Home from home
Having your horses at home is the ultimate dream. But where do you start with making it happen and what do you need to consider?
Photos: Jon Stroud
Our expert
Fizz Tickridge-Marshall has worked with all types of horses in her six years as Centre Manager at the Equine Therapy Centre at Hartpury College in Gloucestershire. More recently she’s managed racehorses for Jonjo O’Neill and been Yard Manager for Carl Hester.
It’s no secret that, for us horsey folk, having our four-legged friends at home is the next best thing to a lottery win. Let’s be honest, the ultimate aim for said jackpot would be to splurge on one of the equestrian properties we’ve had our eyes on, anyway, so what’s the difference?
However, to make this dream a reality, you don’t need a multi-million-pound payout. While we’re not about to tell you that it’s a possibility for everyone, purchasing a horse-friendly home isn’t as out of reach as it might feel – although it takes considerable commitment.
It might be that you already have a property suitable for conversion to an equestrian yard or perhaps you’re looking for a place with that aim in mind. Either way, a healthy dose of forethought and some in-depth planning can transform what might at first seem a somewhat daunting dream into a more achievable reality.
DID YOU KNOW?
Due to the scarcity of equestrian properties generally, by adding stabling, you could increase the value of your home, especially over the longer term.
First steps
There are a number of things to think about when considering the addition of stabling at home. I know this because my partner and I did it. When we bought our house a couple of years ago, there was an old, dilapidated garage within the plot. We measured it and worked out that, within its footprint, we could replace it with two stables. Essentially, having enough space is what makes the dream possible, but be careful not to underestimate just how much space you need.