(more) livery yard advice. what would you do?

[lukeylou]

after visiting a yard twice i went to have a final chat with the YO to finalise details etc.
i left very pleased, as she seemed so genuine and accommodating and i couldn't wait to move in.
before i went i had texted my riding instructor to ask her about said yard. she didnt text me back till after i had been. she texted me saying she wasnt a good person to ask as the YO doesn't like her and its not all it seems. needless to say i was devasted and phoned her for more details.
she basically said she knows someone who has left within a week because they hated her and it was a very closed yard and either her way or no way. the schools arent as good as they look etc etc etc. she didnt exactly say AVOID AVOID AVOID but i could tell she was thinking it. she clearly has history with the YO.
however i thought the yard was lovely and perfect and got on with the YO so well! people can hide things though cant they?

i'm lucky to be in a position to keep on my box at my current yard for a couple of months incase it all goes wrong. i don't know whether to risk it and go for it and know that i may have to come back. or walk away.

i should add that ive been looking for months and months and their are literally no other decent yards in the area that i'm looking in. unless i want to pay £850 a month.

tea and biscuit for getting this far, any thoughts greatly appreciated!

 

[Baileyhoss]

If your old yard will keep your box, then you have nothing to lose by trying it out. YO & RI may just have a personality clash. There is two sides to every story etc etc. You might love it there.

Either way. My advice would be try it out. Never burn bridges at any yard you leave, you never know when you might need help.

 

[JVB]

I'd be tempted to go and visit again and view it with fresh eyes now you know a little more, maybe ask some indirect questions about how she does things - if she does something different to you, tell her how you do it differently and she how she reacts.

Also, have you been able to speak with the other liveries there without her being around?

 

[ihatework]

Different yards suit different people and one persons worst nightmare might be another persons heaven.

I would prompt your friend on what is was about the yard owners way of horse management that she didn't get on with.

A lot of yards are quite set in their ways and so you have to be prepared to fit in if you are to make a success of the move. For that reason have you asked in depth new yard feeding/turnout/rugging/worming/poo-picking etc policies to make sure they are in line with your own likes/dislikes.

 

[lukeylou]

I agree that perhaps i should just go and see, but it's such a massive stress etc etc if i have to move back.

I literally took a list with me and just asked YO every question i could think of. the only things i don't like are that they have a different worming plan (fair enough) and its an extra £10 (!) to bring your own instructor as she is an instructor herself. everything else sounded good. no extra charges etc etc. i just didnt get a single bad vibe off her.

as to talking to liverys, i havent really, only had like casual chats with them (they all are lovely and friendly.) but perhaps i should go back once more just to see, i cant help feeling i'm messing her around though =/

 

[lukeylou]

..should also add, i'll be on part livery with everything included except bedding. i just have to ride, so obviously i appreciate that things maybe done differently to what i'm used too.

 

[CBAnglo]

Would new YO allow you to bring current RI? and would current RI want to teach you at new yard?

If you trust current RI then I would be inclined to stay at current yard. Most RI's I know would not have personality clashes with YOs because they cant afford to be banned from yards, or to lose students if they move to one particular yard so it must be a pretty serious personality clash.

Also, I wouldnt move to a yard that restricted who could teach there, or where the YO is also an instructor as I have found that they favour their student liveries and pressurise you into having lessons with them. Especially if you have any issues with your horse etc they will pounce all over it.

Sorry - I am very cynical!

 

[AmyMay]

Different yards suit different people and one persons worst nightmare might be another persons heaven.

Precisely. If you thought you would be happy there - then I see no reason why you shouldn't still move.

 

[Brandy]

Agree with different things suiting different people. I am a VERY tidy liverly and it DRIVES ME UP THE WALL when people are messy. If I had my own yard I think I would expect people to keep to my high standards, and judging by some of the other liveries at my place, I may be seen to be a YO from hell!!

It sounds like you loved the place, maybe your RI and the YO have history.

 

[BayJosie]

Precisely. If you thought you would be happy there - then I see no reason why you shouldn't still move.

This and a lot of yards are set in their particular ways. you need to be prepared to adjust. I found this out when I moved. things are done differently and sometimes this causes people to clash.

 

[lukeylou]

Would new YO allow you to bring current RI? and would current RI want to teach you at new yard?

If you trust current RI then I would be inclined to stay at current yard. Most RI's I know would not have personality clashes with YOs because they cant afford to be banned from yards, or to lose students if they move to one particular yard so it must be a pretty serious personality clash.

Also, I wouldnt move to a yard that restricted who could teach there, or where the YO is also an instructor as I have found that they favour their student liveries and pressurise you into having lessons with them. Especially if you have any issues with your horse etc they will pounce all over it.

Sorry - I am very cynical!

we did mention who my RI was. my RI would be able to come, although i'm not sure how willing she would be. it isn't too important because her yard is down the road and i can have my lessons there anyway. i would also have a lesson with YO to see what she is like, she is very experienced and in a way i think it would be good for me to have someone handy for help.