diy livery vs grazing/grass livery

[SarahRicoh]

Well following on from threads iv made recently about sorting out my finances and my life iv decided easiest way to save money is to move pony...

So today i looked at a ladys yard/field... Its £60 a week inc hay/haylage in winter. Horses are out 24/7. Grass seems good but gateways muddy(can i really expect less)... Can school.in a field in summer. Hackings good. Stable and yard bit for tacking up etc. About 15 mins from.mine. Lady seemed nice but she deals so has some liveries and some horses that come/go....

Current yard is 5/10 mins from house and work. Barn stable. Tackroom.. Indoor & outdoor floodlit school. Horse is out during day,in at night. LOVELY people. Hay/1 bedding bale a week inc. £163 a month...


Massive saving and more laid back life for pony vs loss of schools and
support from my ym/another lady..

Pony i think.may actually be happier out 24/7 as although hes fine in stable he rarely wants to come in unless all his friends leave him..


What would you do? Head and heart fighting

 

[Mince Pie]

Not really massive saving as hay and bedding included, unless its a typo and you mean £60 a month? If not then go to the yard with the schools etc. I pay 60 a week for 2 horses on Diy

 

[SarahRicoh]

God i meant £60 a month for other yard lol...

 

[JoJo_]

How much do you ride in the schools currently? I've seen many people go to grass livery with no schools and they almost always come back to a yard with facilities because they can rarely ride due to muddy field or not being able to go hack in the daytime. You'll regret moving if it means you dont get to ride very much compared to what you currently do.

 

[welshcobmad]

I moved from yard with an indoor, outdoor, walker the lot (£130 pcm) to one with nothing (£80 pcm) & god do I miss the riding! Weekends only now cos its pitch black at 4 BUT I'm in a slightly different situation as its only putting up with it for this winter - Its a friends yard which is opening in spring for 30 liveries they the outdoor is going in in Feb & indoor & xc next summer along with 140 acres being taken on.

If it wasn't for that though, I'd have stayed put & paid more for the facilities. It's horrible!

 

[Shay]

We've always stuck with the facilities - but I have seen a lot of people over the years go off for cheaper livery but then come back because of the facilities - especially in winter. This winter has been fine and mild - but would you really have wanted ned out 24/7 with no choice in last years snow? Any what if he is hurt and needs box rest for a while?

The other thing that struck me in your posts was that liveries "come and go". If there is a high turn over of liveries you have to ask why. Nice people at your yard are worth thier weight in gold. Just look at the number of "nasty liveries" type posts. If you've got somewhere with nice people - my advice would be to hang onto it with teeth and toenails - not to mention hooves!

 

[MerrySherryRider]

I would be cautious here for 2 reasons; £60 a month including hay, is cheap. We have good grazing but I'm currently paying £50 a month for hay on grass livery, so I'm wondering how much hay goes in the field at this yard. Do the horses there look in good condition ? Ask the YO how she hays the fields, does she have hay out 24/7 every day or does she put hay out am and pm, and is this satisfactory for you ?
It may be fine, but do ask before you unload your pony.

Second reservation is regarding the mention of a changing population of horses due to buying and selling. I'm guessing that with the basic facilities she has, she's dealing at the lower end of the market. Some of these horses may arrive in poor condition, wormy, stressed and in need of TLC. They will then move on after a few weeks and be replaced.
This may not be an ideal environment for your pony.

I obviously haven't seen the yard but its worth considering possible pitfalls before you decide to move. You seem happy at your current yard, it has facilities you may miss very much and its close to your home. This is your hobby and being happy with a yard and nice people counts for a lot.
I do agree that grass livery is wonderful, I moved mine due to lack of turnout but I really miss having all year menages and wash room etc. I'd go back in a heart beat if my horses didn't love being out whatever the weather.

 

[SarahRicoh]

Thanks guys. She said it was 60 a month inc hay but when we were talking about hay/haylage she said she buys it in then splits psr horse so she pays bulk as she has most the horses.

The riding isnt so bad for me as i get random days off not just weekends and i finish at 1 some days.


This is a really hard decision because i dont want to move and be miserable

 

[SarahRicoh]

*i meant the horses she deals come and go which is the only thing that put me off....


Would any of you move to a ysrd that still has a school but you can keep out 24/7 and is cheaper but 20 mins from your house.

 

[SarahRicoh]

Bump