|
Post by apachepony on Oct 26, 2009 12:38:12 GMT 1
Hiya, I want to relocate in the next couple of years, and was wondering what Devon is like? Is it horse friendly? Is hcking ok of do you need transport to get to anything good? What are current DIY livery prices like? Is there much going on? Thanks
|
|
|
Post by Liz on Oct 26, 2009 23:46:45 GMT 1
Hi, Apachpony I'd say that Devon is like the curate's egg - good in parts albeit a LOT of parts It is very horsey and you have the western edge of Exmoor, Dartmoor and many coastal areas. I'm sure you'll get some more information if you post on the main board,too. DIY costs vary. I was in West Somerset which is next door to Devon and paid a basic rate of £18 per week 4 years ago for a stable, grazing (24/7 in the summer and daylight hours in the winter. Haylage was £1 per day (produced on the farm) and the use of an outdoor arena. We also had good access to the Quantock Hills (Somerset!) Extras such as turn out. fetch in etc were available at extra cost. I paid anything from £10 to £25 per week over the years for basic facilities. There is a lot going on - in the west country racing and hunting are very, very popular. There are quite a few riding clubs, good endurance stuff going on and lots of pleasure rides. It really depends on what you like to do. This is a good website to browse around equinetourismsouthwest.com/southwestequinedirectory.asp
|
|
milo
Grand Prix Poster
milo, lily, bob,henry and monty
Posts: 2,704
|
Post by milo on Oct 28, 2009 8:32:15 GMT 1
devons lovely, theres loads of livery yards and loads of riding,beaches, moors bridleways depends where you want to go or live,i dont know prices for livery as i keep my ponies at home, but may know somewhere if you want to come to north devon.
|
|
|
Post by peegee on Oct 28, 2009 13:37:52 GMT 1
Personally I have found Devon a very difficult place to relocate to. When I moved to East Devon a year ago I had terrible trouble finding a DIY livery yard not too far from home. So much so, that I was forced to leave my horse with a friend until I could find somewhere for him.
On the plus side there are some lovely bridleways, but the lanes are narrow with high hedges (Devon banks) and cars fly around them with little respect for horses.
I have been spoiled though as I used to live in Suffolk and Cotswolds.
If I had the choice I would not have moved to Devon.
|
|
milo
Grand Prix Poster
milo, lily, bob,henry and monty
Posts: 2,704
|
Post by milo on Oct 28, 2009 18:09:51 GMT 1
devons a big place, northdevon is completley different to east devon, where we live theres loads of livery yards,and the lanes are narrow as they're country lanes, you get used to it.
|
|
|
Post by apachepony on Oct 29, 2009 20:16:14 GMT 1
Thanks everyone and thanks for the great link Liz We moved to Wales with high hopes but its been a let down really, need transport and no decent hacking. We have those awful lanes too North Devon sounds lovely
|
|
dptc
Olympic Poster
Posts: 557
|
Post by dptc on Nov 1, 2009 0:33:52 GMT 1
I love Devon - as with anywhere it depends where in Devon you move to!! I moved here from suffolk about 12 years ago and would not live anywhere else!
I live on the edge of Dartmoor which I love and has fantastic riding, there is plenty of horse activity around here!
I also love North Devon, it's stunning with Exmoor and the sea all in the same place, I would love to have a horse on the coastline there!
|
|
|
Post by apachepony on Nov 3, 2009 14:44:02 GMT 1
Moorland sounds perfect! Are there many yards with easy access?
|
|
|
Post by jamesb on Nov 4, 2009 0:03:35 GMT 1
Lovely though Devon is (thought I ought to say that ) why faff around? Go the whole hog and come to Cornwall! ;D
|
|
eden
Olympic Poster
Posts: 662
|
Post by eden on Nov 4, 2009 11:03:54 GMT 1
I love north Devon we are from bideford, cryode way its just lovely I really love Devon.Now live in somerset but hope to move back one day! James my mum is from lauceston area and its always raining lol! Scenery if lovely in cornwall I must admit the beaches are great as well. Love going to see my gran xx
|
|
dptc
Olympic Poster
Posts: 557
|
Post by dptc on Nov 4, 2009 14:50:50 GMT 1
Moorland sounds perfect! Are there many yards with easy access? There are a few around! Picking the right one is the thing, you have to be careful as some yards are in idealic spots but unless you livev very nearby on the moor yourself it may be a bit of a distance for you to get to the yard. Well that's the problem I am finding - the mileage can add up!! If I move my horse closer to home I lose the hacking, so answer is to buy yourself a house with stables on the moor and let me move in
|
|
|
Post by apachepony on Nov 17, 2009 23:40:23 GMT 1
Lol james, OH wants to move to Doc Martin country! Dptc, I wish!! Ponies are currently stabled 8 miles from where I live I have this vain hope that I would be able to ride my gelding if I we could avoid the roads!
|
|
|
Post by Roz on Nov 26, 2009 23:01:40 GMT 1
LOL Eden, I didn't realise your family was from 'down here'!
I made the move to North Devon from North Somerset earlier this year, it is the best thing I ever did and I have no regrets at all!
We keep our 3 horses near Bideford, but I have to admit there is not a huge selection of livery yards round here and the standards are definitely lower that I'm used to back in Somerset. We keep our horses by the beach, so have some fab beach riding, but not 'lane' riding.
We're looking at buying our place with land and stables next year and I can't wait to have the 'boys' at home, going inland will mean that we'll have better riding.
Oh and be prepared for lots and lots of rain down in Devon, there is a reason why the grass is so green down here!!!
|
|
|
Post by apachepony on Nov 27, 2009 13:32:31 GMT 1
Lol Roz, surely it can't be as wet as Wales?
|
|
|
Post by Roz on Nov 27, 2009 20:17:17 GMT 1
Oh believe me Apachepony it'd give Wales a run for it's money!!!
|
|