Back to horses after a long break

HappyHollyDays

3 yard cats and 2 ponies
Joined
2 November 2013
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On the edge of the Cotswolds
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Hi everyone, this is my first post so I am hoping it is in the correct place and that somebody can help me.

I learnt to ride as a kid, worked in my local riding school at weekends and finally got my own horse at 16. My boy was a hanoverianxWelsh and was 6 months old and I kept him for 10 years before giving up riding.

25 years on I have taken early retirement, moved to the Banbury area from Winchester and am hankering after another horse. I have started having lessons again and am loving them (except for the excruciating pain the first week).

i have done loads of research on costs etc but it's been a long time since I bought a horse or used a livery yard and am quite nervous about taking the plunge. The closest yard to me is a DIY yard called Balscote Livery but I know nothing about them.

Are there any other friendly DIY yards in the area that I could try, I am thinking of Shutford, Sibford Ferris, Epwell, Upper Tysoe or towards Bloxham. I expect there are other places but I don't really know the area yet.

i would appreciate any balanced views on either the Balscote yard or any in the other areas and how much they charge. Where the best tack shops are, feed merchants and farriers. I realize this is a lot to ask but I want to be 100% before I go ahead.

Thank you L
 
Hello and welcome to the forum! :)

I can't help with your question but you might get a better response by posting on the regional boards.
 
Hi and Welcome :) or rather Welcome back ;)

Can't help with yards in the area but do ring around a few and have a look round. Also, have a chat with your riding school they may be able to help - my livery yard also has a riding school and they helped me and a few others out when buying (my instructor rode my lad before I did and asked all the questions I forgot to ask), they part loan their horses out too - worth maybe looking at part loans before taking the plunge?.

Xx
 
Thanks for pointing me to the regional boards. I will try to move it across. I have contacted the yard owner but haven't heard anything back as yet so I am going to go and visit this afternoon and see if anyone is about that I can talk to.
 
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