Help!! Should I move yards??

[dope-on-a-rope:)]

The yard I'm at now is fine in every respect - my horse is happy there, it's reasonably priced, stables are lovely, as are the people. The only thing that lets it down is the fact it has no school. I have a 6 year old, who although I don't want to compete seriously, I'm keen to educate well and fingers crossed turn him into a wonderful allrounder who I can enjoy for years to come! It's frustrating me that we have no school, and no fields for schooling either
So, I've come across another yard, that's fairly local, similar pricing and has a super school. The only thing is, is that it's a bit scruffy and higgledy piggledy!! The stables are fine, turnout is bog standard but safe, and the tackroom is secure, but everything is just a bit shoddy and run down looking. I feel like I want to go round with a pot of paint and a strimmer!! It's a nice quiet yard too, and the yard owner is a decent rider/instructor so could have the bonus of lessons. But I don't know what to do?!! Moving yards is a big deal, and even though now I've written it down, I feel like a bit of a snob, but does it REALLY matter if a yard is scruffy??! What does everyone think?! Would it put you off??

 

[spike123]

It wouldn't put me off but if I was otherwise happy where I was I would look into hiring a school elsewhere rather than move my horse away from where we were both happy

 

[Vicki_Krystal]

I would rather have facilities on a scruffy yard than a pristine yard where im not happy!

 

[Pearlsasinger]

Whatever did we do before all weather arenas and indoor schools?

 

[maletto]

I wouldn't have though that appearances were at all important, provided that the horses are safe and well cared for and you have the facilities you need to do what you want to enjoy your horses

 

[ThePony]

If you are happy on the yard I would stay put. Why don't you hire a school or take lessons at a different yard instead? You could always club together with others at your yard when hiring a school to make the cost more reasnoble?

 

[Umbongo]

If you and the horse are happy where you are is there no way you can hire a school? My yard is lovely and cheap, I do not want to move but we have no school. There is a school within hacking distance that I use occasionally but otherwise I school out on a hack.

My yard is scruffy (working farm) but everyone is lovely and the horses are happy. The yard down the road is immaculate and new but rather stuck up and bitchy. So no, scruffy yards so long as they are safe and the horses are happy I do not mind.

 

[ech]

I'd go for the yard with the school, as you said even though it is scruffy it is safe. If your horse is safe and happy he won't mind that the yard is scruffy! Also having a school means if time is tight you can always give him a quick lunge!

 

[dope-on-a-rope:)]

If you are happy on the yard I would stay put. Why don't you hire a school or take lessons at a different yard instead? You could always club together with others at your yard when hiring a school to make the cost more reasnoble?

Hmm, that would be an idea - there is a school about 20 mins hack from ours, and they only charge a fiver for an hour, other than that, transport is a bit of a problem! Such a dilemma!! Thanks for everyone's input so far though

 

[cbmcts]

Hmm, that would be an idea - there is a school about 20 mins hack from ours, and they only charge a fiver for an hour, other than that, transport is a bit of a problem! Such a dilemma!! Thanks for everyone's input so far though

See perfect warm up and cool down on your hack so you can use your hour in the school to the max!

 

[Cazza525]

I can just imagine your horse saying.....'Oooooh,its FARRR too scruffy here!!'.....

Go for it....facilities help.

 

[Umbongo]

Hmm, that would be an idea - there is a school about 20 mins hack from ours, and they only charge a fiver for an hour, other than that, transport is a bit of a problem! Such a dilemma!! Thanks for everyone's input so far though

Sounds good, an ideal warm and and cool down as someone said, although depends on if you are rushed for time etc. The school I use is a good 30 mins hack away and costs £15 an hour!

 

[MissMincePie&Brandy]

I feel your pain! We have a school problem too. The yard has one, but the surface is apauling and it's unusable now. It's far from ideal when you have a tricky, highly strung TB who needs a lot of work. It's also not ideal when you have to box out and hire other peoples, even though it's do-able but it's not realisticly possible to do as regularly as I'd like. I've been wanting to lunge to take the edge of my horse before I hack out, but I've not been able to lunge for months and I've been bronked off a lot recently

I really do not want to move yards, but I'm thinking for my horse's sake (and my own) I may have to consider it. It's such a shame. I love the yard and the people and it would be perfect if it wasn't for the school

 

[Buzz1]

I'd move yards hacking would be great if you have lots of time but in the winter when it's dark cold and wet im pleased i have an arena on hand and dont have to travel too. My yard could do with a lick of paint but dont think Buzz notices lol

 

[Kellys Heroes]

Our yard's a working yard and y'know yes there are a few weeds and bits of straw about the place and the stables need a coat of paint (we haven't gotten round to ours yet xD) but its a stable yard at the end of the day, what can people expect? Our facilities are superb - we have an outdoor and indoor school, horse walker and plenty of hacking so even if there was a yard round here which was swept and painted every day and looked immaculate, I still wouldn't move
Facilities onsight really do make your life a whole lot easier!

 

[niagaraduval]

I would rather have facilities on a scruffy yard than a pristine yard where im not happy!

I second this!

 

[Cinnamontoast]

Yard with a school would win for me every time, especially when the weather's bad-easy access and not having to stop riding in the winter. The horse will settle again.

The only issue would be if you socialise at the yard, which is the main thing stopping me moving from a scruffy place!

 

[ofcourseyoucan]

if you decide to move make sure you give your notice explaining that the only reason you are moving is for the school, as you and horse are happy at original yard you could always ask if you can go back if you dont like the new one. once at the new one you could also start to do a bit of tidying, ask yard owner first if you could tidy the tack room! rope in some of the other liveries you could soon have it tidy. you could come and tidy round mine if you like doing this?

 

[Sol]

I'd move. Hacking to an arena sounds good, but just isn't practical unless it really is just down the road
Then again.... I also would only move to somewhere with a GOOD arena. Been there, done that - moved from place with no schooling facilities to somewhere with an outdoor.... turned out it was builders sand on concrete! Was frozen solid for 2 whole months, then either wet & deep, or dry & deep, turned horses legs red & was awful!