Help - Help - Help - Am I mad?

Remember that last winter was very mild and dry - if they were in for 7 weeks, how would they be in if it was a hard winter?

IIWY, I'd look at going to the new yard once the turnout pens were built. In the meantime, can you buy extra hay in winter at your present yard?
 
I'm used to having 24/7 turnout but have just moved to yard where they have to come in for at least 12 hours regardless of summer or winter :eek: having never done this before I was a bit apprehensive but my guys like coming in during the heat and they don't like standing out for hours in the rain and snow.

The new yard sounds lovely and if they could assure there was some form of turnout even if it was a few hours then into the sand turnout and stable. I couldn't and would do 7 weeks in a stable only.

Is there anywhere inbetween, more facility's that you have now and more turnout than the possible new yard could offer ? Also new yard seems an awful lot of money.
 
Where abouts in the country are you? Surely someone on here will be able to suggest other yards to you close by. I used to be at a yard where they were in over winter if the weather was bad (and last winter was good and dry by comparison!) he used to be in 3 / 4 days at a time. I mucked out morning and evening but he still ended up with the worst thrush as he would just stand at his door all day in his own poo. It was a nightmare with exercise to, he HAD to be ridden every day or it just wasnt fair on him (and he is a chilled out ID x connie) and as good as my intentions were there are always things that would crop up meaning I couldnt ride one day etc.

Another yard I was at had 24/7 turnout all year around, 2 x outdoor, 1 x indoor and a xc course and that was £110 a week for 5 day part livery.

I live just outside London and last winter was at a yard that was DIY and had huge school, an indoor, walker, 24/7 summer turnout and 7am - 5pm winter turnout and a xc field, £35 a week and my bedding / hay would cost me about £60 - £70 a month. I paid one of the yard staff, and another livery to do my horse 3 or 4 days a week (I had a sharer the other 2 days) for me so I could just go up and ride. In total it worked out about £300 a month... and my sharer used to give me £100 a month.

I looked at a lot of part livery yards in Bucks / Herts all with good facilities and all year turnout and they were all in the region of £100 - £130 a week....so I'm just saying shop around!! You seem to have been quoted a lot of money for something that excludes one of your key requirements... ultimately what is going to make your horse happiest? Being ridden for 10 min less because it takes you that bit longer to get there or being couped up in a fancy looking yard for months at a time?
 
Very good point there at the end Equigirl. I just really want an indoor school and can't find another. Am going to keep spreading the word and considering my options! But everyone has been very helpful in getting me to consider it from every angle!
 
FfionWinnie said:
I had my 2 year old on full livery and they never turned out in the winter at all. I let her run around in the outdoor school and I took her for walks every night.

Adlib hay will do a lot for keeping him happy inside.
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Keeping a growing youngster in a stable for that amount of time is not acceptable IMO. They need to be out, moving and using their bodies so that their muscular/skeletal development is not compromised in any way.
 
As long as you can afford the extra I think i would more .
But only if I had plenty of time to give the horse enough work in winter during the non turn out time .
I would be looking to lunge in the morning before work and and ride in the evening after if turn out was stopped.
Which yard was the best hacking by the way that would influence me too.
 
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