Dilemma yard help please - which yard?

[horse_lover]

I need some help please. I am in a bit of a dilemma I have been looking around for a new yard to move my boys to for a while and havent found anything suitable within my price range. I have had a look at one this weekend in Bishops Waltham so the dilemma is:

Do I stay where I am or move?

Current yard has a floodlit school, NOT usable in the winter, and an indoor horse walker. Stables are inside so somewhere to tie them up while I am mucking out. No real grass, fencing isnt great, but can be turned out regardless of weather. Due to distance I pay the yard owner to do mornings I muck out etc in the evenings. Hacking is straight out onto quiet lanes and 30mins away is the Forest. I pay £25p/w including yard owner doing one end of the day.

New yard has all weather school, which apparently doesnt get boggy in winter, but has no flood lights. The fields are post and rail, but are only small paddocks. It was mentioned that in the winter in bad weather the owner prefers them in 24/7. The stables are outdoors, but seem warmer than what they are currently in. For hacking I would have to ride down a fairly busy road to get to any hacking. As this yard is closer I would be able to do my horses mornings and evenings. Yard is £35p/w which would be streching my budget slightly.

What would you do in my position? Thanks in advance

 

[cbmcts]

Current Yard - turnout is priceless in my book.

Also, if they are in all winter on the new yard, you'll be spending even more on hay...

 

[flying solo]

I would stay where you are. Sounds alot better to me. The nights are getting darker and it'll be dark at 5pm so you'll need light to ride. Most horses need some kind of turn out, I know I couldn't keep mines in if the weather was really bad for a few days. x

 

[Dancing Queen]

Current Yard - turnout is priceless in my book.

Also, if they are in all winter on the new yard, you'll be spending even more on hay...

This ^^^

 

[splashgirl45]

agree with everyone else, turnout is important as far as i am concerned and would not want to hack on a busy road, esp if horse had been in 24/7!!!!so my vote is stay where you are..

 

[Piglet]

Definitely the current yard, I hate the thought of them not been able to go out during the day.

 

[springer1021]

First one, if we another winter like the past two your neds wouln't be turned out for months at the second.

 

[horse_lover]

Thanks everyone, really appreciate your views. Having 2 TB's they need their time out especially as I dont get the opportunity to ride them as much as I should throughout the winter

 

[paddi22]

first yard without a shadow of a doubt.
a great outdoor is no use in winter if it doesn't have floodlights. also the turnout would swing it for me - as a tb owner i couldn't have my lad anywhere that didn't do turnout.

 

[nuttynugget]

Sorry OP I'm confused... current yard, floodlit school NOT usable in winter?? whats the point in that? am I missing something here....?

If I was you I'd look for a 3rd choice, neither would appeal to me in the slightest.