Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
The tack room

Discuss horse riding and ownership on our Horse forum.

Original poster

I think I have to sell both my horses.

12 replies

Kefir · 20/03/2023 17:56

I'm beyond upset. We are struggling financially and now the lady who rents us our fields is selling her house so we are about to lose our grazing. We've had them both for 10 years. Dd competes them and hunts one, but they are 15 and 16 and both quirky. One of them would not cope with a livery yard and needs to be out in all weathers. I feel numb. Dd will be devastated, she looks after them every day. Not sure why I'm typing this really.

OP posts:
twistyizzy · 20/03/2023 17:59

Really sorry to hear this, have you exhausted all options ie sharers for them both to spread the cost etc? Any other fields for rent (although from bitter experience I know how hard it is to find decent fields for rent)? If your DD hunts regularly is there no-one in the hunt with any space?

krustykittens · 20/03/2023 18:18

Is there any way you could find alternative grazing? Perhaps someone who is looking for a bit of company and someone to share chores with? Or a loan for a year?

Original poster
Kefir · 20/03/2023 18:44

krustykittens · 20/03/2023 18:18

Is there any way you could find alternative grazing? Perhaps someone who is looking for a bit of company and someone to share chores with? Or a loan for a year?

There's absolutely nothing near us but I will keep looking. I'd like to loan them but they would have to go to the perfect experienced home

OP posts:
krustykittens · 20/03/2023 18:48

I am so sorry, OP, I wish you the best of luck. I have four and dread having to give any up but it is a decision any of us could face, no matter how secure we think we are. x

krustykittens · 20/03/2023 18:50

Perhaps, and this is a very long shot and I don't know if it would suit, someone might take them onto a private yard in exchange for a certain number of hours work around the yard and with their own animals? We are all feeling the pinch, it might suit somebody, if you could make it work.

Original poster
Kefir · 20/03/2023 19:08

krustykittens · 20/03/2023 18:50

Perhaps, and this is a very long shot and I don't know if it would suit, someone might take them onto a private yard in exchange for a certain number of hours work around the yard and with their own animals? We are all feeling the pinch, it might suit somebody, if you could make it work.

Sadly I work and dd is at school. ATM they are 5 minutes walk from our house so we can easily manage them.

OP posts:
Lastqueenofscotland2 · 20/03/2023 20:36

You say your DD competes them? You might be surprised if they are still fit and able how easy it will be to find a loan home for them. The issue I guess is 5-10 years down the line and they start slowing down

70isaLimitNotaTarget · 20/03/2023 20:48

Is there any chance the woman who owns the field would find a buyer who wants a couple of Horse Tenants ?

I;m guessing it;ll be bought by an equestrian they might ...(might) be willing to keep your horses on as geazing tenants ?

spidereggs · 20/03/2023 20:56

@70isaLimitNotaTarget I was going to say this but then had flashbacks to a very long running saga here with horses and a field and them coming with sale but nobody told buyer!

But yes if discussed great idea.

Advert on fb? Speak to all local horse things, pony club, etc.

Also farmers. We are not a livery yard, we are a farm. It we have our own and four on grass livery. We obviously check them with ours and would put them in if weather brutal. But that's just helping out not a paid extra.

RatherBeRiding · 22/03/2023 11:34

I would advertise on FB - you never know who might know of someone with either a field to rent or (like mine) a very small yard where none of them use their stables except for the occasional overnighter before a show. All fields have shelters so all stay out 24/7. But it's a tiny yard and you'd never know about it except through word of mouth!

Feckedupbundle · 01/04/2023 21:58

I'd definitely ask at the local hunt if anyone has a couple of spaces in their fields or yards. A lot of people would never advertise but would happily accept someone that they knew.
If you do need to loan, don't worry about the quirkiness. Dd1 was gifted a 15 year old hunter almost two years ago. He is wonky had equine asthma ( but not now he's with us)and very nervy when not hunting.The second time she took him hunting,someone actually pulled over as she hacked to the meet to tell her ' my daughter knows your horse and asked me to stop you and warn you that they are hunting today,and he can be a bit of a handful'. She thanked them,told them that she'd already taken him and it wasn't an issue for her. If he can find a good home,anyone can!
Good luck.

marmite2023 · 04/04/2023 04:13

Join local riding groups on Facebook - usually county or town name plus riders / riding. I joined about 10 in the surrounding area when I was looking for grass retirement livery. Found a perfect place in the end. Email the hunt and the local pony and riding club.

also, no competing or training for now. Can dd get a part-time job to help with horse costs?
we are coming into summer: less feed, less hay, especially if not competing.

sit down with dd and bring her into the plan. Empower her. See what else can be earned/saved/given up as she might have some ideas that can work too.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page