Yard - WWYD

[Lou_wizzard]

Hi. I am new here (long time lurker) this is my first post. I am looking for some advice/opinions please?

I am in the very fortunate position that I currently have my horse on owned land with stables and an arena. However I am completely on my own there (not enough land to accommodate a livery). I have 2 small children and I am finding everything a struggle as all the jobs and maintenance are down to me and I only manage to ride once or twice a week. I work part time and generally my children come with me all the time to the yard. My horse has had one problem after another for past few years and each day sound is a bonus.

The reason for this post is recently I have been approached by someone wanting to buy my yard. I have spoken to the farmer who owns most of the fields by our house and I am able to buy a section of one field. There would be plenty enough land but due to the price the farmer wants I would only be able to put up stables (subject to planning etc).

After my current horse passes I wouldn’t be looking to have another due to the cost to buy and general cost of living increasing. I think I would also enjoy the break to be able to fully focus on my kids, holiday etc.

However I am at a cross roads and I would appreciate some outside advice.

Do I sell my yard and buy the field and build the stables. I won’t have an arena and possibly never would have the chance to build one there. However it is in walking distance and my partner would be more willing to help out with jobs as he’d walk over with me. I could also possibly ride more as he’d take the kids for walk in the buggy/bike while I hacked out (not currently possible due to the fast road yard is on) There is also an arena to hire in hacking distance.

However I love my little yard and don’t want to regret selling it later down the line when the kids are bigger and I have more time for a hobby again.

My OH did mention about looking to rent my yard out and then renting the farmers field, however I wouldn’t have anything permanent stable wise at the new field.

I hope this makes sense (apologies for the long post) I understand I am in an incredibly lucky position but I would really appreciate others input. I have too many thoughts going around my head currently and just can’t make sense of it.

Thank you in advance for reading

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

I think I would take up your OH's suggestion, you could probably have a mobile field shelter, which you could use as a stable on he farmer's field

 

[Gingerwitch]

The children won't be dependent all their lives x

 

[bouncing_ball]

How far is current yard from home? How much land do you currently have and how much would farmer sell?

Are both plots of land well draining good horse ground?

 

[Lucky Snowball]

I agree, rent out your yard. If you decide to sell in future the value will have gone up. Would the rent for the yard be enough to keep your horse at part livery? This would free up time to spend with family.

 

[Lois Lame]

It sounds like you weren't thinking of selling until this person approached you.

Why make such a big decision just because you have been asked?

I think often we feel the need to please.

 

[Dasher66]

The person buying the yard may well apply for planning permission for housing, demolish the yard and make a lot of money in the process.
if you do sell make sure you have an uplift clause to get a share of the profit.
Also speak to an estate agent about the possibility of you getting pp for change of use and making the profit for yourself. You might make enough to buy a house with yard attached.

 

[paddi22]

I wouldn't sell. Is there a chance your kids would like ponies down the lines? there is also a chance you could get back more into riding as the kids grow older. plus the fact you have an oldie would make me want to keep the yard, it's handy having stables there for extreme weather/illness with older horses. rent the yard out and keep your options open.

 

[Jellymoon]

I would snap up the opportunity to buy land right next to your house, so much easier with kids to have horses on site, and will add loads of value to your house. You could rent the other yard out if you can afford it (loan for the purchase of the new field against the value of the yard and use rent to pay back?)
Speaking from experience, kids almost get harder work as they get older, they don’t need watching all the time, but they need constant ferrying about.
Be nice if they wanted ponies, or if not, and bit of land for them to muck about on, brilliant.

 

[Gloi]

I wouldn't sell, I'd rent the yard out and rent grazing from the farmer. You are unlikely to find similar easily again and you may want it as the children get older. It will only increase in value over time.

 

[AShetlandBitMeOnce]

I wouldn't sell, I'd rent the yard out and rent grazing from the farmer. You are unlikely to find similar easily again and you may want it as the children get older. It will only increase in value over time.

Echo this, it's what I would do. Even if you do give up horses after this one, you would then have a money generating asset in your back pocket, and would also benefit from the capital gains over the years you have it. It could then be quite a nice nest egg for retirement, and always gives you the option of picking it back up if you so wish. I think everyone who has horses feels a bit of horse burnout sometimes, but a lot of us end up coming back after a break - and you have a set up there that many would kill for and that don't come around often (area dependant)

 

[LadyGascoyne]

I would rent the yard out and put your horse on livery.

On livery, you could find a sharer if you wanted to and you’d have company.

Is your horse alone on the your yard?

 

[Polos Mum]

I would rent the yard first before making any decisions that can't be undone.

life is hard with kids but that doesn't last forever.

If the farmer is willing I'd probably see if finances would stretch to buying that - land attached to the house increases it's value a lot.

 

[Aperchristmas]

I agree don't sell the yard yet - in a few years you may have more time and will feel really gutted if you're no longer in a position to buy a yard again (whether through price or availability). Rent it out, if you can still buy the farmer's field then do so but otherwise maybe see if he would rent it?

 

[Pegasus5531]

Definitely wouldn't sell the yard, worth keeping as I'm sure it adds to the value of your property should you ever want to sell it. I would rent it out if you really think your horse is better off elsewhere but I think it sounds like you would still have the same time management issues if you moved the horse but they would just be further away? If you really don't think the yard is suitable for you at the moment rent don't sell. As others have said if your children ever want ponies or if you want horses again in the future it is there for you then, and if you don't then it's an extra bit of income rented out.

 

[Lou_wizzard]

Thank you all for your replies. Hopefully I will have answered the questions below -

my current yard is about 10 minutes from my house by car. The land isn’t attached to the house but is only a short walk away.

I wouldn’t be able to afford the new land without selling. I would be able to rent though as by renting the yard it would cover the costs.

The yard wouldn’t be suitable to build on due to the gradient of the rest of the ground and old land mines. The best parts of the land had the stables and arena built on (not by me)

I have thought about livery in the past which is kind of what promoted me into looking at other options. I haven’t been on a livery yard in nearly 20 years. I am not sure a Conventional yard would suit him. He has to be out 24/7 due to arthritis but needs to have restricted grazing during spring/summer due to lami risk so I have a yard area he can roam during the day and he’s tracked at night.

No he’s not on his own. I have my childhood ponies still (hence not enough land spare for a livery) I am not sure my kids will be into riding. One shows a bit of interest and will occasionally potter around on one but the other is too young. I am definitely not pushing it but I will explore option if they are show interest for them selves.

Thank you again for everyone’s input. It has helped it become a bit clearer having written it all down. My main worry about selling/renting is regretting it and then having to ask someone to leave. I think Lois Lame is right - I worry too much about letting people down.

I think I am a bit burnt out after this last year. My youngest is very clingy so that hasn’t helped (winter baby) All the jobs are being done and money being spent on shoes etc with no really chance to appreciate having horses. Hopefully now the weather is improving and clocks changing it wouldn’t feel too much of a chore going down.

 

[paddi22]

best advice I ever got was never make a big decision when you are exhausted!

 

[spotty_pony]

I’d rent it out and ask the person if they could do some of your stable chores for a reduced rate of rent to free up your time to ride more.