Help me decide which option is better for me.

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shadowboy

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My parents have moved abroad selling the land surrounding the house leaving only an acre sourrounding so for my new ponio (completely bomproof little 13.2 NF to plod on (not allowed to compete) i need to weigh up between 3 options.

1.Rent a 3 acre paddock- very well fenced with water, on a viet rural road near village centre. Well drained and in excellent condition. 3miles from home. Hedge down one side for shelter. Good bridleways nearby. £100 for whole field a month. Problem is that I would need to find a companion that is ok on its own while im off hacking.
2. Livery yard option 1- £25 per week has 20 x 40 floodlit arena grazing during the day in winter 24/7 in summer. Have to buy hay and straw seperately. 5 miles from home have to pay for someone to turn out if I want them to although all horses are fed in the morning. Has a lovely quiet vibe. Very safe. 18 horses on the yard split into two yards-heated tackroom, Fairly decent hacking- all quiet roads then bridalways about 1/2 mile away
3.Livery Yard option 2- £35 per week- includes straw and turning out monday to friday. Floodlit arena turnout during day in winter and 24/7 in the summer. Tiny yard of 4 - slightly less of a 'nice vibe' Good hacking mostly off-road. 3 miles from home. Worried about having to stick to the routine of others as there are onyl 3 other horses which are owned by 2 people- also slightly less secure site.


Opinions please- which of these would you go for.
 
Not really. I could never keep ponio on its own- its not natural for him and 1 acre is not enough for two to live on all year round 24/7 imo
 
Option 2. probably best because although the field sounds ok you'll probably find that by the time you've financed keep of companion you may as well be at the livery yard and have the extra facilities and option of services if/when you need them. Also means you've got stable which is always handy in case of illness/injury.
Would avoid the second yard - small yards with only 2 people = potential for fallout/disagreements especially if they've established their routine and it doesn't suit you whereas in bigger yard you can avoid the people that you like less and socialise with the likeminded folk instead!
The field would be good option though if you could find somebody to share it with you (and therefore halve the cost I presume) rather than you having to buy/loan a companion and pay its upkeep.
 
Field.
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Thanks guys these are really giving me food for thought. Has anyone got a field and left the other pony along- how has it reacted?
 
I would go for the field option too, depending on how sociable you want to be.

I've had a horse and just a pony, shetland, plus a friend of mine also has the same and both of the ponies are absolutely fine left on their own. They seem to get used to the fact you are coming back. I thinki it would help if the pony was a bit more mature though.
 
I have the field option with a companion pony from WHW- ILPH that was. My horse was on his own and was unhappy. After serching, I found his pony as a companion only,he has similar requirements to my horse -restricted diet in summer ,is a good doer,unshod and a laid back attitude. He is fine left in the field while I ride and my horse is happy to leave him.This works for me so with a bit of serching it may suit you. Can be a bit lonely especially on cold ,wet nights!! but no talking means I work quicker and get home sooner well about 7pm!
 
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