chaps89
Well-Known Member
The very nice but neglected little yard to rent has fallen through (knackered fencing, with the a3 one side and a golf course the other, which YO couldn't justify repairing/replacing) so I've started looking at other options.
How much do you base your decision on when to go on pure gut feel?
I saw a few yards today.
2 of which were very different but both good options.
1 is grass livery (less work, less crucial if I don't get down on time, YO happy to let me manage her weight still by coralling in summer as necessary, big fields well maintained. But working farm (so many noisy cows right in the middle of the yard) and does get wet in winter. However it felt like there was quite the atmosphere as I walked around and farm hand who showed me about said it could be quite cliquey)
1 assisted DIY (turnout is daily in winter but how much can you trust that, less flexibility in routine and more work if she's in. But lovely people and nice atmosphere)
Both in a similar location, similar facilities, 1 about £50 a month more than the other.
On paper the grass livery option is best for us. But when I think about which yard I want to go and spend time with my horse at, it's the assisted livery yard.
I do have a few more places to drive around tomorrow so it may all change again anyway.
Guess I'm just curious what helps you decide on a yard and if you've ever got it wrong (and if so if you felt like you were making the wrong choice at the time or not)
Its been a long time since I last looked properly and it seems yards are closing down rapidly and DIY is becoming a rare thing indeed so there's definitely less choice or margin for error!
How much do you base your decision on when to go on pure gut feel?
I saw a few yards today.
2 of which were very different but both good options.
1 is grass livery (less work, less crucial if I don't get down on time, YO happy to let me manage her weight still by coralling in summer as necessary, big fields well maintained. But working farm (so many noisy cows right in the middle of the yard) and does get wet in winter. However it felt like there was quite the atmosphere as I walked around and farm hand who showed me about said it could be quite cliquey)
1 assisted DIY (turnout is daily in winter but how much can you trust that, less flexibility in routine and more work if she's in. But lovely people and nice atmosphere)
Both in a similar location, similar facilities, 1 about £50 a month more than the other.
On paper the grass livery option is best for us. But when I think about which yard I want to go and spend time with my horse at, it's the assisted livery yard.
I do have a few more places to drive around tomorrow so it may all change again anyway.
Guess I'm just curious what helps you decide on a yard and if you've ever got it wrong (and if so if you felt like you were making the wrong choice at the time or not)
Its been a long time since I last looked properly and it seems yards are closing down rapidly and DIY is becoming a rare thing indeed so there's definitely less choice or margin for error!
