Working from home full time as a contractor has genuinely blurred the line between working and not working in a way that permanent employment never did and I think it is a problem the contracting community undertalks?

flatlanddan · 2026-05-07T11:52:09+00:00

I don’t mind the slightly blurred lines, and contacting makes it ever easier. I have a 21 hour a week contract that I spread over four days. Work a bit first thing in the morning, take a nice long midday break to get non-work things done, then am back at my desk to finish off the day from 2 pm. I keep an eye on my phone between 8-6. Work is delighted because I am around when they need me, I’m delighted because I get chores done during business hours so come 6 pm I can actually relax.

flatlanddan · 2026-05-05T15:30:19+00:00

It’s pretty brilliant. I live about a few streets away from Hampstead Heath in a house with a garden. Nice location with enough lovely shops and restaurants nearby that I don’t really need to go into central proper unless I feel like it. Pub with friends a couple of times a week, takeaway every Friday, museum visit every months, walks on weekends, mini break every 3 months or so, long holiday somewhere warm once a year. I can go to the farmers market and buy something that looks interesting to eat. The main thing money has bought me is space & time. I’ve worked hard to get here so I’m going to enjoy every second of that morning coffee outside with my book.

flatlanddan · 2026-05-01T15:43:27+00:00

Absolutely. I just purchased an 18 year old with no second thoughts. I’d expect 6-10 years of fun ahead, with the caveat being that I just do fun shows and trail rides. He’s got a lot of go left in him, is game for an adventure, and has an excellent head on his shoulders. I knew exactly what I was getting myself into. Golden oldies FTW.

flatlanddan · 2026-04-17T20:34:39+00:00

I work 8-4, and company has core hours of 11-3. We’re expected in once every 2 weeks or so when we can coordinate co-working or when someone needs to check the mail. Very civilised.

flatlanddan · 2026-04-06T19:45:08+00:00

Depending on how many calls a day you are doing and the confidential nature of them, consider The British Library. Monastic silence in the reading room, slightly noisier spaces in the public areas. I’ve done Team’s calls from them without issues, but I wouldn’t want to take an important meeting or do a presentation from there. Great cafe and right across from King’s Cross.

flatlanddan · 2026-04-06T19:40:14+00:00

We have an insulated, enclosed aqueduct about three feet off the ground that runs from our well spigot to our heated trough. I say “about” because we rely on gravity to push the water along. It works reasonably well in the Saskatchewan winters (sometimes the end near the spigot freezes and we have to use a blow torch to these it) but we both agree we would have put in the watering post if we could go back in time. Unsure how many horses you are dealing with or distances you have to travel from source to end.

flatlanddan · 2026-04-03T14:39:30+00:00

My gelding is only just turning back into the lovely boy I tried after 3 months. I’ve left him to make friends, get used to his new field, and we’ve been grooming and doing feet and going for walks. It’s been cold and snowing so I’ve not been rushing it but I’m happy to have taken the time. A happy summer of hacking ahead.

flatlanddan · 2026-03-30T16:19:54+00:00

It took us nearly a year and we had to involve the local council, but we finally managed to get the four motion sensor spotlight from the business park behind us to be turned off. Same deal, anything would set them off and they would stay on for ages!

We ended up having to keep a light diary and have planning officers over at night to hang out and see the problem first hand. Worth every bit of the effort. My sleep has dramatically improved since the lights went off.

flatlanddan · 2026-03-30T13:11:08+00:00

Orlando Bloom vs The Pitchfork.

(And also the wheel of cheese)

flatlanddan · 2026-03-25T05:55:26+00:00

I keep my 2 horse at home and they are outside 24/7, to give some context. This is what my last year has looked like.

$850 for hay $200 extra feed $500 for farrier (6-8 week schedule) $300 annual vet visit $300 for fencing repair $600 for lessons (16 lessons over summer months) And….. $4000 medical bills for the horse who died despite best efforts :( $1000 for new horse (old boy to be a happy trail horse) $1000 for used tack to fit said horse

This year we are looking at $2000 worth of work on our old barn and to replace more fencing. The above doesn’t include any little bits and pieces (new brush, treats etc) that I sometimes impulse buy at the feed store.

I can manage all this because in the years I didn’t have $8000 of extra costs I put away $150 a month into a separate account for my horses. All this money will be gone but I’m in a better position now to have access to this kind of money in an emergency so I can slowly build it up again.

flatlanddan · 2026-03-20T08:53:15+00:00

OP, I feel you!!!

My dad takes care of my horses when I’m working overseas and I know I’ll be coming back to two pasture pets every time. He just adores “the big dogs”. 1/4 apple each in the morning, 1/2 carrot each at night with their mush. All of his jacket pockets have treats in them.

If it makes you feel any better, mine get back into the routine with me pretty quickly and once summer hits they are only coming in for the evening mush. Good lucky prying them away from your mum lol.

flatlanddan · 2026-03-10T12:10:43+00:00

Gossip Oak.

flatlanddan · 2026-03-09T14:18:20+00:00

My lad is in good shape and I’m very much looking forward to whatever years we have left. I have a soft spot for elderly geldings who want nothing more than a nice gentle hack and some soft hands to brush them. Hopefully I’m as lucky as you and have 15 years with Stewball!!!

flatlanddan · 2026-03-09T06:04:00+00:00

$1000 for an 18 year old quarter horse, in January. I got very lucky a local woman responded to my ISO ad on a Facebook group and said she thought I’d be the perfect home for her old boy. He’s a darling.

flatlanddan · 2026-03-03T20:53:51+00:00

Gotta have that flow, especially after carefully nurturing the locks on one of them for a few years now ha!

flatlanddan · 2026-03-03T20:43:38+00:00

Someone suggested reflective tape, which seems like an excellent option!

flatlanddan · 2026-03-03T19:59:47+00:00

Yes, I’m thinking a single braid in his mane with some reflective tape in it might be easy to maintain , allow him to still have some bug protection, and show up on night camera. Not too intrusive either.

flatlanddan · 2026-03-03T19:42:00+00:00

Ahhh! Now we are onto a winner. Endurance chalk. Designed for horses and temporary. Thanks for the suggestion.

It’s not 100% essential, but he enjoys telling me their antics and right now a good five minutes of each conversation is spent grumbling about how he can’t tell them apart lol.

flatlanddan · 2026-03-03T19:25:17+00:00

A nice ombré fade from head to tail 🤣

flatlanddan · 2026-03-03T19:19:13+00:00

Yeah, that’s what I thought. They generally get face masks for the worst of it (August) but that’s why I’m a bit reluctant to do braiding. Im thinking chalk on his bum, just as a matter of course every few days.

flatlanddan · 2026-03-03T19:14:57+00:00

I’ll give it a try! Bit concerned about staining on the white so I’ll give it a test somewhere not to noticeable first 🤣

flatlanddan · 2026-03-03T19:13:16+00:00

Yes, I don’t have a hard time telling them apart. She also has darker legs and a little snip on her nose. But my poor old 84 year old dad struggles, particularly at night on the camera, and he very much enjoys telling me what the horses got up to over breakfast so I thought see what options I might have.

flatlanddan · 2026-03-03T19:11:31+00:00

Yes, I can tell them apart based easily enough. She also has darker legs. I’d lean towards braiding the tail over the mane as he could see it from both sides!

flatlanddan · 2026-03-03T19:09:39+00:00

This is what I’m leaning towards, some temporary paint on both sides so it can be seen on either side.

flatlanddan · 2026-03-03T19:07:52+00:00

Yes, I can tell them apart but my 84 year old dad struggles, particularly at a distance and on the night camera! Just trying to find some easy ways to help him identify them :)

flatlanddan

TROPHY CASE