Help, I'm having a yard dilemma

dibbin

dibbin

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As you might know, I'm currently looking for a new yard as I'm planning on moving next summer and taking my horse with me. I've visited a few places, and (I think) I've narrowed it down to 2 ... problem is, I'm having serious bother choosing between them! I've done LOADS of sums and things, the costs are going to work out almost exactly the same once I've factored in petrol/extras/bedding/hay etc, which didn't help me at all lol. So, here's the important stuff in the hope that you people can try and help me make my mind up (I know I've got plenty of time, I just hate the indecision) -

Yard 1

£30/week basic rate (stable and grazing)
£1 per haynet
Daily turnout in winter, 24/7 in summer
Will have to go up twice a day in winter
YM likes horses in before it gets dark in winter, so when I'm in full time work I'll need to get him caught in in the evenings, which is £1.50 a time (inc. rug change/feet)
9 miles away from where OH is living at the moment

Yard 2

£40/week - stable, grazing, putting in morning feed, turning out, bringing in in the afternoon (inc. rug changes/feet)
£1 per haynet
Daily turnout in winter, 24/7 in summer
Will only have to go up once a day in winter
7.5 miles away from where OH is living

Both have nice arenas, nice stables, lots of hacking and are run by nice people! Gah, this is impossible - never been yard shopping before, I didn't think it'd be anywhere near this hard.

Hot chocolate and Rice Krispies Squares for anyone who bothered to read my latest epic. All opinions welcomed, including those who think I'm just an indecisive eejit :)
 
You've done your sums, look at both places - weighed up the pros and cons Sounds like you are A) Lucky to find two yards that meet your wish list and B) have plenty of time to decide.

Think about yard rules, contract details and facilites available,Are there any improvements are being planned? Go up again to both yards at different times and see what's going on - Meet the other owners. Think ahead for your personal circumstances - any changes ahead ? which yard would be more flexible or suitable for your life style?

If all well in these departments then you can let your heart rule and follow your instincts. As with any yard you never know until you have been there for a couple of months if it's working or not ! Good luck and have fun 'Yard' shopping !!
 
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Yard 2 for me.
Sounds better value for money. Although I am currently paying £35/week for the same service which includes adlib hay.
 
Hi - definitely yard 2 - everything is all in, particularly the most important bit where they bring your horse in for you in the winter while you are at work. I have this service at my current yard, and it is such a relief, as am quite often in meetings till late and cannot get away at regular times.(I see that you can buy this service at Yard 1 but it is part of the plan at Yard 2 so hopefully more established.) Plus it's a bit nearer isn't it?

Good points from Abina too - esp re visiting at different times if you can, and what improvements are planned.
 
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Definitely Yard 2 - for some reason I just get the impression that it's a more comprehensive 'service' for not a lot more than you'd be paying at Yard 1. Plus, I'd imagine that once winter rolls round you'd really appreciate only having to go down once a day :) x
 
Yes Yard 2 sounds the better and at least you know where you sand money wise with them. £1 per hapynet, what if you just have extra extra large haynet??
 
Yard 2. Seems all inclusive and I don't like yard 1 restrictions on bringing in before dark;(not that that's not a good idea but that seems to me just a way of getting extra money out of you as people are still working until after then; they would be better having an all inclusive like yard 2 IMO.
Agree about £1 a haynet would want to check what size haynet they're using, a small one's no good for a big horse in which case you'd need 1 or 2 extra haynets, all extra cost.
 
When you add in the bring in £1.50 x 5 days = £7.50, there is only £2.50 per week difference between the two yards and yard 2 is offering more of a service by turning out as well as bringing in for that cost?

Agree that if you are able, you should drop in to both yards at different times (esp through the winter) to see how you feel about them a 2nd/3rd time etc.
 
Thanks all (especially FigJam who's been on hand to answer all my questions - she knows which yards I'm talking about :p), I'll definitely be going back to see both of them, probably more than once. 2 is almost certainly my favourite, and now they're looking about the same in price it's getting more and more likely that's where we'll end up :)
 
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