A yard comparison thread

[holeymoley]

I posted a few weeks ago in The Club Room on the 'feel down' thread. I'm at the end of my tether with my yard unfortunately. I've brushed things to the side for a while but now there's so many I've reached the tipping point. I absolutely do not want to move for logistical reasons but I feel I'm no longer enjoying my horses and it's really taking a mental toll on me, I know it's Winter too but I feel for the first time in almost 20years ownership I'm up to muck out feed and that's all. I've lost any drive to enjoy them. Before I make any hasty decisions I'd like to do a comparison of yards and would appreciate any thoughts. I won't mention which I'm at currently, hopefully it won't be obvious. Fwiw, I have an older EMS horse who is a man of leisure- still hacks and I try to keep him fit to his capabilities. Likely needs an injection of Arthramid in the near future if I was to keep him comfortable. Also have a rising 2 year old who is as laid back as they come but would like him to 'see' various things as a youngster before he grows up. I work full time with varied shifts.

Hopefully I've covered all considerations, let me know if I'm missing any. I'll say which I'm on currently once I've had a few replies, and list why I feel the way I do. I appreciate there's pros and cons to everything in life but a the moment the 'cons' of current yard and incredibly heavy on the scale in comparison to the benefits.

Yard 1
-Assisted Diy - Turnout & bring in Monday-Friday. Horses out around 9am and in by 2/3pm in afternoon. Turnout only at weekends, not allowed to be out later than 3/4pm.
-Use of arena- £2 extra per use if needing lights
-Hacking- limited. Use of neighboring fields in Summer only but lots of gates to to open and close, or required to use main road to get to quieter roads. No way to loop- all one way and turn and come back. Also required to ride through grazing field of horses to get off yard.
-Trailer storage at no extra charge
-On main road and up avenue so no gates to open close
-Use of own round bale hay/haylage/straw but limited to ordering 1 bale per horse per delivery due to storage. (stuffed if have straw fore bedding and hay as can't order one if running out unless completely out)
-15minutes from house and 5 minutes from work
-Old farm buildings- prone to random bouts of leakage and condensation which can mean in damp bedding
-Higher price range for area £400+ per month for 2 on assisted diy

Yard 2
-Basic Diy- do everything yourself- unless you paired up with another livery- no time limit for use of fields in the day.
-Use of arena - £1 extra per use if needing lights
-Hacking- miles and varied. Use of fields or two driveways- one has 2 loops for quick 30min ride or other takes you down to neighboring farm, across a river and down in to village where you can ride round village/houses or cross railway on to rough beach.
-Trailer storage at no extra charge
-Off a B road then 5minutes further beyond through a padlocked gate or add extra 5 minutes to avoid padlock gate to enter via otherside. Bit of a rough road at padlocked side.
-Yard cut their own hay and haylage so pay set fee per month for use of shared bale. Sawdust/Shavings on site
-15minutes from house and 25 minutes from work
-Mix of old outdoor wooden stables and brand new wooden stables within new purpose built barn
-Standard price range for area £260 per month for 2 on basic diy
-Has Pheasant shooting in the Winter months which means that for a few Saturdays throughout the Winter the horse's must stay in.

 

[sarcasm_queen]

If you’re ok with diy, then 100% yard 2

 

[HelenBack]

I think yard 2 sounds better on paper - more turnout, better hacking and use of a school for less cost for the lights. Also the hay situation sounds better. Having to keep in now and then on a Saturday wouldn't really bother me, I've had that in the past when the hunt have been local. Yard 1 sounds a bit annoying really and expensive for what it is. The limited turnout hours wouldn't bother me in winter but would if it's the same in summer. The hacking would frustrate me though and the hay and straw situation sounds irritating.

I'm trying to second guess which yard you're on though and wondering if it is actually yard 2 and the further distance from work plus the rough drive are annoying you. Things like that can get frustrating, and also it could be hard if you're having to do all the DIY yourself and a bit of assistance can make all the difference.

So I think I choose yard 2 so long as DIY is okay for you but can understand why aspects of yard 2 would be hard for you. If you are on yard 2 then I don't think I'd go to yard 1 and might look to see if there are other options. I know this isn't always easy though, I've probably looked at all of the yards in my area and none of them come without compromises and frustrations!

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

Yard 2 I wouldn't want such a young horse on such restricted turnout.

 

[Errin Paddywack]

Yard 2.

 

[gallopingby]

Yard 2 sounds better on paper but once you factor in the cost of outside help l suspect the costs will be similar. Most yards now seem to charge for lights and £1 would be a subsidised cost - l’d expect it to be going up! If you’re really unhappy l would be looking for a yard 3.

 

[Ratface]

Yard 2.

 

[SantaVera]

Definitely yard 2 yard one sounds horrendous.

 

[nagblagger]

I agree yard 2.

 

[Wishfilly]

Yard 2 if you can manage the full DIY, which I appreciate can be tricky. With yard 1, the hacking and the issues with ordering in straw/hay would put me off.

However, I do wonder if the commute from yard 2 would be tricky if no-one else is able to help?

As is often said on these threads, is there a yard 3?

 

[webble]

Yard 2 as long as you can share chores with someone occasionally or use a freelance. Yard 1 doesn't sound great

 

[kathantoinette]

Yard 2.
Yard 1…riding thru horses turned out

 

[webble]

Which yard are you on?

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

I certainly wouldn't put a 2 yr old on Y1, with such limited turnout.

 

[AmyMay]

Yard 2

 

[SEL]

I could work around the Saturday shoot so 2 for me although I'd ask if anyone uses a regular freelancer. I had two in a field together on DIY so if I was late they had each other for company rather than hoping another livery would bring them in.

 

[Landcruiser]

2 every time. 1 sounds like a yard I used to be on which was horrendous, with loads of petty nonsensical rules. Plus no hacking...no thanks!

 

[Squeak]

2 sounds better but if that's the one you're on and it's not working for you then that's a major consideration. Just because it sounds good on paper doesn't mean it's right.

 

[Aperchristmas]

I prioritise turnout & hacking so I would go for Yard 2 every time personally. Are you able to hire assistance at a reasonable rate when you need it? I'm also assuming you're on Yard 1?

 

[Annagain]

On paper yard 2 but if that's where you are and you're miserable, yard 1 sounds bearable (if the riding through the herd of horses is optional rather than a necessity) at least in the short - medium term if there's no other alternative.

 

[seriously festive equine]

For me yard 2 I don't think I could cope with limited turnout with my horses

 

[Highmileagecob]

Probably depends on the other liveries you are sharing with. If you are experiencing a personality clash, then even the best facilities become unbearable.

 

[Caol Ila]

You know what I think, lol. Definitely move!

 

[dottylottie]

yard 2 for me, but i can absolutely see why the driving alone would put someone off! i was on a diy yard but with morning net included, and it was 25 mins from work, 15/20 to get home - killer! (after 12hr shifts) i now feed in a morning myself but it’s on the way to work, so i only had to factor in an extra 30 mins in a morning.

i think yard 1 would be bearable short term, but if you’re on yard 2 and unhappy i’d be looking for yard 3.

if yard 2 is a potential, i’d view (again?) and try to gauge what the liveries are like - if i’m away i know one of the girls won’t mind putting morning nets in as a one off, we all pop our heads over during the day to make sure everyone’s got water, etc! really does make a difference knowing nobody begrudges chucking a treat ball in for a greedy pony every now and then

 

[holeymoley]

Thank you for the replies. I’ll do a more in depth reply tomorrow as it’s easier on PC- can’t see as much on the phone, but I have been following any comments.

It’s interesting that most of you, if not all, have picked yard 2. I’m currently at yard 1. My only concern with yard 2 is whether or not I’ll be able to manage both ends of the day. Husband has offered to do one side if he can. He works shifts too so it could work. It’s a fairly quiet yard, only 5 liveries I think, two ladies I know from a previous yard are there and they help each other. I wouldn’t want to upset their routine or be the third wheel but I’m sure at dire straights they would definitely help. I have no doubt whoever’s first up would have no qualms putting over a breakfast or bucket of hay if they were in a bit longer.

I’ll go in to more depth tomorrow about yard 1.

 

[Highmileagecob]

We used to do a morning rota. For one week, Monday to Friday, you fed all five horses in our little friendship group. Feeds prepared the night before and stored in a spare stable. That meant morning duty one week in five. A retired lady used to turn out for us. It gradually fell apart as people sold the horse or moved on, but it was a big help at the time.

 

[dorsetladette]

I'm going to assume your on yard 1.

As others have suggested I'd maybe sit tight and look for a yard 3.

I've mentioned on other threads that this time of year is rubbish for making decisions. It's just rubbish in general if you own horses (unless your a millionaire with staff and nice facilities).

I currently only do the necessary with mine unless I have more time or the weather is nice. It doesn't hurt youngsters, especially if they have daily handling anyway. I'd want more turnout than yard 1, but short term while the ground is wet and your still looking for alternatives its ok.

I think yard 2 would make your yard trips more of a chore. opening and shutting gates when its pouring down and windy is a pain in the backside.

 

[SantaVera]

Just move! Yard 2 sounds so much better and as your other half is willing to help it seems like a no brainer to me. There's nothing to stop you looking for yard 3 or even 4 whilst you are there,but nowhere is perfect we can only ever settle for what is the best available at the time.

 

[TheOldTrout]

Another vote for yard 2.

 

[windswoo]

My journey to yard from work is an hour and a half, I'd bite your hand off for 25 minutes (although from home only 10 minutes).
After what you've added OP yard 2 sounds a no brainer, even if slightly further away and if you already know some of the liveries that would make it easier.