Moving up north…big yard?

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FlorencesLegacy

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Hi all

I’m nearly committed to taking the plunge from the expensive south east to the north west.

I’m looking at livery options and thinking of Somerford Park. Looks lovely. I can move myself to be wherever required for my horse.

Does anyone have any words of wisdom of being on such a huge yard? I’ve only been on smaller yards. Or equally any experiences of Somerford itself?

My horse was on a large busy yard before I bought him, and was happy in that environment.

Thank you!
 
It’s probably worth visiting Somerford, and any other yards you fancy just to get a “feel” for them if you can. I’m sure someone will be along soon who has experience of big yards in the North West. I’ve heard that Somerford has great facilities, but don’t know anything else about it really. Good luck in your search and hope you find what you are looking for!
 
Wizpop said:
It’s probably worth visiting Somerford, and any other yards you fancy just to get a “feel” for them if you can. I’m sure someone will be along soon who has experience of big yards in the North West. I’ve heard that Somerford has great facilities, but don’t know anything else about it really. Good luck in your search and hope you find what you are looking for!
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Thank you so much!

I’ve planned to visit next weekend - feeling very excited! Would also welcome anyone’s recommendations, as I’ve been scouring Facebook pages in search for full livery yards, haha!
 
Arley Hall may be worth looking at.Big but not as big as Somerford or Kelsall.There are yards within yards and all forms of livery are available.They have a large indoor,an outdoor,Gallops, a small cross country in the summer.They also regularly hold both affiliated and unaffiliated dressage competitions.
 
Somerford? OK, there are 7 yard managers all running separate businesses and not all are equal.

All barns are very restricted turnout in winter, varying between every day for a few hours, three hours 5 days a week, and every other day. Summer turnout can be overnight but the grass is pretty sparse in some areas and the horses can come in hungry. Great if you have a good doer, not so great if not. Turnout is in paddocks in pairs or singles largely at owner's choice, paddocks just under an acre up to an acre and a bit, so not big but not small. There can be LONG walks to paddocks if you plan on fetching in or turning out yourself.

The facilities are simply to die for. The cafe is great, I still eat there once a week even though I don't have a horse there.

Feel free to PM me.
 
ycbm said:
Somerford? OK, there are 7 yard managers all running separate businesses and not all are equal.

All barns are very restricted turnout in winter, varying between every day for a few hours, three hours 5 days a week, and every other day. Summer turnout can be overnight but the grass is pretty sparse in some areas and the horses can come in hungry. Great if you have a good doer, not so great if not. Turnout is in paddocks in pairs or singles largely at owner's choice, paddocks just under an acre up to an acre and a bit, so not big but not small. There can be LONG walks to paddocks if you plan on fetching in or turning out yourself.

The facilities are simply to die for. The cafe is great, I still eat there once a week even though I don't have a horse there.

Feel free to PM me.
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Out of pure curiosity do they get lots of yard swapping with so many managers etc? I would imagine some are more popular than others? I can’t imagine being on such a big set up so am genuinely curious!
 
Bobthecob15 said:
Out of pure curiosity do they get lots of yard swapping with so many managers etc? I would imagine some are more popular than others? I can’t imagine being on such a big set up so am genuinely curious!
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Yes and no. A lot of people move into one in particular because it's cheaper, find out why and then transfer. There's not a huge amount of moving barns apart from that.

It's quite a place! The farm ride is 5½ miles, 40? jumps, free to liveries with no booking.
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Yards vary significantly in terms of vibe from friendly/relaxed to Uber competitive and serious. So you need to choose the yard carefully. I have friends who have had very different experiences there depending on which yard they were on. But it’s a fabulous place and I’d love to livery there if I could afford it.
 
I have had horses on there and have seen the good and the bad…
Facilities are good but can be hired out so may not be available —- poo picking arenas is vigilantly upheld and photos of not perfect poo picking are published on social media.
Turnout is miles from the yard so if you want your horse brought in this can take half an hour. This has also caused numerous issues in other ways that I would rather not publish on a public forum. It was the best and worst yard I’ve ever been on
 
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