Livery Yard Vs Sole Use yard

[peanutsmumma]

The current yard i am at is 2 stables, 0.5acres in winter (yard side) and 1.5acres over the other side of the yard over a bride (A road underneath) for summer grazing. The summer grazing is too far away to use the stables in summer so they have a field shelter.
I have use of a school, good hacking and i keep my lorry there.
£309 per month.

A sole use yard had come up down the road from me.

2 stables, tack room, hay barn, 2 acres with 2 field shelters. There is A sycamore tree on the edge of the paddock.
Hacking is road work, no school but a school to hire down the road.
All electrity and water included. £400 per month

I would be responsible for much heap removal, field maintenance etc.

What would you do? Stay where i am or move?

 

[abbijay]

Purely based on facilities and cost I'd stay where you are.
But if there are other factors (like annoying people, difficult yard owners, etc) then I might consider the move.
For the extra money and hassle I wouldn't be moving to less facilities.

 

[dorsetladette]

I'd go for the sole use all day long. But it depends if you enjoy the company of being on a yard or not.

Is hay or bedding included in the £309 per month at livery? is there support if needed? can you right a list of pros and cons

 

[VictoriaSponge]

I’m usually all in favour of having your own yard, as the sense of control and freedom is wonderful, but in your scenario I’d stay put.

An extra £91 a month can quickly become £200 + once you’ve factored all the other costs in. And realistically, if you don’t have good hacking or a school close by you’ll lose motivation to ride especially during winter and will be paying a lot more for the privilege.

 

[Equi]

I’d stay put. With these winters we’ve been having a school nearby is invaluable. And as above, the cost will quickly mount up with all the extras you would also now be responsible for.

 

[TPO]

I'd normally say sole use all day long but not with a sycamore. They give me the fear and I wouldn't take the risk.

I'd stay where you are and keep looking.

 

[Pearlsasinger]

On balance, I would stay where you are

 

[ihatework]

I’d stay providing your winter turnout is useable and not a bog

 

[Fransurrey]

I’m usually all in favour of having your own yard, as the sense of control and freedom is wonderful, but in your scenario I’d stay put.

An extra £91 a month can quickly become £200 + once you’ve factored all the other costs in. And realistically, if you don’t have good hacking or a school close by you’ll lose motivation to ride especially during winter and will be paying a lot more for the privilege.

This, all day long.

 

[eggs]

On balance I would stay put. You are not really getting anything extra with the sole use yard and it is more expensive.

I keep my horses at home and field and yard maintenance takes far more time that you would initially think. I pay £700 per year for muck heap removal. You would also need to factor in finding someone to cover looking after your horses if you go away

 

[maya2008]

By the time you add in school hire (£20 a time), muck heap removal (about £50 per month for two horses is what a friend of mine pays), field maintenance (hours and money and buying the tools to do it) then you’re financially much better off staying put.