Talk to me about the realities of having your horses at home

[supercalafragilisticexpealidocious]

A house has come up in our favourite village which has a paddock and a stable block. It's a horsey village so lots of other equestrians around. I'm a novice owner and have only ever loaned before so I'm aware having horses at home wouldn't be an immediate thing until I've built my equine knowledge but I've got this fantasy of a Shetland for my children and at some point in the future a pony or horse for me. I know the winters can be very very long and that there would be an awful lot of land management involved too. Am I a mad woman for even considering this as a dream? For those of you who have horses at home- is it great or a bloody hard slog.

We have four horses at home on 14 acres of grazing. When we moved here ALL the fencing needed to be replaced which has been ££££. I have a friendly farmer who removes my muck heap and does field maintenance- he cuts and bales my hay - he takes the bales as he can use them as silage and he brings hay over every couple of weeks in the winter. I borrow sheep from him so the fields get cross grazed when the horses move fields - that’s been great for keeping on top of weeds etc. It’s a very horsey area and all the neighbours have horses so there’s always someone to ask for a second opinion etc

Love the dream. 1.5 acres per horse ideally. For kids there is also the social side / having people to ride out / confidence / socialise with is especially important for new owners and the kids on our livery. And there being people about to ask that odd question when they come out in a random rash / cut themselves do i need a vet add on with dentist / farrier appointments etc. Donkeys often don't really make great companions for ponies

There’s a lot of doom mongers here. I only ever kept horses and ponies at home. The biggest issue is you’ve got is you or another family member has to do the horses twice a day.
Muck is easy. I put all mine into tubs and loaded the trailer up once a week and emptied them on a farmers muck heap nearby. They were quite happy with this arrangement.
Fencing is expensive to do even if you do the actual fencing yourself but it should last 15 years or more.
Paddock maintenance is straightforward with a ride on mower to cut the nettles, thistles, long grass before they get out of hand. I’ve always kept sheep as well but still need to do maintenance work to get rid of nettles and thistles. There’ll be a local agricultural contractor who will top the long bits cheaply when the topper is on the tractor.
Hedges are cut by the local contractor when the hedge cutter is on the tractor and generally costs £20-30 per year.
Watering. I’ve got troughs in my new fields and they leak and I’m going to have to fix them. Buckets are fine if it’s hot weather you just need more of them.
Hay is best bought off the field at hay time but cannot be fed until at least Christmas. If you bed on straw that’s cheaper off the field at harvest.
If it’s a horsey village and you’re not sure if somethings a vet job or not, go and ask someone else to come and look. In horsey villages horsey neighbours help each other out.

I wouldn’t say in the OPs circumstance(novice parent, novice child, very small amount of land) that it’s doom mongering, more just a bit of common sense

Exactly.

It's not doom-mongering to say an acre of land is nowhere near enough for what she wants to use it for, and that it will be hard work to do it alone as a novice.

Guys in my defence I'm fully aware an acre is not enough...give me some credit! The first thing I said to my husband when we went to see it is that it wouldn't be enough for a pony/horse for me and I'm pretty sure I said it in my OP. As I said the priority would be to get something and a friend for it (again as I said wouldn't need to be a Shetland just something my kids can ride) which I could have on the land and then in the future when I'm more experienced and have more time, something for me. I asked the seller about this very issue and she said she has had up to 6 at home (not actually sure how she did that because there are only three stables) and that she used other peoples fields when needed.

Anyway, unfortunately the house is about to go under offer to a cash buyer (which we definitely aren't) and houses very rarely come up for sale in this village (we've been looking for a year) so the Good Life will have to wait!!

Don’t graze horses and donkeys together. They have completely different needs. I have donkeys and intentionally do little to control nettles or maintain good grass as they need a much reduced grazing. Most donkeys in the uk are hugely overweight as they are put on horse quality grass

Thank you for this. I suppose it explains why you never see horses and donkeys together!

If it ever materialises (which is seems like it won't sadly) I would make sure we had at least two ponies for company.

Or just go for donkeys. I always fancies a pair myself they are adorable

Echoing others in that it isn't always idyllic.
If you have two ponies, then taking one out can leave the one left behind distressed, if you have three and take a bonded one out the left one can be distressed too!
You've got to be available for vets, farriers, hay and straw deliveries. Also be prepared to become an expert fencer, expert land manager and general diy'er.
You will stress over whether to clip or leave, rug or not, which weight rug if you do decide to rug. Then there's the endless poo picking and weed pulling, cleaning out troughs etc etc.
You'll also get used to checking digital pulses on laminitics and inventing ways of restricting grazing while buying expensive supplements for poor doers in winter. Oh and the flies in summer! Add to all the above fly control and potentially vermin control.
If you're in the position of having to ask for additional grazing then I would say it's a non starter anyway, best to look for somewhere with sufficient land.

I honestly think you'd be better off starting out on a good livery yard, then looking for land later when you've got a bit of experience under your belt, there's a lot that can go drastically wrong when early signs are missed.

I see this one won't work out and sorry I know that is hard, maybe in the long run something else will work out. It is not fun relying on the generosity of others for grazing and I would remember the seller is trying to sell you the house. She may have a massive network/ leased land

If you have two ponies, then taking one out can leave the one left behind distressed, if you have three and take a bonded one out the left one can be distressed too!

I may be missing something, but wouldn't you bring them both in and stable them while you ride one instead of leaving one alone on the field?

Not all horses will tolerate being left alone in a stable. We have 5 (in two small herds) and 2 of them can't be left alone.

Yep I had a mare who could not be alone in a stable block and would wind herself into the most appalling state, even in very short periods of time

Yes, it's not always as simple as stabling one while you ride the other.

One of the horses at my old riding school couldn't be stabled alone as he got really stressed - obviously with 10 horses and ponies it was never an issue but you couldn't have kept him at a private home very easily I don't think!

Basically in conclusion we all need atleast 10 horses! Can wait to explain to OH :-)

Where our pony is there are 3 mares and one of them won’t tolerate being left anywhere stable or field , the other 2 are quite happy on their own , she was also the newest arrival the other 2 have been together for 11+ years , they get on they are just not codependent .

It's like those memes on instagram explaining how you get a horse then you get a friend for your horse, then your horses friend needs a friend for when you're riding then you need another horse for when you have friends to visit who want to ride with you 😅🤣.

I think a livery yard will be the most sensible option...maybe in ten years time when my children are bigger and we can buy a house with some land I might have horses peering in at the kitchen window!

I have a horse and a pony kept at home.

I love that the horses are right there just outside the window. I can do the horses as and when and however I want. DC can be in bed or watching TV while I muck out. I don't have to do all tasks in one go if I don't have time in the morning, I can nip out at lunchtime.

I deliberately chose independent sorts which are happy being left alone for short periods at least in a stable. I simply wouldn't/couldn't have anything clingy.
I have an excellent little black book of freelance grooms and book all my holidays well in advance. I have a lovely farrier who just cracks on if I'm not there. It's not really been a problem.
It's hard work, everything is on me.
I prioritise temperament over ability. They need to be horses which are; easy to do, nice people and like children. They are pets and very much part of the family. You have to like them and trust them. My view is it's better to be slightly under horsed than over horsed. I am on my own a lot there isn't necessarily anyone who will notice I've been kicked in the head and I'm unconscious until I miss a school run!
They MUST hack alone and enjoy it! Life would be very miserable very quickly if they didn't
Try and find two which have similar requirements in terms of maintenance. For example little ponies needing restricted grazing is going to be tricky to run alongside a skinny thoroughbred.
Don't count on DC being horsey. Mine isn't. Buy the ponies for yourself and if DC get into them. Great. But think what you'll do if they don't.
Non horsey DHs need to be on board, at least with fixing fences and shifting hay bales. I do a lot but some jobs simply require height and muscle.
Kit helps; quad bike and trailer makes life a lot easier
You need a lot of storage as cheaper to buy in bulk. Straw is cheap but bulky/smelly. There are other bedding options which store more easily.
Don't rely on horsey neighbours. You'll probably end up being friendly but they will also be very busy people.
Find a good instructor. They are your best sounding board. It can be quite isolating and stressful particularly if something is going wrong.
Don't attempt box rest by yourself. Accept the cost and pack them off on full livery until it's over. It requires more than one person and a lot of drugs.....
Buy a cheap second hand washing machine just for horsey stuff. It's worth it.
It's a lifestyle that you have to be obsessed with otherwise you wouldn't do it especially in winter but I love it.

I’ve got mine at home on 6 acres , and I love it but dear god sometimes I fondly remember when I had them at livery , and all I had to do was look after the horses ! Having them at home is a relentless list of maintenance tasks ( last week , on holiday, mind you ) we topped all 6 acres , sprayed 4 ( again ) mulched 150 hedge saplings , and reconfigured the track system . In the winter I fret about the mud , and in the summer I fret about how much grass we have, and which field we’re using when . It’s easier to be told ! I’m lucky with a non horsey but pragmatic husband who likes fencing and practical jobs, and all my neighbours are horsey so we share vet visits , large straw deliveries and horsebox trips out , so no one is stuck without any riding buddies .

Hi there,

It's great that you're considering taking the plunge into having your horses at home! Here are some realities to help you weigh the pros and cons:

1. The Good:Convenience: Having your horses at home means you can spend more time with them and care for them exactly how you want.
2. Bonding: You’ll develop a closer bond with your horses, being able to see them multiple times a day.
3. Cost Savings: Over time, you might save money on boarding fees, although there are initial setup costs.
4. Flexibility: You can manage your horse’s schedule, feeding, and care without relying on others.
5. The Challenges:Time Commitment: Caring for horses at home is a significant time commitment. Daily feeding, mucking out, and checking their health takes time and energy.
6. Land Management: You’ll need to manage your paddocks to prevent overgrazing, mud issues in winter, and maintain good pasture health.
7. Winter Work: Winters can indeed be tough. Ensuring your horses have adequate shelter, dealing with frozen water troughs, and managing hay supplies are all challenges.
8. Emergency Preparedness: You’ll need to be prepared for emergencies, whether it’s a health issue with a horse or severe weather conditions.
9. Tips for Success:Education: Continue building your equine knowledge through courses, books, and experienced horse owners.
10. Start Small: Begin with a manageable number of horses, like the Shetland for your children, and expand as you become more comfortable.
11. Community Support: Take advantage of living in a horsey village. Build relationships with neighbors who can offer advice and support.
12. Proper Setup: Invest in a good setup for stables, paddocks, and necessary equipment to make daily chores easier.

Reality Check:Yes, it can be a hard slog, especially in bad weather or when unexpected issues arise. But many horse owners find it incredibly rewarding. If you’re passionate about it and prepared for the hard work, it can be a fulfilling lifestyle.

It's not a mad dream, but it does require a realistic approach and a solid plan. Best of luck with your decision! Feel free to reach out with any more questions.

I kept mine at my cottage for about 5 years. I had 2 paddocks and garden totalling about an acre and a half, and a tarmac area with two stables. I had 2 ponies and a horse there for most of that time. It's possible, but one has to be very thoughtful about managing the space and the turnout, and if I tried that again, I would manage things a bit differently.

Eventually, I moved them to a small private yard with about 5 acres that I was lucky to nab for a very reasonable cost. The principal reasons for the move were about people: easier access to a support network for land management, forage, riding company, and travel cover. Another reason was that I needed to compartmentalise things in my life, so that the horses were in a space where when I was there, it was "horse time" and not "work time" or "clean the house time". I started riding a lot more again, when they were at a yard. Not having to box to a school helped, as there was a small sand school!

Considerations on a very small acreage:

1. Not enough grass, so had to buy in loads of hay. Not necessarily a problem for metabolic horses, though!
2. Even with attempting paddock rotation and using the garden as another paddock, not enough space for 24/7 paddock turnout without a tendency to get a sea of mud.
3. The largeish hard standing area helped: if I were to try the same again, I would plan from the beginning to limit access to the paddocks to fewer hours, and keep them on the hard standing the rest of the time (with free access wander in and out of the stables). I have several friends who manage on a very small acreage in precisely this way.
4. I tried to do things on a budget. It would have been better to invest more from the beginning, to turn part of one of the paddocks into an all-weather turnout area. Or, if the land had been a more suitable shape, I might have tried installing an all-weather track around the outside: that's a very space-saving way of ensuring lots of freedom of movement. But it's not cheap to install, if you want to keep it reasonably mud-free.

I have moved now to a densely-settled area where my only option is a livery yard. I'm on one of the few yards around with no stabled horses, although the stocking rate is very high, with 35 horses on about 10 acres. The manager has thought out an extremely clever system involving large all-weather turnout areas that open onto well-drained track systems all year round, which in turn surround paddocks that are in use only in the grass season. It's a fantastic facility, but must have cost an absolute bomb to set up.

Definitely go for livery! Shetlands often aren't the best child's pony, they're too strong and attitudey, a Welsh pony would be far better.

Keep expanding your and your children's knowledge and think about ownership in a few yrs. Good luck!

I have 5 at home on 10 acres, doable. I work ft and an 11 year old. Was novice 2 years ago, you learn. It will be hard but it’s rewarding and possible. Happy to answer any questions. Xx