A which yard thread.

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HaffiesRock

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Right I am completely torn by my current yard and a new one.

I am currently on grass livery on a small friendly yard. My pony is out 24/7 with one other while the rest are stabled. There are no riding facilities at all and the fields are small. The yard owner doesnt provide services so we all chip in and help each other. Unfortunately for me, this does not go in my favour! basically everyone else chucks hay (already bagged by the gate) into the field for my pony. Takes a matter of seconds. On my days I have 8 horses to either turn out or bring in, hay and water. Not a fair swap in my opinion, but its a case of if you dont help us, we dont help you. I appreciate that everyone else has the same on their days but they choose to stable so I dont see why I should be up at the crack of dawn turning other peoples horses out (5 of them are YO's). Things go missing including my pony's advent calendar, things get broken and not replaced and its just all a bit annoying. I dont fit in at all. I could cope with this but we have no riding facilities so can only ride weekends at the minute. We have great hacking but no one to ride with! The YO is lovely, but its just not satisfying my needs and I spend more time moaning than anything.

Other yard is also grass livery (my pony wont be stabled) its quite a bit more expensive but hay is included. Its put out in the field in winter by the yard staff and the horses checked twice a day. Its almost half as far again as the current yard, but closer to work, so a round trip to work then yard is only 3 miles further than now but its quite a lot further from home. YO has said that as they are checked and hayed twice a day its fine for me to not be there everyday so this will even out the fuel and mileage if I dont go up a couple of days a week (not ideal I know). This yard has FACILITIES! All weather floodlit arena, and in the summer they have a xc course, show jump paddock working hunter paddock, tack shop on site and people to ride with! all the things I want!

Would you move? I know the grass is always greener on the other side and I really am torn to be honest. Its going to be March before its light enough to ride in the evening and I cant cope with 3 more months of minimal riding, but don't want to move o get there and not be any happier! HELP!

Thorntons moments for anyone that got this far. Be quick though, they wont be round for much longer!
 
Will you be happier if you move? It sounds like it. I wouldn't hinge this move on not going up everyday though. Factor the cost in as if you would go up every day and THEN see if it is still cost effective. I certainly wouldn't be happy not going up every day unless I had a very specified agreement that on Day X pony would be caught, checked over, hayed, fed, watered.... I wouldn't be happy with the Yo saying that they would check he is still standing in the field and chuck hay in....

Your first place sounds miserable and you sound excited about the second place, can you afford it?
 
I can afford it if I don't spend on silly things. I start a degree in accountancy in April so gaining control of my money is definitely on the agenda!

OH came to the yard with me yesterday as it was my day to sort them all after being away for a couple of days. I think he was genuinely surprised at a) how much I do for everyone else in return for getting my pony hayed b) how much hay had gone missing since the last time he was there, my things that had gone missing/broken etc. Last time I wanted to move he was against it for many a reason but I think now he will understand. We chatted about it today and he wasnt against the idea at all, just asked me to seriously think about it and not just move as im having a bad few days.

At current yard my hay keeps going missing, to the point of a large bale (approx a weeks worth) being gone in 2 days even though I bag up his am and pm hay so no reason for anyone to touch it, so straight away id be saving on hay costs. Im spending almost £60 a month to feed hay to a fat pony that otherwise lives on fresh air! (that probably isnt much compared to some peoples cost, but at the rate its going missing the price will only go up! So in that sense it probably evens out. I dont mind paying if it means I get to enjoy my pony and not just be a free groom for everyone else. x
 
I'd move. I wouldnt exchange work for other horses again (and don't think it's v professional of your current yo's), you'll effectively get part livery at your new place -as you say saving on fuel and time, plus facilities, hay included. So will probably even out on costs and you'll spend more time with horse.
As BB says make sure you get a proper contract though. What checks they are doing, what they are feeding and when etc.
 
Reading your posts, it seems as if there is nothing to lose moving. How nice to find somewhere that you can leave your pony and know it will be fed and have the facilities! I think you know what you want to do, and should go for it!
 
Hi OP, if you have any doubts about moving ask new yard if you can talk to some of their liveries about the yard. But from what you have already described it sounds like you're already packing. Make sure you have a contract and know when you can use the school etc - if you need to book ahead etc. :-)
 
Haffy yourself a merry Christmas said:
Right I am completely torn by my current yard and a new one.

I am currently on grass livery on a small friendly yard. My pony is out 24/7 with one other while the rest are stabled. There are no riding facilities at all and the fields are small. The yard owner doesnt provide services so we all chip in and help each other. Unfortunately for me, this does not go in my favour! basically everyone else chucks hay (already bagged by the gate) into the field for my pony. Takes a matter of seconds. On my days I have 8 horses to either turn out or bring in, hay and water. Not a fair swap in my opinion, but its a case of if you dont help us, we dont help you. I appreciate that everyone else has the same on their days but they choose to stable so I dont see why I should be up at the crack of dawn turning other peoples horses out (5 of them are YO's). Things go missing including my pony's advent calendar, things get broken and not replaced and its just all a bit annoying. I dont fit in at all. I could cope with this but we have no riding facilities so can only ride weekends at the minute. We have great hacking but no one to ride with! The YO is lovely, but its just not satisfying my needs and I spend more time moaning than anything.

Other yard is also grass livery (my pony wont be stabled) its quite a bit more expensive but hay is included. Its put out in the field in winter by the yard staff and the horses checked twice a day. Its almost half as far again as the current yard, but closer to work, so a round trip to work then yard is only 3 miles further than now but its quite a lot further from home. YO has said that as they are checked and hayed twice a day its fine for me to not be there everyday so this will even out the fuel and mileage if I dont go up a couple of days a week (not ideal I know). This yard has FACILITIES! All weather floodlit arena, and in the summer they have a xc course, show jump paddock working hunter paddock, tack shop on site and people to ride with! all the things I want!

Would you move? I know the grass is always greener on the other side and I really am torn to be honest. Its going to be March before its light enough to ride in the evening and I cant cope with 3 more months of minimal riding, but don't want to move o get there and not be any happier! HELP!

Thorntons moments for anyone that got this far. Be quick though, they wont be round for much longer!
Click to expand...

Definitely move! The new yard sounds amazing. I would go for it, especially if it has so many facilities and you can't trust some of the people at your old yard!:)
 
Moving would seem to be the way forward :) if you wanted to stay put, would there be any way you could re-negotiate your turnout says? Say you do the turnouts but only once a fortnight instead of once a week as your horse is so low maintenance?
 
Thanks everyone. I am more than likely going to move but will have a chat with OH today.

My YO is fully aware that i miss facilities so could easily leave on good terms. I would miss where I am but my pony and I are both bored :(

Thank you for all your positive help xx
 
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