Horse Home In Dorset

About this assignment

Two sets of dates - Mon 8th July to Mon 15th July 2024 and Mon 5th Aug to Mon 12th Aug 2024. A non-smoking couple or two friends (there are two guest bedrooms) or 2 separate couples/friends (for the two sets of dates) who have a love of animals. Must have experience of horses to look after 2 horses, 1 pony and a Mini Shetland (3 of these are aged 20+). This is for people who enjoy the countryside and are looking for the peace of a rural location but don't mind the physical aspects of looking after animals. As we have a Border Collie, who doesn't like other dogs, we can't accommodate House Sitters with their own dogs.

What responsibilities are required of the house sitter

Daily mucking out and regular skipping out, hay nets, water, leading etc) plus walking a Border Collie (12 years old). Feeding tropical & Koi fish. Two of the horses are put out to graze during the day and need to be led for 50 yards to the paddocks along a country lane and brought back in the late afternoon/early evening.
We will be onsite for the first 4 days in each case to show the 'house sitters' the routine, introduce them to the horses and work alongside them, which will also give them the chance to go off and explore the local sights.

What are the good features of the property and location

Our property is located in rural Dorset with the nearest town 3 miles away (population 12,000) with a main line train station to London. Shops include Waitrose, Lidl, Aldi, Asda, Iceland, Pets at Home, Costa, Screwfix etc).
It is located near to major places such as Bath, Bristol & Salisbury and tourist sights such as Stonehenge.
The property is well maintained, fully insulated, double glazed, heated by an air source heat pump with hot water supplied by an oil fired combi boiler. Two guest rooms on the ground floor, one with a double bed the other a single both adjacent to the guest bathroom with bath and shower.
There is fibre broadband with unlimited data & 250 Mbps download speed. Sky TV in living room and kitchen with 'Movies' & 'Sports' subscriptions.
Large garden with a verandah adjoining the kitchen facilitating all year round outside fresh air. The horse yard and manege are all part of the property footprint.

What does the house sitter need to consider before applying for this assignment

Need to love horses/animals and enjoy working with them. Some physical work. It's a rural but not isolated location with nearest neighbours 50 to 100 yards away. Will not suit digital Freelancers who want to work 100% on their job, someone who 'works 8 hours per day from 'home' or just wants to house sit. That said when the animals have been cared for there is plenty of down time.

Can I bring my own pets?

No, sorry.

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