HELP! What to do?

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horseygirl66

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Ok will try and keep this as short as possible! Although will end up rambling!

Current horse has been diagnosed with fractured pedal bone/ arthritis and has had 4 months off is just coming back into work slowly but surely but unable to much with him and unsure as to what level he will be able to work at in the future. Vet is very non committal basically saying bring him back into and increase work load until he goes lame then you will know how much he can cope with (he may not go lame at all)

However after 4 months of twiddling my thumbs (I normally ride 6 days a week) I have seen a beautiful coloured cob x been to see him and love him! Taking a 2nd horse on doesn't worry me if my first horse does come sound and can lead a normal working life I would have time for both as I live for my horse! But where to keep them does worry me! Stick with me!

I am a novice rider and have owned now for approx. 2 1/2 years on a yard I love (never been on another livery came here out of RS) the YO is very supportive I can go and ask questions anytime about anything, I have weekly lessons off the YO who I get on well with and thoroughly enjoy. The girls are all lovely I am really happy there! £170pm inc indoor/outdoor school, good hacking, all year turnout, haylage, morning feed given approx. 12 miles from home however if I got a 2nd horse financially I would be fine but not as comfortable as I am now.

But have been to see another local yard 2 miles from home smaller indoor, same size outdoor, all year turnout, similar hacking, haylage, straw, morning feed, rug change and turnout for £130 pm! so for £40 less a month I also get a rug change/ turnout and straw (straw currently costing me approx. £25pm) I would also save approx. £50pm on petrol. But unknown people/ yard etc. No one teaches there so would need to find new freelance instructor. ( could go to my current YO fortnightly/monthly for lessons as she does teach but no point loading up and going weekly) So in total this yard would save me on 2 horse £180pm.

I suppose basically what I am asking is do I buy a 2nd horse? Or wait and see what happens with mine? If I do buy another do I stay on current yard where I know I have the support but will stretch myself a bit more than I would like to money wise? Or move to the new yard and stop being a chicken?

Arg I cant decide what to do but am in total love with new horse and need to make a decision sooner rather than later!

Thanks for sticking with me any comments welcome try and keep it nice though! :)
 
The nearer yard sounds easier and is cheaper but as you said you don't know the people. Is it possible, short term, to keep new horse there? I would be tempted to try it. I must admit it seems a shame to leave current yard if your happy there.
 
I would at least stick to your current yard, at least til you get used to your new horse, you may need the back up!!! Then see how it is a couple of months down the line
 
Hi Guys

Thanks for the responses! So we all think go for it on the 2nd horse? At least we agree on 1 thing! The difficulty with moving yards is my mum has a horse so we need 3 stables, Yard number 2 currently has 2 free and 1 horse up for sale so potentially 3? Its just when is there it likely they will have 3 free at the same time again? Current yard has 1 stable free so could take that straight away!

Zig zag I thought about bringing new horse to current yard till we know each other and then look at moving maybe 3 months down the line as they have 24hr summer turnout so wouldn't have bedding to pay for which makes this financially easier. But don't want him to settle and then upset him again by moving and again what is the likelihood of 3 stables free going into winter?

Lelly again I wouldn't want him to settle at yard 2 me not like it and then have to move him and what if the other 2 stables went in the meantime? I think it has to be all or nothing?

If I could just take YO from 1 to 2 it would make life so much easier! I mean with regards to support my Best friend does live 5 mins down the road from potential new yard so if really was stuck she would come and help and been around horses 15yrs? Also im sure there would be girls on new yard willing to offer advice it does have 25 stables?

I think its a head over heart situation head says move go to yard 2, heart says yard 1 your safe and have help if needed! Other spanner in works is my OH is very un-supportive of hobby doesn't like how much time I spend with horses and to keep him onside yard 2 is better 20mins a day less traveling time and turnout or bring in for the 3 would save me 20 mins again?

Can someone just decide for me? LOL
 
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I would say stay where you are happy and confident. although the other yard is cheaper and closer, it may be very clicky and people aren't always welcoming to new liveries.....in the future you may find your horse needs to be retired so then would be the time to get another....I think you need to give your current horse your whole attention and hope that he comes right enough for you to do what you want.. good luck
 
I would get second horse and accept that it will be a struggle financially for a bit. Perhaps you could find a sharer for one? Definately vote to stay at current yard.
 
If you and your mum will have 3 horses between you *and* you usually spend quite a bit of time with your mum and her horse, I would move to the nearer yard. I never understand the idea of putting the yard social life before the needs of the owner/horse. The 2nd yard is nearer and cheaper and will soon have 3 boxes available, it seems like a no brainer to me. Will your current YO travel to your new yard to teach?
 
I'd go for the second yard too. What does your mum think? It's a joint decision by the sounds of it.

I knew someone with a horse that broke his pedal bone, and the horse returned to a normal life, doing xc etc with no lameness or issues.
 
Thanks all, mum is also happy where we are but also liked new yard so she is happy to do whatever I decide! And wont help me make decision, she comes up 5 days a week and I do her horse the other 2 days, we always ride together on the 5 days so spend a lot of time together!

YO wont travel to yard 2 to teach but I could go to her if I wanted.

Pedal bone is healing fine it is more how the boney changes/arthritis is affecting him? Plus have now fallen in love with 2nd horse!
 
I was in a similar situation, horse diagnosed with bone cyst, not sure if would be rideable so saw advertised lovely youngster. Waited to make decision until next vet visit, vet was optimistic so didn't go for another horse. Really glad I didn't, horse doing well so far and the extra cost and time for a second ridden would have taken its toll.

I would stay as u r, other horses will come up if you need to get another but if u r happy at your yard don't give it all up too quickly. Horses take up a huge amount of our time and my OH who*is generally supportive was worried about me getting another so I would imagine your OH may feel some concern at another horse.
 
Thanks guys!
TBH that was kind of my plan I have vet back out this week to re-evaluate him but he's been so non committal throughout the whole process that I think I will just get told again its a wait and see how he goes! How long do I wait? I know I'm being impatient but we are 4/5 months down the line now and I think if I have the money/desire to have another one then why not lots of people have 2? And with the 2nd yard it wouldn't be as big a time/money commitment with the more on hand help/ less travel/ lower price. But I would be giving up the yard where I feel safe and supported for the unknown, but it would mean I can ride again! I suppose there is no wrong or right answer it comes down to gut feeling! ARHHHHHHHH
 
Always go with your gut, one of my deciding factors was that I don't have time to do two justice. One would end up always on back burner and neither would be remotely fit . If the new yard gives you more time, doesn't cost much more etc then go for it (remember to factor in insurances, jabs, teeth and shoes for another).
 
OP, How long have you and your Mum kept horses? Are you sure that you really the support of a YO?
I can understand people who don't have family members involved feeling that they need to have someone else there but there are 2 of you and there will be other liveries/new YO around. Of course you must do what you feel is best but if you've found the horse you want, you don't know the prognosis for your current horse, it makes sense to me to buy now and even more sense to move to the cheaper yard with less travelling, which will also save you time and money.
 
I'd prob buy the new one and move yards. If you really struggle/the current one comes sound you could always sell/loan one :).
 
Thanks everyone!

Meesah thanks for the advice I have factored in shoes/ jabs/ rug cleaning/back check/dentist etc etc and as for time I think realistically they could both be worked 5 days a week with 2 days off if ridden just by myself.

Pearl my mum rode as a girl and has come back to riding the same time as me so probably about 4 years now! I feel I have a good basic knowledge as I'm always Watching, listening, reading, googling and generally keen on learning new things. Its more a case of I turn to the YO if one of them is lame or has something im unsure of and want advice!

:)
 
horseygirl66 said:
Thanks everyone!

Meesah thanks for the advice I have factored in shoes/ jabs/ rug cleaning/back check/dentist etc etc and as for time I think realistically they could both be worked 5 days a week with 2 days off if ridden just by myself.

Pearl my mum rode as a girl and has come back to riding the same time as me so probably about 4 years now! I feel I have a good basic knowledge as I'm always Watching, listening, reading, googling and generally keen on learning new things. Its more a case of I turn to the YO if one of them is lame or has something im unsure of and want advice!

:)
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You'll be fine! There will be people around on your new yard and of course, your vet, farrier and dentist will be available for advice as well.
 
Ha ha love that YO is total security blanket and ur right about flying the nest! Thank u all so much! Ok decision made I am going to wait see wat vet says on wednesday if not good news will make an offer on 2nd horse and move! Will make sure I leave current yard on gud terms so can have lessons and can always go back if yard 2 is unbearable!
 
horseygirl66 said:
Ha ha love that YO is total security blanket and ur right about flying the nest! Thank u all so much! Ok decision made I am going to wait see wat vet says on wednesday if not good news will make an offer on 2nd horse and move! Will make sure I leave current yard on gud terms so can have lessons and can always go back if yard 2 is unbearable!
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Sounds like a plan to me:)
 
AHH! I've only gone and done it! Spoke to new yard and she lady has been lovely and very helpful so hoping that's a good sign we are going for another look at stables on Thursday night! Have made an offer on the other horse and am now sat in suspense waiting for them to come back to me! Very scary but very exciting!
 
Sad news, sale fell through so annoyed! Lady accepted my offer and organised vetting for tomorrow seller then told another lady who had been interested he had sold and she made a higher offer to which the seller accepted! So annoyed didn't make a higher offer as this is very underhand in my opinion gutted though as really liked horse! Back to the drawing board!
 
Yes am sure there will be others TBH its just that he was everything I was looking for! I wasn't actively looking its just he had really caught my eye and loved him when I went to see so frustrating when you've organised vetting/ transport/ new stable! Well back to the drawing board, am now going to stay put and speak to YO see if she can make any suggestions!
 
What a shame, but at least it gives you a bit more time to see if yours is going to come right - if not another horse will come up.
 
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