I QUIT! Homesteading Family

This week I get nothing done on the cottage even though there is loads to do! Animals (mainly horses) are taking all my time away from cottage renovations and keeping me in homestead mode!
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We are- a family of four,
Mum- Annie,
Dad-Bruce
Two children Elsie and Betsy
3 dogs - Doug, Pip and Twig
3 Cats - McTat, Ash and Mowgli
2 Pygmy Goats - Treasure and Bell
1 Sheep - Luan
2 Pigs - Copper and Rascal
2 Budgies - Disco and Big Budge
2 Horses - Merlin and Montana
We decided to trade our busy life as home and business owners to chase the dream we’ve harboured for 10years.
How did we get here
After years of saying one day, we finally realised that these opportunities don’t just land in your lap and if we seriously wanted to make a difference to the Earth then we were going to have to stop talking about it and do it!
We sold all our stuff, got rid of the mortgage, sold our camper conversion business and landed in a dream come true. After traveling in our van we settled here in the west of Ireland. A place that has always been special to us. Annie is half Irish and since we met 13 years ago and she took me to meet her family i fell in love with Ireland too.
Now we’ve made this dream a reality there is no stopping us! our plan is to work hard, meet new people and learn new skills that will guide us on our journey of permaculture and creating a way of life that sings to us. One where we aren’t bound to the banks, working every hour and outsourcing all of our needs. A simple way of life, with connection to ourselves, each other, the earth and our community.
Vlogging with
iPhone 11
Insta360
Olympus OM-D 5 mk ii
Lens Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 7-14 mm F2.8 PRO Lens
Lens Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40 mm F2.8 PRO Lens
Mic Rode VideoMicro Compact On Camera Microphone
Final Cut Pro
DJI Mavic Air

[@davidfennell5124]

The joys of homesteading Bruce! Animals always take time 😁

[@OffGridBruce]

You got that right! Felt very frustrated mid week but it all came good in the end

[@patriciakeogh5008]

Hats off to you both 🎩 I don’t know how you do it, all that moving and mud. I couldn’t do it myself, so much added work to your day, and still smiling 😬

[@OffGridBruce]

I never have the camera on when I am swearing 😂 it’s mostly fun though

[@libakan]

I know the feeling mate...sometimes it feels we're not moving an inch from one week to another on our self-sufficiency project... but as your wife says, keep the dream alive! and if it was easy everybody would live this way (that's what I keep telling myself), but at least you're keeping it real!

[@OffGridBruce]

So true! Feeling good as spring starts to emerge

[@carolineshore7747]

Greetings from the Sunshine coast Australia. This video reminds me of my childhood, I grew up on a farm outside Liscannor, even though it was hard at times, all I have are good memories. Thank you Bruce for keeping it real 🐎🐎

[@OffGridBruce]

Liscannor is lovely. I went fishing out of the harbour with a friend not long ago on a currach

[@ruthcook5927]

It's all a learning curve, bad with good. Glad you sorted the fence in the end. You are all looking good xxx

[@OffGridBruce]

Thanks Ruth hope you guys are all well

[@tiffcat1100]

Well done to Elsie! 🎉

[@carolfaberpeake857]

Things happen, but always enjoy seeing your family 🎉

[@OffGridBruce]

Thank you! 😊

[@user-nt8ck4zg4z]

Bless you all. I do feel for you all. A tough time of the year. Trying to do everything. Its so good of you to fit in filming what you can which is another pressure. Take care 👋👋

[@OffGridBruce]

Thanks. Yes I do feel like not filming on weeks like this 😂

[@gaylewoodward6379]

You look shattered! Remember to take a break and breathe. Why don't you have some favourite music on (headphones) and sing loudly. Doing a great job family, spring not far away. X

[@OffGridBruce]

I was very tired towards the end of that week. Feeling good now though

[@livanaglass5967]

The only way to truly contain them in winter is to have a stable or field shelter with a gate to keep them secure, then you turn them out during the day. the ground gets so poached really quickly at this time of year and they don’t like standing in mud so they will want to move, at least they don’t go far when they escape!

[@OffGridBruce]

That’s true. I have kept them off my best field at the moment. Looking forward to the drier weather. If we were having them permanently I would have permanent post and rail fencing

[@daedalusjones3804]

Good video. Life always seems to be like that. Things come up and momentum is disrupted. It was good to see you guys dealing with it. From my side it looks good and like fun. It is good to see more of Annie and the kids these days. In the first videos I used to feel that you were the only one doing anything and the others were just kicking back because we didn't see too much of them.

[@OffGridBruce]

Thanks. It was a bit more day to day this week.

[@bwendelm]

We started homesteading two years ago. Having grown up on a ranch, I will not get any farm animal before: 1) I have adequate infrastructure, and two, the time to deal with them. Having animals require a lot of planning, maintenance, and patience! Plus, I won't own an animal that does not produce something toward food production. (With the exception of our cats: mousers, and black lab: hmmm not sure what she does yet beside pull branches from the forest!) Peace!!

[@OffGridBruce]

Very good advice. I could have done with that at the start 😂 happy to have some time back now the horses have gone

[@jancardy1079]

You are all doing so well especially this time of year. Horses love escaping. Where in Ireland are you all based. I lived in West Cork for 9 years left 2014.... Missing it terribly especially when watching these videos. I miss the sacred mystical land, the beautiful people, friends and the freedom we don't have in the UK. One is not having to pay at beaches to park, UK you cant park anywhere. We are living North Devon which beautiful to but hasn't the same energy. 🙂

[@OffGridBruce]

I love it here so much. We are in north Clare

[@jaysjourney365]

I know how you feel with the pets! we run a Cattery and just brought two new puppies in to the family and I feel Like I’m on constant poo patrol 😂

[@OffGridBruce]

Oh god yeah I know that feeling!

[@hattyflame3889]

Thanks Bruce and family 👪 🙏 ❤

[@OffGridBruce]

You are so welcome 🙏

[@tyhnbgtyhnbgt]

A person that is depressed is living in the past, an anxious person in living in the future.. a content person is living in the present..

[@manuscarlisle463]

Would love a video on the horses alone. What you do with them and the reasoning behind having them on the homestead!

[@CLFL14256]

wee girls love horses, reason enough!

[@OffGridBruce]

A bit of manure for the veg garden and my youngest wanted to learn how to ride so we have been sharing the responsibility with a friend whose an instructor in natural horsemanship. It’s a temp arrangement and has been a great learning experience for us as family. That being said unless I get access to a few more acres we won’t have horses permanently here.

[@aprilriordan8202]

Real life with animals lol well done Elsie 🎉

[@OffGridBruce]

Totally April! We got there in the end

[@malcolmduggan5130]

A very honest blog Bruce. It's not always sunshine and lollipops! But spring is in the air . Try dropping the top line of the horse fence near to the ground. They have a habit of putting their heads under the fence and getting out that way. Kind regards to you and your family

[@OffGridBruce]

Thanks Malcolm. I ended up with three strands and that did the trick in the end. I was ready to send them home this week 😂

[@66bigbuds]

First things first. Proper fencing always comes first.

[@OffGridBruce]

If it was a permanent thing I would 100% be putting in post and rail fencing but long term we can’t have horses here without more grazing

[@anntennyson2493]

Horses eat a lot,one would be plenty to feed,the same goes for the dogs,we had two dogs a few years ago and at that time it took €20 a week to feet them,not mention vet fees.

[@OffGridBruce]

We are lucky a neighbour is sorting us round bales of haylage for a great price

[@jacksg1809]

Horses can be a pain ...lovely ...but horses and plastic fencing (whoever thought that was a good idea ) 😀 mine are the same Bruce the grass is always greener 🙄

[@OffGridBruce]

So true! Luckily they are staying put now. If we were keeping them I would build some permanent paddocks with post and rail fencing and probably some stables annnd some concrete hard standing to make mucking out a dream 😂

[@jacksg1809]

@@OffGridBruce be a bit of work but they are fun in the spring and summer which makes up for the times like these 🙂

[@johnoleary528]

Yes, enjoyed the video - hope the girls enjoyed the roast!

[@OffGridBruce]

That they did!

[@thelodger1598]

Ah thee olde Ennis Screwfix. I'm there on thee regular.

[@OffGridBruce]

Saves some cash having screwfix around

[@MommaOG]

And when do the horses go back?...😅 Good video thank you all🙂💐

[@OffGridBruce]

They are going back at the end of April. Been a great learning experience though

[@justd9907]

Hey Bruce, was wondering if you could take time out of your busy schedule and play some guitar for us?, Please! I came across a busking video of yours and it was great. It's good for the soul.

[@OffGridBruce]

I should get back to playing more. I will try :)

[@declanmcguinness9374]

I seen a new animal @14:00 if you look closely you will see rabbit ears 🤣

[@OffGridBruce]

So there was 😂

[@ianmangham4570]

Is that Batman 🦇🙏

[@annefaught6009]

You are quickly learning why more homesteaders don't keep horses. They're lovable but...........

[@OffGridBruce]

I am 😂 luckily they are not mine permanently

[@nickytanton107]

What about donkeys instead 🤔

[@pattymitchell4318]

Hang in there. It will all come together.

[@OffGridBruce]

Thanks Patty

[@dianawolaver7981]

Awesome

[@glenith50]

Bruce, you should reach out to Waitrose with the free advertising they're getting they could let you have a new hi-viz 😂

[@OffGridBruce]

Hahaha I’d say I may get a court order to burn it!

[@glenith50]

@@OffGridBruce 🤣

[@mikebourke1185]

Good one Bruce.... Yes you get weeks when you wonder ..."What the hel l did I do " 🤔 Stay Free and Safe 😍

[@OffGridBruce]

Definitely one of those this week 😂

[@lauramonahan9343]

Electric fences are great for paddocks, but permanent no-climb wire is needed for the perimeter. Wet grass will short out the electric. GoFundMe?

[@OffGridBruce]

A good idea but we aren’t keeping the horses No. My youngest wanted to learn how to ride so we have been sharing the responsibility with a friend whose an instructor in natural horsemanship. It’s a temp arrangement and has been a great learning experience for us as family. That being said unless I get access to a few more acres we won’t have horses permanently here.

[@irishcottagerenovation9900]

Was so worried when you got horses so early, I’ve had horses most of my life but when I recently moved to Ireland I told myself not to get any animals except the dogs which came with me till I knew the land and had the time to look after them properly. It’s not fair to them to not be a forever home as they can not talk.

[@OffGridBruce]

They get a lot more space and freedom here than they would have in winter where they are from. I’m glad we have them on loan as it would have been a huge mistake to buy horses right now. I need a lot more acres if we were to have them full time

[@irishcottagerenovation9900]

@@OffGridBruce best thing is to have stables for winter and ride them out keeping off land and their mindset happy, then when ground ready do both! Good luck, it's like you welding, mechanics, farming and livestock, it's time served.

[@tonydolan1336]

Post and rail Bruce if u can in the future, u have a wood near bye,. Maby ask for a few poles, chainsaw job, this is Tony down the road, I'm a guitar player as well, watching u from canada

[@OffGridBruce]

Definitely if they were here permanently I would invest in permanent fencing but we won’t have them much longer. We need more acres if we were to get our own horses

[@graciemaca6996]

Most people are not going to love my comment, but it is only my opinion. If it were me to demo a house, I would focus entirely on the work on the home before getting any animals (aside from dogs). That way the work gets done with few distractions and you have more time and energy to get the homestead accomplished. Then after the house is finished, I would get a few animals and have children. But I know that's not how life usually works. In real life most people don't want to put off having children or animals and that's their choice. In any case, the work eventually gets done. Kudos on the work you are doing and on your lovely family! 👍

[@OffGridBruce]

It’s great advice I could have done with a year or so ago 😂

[@jeroenmichiels1067]

I heard animals only jump over fencing if rhey see a clear area to land on. With our cows we put a wheelbarrow, car tire... where they would supposedly land (when the spot is specific enough to do so). Maybe this helps to check out the horse fencing and eliminate some areas they might be jumping the fence?

[@aliveandfiddling]

Or crawling under it. Mine go on their knees!

[@OffGridBruce]

All sorted now. They have loads of space and the fence is hot :)

[@100Noddy]

You are all looking very slim and healthy. Annie is radiant.

[@OffGridBruce]

Thanks 🙏 I’m feeling pretty healthy at the moment

[@lizgarland2241]

Horses 😂🤠🇮🇪🍀💚Great vlog. Go girls 💜

[@OffGridBruce]

Thanks Liz. They are now track grazing :)

[@lizgarland2241]

@@OffGridBruce check out Amy Dell Horse Track Systems to save your sanity 🤣🇮🇪🍀💚

[@kingloser4198]

Eco Psychology? I thought the filming for Dune would have stopped by now 🙂

[@OffGridBruce]

Ahhh I’m afraid you will have to explain that reference as I haven’t watched dune

[@kingloser4198]

@@OffGridBruce One of the character's looks a bit like Annie. Maybe not to someone who sees her every day though. This reference has fallen down short now 😞

[@OffGridBruce]

😂 I’m going to check that out now

[@liveuk]

What do the horses contribute to your homestead as you have a tractor? Do you breed and sell the foals?

[@OffGridBruce]

No. A bit of manure for the veg garden and my youngest wanted to learn how to ride so we have been sharing the responsibility with a friend whose an instructor in natural horsemanship. It’s a temp arrangement and has been a great learning experience for us as family. That being said unless I get access to a few more acres we won’t have horses permanently here.

[@LiLBitsDK]

well having power on the fence would kinda work... else you might as well just not put a fence up

[@OffGridBruce]

There is power on the fence

[@ianmangham4570]

Must have a few quid if ya can afford innocent smoothies 😋

[@OffGridBruce]

😂 it’s defo not a regular thing

[@brendandonlon6772]

Your strands of electric wire is to high lower them two foot and you'll have no bother

[@brendandonlon6772]

The one you have around the bale

[@OffGridBruce]

Thanks Brendan. I hadn’t filmed but i put 3 strands around the whole thing in the end. I have put an energiser on it now and they seem to be staying put thank god.

[@brendandonlon6772]

@Off Grid Bruce that will work a well get videos👍👍👍

[@alliewolf3392]

❤😊❤😊❤

[@jhurst5947]

Love your videos but having kept horses for many years your paddocks are way too small

[@OffGridBruce]

They don’t stay in those. We turn them out into fields. They just had 2 weeks in a big field too.

[@truth3358]

Bruce I’m doing the same but won’t get any animals lol Great video we are down south to you in the country in Tipperary Great video 👌

[@OffGridBruce]

Yes the animals are serious work. I do love having them around though. I won’t have horses unless I get more acres

[@tyhnbgtyhnbgt]

I would say stay put.. if you're not keeping up with the news, the shit is really about to hit the fan world wide collapse and war.. I say stay safe.. stay away from the city..

[@OffGridBruce]

I don’t listen to any news. Just used to make me anxious. Much happier with it turned off

[@hillfy1990]

Can I ask is there a local school ?

[@OffGridBruce]

There is. They don’t go there though but we do go to events there. They had an Irish stories afternoon that was great

[@aliveandfiddling]

I promise you from long experience that you aren't going to keep horses in with tape unless you electrify it. Sad but true!

[@OffGridBruce]

The energiser is on now. In the green fields they never bothered testing the fence. They now have the entire track and the seem pretty happy now

[@BM-hb2mr]

That's why horses are the very last thing you get If you're homesteading. We call them hay burners for a reason. Horses cost and eat alot of important grass that can feed other animals. If your not using horses to move things or make money with them I suggest not to get them right off the bat. They are very costly and can make you go broke very fast.

[@OffGridBruce]

Agree with you there. My youngest wanted to learn how to ride so we have been sharing the responsibility with a friend whose an instructor in natural horsemanship. It’s a temp arrangement and has been a great learning experience for us as family. That being said unless I get access to a few more acres we won’t have horses permanently here.

[@dylan3657]

you'll have to eat like a horse to keep your strength up your looking after family, farming, house building, mechanics work, like four jobs fair play to ya

[@OffGridBruce]

It’s definitely serious work. Luckily for me it’s temporary 😂

[@runawaycrofter4268]

Yeah, screw the horses 😆😉 x

[@OffGridBruce]

😂 totally. I love them really but glad it’s not a permanent arrangement right now

[@MommaOG]

😅😂😂

[@gursewak_b4ar]

First ?

[@OffGridBruce]

First comment!

[@nc2933]

That title was pure bait

[@OffGridBruce]

It was. The sad thing is that titles like this double the views and as such pays me a little more.