Livery yards - your thoughts please?

[FestiveSpirit]

I have been at my current yard about 7 years and I am thinking it is time for a move - there are good facilities at the yard, but we are having a LOT of issues with the surfaces of the schools (riding very deep and uneven, not being levelled daily) and the turnout (very difficult to get individual turnout, paddocks very weedy rather than with a lot of grass)

I looked at a new yard last night which seems quite nice - the facilities are equivalent except that (a) the stables do not have rubber matting and (b) there is only one school (we have two at my present yard) so there will not be a chance to leave a SJ course up permanently.

The other reason for looking around is that quite a few horses/owners are leaving our yard in September to their own new yard, so our yard will be nearly empty!

I am really undecided what to do - move? Stay and see what happens at the present yard? Look around for another alternative?

So just wondered how much the things I have listed above would influence you?

PS - I have asked for individual turnout for my horse and have been waiting about 4 months so far - and the YO has been constantly asked to level the schools daily but refuses to do so

 

[diggerbez]

i think i would be going. the state of the arenas would be one of the most important things for me... are there more or less people on this potential new yard- if less then hopefully arena will still be accessible. its annoying about not having a permanent sj course but that really is a luxury- so long as new place has jumps you can just drag them out once a week. and if you want rubber mats sure they will let you buy your own?

 

[black_horse]

i would move, horses are an expensive hobby and if you are not happy but still paying out the expense then that don't make sense

. i had problems with my livery yard a few weeks ago,maybe sit down and discuss with them your woes?

I found that as soon as i gave my notice in they bucked their ideas up and were more accomidating as they wanted me to stay.

 

[TallyHo123]

I am moving yards for the same reason as you with the school, we have an indoor and outdoor and both are horrible deep surfaces that dont get leveled i hate it and wont canter and hardly trot.
I am moving back to my old yard which only has one school but theres an outdoor we can use about 10mins hack away.

I think it depends what u do with your horse really, i dont like being at yards where it take months for this to happen either.

 

[Vicki1986]

no rubber matting at this prospective yard wouldnt personally bother me, i'd just put down my own if i needed it.

1 school, im sure you could manage, its a pain to put up and down SJumps but a) think what good exercise it is b) how can the school be levelled if they are always out

i think theres always 'something' at every yard. you just have to weigh up whats really important.

 

[FestiveSpirit]

Thanks for your comments - yes, they will let me buy my own rubber matting so I could put that in myself, and there are a set of Jump for Joy show-jumps which are stored in an open fronted shed just next to the arena (very very easy to get out and put away). I do agree that having a permanent course is a luxury

I suppose it is just fear of the unknown for me - I am someone who likes stability in life

so I am wondering if I will like people at the new yard etc

But I do try and event (low level!), and I compete every weekend (also low level!), so I do need a decent surface to ride on

 

[diggerbez]

do it! i moved yards 2 weeks ago and its the best decision i ever made

 

[jordanross]

Hi although i have my horse at home your obviously not that happy with the yard your at now. so id say move!

as far as rubber mats are concerned you can buy your own, i did! they sell them on ebay and they are about 40 a mat ( i used 4) and they are 12mm thick!

Jordan

 

[FestiveSpirit]

Thanks Jordan

I just had to say I watched your YouTube vid last night (couldnt get onto it at work) and it is great

I will have a look on E-bay then

 

[FestiveSpirit]

[ QUOTE ]
do it! i moved yards 2 weeks ago and its the best decision i ever made

[/ QUOTE ]

I think you may be right - eeeek commitment

 

[Divasmum]

Move. it sounds as if your current YO doesn't listen to you (individual grazing).

 

[sachak]

the best thing i ever did was move yards - im happy my horse is happy what more could you want

 

[jenmac_85]

You have to do what is best for you and your horse.

I moved yards recently to a yard that doesn't have the facilities as a pevious yard, but is a lot friendlier, more laid back and orientated to ensuring the horses are happy then running a business (which sometimes can be too much the focus of a yard).

I am far happier and so is my boy.

 

[lovecharles]

off a yard to being on your own is hard but THE BEST! i'd never go back to a yard. i miss the school and banter but not the bitchin or grooming kit stealing

 

[kirstyhen]

Where are you moving to? PM if you want!

I can't remember if I PMed you or not about the yard here (I have a shocking memory

) But there have been no new developments, and the one real negative is looking like it may be a BIG problem