Help me decide on a new yard (or not!)

[Chippers1]

I don't think i've made it sound too good but it's not that bad i have been there a long time after all. It's just when you actually write it out that you can see there are some cons. There are some good hacks but you do have to ride miles to get around them and I don't always want to be out for hours. We did used to be able to ride all around the fields but the new farmer has blocked all these off, and blocked our route to a local country park. So it is not what it used to be. I do ride in the fields mostly but yes sometimes there are horses turned out in them, or it's winter and too boggy. I do love it there though, it's honestly not as terrible as I made out!

I am worried about the stabling/winter turn out situation but other than that the new yard does look good. OH definitely thinks I should go for it but I'm just on the fence completely about it.

 

[Bobthecob15]

My last couple of winters with ours 'bad weather' and no turn out was really only a dozen or so days over 4 months....that long spell we had of ice last winter they were in for, otherwise its really just a day here or there if fields get really wet/muddy and cannot drain.

What is the ground like at new yard? Does it already look muddy? if its clay then there will undoubtedly be more days of being in the stable from experience. Do they turnout in an arena so they can stretch their legs or could you take for a walk up the lane for grass etc if this was the case? or ride instead? I would ask what they do if they are kept in for a day or two.

However....I've also been at yards where there was NO turnout from Nov-Feb due to the ground being so poor and they just didn't do it. Id not recommend it but the horses all coped fine (30 plus of them!!), they were ridden most days and had turnout in the arena every few days....definitely wouldn't want to go back to it but proves horses cope!

 

[Bobthecob15]

I don't think i've made it sound too good but it's not that bad i have been there a long time after all. It's just when you actually write it out that you can see there are some cons. There are some good hacks but you do have to ride miles to get around them and I don't always want to be out for hours. We did used to be able to ride all around the fields but the new farmer has blocked all these off, and blocked our route to a local country park. So it is not what it used to be. I do ride in the fields mostly but yes sometimes there are horses turned out in them, or it's winter and too boggy. I do love it there though, it's honestly not as terrible as I made out!

I am worried about the stabling/winter turn out situation but other than that the new yard does look good. OH definitely thinks I should go for it but I'm just on the fence completely about it.

also...there are less and less yards now with 24/7 turnout partly due to reducing land availability so they are very few and far between and will become more so unfortunately.

 

[9tails]

I'd be packing up and moving to yard 2. I'm on a similar yard, the turnout in bad weather can be a pain (clay) but if they're all in they soon settle to the all-you-can-eat buffet. It is only for bad weather though, there are yards near here that offer no turnout at all in winter.

Try to see if you can meet the owner of the pony you'll share with. There are a few people (and horses) on my yard that I wouldn't share a field with but that's with the benefit of over 10 years experience there.

 

[Barton Bounty]

For me .. moving yards was about where my horse would be happiest and I am so glad I did. The turnout in winter isnt as good but thats the only downfall . Go with your heart.

 

[Chippers1]

It didn't look muddy at all and the fields are sloped so although would get muddy at the bottom they would likely remain dry at the top. Yes there are very very few 24/7 turnout yards around here, only these two! Unless I want a field with no facilities...
I would not be happy if they were in for days on end so I would need to check that.
I did always think he was happy in the group as he is now, which is why I am reluctant, but maybe he would like a barn stable situation?!

 

[Bobthecob15]

It didn't look muddy at all and the fields are sloped so although would get muddy at the bottom they would likely remain dry at the top. Yes there are very very few 24/7 turnout yards around here, only these two! Unless I want a field with no facilities...
I would not be happy if they were in for days on end so I would need to check that.
I did always think he was happy in the group as he is now, which is why I am reluctant, but maybe he would like a barn stable situation?!

They love it, my current and previous yard have barn stabling. They seem to be very happy as there is always something going on and they can see the others really easily.

Yep perhaps just ask what they do if, for example, we had another long spell of thick ice/snow etc? Ours had to stay in as they were concerned about the ice and risk of injury in the field. Or we've had them in for 2 or 3 days max due to waterlogged fields. In that instance they went in the arena for a bit loose, we walked them down the lane for grass, they were ridden etc. The ice was the most annoying as the arena also froze...so it was literally just walkies up and down the barn! and on the bits of yard that didn't have 2inch think ice! One benefit of the barn set up!

 

[webble]

Yard 2. You will save a bit on fuel with it being closer to home.

I moved 9 months ago after being on the same yard for 7 years. The first day there I cried because I felt 'homesick' so just to warn you it will take time for you to settle as much as the horse. 9 months on I am glad I did it

 

[ycbm]

There's not many yards in the area that do grass/herd livery (only mine and this yard!) which is the ultimate goal. They are currently full for grass livery but I would want to move to that eventually.

I would stay at your current place until you reach the top of the list for this, unless you are 100% certain you can go back again if you need to.

If an older horse who has lived out 24/7 for years is stabled, there is no knowing what problems it might cause. I would expect stiffness, (potentially to the extent of needing medication), possible respiratory issues and an increased risk of colic.
.

 

[Chippers1]

He's only 15 so he is getting on but I wouldn't class him as too old yet. I do see your points though.

 

[Arzada]

There's not many yards in the area that do grass/herd livery (only mine and this yard!) which is the ultimate goal. They are currently full for grass livery but I would want to move to that eventually.

I'd wait for the grass livery space to become available.

 

[dreamcometrue]

Yard 2. You will soon make new friends, If you've had rubbish hacking for 22 years then yard 2 is going to open up a wonderful world for you and your horse.

 

[Chippers1]

I do think the hacking might be a big plus, he's become so much better at hacking recently. Also from the new yard there's a bridleway directly to my new house...
It's not been rubbish the whole time i've been there, just in the last few years when the farmer retired and his grandson took over!

 

[millitiger]

I'd move to yard 2.

 

[Chippers1]

Today was the first day of going after work to ride (I've been off for moving house) and from leaving my house to having him on the yard ready to groom took an hour

Their summer fields are a 20 min walk round trip, and he was at the very back so I took an extra 10 minutes!
My yard currently is on the way back from work however I only go into the office two days a week now so that's not so much of a draw anymore.

I'm still seriously weighing it up, he does have such a nice big field where he is but equally I don't want to spend most of my time driving and walking and not a huge amount of time riding/grooming etc. Argh.

Edit to add - asked about the bad weather turnout, it can apparently be every other day if very bad. There's a round pen that can be used in this situation too. The last time I stabled him (3 days at camp!) He was in the whole time and although he wasn't too happy with the set up (long line of small temp stables with no view of another) him staying in doesn't not affect his behaviour. That said, I do like them to have at least a few hours out somewhere or grazing so I will have to think about this too.

 

[Bobthecob15]

Today was the first day of going after work to ride (I've been off for moving house) and from leaving my house to having him on the yard ready to groom took an hour

Their summer fields are a 20 min walk round trip, and he was at the very back so I took an extra 10 minutes!
My yard currently is on the way back from work however I only go into the office two days a week now so that's not so much of a draw anymore.

I'm still seriously weighing it up, he does have such a nice big field where he is but equally I don't want to spend most of my time driving and walking and not a huge amount of time riding/grooming etc. Argh

That sounds like a lot of effort!! I don't have time for that in my world!

You'll never know unless you try and yard 2 sounds ideal in a lot of ways from a riding perspective. I wouldn't let the turnout situation worry me personally, sounds like they are being careful with the ground conditions and the round pen is a good idea.

To be honest yard 1 would massively put me off more than the grazing options!!!

 

[Emilieu]

Just personally, I would stay, at least for a while. You have just moved house so that’s enough change to be getting on with. I recently moved yard and house within a short time frame and it was completely overwhelming. I was miserable and felt really lonely at the new yard- even though everyone was lovely, I just wanted my old friendly faces about me. I kept trying to convince myself to stick it out but I caved within three months and went ‘home’. Got slagged rotten for it so without even considering your pros and cons I think you should give yourself time and keep the idea on the back burner, since you, like me, are not a fan of change!

 

[splashgirl45]

The great hacking would sway it for me as I wouldn’t need a school but would need the hacking.. and I would hate a long trek to get in and turn out especially walking along a lane so that would put me off your current yard, but you have managed for 20 odd years so I assume you can’t mind that but too much

 

[Chippers1]

I didn't mind it when I only had a 2 minute drive to get there but the 30 minute drive plus the 20 minute walk was a little much today. I really think the hacking might sway it.

Just personally, I would stay, at least for a while. You have just moved house so that’s enough change to be getting on with. I recently moved yard and house within a short time frame and it was completely overwhelming. I was miserable and felt really lonely at the new yard- even though everyone was lovely, I just wanted my old friendly faces about me. I kept trying to convince myself to stick it out but I caved within three months and went ‘home’. Got slagged rotten for it so without even considering your pros and cons I think you should give yourself time and keep the idea on the back burner, since you, like me, are not a fan of change!

Well weirdly I've settled right into my new house, I love it so much. I lived at my previous place for 8 years so I was a it wary but within a few days it felt so much like home! We had a really long and stressful buying process so I thought that would put me off but I really like being here.

 

[Ample Prosecco]

The driving would sway it for me. An hour round trip every day! Sometimes twice? No way would that feel manageable. Not to mention the cost of fuel. Yard 2 sounds so much better. The turn out seems reasonable too. Your pony has been in at night before, I’m sure he’ll adapt to a routine quickly - going in and out with the others.

 

[Chippers1]

I think i'm going to go for it, eeek. Having been at the other yard a long time I'm sure the door will always be open if he really doesn't settle.
They also do clinics and shows at this new yard which will be really nice to have on the same yard. Now just got to talk to the YO, dreading that!

 

[Ample Prosecco]

with a 30 min commute, just use that as a reason and end on good terms so you can go back. It’s a very valid, non- personal reason x

 

[9tails]

If random posters are throwing up cons for the new yard and you're finding a response to every one of them, then you've made up your mind already. Time to hand in notice and book transport.

 

[lauragreen85]

Is he stabled 24/7 in the winter? that would be a definite no for me

 

[Chippers1]

No not 24/7, that would be a no for me too! Out in the day, in at night. Out 24/7 in summer.

 

[SantaVera]

I think i'm going to go for it, eeek. Having been at the other yard a long time I'm sure the door will always be open if he really doesn't settle.
They also do clinics and shows at this new yard which will be really nice to have on the same yard. Now just got to talk to the YO, dreading that!

Could you talk to the current yard owner and explain that you are looking to move because the yard is a long travel from home,that you've found somewhere but could you pay a month ( or longer) livery to retain a place incase it doesn't work out for your horse?? That way there's nothing to loose except some money. Good luck with the move btw personally I think it's the best decision.

 

[Chippers1]

Yes I will have a chat with her, I'm sure she will be ok with it all
Thank you everyone for your input, it has helped to clarify it all.

 

[splashgirl45]

Good luck

 

[Peglo]

I think I would be swayed by yard 2 also. An hour just to get your horse onto the yard is a lot of time out of your day. And presumably that’s an hour on return also?
The hacking would be a big bonus for me.
Have you asked if you can free school in the arena on days horses are in? So they can stretch their legs?

Mine are out 24/7 in summer but come in at night in winter. I like this set up. On windy, rainy, cold days I struggled to get the ponies persuaded to go out to the field so a few days in here and there might not be the worst for him. (Mine got chucked out against their will anyway , poor things.) you never know, you might get 24/7 turnout sooner than you think also.

 

[Chippers1]

Yes an hour return too. Yes I would be able to use the arena when in as I told them about my worries over the bad weather turnout and they said they that it's when it's the absolute worst weather and not just for a drop of rain which is better.
I wouldn't be surprised if he turned out to love it as he really doesn't like being ridden in the rain!