Thoughts on potential field

[CountryCob]

Hello all, I was hoping for some comments from those who have a couple of horses - mine is a horse and pony for my young daughter. My livery yard is closing and there are limited spaces nearby. I am diy and both horses well behaved. At the moment I am doing a bit more dressage but horse is an all rounder who is in his prime who I have had since a youngster so trying to make most of these years. I school/ have lessons pretty much weekly or fortnightly. I need to move in spring and a field has come up for sale about 10 mins walk away up a hill. It’s the only affordable one in ages as it is too inaccessible to develop. My dad died leaving shares so I could try to buy it. Very pretty pair of pastures, quite wild and sloped, would be vastly improved by more fencing. The field shelter would be great for mine as he really doesn’t like a stable.

Downsides- pretty much inaccessible, would be a push to get supplies up but possible, not something you would do on weekly basis. Not sure how vet or farrier would visit. Would not be able to leave any tack etc there as too remote. No prospect of a water supply. Couldn’t have trailer up there or drive trailer up there so would need to find space near me for it which wouldn’t be very easy but probably possible. In theory I could try to build stable yard at house but would be tight. Walk is quite steep would be hard to do if not feeling great etc. But it is beautiful, hacking unbelievable and I do love to hack. Fields rarer than hens teeth and the only reason this is a viable price for me is that it is too inaccessible for development - cannot emphasise enough how much the yards and fields round here are disappearing to development. Thoughts?

That's brilliant news. when you first occupy, be prepared for the grass to go into a bit of 'shock' and look a bit sparse. Our latest land had been left to go wild for 3-4years. When we bought it, it was treated for problematic weeds (after taking advice from the area agronomist), then a few weeks later, was cropped for silage by a cattle farmer. Then it was harrowed a few times to get the dead under layer away. This left grass but will need rolling and over seeding in the spring. We may also get some areas subsoiled and the drainage reviewed. The ponies have murdered their paddocks this winter, but we can rotate with the sheep come spring. In 3-4 years time it will be great. So - take your time, make a plan and expect some hiccups along the way x

Thanks @hedgehoginthebag that is really helpful, feeling so lucky at the moment so just need to remember the alternative of scrapping around for grazing when the going gets tough

If there is a byway, can you get a quadbike! One where you can get a water bowser or a coulle of bales of hay on it?

Yes I have thought about a quad bike that would be fun....