The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Community => Introduce yourself => Topic started by: laura_nash on April 22, 2021, 10:01:39 pm

Title: Definitely an accidental smallholder
Post by: laura_nash on April 22, 2021, 10:01:39 pm
Hi

I've posted on here a few times and had some great advice so thought I'd better introduce myself.  I'm very much an accidental smallholder. About 6 years ago we moved to Ireland so we could afford a rural project property.  The requirements were that it was stone, detached, rural but not totally middle of nowhere, in budget and had enough space for my horse (I was thinking about 2 acres).  The one we found was a small farm with 8 acres.  It was certainly a project and is still not "finished", I keep an occasional blog to record progress at https://towercottage.weebly.com/

We've somehow ended up with quite a few additional animals (the cats in particular were not remotely planned) and having finally accepted that 8 acres and good doer horse equals fat horse have now got a few Dexter cows, mostly to eat the grass, so I think I count as a smallholder now and it was definitely accidental.

Laura
Title: Re: Definitely an accidental smallholder
Post by: SallyintNorth on April 23, 2021, 07:25:24 am
Great story :).  Pics, especially of the no-longer-fat horse, always welcome :)
Title: Re: Definitely an accidental smallholder
Post by: Rosemary on April 23, 2021, 07:50:48 am
 :wave: and welcome from  :sunshine: Carnoustie.
Title: Re: Definitely an accidental smallholder
Post by: laura_nash on April 23, 2021, 07:57:12 pm
Pics, especially of the no-longer-fat horse, always welcome :)


Ok, took my phone out with me when I checked the fences this evening.

Here is the not-quite-so-fat horse, with his "mini-me" companion in the foreground.  Also, one of some of the cows (and the lovely weather we are having today).

Title: Re: Definitely an accidental smallholder
Post by: SallyintNorth on April 24, 2021, 06:51:44 am
Oh my word, that grass!  My Fells would be laminitic in 24 hours on that.  I can see why you needed cows! 
Title: Re: Definitely an accidental smallholder
Post by: naturelovingfarmer on May 05, 2021, 12:56:42 am
Hi

I've posted on here a few times and had some great advice so thought I'd better introduce myself.  I'm very much an accidental smallholder. About 6 years ago we moved to Ireland so we could afford a rural project property.  The requirements were that it was stone, detached, rural but not totally middle of nowhere, in budget and had enough space for my horse (I was thinking about 2 acres).  The one we found was a small farm with 8 acres.  It was certainly a project and is still not "finished", I keep an occasional blog to record progress at https://towercottage.weebly.com/

We've somehow ended up with quite a few additional animals (the cats in particular were not remotely planned) and having finally accepted that 8 acres and good doer horse equals fat horse have now got a few Dexter cows, mostly to eat the grass, so I think I count as a smallholder now and it was definitely accidental.

Laura

Huh... Stone cottage in the country, unplanned cats... Do you park cars or brooms out front? lol  ;D
Title: Re: Definitely an accidental smallholder
Post by: Lesley Silvester on May 05, 2021, 05:52:58 pm
Hi and welcome from Shropshire. What part of Ireland are you in? I've always wanted to visit south Ireland. I have a cousin in Galway so that's a good excuse to go.