time horse owner you may find even an uncomplicated cob can become complicated without a confident and knowledgable owner.
Out at grass 24/7, would you be confident in spotting the first signs of laminitis, thrush, colic, mites, malanders, rain scald,photosensitivity, hoof abscess etc, etc? How would you manage your field to ensure it doesn't become a boggy mud bath in winter or a mass of weeds ?
You'd need a companion for your horse and then you may find it difficult to leave one safely in the field while you hack. Assuming your horse hacks happily alone with you.
You'd need hard standing, preferably covered and with a light for those dark winter days when the farrier comes, or say, you have an emergency call out for the vet. Many people do manage with out but its a compromise and can be a bit hairy when calling a vet to an emergency situation on a stormy night.
Any behavioural issues can seem like a big problem when there's no one to mull it over with, going it alone can be quite isolating for a new owner.

I'm not trying to put you off by being negative but do consider everything carefully before starting off on your own. Livery yards aren't any different from workplaces, there are great people and sometimes people that you wouldn't choose to socialise with in your free time, but on the whole, there are a lot of nice owners about and having support and friendship can take some of the pressure off in the early days.
 
Epona78 said:
I'm looking to get an uncomplicated cob for light hacking and general cuddling/fussing over. More of a pet than anything. I would like to keep him out 24/7 with a shelter.
This is what I know about the field - it is 4 acres, currently one big field. I know it's been empty for about a year but it has only come up to rent last week. It is £45 a week, okay to put up a mobile field shelter (says so in ad), needs change of use PP. Don't know if they would be on board with me re-fencing but I think it needs it on one side at least. I guess the only way to find out is to ask!
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Ask them to see what the rent agreement would be. And mention that fence needs replacing (perimeter fence would normally be their problem, not yours). Is there water? It's a pita if there isn't already.
I'd look at having two in there, but make sure they're both happy being on their own, or get a field shelter with stable built in/front able to be shut up so if you hack out can be stabled if necessary. (Useful to have stable in there, for option of it for emergencies too.
What would you electrify with if needed? Presumably battery?

Water and modifications (internal fencing) would be the two main points for me.
 
I'm 34. As I said, I know it's more sensible to have my first horse on a yard but I'm guessing the best yards rarely have vacancies, so my question was if a vacancy comes up should I get in there and reserve the place before buying the horse, even though I would be paying for an empty stable/field for a couple of months?
 
As a first time horse owner I would absolutely keep it on a yard. Also if you go down the field route, you will need a companion.
 
horserider said:
do consider everything carefully before starting off on your own.
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I am, I'm planning one year in advance! :D I do not enter in anything lightly!
It's the location of the field that is so seductive, not neccessarily the practicalities of field management! I consider myself a fairly capable novice, and by no means an expert in horse care, to which end I know I would be better off on a livery yard, I've just read too many horror stories on here!
 
Its not really that bad on a yard. When I kept three on their own, while I enjoyed the peace and quiet, I did miss the banter and social aspect of yard life. My current yard throws brilliant barbeques and farm rides.
I recently had a sick horse on box rest when I had to suddenly go away for a couple of weeks after a death in the family. It was such a relief to be able to make a quick phone call to the YO and leave my lot in capable hands.

What ever you choose, having researched before you get started, I'm sure you'll be fine though.
 
I wouldn't pay £45 a week for a field, thats £220 a month, thats near £3k a year for a field! I used to pay £15 a week for my old field.
 
horserider said:
Its not really that bad on a yard. When I kept three on their own, while I enjoyed the peace and quiet, I did miss the banter and social aspect of yard life. My current yard throws brilliant barbeques and farm rides.
I recently had a sick horse on box rest when I had to suddenly go away for a couple of weeks after a death in the family. It was such a relief to be able to make a quick phone call to the YO and leave my lot in capable hands.

What ever you choose, having researched before you get started, I'm sure you'll be fine though.
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Oh, I'm sure there are loads of lovely yards, don't get me wrong, which is why I wondered if I found a nice yard with friendly people should I get in there and reserve the vacancy before I had the horse... and I think I've answered my own question really, YES! I think the money I may have paid for an empty stable for a couple of months would have been worth it if it meant I was in a nice place (if YO allowed it, of course).
 
A space came up on my yard the day before I went to see my horse. farmer kept it for me for a week until my horse arrived for no extra charge.

I was lucky :)
 
you have a year - start networking to find out which are the good yards in your area.

What about sharing a horse first?

Then you can find out about the yards around you, make (more) horsey friends in your area and gain valuable experience before getting your own. You will also have a foot in the door at a yard for when you get one and may even learn of suitable ones for sale through the yard grapevine.

I acutally prefer being on a yard as even an experienced horse owner can benefit from the company, a hacking buddy and help from time to time. Yes some are pants but many yards are full of great people with whom you share a common interest.

Ets think £45 per week for a field is quite steep - would be in Warwickshire anyway
 
Op definitely get yourself down on the waiting list for any nice yards you see and if you find one you love and they have a stable free I wouldn't really hesitate at all about paying for an empty stable for a few months- if you know the yard is perfect!
 
In your situation I'd snap up the field. 45 pounds per week to keep two horses is reasonable, you'd pay about 20 pounds per horse for grass livery on a yard. I'd be concerned about the part of the ad that states the land needs planning permission for change of use. It sounds like the land owner is expecting the person renting to sort that out, which I think is unreasonable considering the land owner could theoretically kick you out any time. I know you could get a contract but contracts can be broken and I'm not sure I'd want to pay out to improve someone else's property. I'd want the fence to be the land owners responsibility too.

Most people buy a horse then worry about where to keep it, there's always somewhere. I find most low budget yards to be pretty awful TBH, though the social side can be lovely. I find most nice yards are full livery only, which I don't really like, I enjoy horse care as much as riding and can't afford it anyway. So if a low budget yard is all you can afford and you're worried it will affect your enjoyment of the horse, I'd think twice about getting one. I've thought many times about giving up because I can't get the horse care and riding facilities that I'd need to enable horse ownership to be a true pleasure and not a chore.

I never really thought it would be so hard to find a DIY yard for about 30 pounds per week, with trustworthy staff to pay for morning turnout, fences that aren't about to fall down, fields that aren't a sea of mud, with at least half day turnout in winter and full day in summer, at least a small badly surfaced unlit arena with a jump, and at least one hacking route of about an hour with some ground suitable for cantering, in a location that doesn't need a 4x4 to get to and within a 30min drive from home. But apparently its impossible in the areas I've lived. A field across the road from home sounds far more appealing, even if the hacking was rubbish, as long as you're allowed to ride in it as well as graze there.
 
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