livery yard - help needed please!

W

windsurfer

New User
Joined
12 March 2009
Messages
3
Visit site
Hi,
I would really value your opinions on whether to move my horse to another livery yard or not.

The one he is currently at is close to home (10 mins drive) and has woodland to ride around but other hacking is all on roads pretty much. I have 2 small children and a husband who works away a lot so i find it difficult to give my horse the routine i feel he should but i am down there every day but not always riding. The problem i have is that if i am not there eg on holiday, illness etc i worry he isnt been looked after properly. There have been a few issues and there are a lot of teenagers around who not only comment on your riding when they watch you in the school but who dont really respect the horses space etc. The thought of them being there everyday in the summer fills me with dread! I do love having him close to me and i have a lovely stable and an indoor school (albeit v v small!)

My other option is to take him to another yard but i am scared to move him incase i regret it and i have burnt my bridges with the original yard. This one would be 35mins away which is a long way and its more expensive as he would be on full livery. However they would give him routine and all the horses are brought in every morning, fed and groomed and checked over so i know he would be well looked after. It is situated on dartmoor so the riding would be fab (unlimitede and no roads!)and if i cant make it up there i can request that an instructor rides him as the guide horse on hacks out for free. The downside is i wouldnt be able to see him every day and also obviously the upheaval of moving him. He is a sweet but quite sensitive chap. However his best friend is definetely moving to this yard so i would ensure they moved together so it helped my horse feel more secure.

Sorry, this has been such a long message. I have been struggling with a decision for ages and i would love some outside help.
many thanks in advance
smile.gif
 
Without going into specifics - I firmly believe in moving from a yard where you don't feel comfortable for any reason, whether it be bitching or you think your horse isn't properly cared for. If you aren't happy, he won't be either. I think horses settle pretty quickly once they move and he'll pick up on how much more relaxed you are.
 
I think you should move him and by the what you have said i think deep down you think its the right thing to do.

You need to be happy and relaxed, its like your second home and your horses permenant one!

Dont leave on a bad note and im sure you current yard would take you back if needed.
 
I would leave as well, definately stay in good books just say he needs more of a routine! 35min isnt too bad!

good luck
smile.gif


he will settle down fine just might take a while (I am moving my mare AGAIN next week and she can be very neurotic but its a calm environment she is moving too so will be fine!)

oh give him some pinkpowder when he moves...;) I should work for NAF!
 
35 minutes isn't that bad, until the end of last year I was doing Wembury to Bittaford twice a day as mine was on DIY.

What area is the new yard in ?
 
i think you should move him too. if you were 100% happy with present yard you wouldn't be even thinking about changing.
if you are already thinking about the teenagers hanging about in summer, commenting, etc, that is going to affect your riding... not fair on the horse. it sounds as if he'd have a better routine at new yard, and you'd have nicer hacking and enjoy it all more. just make sure that if they are hacking him out he's insured etc, obv. best of luck!
 
I have been in the same position as you and finally decided to move my boy, and I was very worried that I might have made the wrong decision and spent sleepless nights!!

It was the very best thing I could have done, both me and horsey are so much happier and I can't believe I hesitated!!

Go for it!

You can't beat riding on Dartmoor it's the best.
 
I think that you should move him. If you are already unhappy with your current yard as more time goes on you will just become more unhappy.
 
Pretty sure I know which yard you are on now from description and if it is the one I am thinking of I know people who have left and gone back and been welcomed.

I have just moved yards from one I was happy with but where I have moved suits me down to the ground and I have no regrets at all, you have to go with your gut feeling
smile.gif
 
Hi everyone,
thank you so much for taking the time to reply to my message. I really appreciate hearing your opinions and it really helps confirm that moving him is the right thing to do. To be honest, i did know it in my heart but i needed other people to say yep, it is def the right thing to do!

I def dont want to leave my current yard on a bad note as i do really like everyone there and get on well BUT everyones circumstances are different and i just need that extra help that the other livery can offer me.

Wish me luck!
thanks again xx
 
I moved my horse to a new yard a few weeks ago.
I wasn't completely happy at the last yard.. and i must say changing yards has made him a much happier horse because when i am there i'm happier and spend more time just relaxing with him because its a much better environment.

If your not happy at your current yard i would say you should move. The new place sounds fab. I wouldn't worry about not being able to see him every day if he's on full livery. I'm sure the times you do manage to travel there you will get plenty of quality time with him.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top