move or stay?

Dreamer515

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i am currently at a lovely yard that has about 15 liveries all on DIY. very friendly, no bitchyness or arguing. we have an outdoor school and also a mini cross country course to use when the field isnt flooded! there is a river alongside the schooling field that we can go in during summer (although since mine has a phobia of water we dont use it) he is turned out in a herd of 7 horses, all roughly same size and temperment and he seems quite happy. there is 24/7 all year turnout available but due to my horse not liking water he is stabled at nights and if really bad like now, he refuses to come out his stable. the problem is that with my hours at work i cant ride everyday. no one at the yard has time to exercise my horse for me and tbh i wouldnt want someone i didnt know riding him especially if i werent there.

now due to my work i have been thinking about putting him on part livery. yard we are at now only offers DIY so would mean moving. the yard i looked at looks great, indoor and outdoor school, indoor wash bay, onsite rug wash/repairs. but its individual turnout. i would prefer him to be with a "herd" i hate the idea of him not being able play/groom with another horse as he spends most of the time in the field doing this atm. there is the fact that due to his allergies he has to be on shaving not straw and i have been told that he would have to be stabled seperatly from the others as they use straw (bars betwwen stables so dust would come in) also i dont want to move and pay more money then what i am now, to find that i dont get on with the other liveries/workers and i dont enjoy it so much. this new yard also has times that you can be there. (reminds me of visiting hours in hospitals) and i do sometimes need to check on him during the night due to past histories. my mother is pleading with me to change yards as it means she will be able to ride him more often but i want to do whats best by him and still enjoy it.

what would you do if you were in this situation?
 
Individual turnout is my pet hate too, and worse still if your horse is segregated in the stables due to an allergy it sounds like they would have little opportunity for contact with others. If I was in your situation I think I'd look to either have a sharer or pay a freelancer to exercise or muck out when needed and stay put on the current yard.
 
thanks for the replies. i probably will stay at current yard, just needed to know that it wasnt due to me being stupid. my mum doesnt like riding him through the village. god knows why as he is a diamond to ride and hack. not spooky or stupid. she says its because my old horse kicked a car and she worries he will do the same. i might see if i can find someone to share him but it would only be until the summer as then its light enough after work to ride plus he will be out 24/7. people ive talked to down here think im crazy not wanting individual turned out as they say it prevents them getting kicked etc. but i want him to be able to be a horse and enjoy his time out.
 
to be honest i dont think i would be happy with someone i didnt know riding him. especially if im not there. i get quite protective over him due to his past and who he is. the only people to have ridden him in the 2 years ive had him are myself and my mother.
 
to be honest i dont think i would be happy with someone i didnt know riding him. especially if im not there. i get quite protective over him due to his past and who he is. the only people to have ridden him in the 2 years ive had him are myself and my mother.

So how will part livery help? If you get a freelancer in, you watch them ride,and make a decision - in the same way you would if your horse was on part livery elsewhere.

I don't understand people who think they are the only person who is able to ride their horse properly/sympathetically. You may be a fabulous rider, but there are other fabulous riders out there! I'm careful about who I put in my horse, because he can be quirky, but that care is because I want them/him to be safe. I would never be so arrogant as to presume that no-one can ride him like i can!
 
its not the fact that i think no one else can ride him. i know they can as he is an angel to ride. he used to get ridden by anyone and everyone when he was in training before i started looking after him. it is more for security reasons. the less people know where he is the better. and if i were to put him on part livery he wouldnt be ridden by them anyway, it would be mucking out/turning out or bringing in at night. with indoor school i could ride in evenings or after i finish work in morning and the ground is dryer there for turnout.
 
I think you should stay at the first yard OR, if you need more of a part livery arrangement, then keep looking and don't rush into anything if possible. The second yard doesn't sound right for your requirements.
 
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