The first shaky step...

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Serianas

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Hey again guys! Been away for a little break but now im feeling ready for this.
I took on the advice and positive comments from the other thread I started and have come to a conclusion… Information costs nothing J So I need your help again!
After some soul searching and talking to the OH, it was decided that between us it may be possible to afford my dream. Im not getting too excited just yet though because I need to do a lot more research first… ok now Im rabbitting cos im nervous…
So here goes… the thing I have a lot of is time (well not overly a lot working full time but I do start and finish earlier than most). If I could get DIY livery in this area it would be ideal, though most of these places don’t have websites so im a bit stuck… Does anyone know of anywhere in the Barnsley area that does it? could even stretch over the Wakefield border cos we are over that side. Also what would you say the average cost per month of DIY livery was?
I was always told that horses were a rich persons sport, but seeing so many people living their dreams on shoestring budgets has inspired me to actually look at things from another point of view instead of listening to fearmongers.
Thank you all if you got this far and even more so if you can offer info :D
 
I do DIY in Chester and I pay £90 a month for the stable and all year turnout (£60 a month in the summer for the field as he lives out during the summer), £17 a month for straw, £20 a month for hayledge (we buy it from the farmer on the farm we livery at to keep costs down), £20 a month for feed, £28 a month for insurance and then his shoeing (he only has fronts and his feet don't grown fast so that's £45 every 8 weeks approx). So that's £175 a month not including his shoes but then I like to round it up to £200 a month incase I need turnout/bring in/muck out/feed services on the days I can't get up.

We have a fab outdoor school and only about 15 horses on the yard so enough people to ride with but not too many to cause problems with the school being too full. Hacking is great too, so many bridle tracks within 5 mins of the yard.

Prices vary a lot depending on where you live and other factors such as facilities and the hacking available but I'm very happy with what I pay :-) I hope that helps somewhat x
 
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I am in east leeds bout 1/2hr from Barnsley I pay £20 per week for grass livery including a stable but only a grass schooling paddock, horse is out 24x7 in summer and in at night in winter, I can buy Heston bales of straw from yard owner at £20 I can get small bale hay at £2.50 or big rounds of haylage at £34.
hard feed costs vary depending on horses requirements mines not particularly a good doer and needs mineral supplements so he costs me around £60/month
farrier is £20 every 6weeks for barefoot trim his insurance is £30 month, annual vaccinations approx £50 and quarterly wormers approx. £15. I buy tack 2nd hand do repairs and alterations myself do all work myself, I don't show or cmpete so all costs kept to a bare minimum and am not on a well paid job but ned never goes without and we have lots of fun so it can be done though I had to wait till I was 27 to won my first horse but have had many on loan over the years which is your other option. im poor can't ride much due to a dodgy leg so I will be looking for a rider to take my horse out to compete as he's a talented superstar and I can barely happy hack!
 
Thanks guys for the quick replies! hopefully more people will help this evening :) The shaky step seems to be getting firmer with each post :) Is there any other way to find out what our area has to offer wrt livery?
 
I think it definitely can be done. For me the biggest problem would be the cash to make the purchase, not necessarily the monthly upkeep.
I definitely think it can be done, if you have a fairly secure full time job and don't have too many other outgoings. You may well have to sacrifice nights out etc or expensive holidays etc but, if you manage your money well I don't think it's impossible. The majority of horse owners/riders are not well off in reality, most just get to be experts at juggling money!

I don't know any places in Barnsley as I am in Leeds and unfortunately as we have our own land I have no knowledge of livery costs.

There used to be a yard - Westfield Park that did livery I thought and has/had a lovely indoor arena. Not sure if it's still going or if they even do DIY mind. I recall lots of yards around Silkstone Common so many search that area?
 
definitely not a rich persons sport- obviously there are some very wealthy people with horses, but many are like me: love horses and happy to spend all my money on them, despite not having much in the first place! i think considering all costs, not just DIY, but farrier, insurance ect, you need to allow i think around £250 a month . i try not to actually add up what i spend!
if there are riding schools near you you can ask about working livery, but personally despite the discount i would not want to, especially as they normally want weekend hours so your horse might not have much energy left or you and could get bored or have problems develop from less skilled riders. but i would suggest a livery yard as a first time owner, or somewhere with other people around for help and advice.
again, agree the actual buying cost is more of an issue than ongoing costs.
good luck, very exciting :D
 
http://www.pennineequine.co.uk/About-Us.html is a big yard but felt smaller (the barns and yards were seperate of that makes sense) was friendly when I went there over a reasonable time to help a friend and they had a choice of individual or group turnout you may find it useful as they also had a feed store that did horsey equipment as well and the staff seemed to have common sense which is always good :) westwood farm used to do livery but I'm not sure if they still do but down the road to them if you turn right out of their gates there is a farm on the left that did livery. throstlenest saddlery have a notice board where the smaller places with vacancies advertise so is well worth a visit to see whats around in the area
 
Im trying so hard not to get excited now! £250 isnt out of the water and cost of the horse doesnt matter to a degree (other half is planning on buying for me but obviously I wouldnt ask him for Tamarillo...although... lol). I will check all these places out and see what they offer. I would probably need someone to turn him/her out in a morning as I start stupidly early but could do chores in the afternoon (or do people frown on this? its been a long time since i worked on a yard and have forgotten the ettiquette!)

Job front is boringly stable lol and we have two incomes...

Does anyone have any more suggestions the Wakefield side of Barnsley?

edit: the westfield one looks close and interesting... does anyone have more info cos they dont have a website? :)
 
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I work in Royston...'I don't know the area well but on my drive to work between Havercroft and Royston there's loads of horses in what looks to be diy set ups'...you can't miss them.
Is Ferrybridge too far for you? I know a yard that does part livery with vacancies.
 
I just looked up Ferrybridge and its about 30-40 mins away :( Also I had a wander up to the one in Mapp and it was just paddocks which I dont think id like plus no school or facilities :S
 
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