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Discuss horse riding and ownership on our Horse forum.

Original poster

How much should I charge for grazing?

28 replies

LividofLondon · 29/12/2013 15:14

[whinge alert]
Over the past 4 or so years I've let a neighbour graze her ponies and sheep in my paddocks for free. I was really rather depressed at the time so was just happy to have the grass managed as this was then one less thing to worry about. But now, after yet another Christmas where she didn't even think it would be nice to give me a card or a bottle of wine as a thank you, I'm not feeling so generous. This isn't helped by her promise of some lamb and a few quid towards the water trough not materialising. Angry I don't get the impression she and her DH are hard up either, so I'm feeling a bit resentful TBH [/whinge alert]

Consequently I want to start charging for the grazing but have absolutely no idea how much to ask for. One paddock is 1 acre with a metered water trough. The fencing on one side is a little rickety but has been made secure with electric tape. The other paddock is about 1/4 acre, has new fencing but no trough. TIA for any advice.

OP posts:
Littlebigbum · 29/12/2013 16:34

area ??? if London, I pay £70 month for the land I put up fences and stables. don't think it is a full acre... And I will never find anything as cheap in the area.

Original poster
LividofLondon · 29/12/2013 18:27

Ah yes, wondered if it would depend on the area. I'm a bit concerned about outing myself so excuse the slightly vague West Midlands/Welsh Marches. Oh, and the paddocks are flat, and the large one has a stable.

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NigellasDealer · 29/12/2013 18:29

tenner a week? plus the metered water and fence upkeep?

Pixel · 29/12/2013 18:33

Not surprised you are getting cross, some people have such a cheek! If I was getting free grazing I'd be grovelling at every opportunity, probably walking backwards strewing the ground in front of you with rose petals Wink.

I live on the south coast where grazing land is at a premium so it tends to be expensive. Our fields are £70 per month per horse, not sure of acreage but each paddock is big enough to provide grazing for most of the year for 2 horses as long as it is managed/rationed. We all have shelters and self-filling water troughs. Think it's quite a reasonable charge for this area.

Butkin · 29/12/2013 18:44

We have 2 big fields (7 1/2 acres in total) which we subdivide as necessary with electric tape. The "Summer" one has water but the "Winter" one we're currently using doesn't They are post and rail and the farmer does keep the hedge on the lower end trimmed and he put on (basic) fertiliser once a year. We pay him 450 pounds per quarter in East Anglia.

meeeemo · 29/12/2013 18:47

i pay £86 a month in the SW. 2-3 acres. its £86 per horse

Original poster
LividofLondon · 29/12/2013 19:29

Thanks everyone, that's given me an idea of what to ask.

Glad you think she's a bit cheeky too Pixel. I was going to post my gripe in AIBU but fully expected to be flamed because, after all, I had told her I didn't want payment so what did I expect. Hmm I'm so annoyed with myself for not sorting this sooner, and every time I walk past her house I have to stop myself getting irritated. This is going to change in the New Year!

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5OBalesofHay · 29/12/2013 20:00

We pay £18 a week per horse, but owners fill up water, put out haylage and poo pick daily

Littlebigbum · 30/12/2013 12:09

Go for it

frostyfingers · 30/12/2013 15:32

I'm "Welsh Marches" too - have a look the Hereford Equestrian site for a guide on livery & grazing prices.....

Mitchy1nge · 30/12/2013 20:55

I think I pay about £60 per horse for a LOT of grazing, everything is done for us and this also includes about 350kg of haylage each week all winter, and one (currently flooded and not that usable) stable - if I want to use the stable there is an extra charge for bedding, or buy it somewhere else.

A few miles in the other direction and couple of years ago I was paying about £120 a week for about 3 or 4 acres Shock

Mitchy1nge · 30/12/2013 20:56

£60 a month that is

it might be £80 now actually, I don't really know

Mitchy1nge · 30/12/2013 20:56

good luck!

5OBalesofHay · 30/12/2013 21:00

That's good value Mitchie!

Mitchy1nge · 30/12/2013 21:22

we are lucky I think, that's a few miles east of butkin

Original poster
LividofLondon · 30/12/2013 23:25

Thanks Frosty I'll have a look at that Smile

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Original poster
LividofLondon · 31/12/2013 16:57

Just remembered something else irritating. Sad I had the free grazing arrangement with the lady I mentioned, yet one of the ponies isn't hers. It's an equine pal of her animals, belonging to another woman (who I've seen tending to the ponies in my paddock), who hasn't had the courtesy of asking my permission or giving me a thank you either! Confused I've been way too relaxed and laid back about this for too long and feel royally taken for a mug Angry

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Pixel · 31/12/2013 21:17

hasn't had the courtesy of asking my permission or giving me a thank you either!

Ooh, wonder if that is because she thinks she is a paying customer? Are you sure your 'friend' isn't subletting and making a bit of cash on the side too?

Original poster
LividofLondon · 03/01/2014 11:32

"Ooh, wonder if that is because she thinks she is a paying customer? Are you sure your 'friend' isn't subletting and making a bit of cash on the side too?"

The thought has crossed my mind too Pixel. I really hope that's not the case and that my neighbour has just thought I'm so laid back I wouldn't mind and simply didn't think to check. She seems such a lovely person and I'd be so disappointed if she was taking the piss deliberately Sad

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HillyBillyBoBo · 03/01/2014 12:47

My DH is a land agent for a large estate. He says pony grazing with water is worth £250-£300 per acre per year as a rule of thumb, when let on a formal grazing licence.

Freckletoes · 03/01/2014 13:36

Round here people work on the basis of about £10 per acre per week. But that is just for grassland, buildings, water etc would increase it. We're East Yorks. Time to get tough-I think she is taking the p!

Littlebigbum · 03/01/2014 13:52

Yuck you must talk to her, I hate it when people take piss

Mirage · 03/01/2014 14:05

Any grazing around here is only let for 11 months and has to be left empty for 1 calendar month as part of the agreement.This is to stop anyone grazing it continually and then putting in a claim that because they have used it continually for [12 years I think],they are therefore entitled to claim it as theirs.Might be worth bearing in mind.Sub letting is not allowed either.

Pixel · 03/01/2014 18:05

That sounds a bit strange Mirage. I've heard of squatters being given rights of ownership after a certain time but didn't think it was the same if you were paying rent. Looks like I'll soon own this house then! (mind you I've paid enough rent to have bought the bloomin' thing).
We did rent one field where we were supposed to give it up for a month every summer, but that was because a previous owner had told a church group that they could use it for camping for disadvantaged youngsters and had written it in as a condition of sale that it would continue (They had a building with kitchens and showers etc next to our stables). In the end we were allowed to fence off a little part of the field that was on a bank so no use to them, and we put the ponies in there for the month each year. They loved watching all the children playing football and having singsongs Smile.

Original poster
LividofLondon · 04/01/2014 15:11

Thanks again everyone. I'd be happy with £10 per week I think to start with. I asked at a local equine shop and they confused me even more with all the variables to consider, saying it's per horse too, and even though they're only a mile or so away they couldn't even give me an idea of what to charge Confused I can see how that would make a difference; 1 acre with 4 ponies in is going to get eaten far quicker than if there were only 2 in there, so the more animals the less time they'd be in there and consequently the less rent I'd receive.

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