Difficult Decision -advice please!

T

Tilda

Well-Known Member
Joined
26 January 2010
Messages
1,125
Visit site
Hello All

I am new to the forum so sorry to just burst in with a question!

I have recently moved my mare to a livery yard which is 2 mins from my house (after previously travelling 40 min round trip)has 40x20 school, horse walker, year round turnout, good off road hacking straight off the yard, has usual livery yard cliques but hasn't so far been an issue as my friend and I keep to ourselves.

Well today we have been offered the opportunity to take over a small private yard - 6 stables, 6 acres of grazing, 60x20 school and great hacking but its 15 mins drive from my house (I work and have a toddler). There would be 2 of us taking it on and 3 friends as liveries so cost would be same.

If I was unhappy where I was now this would be an easy decision but am just worried we could be taking on a lot of hassle and travelling further for it but it would be great to have our own space!

So what would you all do? (apologies for length of this!)
 
Tbh I would go for the 2nd option: 6 stables, 6 acres etc...
But then again you have a toddler and a baby!
blush.gif
Hard decision, good luck making the decision
smile.gif


And welcome to the forum!
grin.gif
 
Thats a hard one.
Me being me i'd take on the yard where you are in at least some of the control, as long as you can afford to cover things if liveries, as they always do, move on.
15 mins is nothing really, although obviously 2 mins is better! 6 acres isn't a huge amount so you'd need to be sensible about turnout, and make sure the rules are set out and clear to all so there is less chance of people falling out.
Also think about the security/insurance/holiday care situations, as there will be no yard owner doing it for you.
Am desperate for a yard like that, you're lucky you've got the choice!
 
Probably keep with the livery yard option. You are then a 'free agent' - if anything were ever to go wrong with your friends it could turn nasty / expensive. Unless significantly cheaper to yent your own place, I'd stick with the livery yard - less hastle.
 
Its nice to have own space but it usually comes with a load of hassle when sharing with friends! You'll all want to do things diff and you have to manage the grazing properly, fix anything that goes wrong etc! But if you can handle that when it happens then go for it! Also dont get into the position where you end up doing everything for everyone else!
 
I would stay...... if you are DIYing (presumably) see the horse twice a day thats an hours travelling if you move.

I purposely choose to live pretty close to parents (where horses are) bout 5 mins away and would find it a pain to be much further away.

Other yard if you are doing it yourselves dont underestimate field maintenance, for all year turnout 6 acres isnt a lot for 6 and I think depending on soil etc this could be a problem (we have 4.5 acres for 2 and sometimes have a bit too much grass but wouldnt want less in winter)
 
Tricky one.

I like having my own space, but I just have my own horses on my land and made the decision I didnt want any liveries. So that to me is the best of all worlds

On balance I would *probably* stay where you are. There would be extra expenses with your own place - upkeep of fences, stables needing painting, weeds spraying and all that. Also what happens if you end up with empty stables for one reason or another...

Not sure though to be honest, it would be a close call!
 
me personally dont think i could deal with running a livery yard, and i dont have a kiddy i'd stay put.
smile.gif
best of luck whatever you decide x
 
Thanks for the advice everyone I'm still not sure either way.

There are a few other people interested in the yard so that might make our decision for us otherwise I'm going to sleep on it!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top