Anyone else feel/felt lazy moving from DIY to part livery?!

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merliebug

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I don't post on here very often but got some really good replies on my last thread about navicular, so thought I'd try you on this one too!

I am moving from DIY to part livery next month, and am feeling very lazy for it! My reasons for moving are that a) the facilities at the other yard are better, b) it's a smaller, calmer yard and I'm hoping it will make my horse calmer, if not smaller, and c) I am looking to change jobs soon and don't want to limit myself in terms of location because I have to do my horse before work.

I've done DIY for ever, never been on part livery, but I know the owners of the yard and I will still go there daily, just not before work and won't have to muck out during the week. To be honest, it's also partly because the past couple of winters have killed me and I feel like I'm not having a life - going to bed at 9pm so I can get up early enough to get everything done - and nor is my horse, having to go out early alone because no one else turns out as early, in all kinds of weather.

Does that make me a really lazy person?! I'm looking forward to not groaning when my alarm goes off next winter, but in the same breath I'm dreading not seeing my boy twice a day!

Experiences? Thoughts?!
 
I understand exactly how you feel, and if there was a decent part livery yard near me that I could afford I would defo consider it!

I am very lucky that my husband helps me with my horse (on diy), but there are times when he can't and I hate being at the yard on my own in the dark! All the others seem to work part time or be at school so they are done and gone by 4pm, so I am on my own, and days like those I wish I had part livery.

I also get what you mean about not having a life! I'm doing my accounting exams as well as working full time. I'm exhausted by the time I have got home from work, ridden, and done some study so I have been falling into bed at 8.30 / 9pm!

On the days my husband does my horse and I don't see him at all I really miss him, but if you are less tired and rushed you will be able to enjoy more quality time with your horse when you are there.
 
I have always been on DIY but every yard ive been at the DIY has included morning feeding and turnout so mornings have never been an issue. There is no way I could do mornings before work otherwise, I just wouldn't have the energy or time and it would definatly affect my work.

The way I like to think of it is how much do they pay you at work, this is how much an hour of your time in worth. Now calculate is the difference between DIY and half livery, if its less than the hour of your time per day then its definatly worth it. This is how I justify having a cleaner!
 
I went from twice a day to once a day (initially with someone else checking him in the morning when on year round 24/7 turnout and now with the YO doing turnout) and I did feel a little guilty but ultimately it's far better as I'm less knackered and the balance of home/yard/work is far easier and my OH gets to see a bit more of me which keeps him happy.

I think what you're doing is very sensible and if you feel better physically and mentally for not having to get up at stupid o clock then that can only be a good thing in terms of your relationship with your horse.

Most people who go up twice a day often barely spend any time with the horse during one of those visits - usually quick rug change and chuck out and then yard chores and mucking out isn't exactly quality time with your horse is it?!
 
I have just gone from DIY to Full livery and I feel EXACTLY the same!.

I stopped in February as I was 6 months pregnant and the early mornings before working full time, then back to horse in the evenings were getting a bit of a strain and I was getting run down and constantly headachy.

Now I feel fine, just super lazy!. I go see B every evening though and bring him in, feed, groom or lunge him.

The only thing I will say is you have to accept that things aren't always done the way you would do them. Not to say it's wrong, just different, like water buckets in a different corner so he can't dunk his haylege, and he's mucked out differently, not badly, just differently. little things that the control freak inside me just has to live with.

It's lovely not having to get up and muddy and stinky before work, but I do miss his cheery whicker in the morning and the early dose of fresh air a bit too.
 
I think what ever livery you choose is for your requirements and not because what someone else may say!
I personally wouldn't do DIY as I don't have the time to go in the morning to put out etc. I have had a horse on part livery and that was good for me as it was cheaper than full, and I didn;t have to go up there til after work, as the yard would put the horse out. When I get my own horse this time, I plan to be financially sound to have her on full livery. Mainly because, if I can't make it to the yard or OH wants to take me out for the day etc, I don't have to worry about getting the horse sorted, I know she will be sorted out and kept happy for the day.

Some people say DIY means you get a stronger bond with your horse, but don;t think you get any less a bond with a horse on Full Livery!
 
I have moved from DIY to part livery and its the best thing I have ever done.

I have a better relationship with my horse as I have more time for her, rather than running around trying to do everything! Im less tired so want to do more things and seem to be more proactive.

Do not see yourself as lazy, the novelty of not mucking out def does not wear off! its great, I do still skip out etc but thats my choice, I would not move back to DIY unless of course I have too.

If you find a good part livery yard which I am very fortunate to have done, (I was a nightmare yard for 4 weeks but got my horse out of there pronto) it can be the best decision you have ever made. It did take some getting used to as I am very particular but the yard owner now is very understanding and just goes with my little quirks!!
 
I'm feeling exactly the same having gone from assisted DIY to part. My reason is the same as Baileyhoss (6 months pregnant), though I stopped at 5 months when I had some health problems that meant I was very unreliable in getting to the stable. I did intend to go back to DIY for a while once I felt better, but once you've gone one way it's so much easier not to go back.

I never used to do weekday mornings, and could always ring up and have him done if I had to stay late at work or something, but now I don't have to muck out or poo pick etc. I still go up every evening and I do odd jobs (like skipping out), but I don't have to do them. I do have to put up with things not being quite as I'd do them (like the mucking out, not that it isn't done it's just a bit different) and I can see some differences in my horse from being handled more by others - but I would say our relationship has improved as I actually spend more time with him now as I'm not rushing about doing jobs (and not riding either).

What makes me feel very lazy is seeing the other liveries who I used to be working alongside rushing about mucking out in the evenings, whilst I'm giving my horse a scratch and a massage.

Sadly I will have to go back to DIY though (I'm spending the money I had saved up for a nice dressage saddle, but that was before I became pregnant). I'd love to be part for a bit when I was riding, I'd get so much more time in the saddle.
 
I don't think your being lazy no, I am even considering doing the part livery bit too, as I want to be able to go to work without rushing about in morning's hair getting all smelly and frizzy and being all hot and bothered after rushing about.

I have always been on DIY - my choice and I did like it most of the time and certainly wouldn't have changed it back then, but since I have had this break I have done alot more thinking about my next horse what I want to do etc..

I did say I would do DIY again but the yards where I am are quite difficult to get to in morning's for me, and would be costing me more in fuel than the extra livery bill.

If I did Part I would have to be fussy in the yard and the owner/staff as I am very picky but I know that I can't be that picky, so long as horse is being fed, turned out and brought in etc and is happy then I will have to just take everything with a pinch of salt.

I am a right fussy moo when it comes to mucking out, I hate lots of little bits being left in, or not doing the bed pretty...BUT again I would have to just let that go. not as if the horse cares lol :D
 
Once again the HH forum eases my guilt/ worry!! Thank you :-)

You all make such valid points that actually yes, it now makes total sense! And in fairness, as AshTay said, the time spent with your horse in the morning is minimal (in fact as long as it takes to put boots and rugs on!) and he doesn't know I'm mucking out once he's in the field. Such a good point. I'm also a grouch in the mornings, he'd probably just as soon see someone else!

I'm very lucky in that my dad brings him in for me in the winter, but I ALWAYS go after to skip out, give hay, feed, groom, etc, and this won't change at the new yard, just that it gives my dad the option of a day off and not being tied down every day (which I am also feeling guilty for now, as he tells me how much he enjoys it!) Nevertheless, I am getting a fantastic deal at the new yard, so if we end up not using them to bring him in it's still a good deal just for the turning out and mucking out.

I have a full time job and a part time job, so it will be nice to just be able to relax at the yard, rather than run around like an idiot. And yes - not to smell in the morning! God, what a revelation that will be!!! I might even get to do that thing where you sit on the horse... i forget what it's called.

Thanks all so much for making me feel better, and to the two of you expecting soon, I hope you're not too shattered!

Anna x
 
I see what you mean. I'm on DIY at the moment and in a few weeks I'm putting pony on full livery for 3 weeks as I'm moving house and jobs, unfortunately I'm doing it the wrong way round and am moving house and horse before job. So I'll have a long commute to my old office for 3 weeks. Mum has persuaded me to put pony on full livery but I feel guilty that I'm abandoning him just as he will have moved house! I'll be going up every night. But I think it's for the best - it means he will go straight into a good routine and I will be awake to drive to work! The yard are lovely but I still worry!!
 
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