Grass livery options?

[showingfan2]

Grass livery options?


Would you move? Current field or new field - both shared set ups. Both are live out fields, on good drainage, both solo turnout space but with lots of neighbors separated by electric fencing. Both yards are same distance from home and have same hacking. I would keep hiring the same local arenas I currently hack to.

Advantages of moving

+ Bigger field / more grass from just under and acre to about 1.6 acres.

+ Better field access

+ Can park lorry on site and use for storage, is other storage too (currently paying to park lorry elsewhere and have little secure storage in field)

+ Adlib dry haylage included (versus buying small bales which are expensive, and having delivered across field, complicated).

+ Stable included (though not immediately)

+ Small arena, but deep and unlevel, may not use it

+ Horse checking rota currently either coming twice or paying for freelance help.

+ definite cost saving, and easier logistics (school aside)


Disadvantages of moving

- Currently I hack 8 minutes to use two areas. New yard would be more like 25 minutes to arenas. Including 4 gates, so a 50 minute round trip. (It is close as crow flies but need to ride round to get there).

I school or do ground work 3-4 times a week. I actually rarely head to arenas in dark in winter as my timings don’t work that way, though as I do occasional hack lit up in the dark, it would theoretically still be possible to get to schools in dark.

I do also hack, compete, box out etc. a fair bit so school use isn’t all we do. (possible new yard arena is not really suitable surface for me to school).

 

[Widgeon]

For me, the parking, the haylage and the bigger field would swing it. But I guess it all hinges on how much you mind not having easy access to a well surfaced school. If you can park your lorry on site, could you not just box up and drive down the arena hire(s) instead of hacking? That ought to be easy and the diesel cost shouldn't be too hideous if it's only a fifteen minute round trip.

 

[showingfan2]

For me, the parking, the haylage and the bigger field would swing it. But I guess it all hinges on how much you mind not having easy access to a well surfaced school. If you can park your lorry on site, could you not just box up and drive down the arena hire(s) instead of hacking? That ought to be easy and the diesel cost shouldn't be too hideous if it's only a fifteen minute round trip.

It is probably a 5-8 minute drive, but I dont think by the time I have loaded, unloaded, de-imbolised the lorry, opened and closed the yard front gate, parked it twice, skipped out the inevitable dropping, it would be much quicker.

And the yard I use arenas at do typically change for lorry parking for visitors. So probably wont welcome my lorry. And there isnt local nearby parking.

I do mind the extra 50 minutes, but I can probably accommodate it, and I guess is exercise for me, I would walk at least half as not rider friendly gates. Maybe not poo pick those days, and catch up next day etc.

Is a little bit fiddly, as I try not to walk (other than minimally) in my stiff dressage boots! Normally drop them on at the arena yard on my way in (as 2 minutes away by car), but is post move this would be less convenient adding probably 10 minutes to drop and pick up. Maybe could find a lorry on yard to keep in??

 

[showingfan2]

For me, the parking, the haylage and the bigger field would swing it. But I guess it all hinges on how much you mind not having easy access to a well surfaced school. If you can park your lorry on site, could you not just box up and drive down the arena hire(s) instead of hacking? That ought to be easy and the diesel cost shouldn't be too hideous if it's only a fifteen minute round trip.

It's tricky I do school a bit less in summer, as current outdoor arena I hack too gets deep too, unless being watered. Though the small indoor remains fine to school / do groundwork in. I box out more for lessons / better surface hire in summer. But my current arena hire is pretty expensive, unless i am using it 3-4 times most weeks.

 

[TheHairyOne]

Maybe with a bit of effort the arena at the new yard could be made workable for at least low intensity ground work? Then youd not need to hire so often. If so Id move.

I have a beautiful 60x40 at my yard, but unless it rains its hopeless for much more than walking after a few weeks! Atm you would look at it and go 'lovely', then walk in it and go 'nope'! Luckily we have a very well grass covered schooling field in the summer. Maybe this arena is a bit like that too.

 

[showingfan2]

Maybe with a bit of effort the arena at the new yard could be made workable for at least low intensity ground work? Then youd not need to hire so often. If so Id move.

I have a beautiful 60x40 at my yard, but unless it rains its hopeless for much more than walking after a few weeks! Atm you would look at it and go 'lovely', then walk in it and go 'nope'! Luckily we have a very well grass covered schooling field in the summer. Maybe this arena is a bit like that too.

Thank you. Yes, I did wonder about trying to get an old ride on lawnmower or similar so I could harrow it, to fix the unlevelness. But the current deep wont improve without rain.

I dont think there is any grass can ride on at possible new yard (or current yard). And ground is really hard already.

Most of the groundwork I do does need a good surface - lunging / long reining / polework. Maybe the inhand would be okay in a deeper surface?

In terms of hiring the two arenas I use now, it is a monthly fee, so no cheaper if I use less often.

That is the main challenge, I do want to keep competing in dressage, and keep schooling all summer (and winter).

The outdoor I currently hack to is also deep (though not as bad) and there is a small indoor instead. And this outdoor has a sprinking system set up (just not currently being used).