Advice needed. What would you do?

T_K

T_K

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I currently keep my 3 girls(Haffie, NF and Shettie) at a private yard in my village. But, for various reasons, I need to move them ASAP.

I can't find anything local but even if I did it would either be another private yard or just a field with no facilities, shelter etc.

I've been offered 2 acres with 3 stables, hard standing, water, electricity - everything I'd need really. But it's 20 miles away....it's not a bad drive and there are several ways I can get there....

If I compare how much I'm paying ATM for rent, bedding etc it works out about the same for the new place for rent and diesel (ponies would live out, which I prefer).

I currently walk to see my girls, which takes half an hour - the drive to the new place would take half an hour.

The only major problem I can see is if there was a emergency - but there are plenty of yards and horsey people around who would help out.

I'd also much prefer to be on my own - I can manage the field properly and clear out muck everyday. There is also the consideration that the roads would be much better for riding too.

Everything is telling me to go for it - I know the girls would be happy there. But what would you do?
 
I've moved from a big yard to being on my own - there are soem challenges and a lot of things (like organised hay) that you take for granted you have to sort out for yourself - but I would highly recommend it. Your horses will change a bit and you'll see different behaviours coming out.
 
I wouldn't do it. Its too far and before long it will begin to take its toll on you. Is there no where else you could go? Have you exhausted the Horsemart, yellow pages, free ads for closer yards? Its a dream come true to have your own yard but think of the long term effects it could have - it will become a chore. The novelty of your own yard will wear off.
 
20 miles is 80 miles a day. What if we have bad weather again? How will you get to them?
My sons school is 9 miles from home and I spend nearly 2 hours a day on the school run. (Def 1 1/2 hours). Its killing me!
 
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20 miles is 80 miles a day. What if we have bad weather again? How will you get to them?
My sons school is 9 miles from home and I spend nearly 2 hours a day on the school run. (Def 1 1/2 hours). Its killing me!

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Exactly my point. Think about this too: you take 1 hour getting there, then you spend lets say 2 hours at the yard, then 1 hour back x2. That's 8 hours per day. Do you have the time to do this?
 
I'm guessing I didn't explain myself - they would live out so I'd be going down once a day (40 mile, 1 hour round trip) I've factored this in to my thinking. I would be getting someone to look in on them in the mornings. At weekends I would just spend all day there.

The village that I live in isn't the kind of place that has liveries or horses in general - unless you have your own land - sheep farmers don't like horses. The nearest livery would be 15 miles away and much more expensive so there's no draw there at all. I have exhausted all other avenues.

I've had my own land before so I know all of the benefits and pitfalls.
 
I do a 25 min journey each way to mine, it is worth it to be in the right place. You know you'll have to set up hay suppliers, muck heap removal etc, but I think if you enjoy having your own space it will be worth it. Make some enquiries about someone to provide cover if you're sick or want to go away, and job done I reckon.
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Go for it!

If you try it and it doesn't work out I assume you could always go back on livery?

I love having my horses with just me..if that makes sense!! They have all changed since being on livery in the sense they are far more relaxed than they ever were (my old yard was fab too)

As long as you know someone close to your new place that could kep an eye out for you and alert you should anything be wrong then I dont see any real pitfall!!

Good Luck :-)
 
20 miles doesn't sound like a lot but it really is. My old share horse was 13 miles away and I struggled to go up just 4 times a week (once a day for each), I spent just as much time travelling as I did actually being at the yard. Have also been at a yard between 18 miles away and the drive was just horrible, especially when you're tired and just want to get home after doing the horses, to face that drive was awful!

Now at a yard just 7 miles away and it is bliss.
 
After having my horses over the road from home i moved them 15 miles away, and i went to them twice a day for over a year until i moved closer. I was concerned at first because i was so used to just nipping over to do things but it actually was never a problem.

It sounds like the op has explored lots of options, so as long as its a well researched move i would say go for it.
 
Ditto TT.

Ours was eighteen miles away, and due to the M1 being what it is, it was too far, although it would be okay once the roadworks are finished (not until the end of this year I think).

But, the yard was lovely, the people nice, the hacking good, there was someone who could turn in/out etc. if we needed it and they were good with the horses.

Where we are now is fine
grin.gif
, and D1 likes it because she can get there on her own, but I do miss the further away place.
 
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I'm guessing I didn't explain myself - they would live out so I'd be going down once a day (40 mile, 1 hour round trip) I've factored this in to my thinking. I would be getting someone to look in on them in the mornings. At weekends I would just spend all day there.

The village that I live in isn't the kind of place that has liveries or horses in general - unless you have your own land - sheep farmers don't like horses. The nearest livery would be 15 miles away and much more expensive so there's no draw there at all. I have exhausted all other avenues.

I've had my own land before so I know all of the benefits and pitfalls.

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I see you live in the Yorkshire Dales there must be somewhere closer? Ask the local farmers see if any will rent you the land I couldn't only visit mine once a day always have to check them morning and evening even if they are living out as you say
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I see you live in the Yorkshire Dales there must be somewhere closer?

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You'd think so wouldn't you - when I first moved here in April I thought the same thing - but it took until October to find somewhere! (Luckily my mum could still look after them through the summer). There seems to be prejudice in this valley and surrounding against horses and the mess they make - which you can fully understand if you look at the place I'm at ATM. But I know how to manage fields so they don't become muddy and full of muck and crab grass but, as you can imagine, sheep farmers are rather stubborn!!
 
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