What exactly is involved in keeping your horse at home?

[Snowy Celandine]

I'm now thinking seriously about keeping my 18 year old native pony at home from next year but, after years of having my horses on full livery, I don't really know how much work will be involved and if I am up to the job I'm not the strongest person these days due to health issues which are worsening with age and my knowledge of horse care is very basic as I have never had to do it.

Obviously, I've researched online/read books etc but can anyone tell me, from real life experience, how much work is involved on a daily basis and what I will need to have in place ready for bringing my pony home? She is used to a warm, comfy stable so I think I will need to build something but I've no idea where to start with that even

I know all this makes me sound like a right muppet but there's no point in pretending so please treat me as a complete novice who is keen but completely lacking in practical experience and try to be kind if possible

 

[The Fuzzy Furry]

Snowy, one word : don't.
It's cheaper and easier to keep her on livery. Can you downgrade to grass livery?
She'll have company and people about, you won't need to get a groom in when you want to go away, you won't need to worry if out for the day etc etc.
Even at 18, she could be roughed off a bit and live out 24/ 7, am sure she will cope well. It's usually better for older ones to be able to move about more.

At home you will need a friend for her, doubling all operating costs, or the potential for a livery, which will be like having a lodger in your house.

Sorry to sound pessimistic, but am thinking of you and Mr SC, you do enjoy breaks xx

 

[TTK]

It's only a wee pony, you can look after her. She will need some shelter, but be confident, if you are diligent, she will have a lovely time & so will you. It's fun having them at home. Tread boldly!

 

[Snowy Celandine]

Oooh, TFF I wondered if that might be the case. I am trying to save money so grass livery would definitely be cheaper but the lovely yard she's been on since I bought her only does full livery.

It's absolutely true that it would be one more animal to worry about, well two since I'd have to get her a little companion, but I already have a lot of animals at home so I thought that adding another couple might not add to my 'burden' too much? I wasn't sure if she'd cope being out permanently but she definitely needs to move about a lot these days as she's got arthritis in all four legs although she's on a sachet of bute a day and is back to being her old self now.

The other side of it is that I miss her. I wonder if I could find somewhere that does grass livery that is closer to home? Whatever I decide I will feel terribly disloyal taking her away from her current yard though as it's such a great place with really nice people

 

[Snowy Celandine]

It's only a wee pony, you can look after her. She will need some shelter, but be confident, if you are diligent, she will have a lovely time & so will you. It's fun having them at home. Tread boldly!

Thanks TTK I do need a range of opinions and you are right, she's only 13.2 hh and her companion would be equally diminutive! I'm always diligent about my animals, probably a bit too fussy sometimes but I can't change that aspect of myself. It would be lovely to look out of the window and see her grazing happily I have to admit.

 

[The Fuzzy Furry]

You could set up a permanent track for grazing, with a hard area nearest the house.
Add a good field shelter, one you could divide if required and also gates to shut her and friend in.
It's not too hard to keep at home, was just thinking of you and the additional work xx
Pool picking, hay storage, arranging farrier, twice daily checking, knowing how to take temperature, how to recognise lameness however mild, ice breaking in winter, dealing with mud if ground bad.....

However lovely the current yard is, she probably needs to be out more now, as long as the grass is sparse and her figure is managed, you can do it. Your loyalty is to her, not the yard tho [

 

[Pearlsasinger]

Snowy, one word : don't.
It's cheaper and easier to keep her on livery. Can you downgrade to grass livery?
She'll have company and people about, you won't need to get a groom in when you want to go away, you won't need to worry if out for the day etc etc.
Even at 18, she could be roughed off a bit and live out 24/ 7, am sure she will cope well. It's usually better for older ones to be able to move about more.

At home you will need a friend for her, doubling all operating costs, or the potential for a livery, which will be like having a lodger in your house.

Sorry to sound pessimistic, but am thinking of you and Mr SC, you do enjoy breaks xx

I'm with TFF, I'm afraid, SC, it's blumming hard work! If she is going to have a stable, that means either daily mucking out, or a marathon session after a winter of deep litter. The fences and grazing need maintenance and you can guarantee, that emergency DIY will have to be done in the dark, wind and rain. You can't keep her on her own, so that means getting a companion or a livery - and ime, they're a blessed nightmare!

If you want to have her nearer to you, find her a nice livery yard and enjoy spending time with her rather than struggling with the hard physical work. I certainly wouldn't want to be doing it all on my own.

 

[meleeka]

I'm with TFF, I'm afraid, SC, it's blumming hard work! If she is going to have a stable, that means either daily mucking out, or a marathon session after a winter of deep litter. The fences and grazing need maintenance and you can guarantee, that emergency DIY will have to be done in the dark, wind and rain. You can't keep her on her own, so that means getting a companion or a livery - and ime, they're a blessed nightmare!
.

I'd agree with this,but I wouldn't have it any other way. I think the worst thing by far is having to arrange cover for holidays. Fences always break when the ground is rock hard but I don't need to do much fencing st all since I got my mains unit.

Mucking out in winter is a chore, but you may only be cleaning out a field shelter if you choose to let them live out. Shelters and stables come inahige range of budgets and are generally built to order. If I'm busy I can just chuck a feed and haynet in and do the rest when I have time. That's the beauty of it, you can fit things in when it suits and please yourself really.

 

[ester]

You might need to spend some dosh to make life easier but probably still a drop in the ocean compared to full livery.

Both of ours are at home and it is incomparable to the restrictions of even a nice livery yard with a lovely school and amazing hacking . In part Frank went back there so I could tweak his management and have him out as much as possible now he is a bit creaky. Whether they could live out depends on your ground really, ours are out all day but it wouldn't stand up to 24/7 as on clay- which means we are swimming with grass. setting up a track/all weather turnout area off any stables you might have/acquire might be a good idea.

Issues you have to consider off the top of my head.
poo picking is hard work when you aren't physically 100%.
Stable mucking out can be mitigated with matting/bedding choices. Mum is currently trialling an alternative set up to see if that suits better for next winter. Personally I take half a wheelbarrow of droppings out daily and 1-1.5 once a week as part of a full muck out and that is with a full bed on matting.

Manure collection- we pay a man with a tractor to take ours down to the local allotment once or twice a year.
and paddock management? - ours gets harrowed and rolled by the nearest farmer at the moment, he isn't terribly cheap but very close, naggable at the right time and it's only once a year.
A good hay man.

we've been through a few options for the above over the last 13 years.

Generally it is great being able to do things as you want to

 

[Orangehorse]

A native pony can live out 24/7 but it would need shelter, and a stable is useful for farrier, vet visits, to keep in if necessary.
Some ponies can be OK by themselves, but most need a friend and then you might have separation anxiety, and you might have to shut them in a stable if you want to go for a ride. Having them at home means that any social date, day out, holiday your first thought is "what about the pony?" There is always the daily care of paddock care, stable cleaning.

I have only ever kept mine at home, or a private place, never on a livery yard, so I have escaped the downsides, but I would say that I am lonely as I don't really have anyone to share my interest and I always have to pay for care if I know I am not going to be there. Luckily I have a very experienced and reliable person who lives a couple of miles away, so is reasonable.

If you decide to go ahead, have the shelter in a place where they can put themselves in and out so you don't go and have to fetch them in and turn them out across a yard every night and morning as I do. Think of having a corral so you can just open a gate at either end.

 

[Snowy Celandine]

Thanks everyone for your input. I really value it all, good and bad because I need to know the reality of what I might be taking on ... or not taking on I'm going to print it all out and discuss it with OH so that we can come to a sensible decision together. I honestly don't know which way it will go at the moment but we won't do anything in a hurry as we've promised the stockman that he can have the field for the rest of the year and he uses it until just before Christmas.

 

[Pearlsasinger]

It also depends on how much land is available. Two ponies would need at the very minimum, 2 acres of decent grazing, more if the grazing is rough, although rough grazing will be better for them. The more land available, the less need to poo pick.
I wouldn't want to keep our horses anywhere else now but they've been at home for more than 20 yrs now, so we are used to the work and have developed ways to make it easier. We have had to get someone in to maintain the walls, because OH used to do them, and that can get expensive. Well actually, the neighbouring land owner paid to keep his sheep in but that's a whole other story!

 

[Goldenstar]

Think carefully having them at home would restrict your freedom .
I doult you will save money by the time you set the place up and pay the maintainence livery for one pony will cheaper .
How ever if you want your pony at home then have him home .

 

[Snowy Celandine]

Thanks Pearl and GS We are already constricted freedom-wise by having the dogs (one of whom doesn't travel), chickens, ducks and rabbits so that aspect doesn't really worry me as we'd have to get someone in to do animal care.

A neighbouring horse owner uses the fields that surround our little paddock over the winter months so I might be able to do the same if he agrees. Not sure about that though as the fields are massive and I would worry about the amount of grass available. It would be ok if we could section some off with electric fencing I guess?

Actually, I need to find out more about electric fencing as the paddock has fencing for the cattle but it is pretty strong. Would it be too strong for horses? I know that my mare has been known to limbo under normal electric tape so I'm not sure how much she respects it but is the strength of the current higher for cows than horses?

There aren't any lovely old stone walls here Pearl, just wooden post and rail fencing which has just had it's bi-annual maintenance by the farm staff. Doubtless bits will need repairing at inconvenient times though and I'll be on my own doing it then

 

[ester]

No such thing as too strong

 

[Snowy Celandine]

Really? I wouldn't want to zap her so hard that she falls over! I got a belt from it last week and my hand hurt for about half an hour afterwards. Ouch.

 

[honetpot]

I have mine at home and its easy as long as you think ahead, and I have had up to eleven at home
Mine live in barns for the winter, we are on heavy clay, but before we moved here they had access to a field shelter but rarely used it. They are deep littered , so only the poo is taken out, and I use round bales in a ring feeder, so in winter when its harder work it takes me about two hours a day.
If you have already got a field shelter or stable just think how it can be made so its easy to get to and store feed etc.
A must is a reliable helper, I pay a good rate and I have only had two in four years. They cover when I at work and have a spare day that I use for two handed jobs or if we want a whole day out.
I do not miss the livery yard, I want to get on and do things not gossip. If I do not poo pick one day, only I care.
But why or the other, why not both options? I used to be at grass livery and they came home in the winter, but you could switch that round.
I am thinking of putting a youngster in livery for the summer, just so I can use the facilities, but it will only be short term.

 

[poiuytrewq]

Really? I wouldn't want to zap her so hard that she falls over! I got a belt from it last week and my hand hurt for about half an hour afterwards. Ouch.

I think I love you! 😊
I guess it's mains electric? She will learn quickly not to touch it.
I think your yard will understand, it can be hard work but there's nothing nicer than popping out to check happy horses in your pj's!

 

[Tiddlypom]

Seeing as it sounds like you already have a sizeable menagerie of animals, I can't think that adding a pony or two to the mix of creatures that need looking after when you go away will be much of a problem?

A couple of ponies living out 24/7 with access to a field shelter, plus a stable for emergencies, sounds good. It should certainly suit an oldie who's getting a bit stiff and arthritic. However, would routine daily chores such as poopicking and picking out feet be a bit demanding, if you're not in the best of health yourself?

 

[Orangehorse]

The cattle fence is probably run by a mains energiser as I have found that battery fencing for cattle does not work. It is OK for horses. They always approach it carefully and I think they can probably sense the current flowing through. Stud farms use electric fencing. Even a battery fencer set up correctly gives quite a powerful punch.

OP, so long as you think this out to make life as easy as possible with set up, like being able to put in a "paddock paradise" type track to restrict grazing and give extra exercise at the same time, and have a convenient shelter, water supply, and muck disposal system, then it would be nice keep your pony at home. You already have lots of pets so that wouldn't be any impact.

 

[Dubsie]

We used to have 2 at home, and really living out with a field shelter it's minimal time to check not lame as they walk over for feed each morning/night, pick hooves, adjust or change rugs if needed (if native probably won't require a rug) and fly spray if needed too. 15-20 mins poo picking max per day - you can pop in a pile and let people come and collect or bag in old feed bags for ease, or make a big compost heap. Water is to a trough, self filling but needs scooping out every now and then when it gets mucky. When doing the field you can check the boundary fence to ensure it's all safe still (natives tend to think grass is greener).

 

[eventer and proud]

Check her before and after work, muck out every day, feed, water, field mstinence, grooming and washing, if you have kept her on full livery you will find it very hard and busy I should think, will need someone to hold for the farrier and dentist ect

 

[Snowy Celandine]

Thanks Dubsie and eventer and proud I think I will find it hard work to begin with because I'm not used to it. I work from home and will generally be around so farrier/dentist etc won't be a problem. I need to keep thinking about this a lot though and am currently trying to find livery yards in my area (Lincolnshire Wolds) so that at least she's over here and much closer to home

 

[Lintel]

I've just moved my Highland to home and got a wee Shetland companion from WHW.
It is double the vets farrier wormer etc
But so worth it...I hated livery... I hate people interfering!

 

[MiJodsR2BlinkinTite]

I've been poacher and gamekeeper both, i.e. had to keep mine at livery in years gone by (and having to pay lip-service to some pretty awful YO's knowing that if I didn't then I'd be out PDQ on the nearest grass verge with my horse in a headcollar and me with a duvet and thermos flask!), and being fortunate enough now to keep them at home.

If OP you haven't ever cared for a horse totally on your own before, then now, with a veteran horse, I think you may struggle. It sounds like you haven't got any basic facilities like stable or anything?? You will deffo need this - with ANY horse - let alone a veteran.

You will also need to think about company, as if your horse has been kept with others, then horses being herd animals, he/she will struggle to exist if kept on their own. If you have enough room, then one solution is to take on a livery, so that your horse will have another horse or two on the place, but taking on a livery is another ball game entirely and not for the faint of heart........

My routine is: first thing - go and bring-in from the field, feed, pick-out hooves; whilst at same time checking for any injuries/problems etc. Whilst they're eating that's a good time to pop round the field they've been in overnight and poo pick (essential!!), also to check the state of the grazing, whether leccy fencing is OK, etc etc. Any gaps in hedges, or anything needing doing is also something I'd check daily.

If I'm riding, or the vet/farrier/physio is coming then I'd keep them in as easier, and would give them each a good groom, again checking that everything's OK. This is important if its just you dealing with your horses as its so easy to miss things.

Then, if say the vet or farrier coming, you'd need to be there to hold and/or listen to instructions, and (obviously!) pay up and look sweet!!

Then, as I'm around most of the day, being self employed, I can keep an eye on them, and then in the evening its another feed and go through the same routine again! That's my summer routine, in the winter months I'd be bringing in, which would mean putting down a bed for them, bringing them in, cleaning them off (nightmare job with mucky muddy horses), rugging up and haying up for the night, then last-thing check at about 10pm to make sure all well. Then the next morning mucking out, and putting on turnout rugs. In the winter your main hassle will be mud fever; in the summer it will be flies. Either one are a PITA, and summer or winter you'll always be kept busy!

You will need also to bear in mind that you will have to source, and bring home, your own feed and bedding, yourself. Sometimes if you have a big enough order you can get it delivered, but with just one or two horses on site you may struggle, so you'll need a car that can cope with this!! (OR a very willing and able OH!!). Bags of feed and bedding are heavy to transport and manage.

Then you will need to think about hacking, unless you've got an arena where you can work off-road: are you confident hacking solo? Is your horse? Or have you got someone nearby to ride with? Are they reliable and someone you can trust if you meet a crisis out hacking? Is their horse going to give yours confidence? Or is it a scatty dotty creature who'll only upset yours?? All things you'll need to think about. I tend to hack solo midweek and hack out with a friend at the weekend, an ideal situation. If competing is your thing, and you've enjoyed competing at your yard, say, then bear in mind that you will, if keeping at home, need transport if you want to do anything: yet another expense!

Field management: if you're lucky to have land at home for turnout, you will certainly need to think about this. You will be solely responsible for your own field maintenance, ranging from pasture management like removal of weeds like Ragwort, thistles, docks etc., harrowing and rolling in the springtime, and pasture rotation - and yes, the requisite poo-picking which is essential if managing worm burden on pasture, and you will also need to follow a worming programme, either testing faeces for worms and dosing appropriately if necessary. Also there will be fences to maintain, water supply to think about (frozen taps on winter mornings, oh the joy!), and you will always get the crises like the naughty pony or horse that tanks through the leccy fencing and leaves it looking like someone's knitting gone wrong, just as you are on your way out to a party!! Bleddi horses being what they are, its not a question of if, its a question of when.

Added to this (oh dear, such a long list!) you will need to know more than the basic knowledge of how to keep a horse/pony fit and healthy, feeding, shoeing, how to spot problems and what to do about it i.e saddle fitting, physio, etc etc, the list goes on, and when to call a professional like the vet in.

All of this above list is being done for you by your yard/YO at the moment!!

It sounds daunting, and yes it is, and yet it IS do-able, I had my own grasskept pony at home when I was a kid and learnt on the job really, leant a lot from pony club too which helped a lot, didn't have horsey parents so just had to get on with it, but you will need a lot of support particularly if you want to go on holiday or whatever, it really has to be someone you can trust 100%.

If you lack knowledge, it is always possible to improve upon that by doing the relevant BHS courses and thus giving yourself some confidence and arming yourself with knowledge and experience.

If you are intending or wanting to keep your horse at home, you could always try keeping yours at livery on a part or assisted livery basis, or even DIY with adequate supervision, and see how you get on, that would be a starting point. Perhaps you could ask a professional at the yard to help you and show you/explain to you what needs to be done??

 

[Snowy Celandine]

I've just moved my Highland to home and got a wee Shetland companion from WHW.
It is double the vets farrier wormer etc
But so worth it...I hated livery... I hate people interfering!

I may get a companion from a charity but I'm not sure they will trust me as I'm a novice so perhaps I'll have to look elsewhere

 

[Crugeran Celt]

I keep all six of mine at home, I can get out of bed put my wellies on over pyjamas and go out to feed, come in eat breakfast change and back out to see to the horses. Mine live out all year round now but used to be stabled by day out at night and it's surprising how much you can get done in the time it woukd have taken you to drive to your livery yard. You learn so much about your horses nature when you can see them all day everyday and have a much better relationship with them. I love having my own place and take great pleasure in just watching them interact with each other in the field.

 

[Snowy Celandine]

Thank you so much for all that useful info MiJods Exactly what I needed!

Regarding fence maintenance - I have a 'gentleman's agreement' with the landowner who owns all the adjoining land. He sprays the thistles, docks and nettles and his lads have just mended any broken fence posts and replaced the handle (that I broke ) on the electric fencing and he says he will continue to do that if he's going to keep his cows in the field from time to time.

Is it a good idea to have cows in the field to graze it down? Is there any reason why it would be bad for the horses? There will be too much grass if it isn't grazed by something. I thought I could fence off tracks for the horses with temp electric fencing? I am getting my own water supply because although there is an automatic drinker in the field it's disgusting and the cows will want to use it when they are in the field.

 

[Snowy Celandine]

I keep all six of mine at home, I can get out of bed put my wellies on over pyjamas and go out to feed, come in eat breakfast change and back out to see to the horses. Mine live out all year round now but used to be stabled by day out at night and it's surprising how much you can get done in the time it woukd have taken you to drive to your livery yard. You learn so much about your horses nature when you can see them all day everyday and have a much better relationship with them. I love having my own place and take great pleasure in just watching them interact with each other in the field.

Thanks CC I think I would love to be able to watch her in the field.

 

[hollymarsh]

I actually found keeping one at home much easier than at livery. He was out all year with a shelter, which is easy as long as you keep on top of poo picking (I did it everyday and took 5 mins). The only downside was the mud in winter and constantly moving electric fencing, and it did get a bit lonely too. When we went on holiday it was easy, as I could just ask a few friends to come and check on him and change rugs (had no hard feed), whereas at livery I need to either pay for full livery or get someone to muck out etc every day. Also it's really nice just being able to pop outside and see your horse, rather than having to allocate a time slot each day to go to the yard!