Moving yards…very confused

[Newmumowner]

Hi, I’m new here and also a new pony owner (for my daughter) so apologise if I get anything wrong She was delivered over a week ago (full livery) and has settled in her yard very very well. She has ridden everyday, a small hack as my daughter is still slightly uneasy as she’s new but so far, no vices (although very early days). Our problem now is that she is kept at a very busy riding school and is yet to be turned out, spends most of her day stables, except in the evening when she’s ridden, groomed (sort of as she’s imaculate due to being kept in) The school is very busy, hundreds of children running around and she also cannot get in the school until 7-8pm which is not ideal for a school aged child and the weekends are even worse. I also cannot understand the turning out, as we were told it would be 5days a week which it is now and apparent it won’t be. My daughter is relatively happy there, but then she is very quiet and shy so I’m not sure if she will really mix with the other children anyway and so is the pony, but I am worried this will wane over time. We have found a lovely yard which is available from next week, 30 horses all either part or full livery, 2 indoor schools and 2 outdoor, 7 day turn out, the only downside is it seems very quiet, I know there are other children as we were told it’s just no where near as many as where she is now which is great for me but maybe not so much for my daughter! What would you do? I don’t want to turn it down as there is very long waiting list for any where else at the moment so I don’t want to miss it. The turning out just seems to me like a real problem, and as the pony is used to being worked I’m worried her being kept in will end up causing bad behaviour.
I think I’ve answered my own question but always interested in hearing other opinions.

 

[9tails]

The riding school sounds like my idea of hell. I also think you're right that, despite currently being a good pony so far, lack of work and turnout may cause vices that you can't cope with. A yard of 30 horses isn't that small, though full livery people tend to not bump into each other as they don't need to be there at certain times to bring in or turn out. Maybe you could do a mix of full and part to see if your daughter can meet up with some likeminded kids on the part days. If you walked onto my yard now, 60 horses, you'd think it was a cemetery. But turn up at 4-5pm and it's teeming with activity.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

I think the other yard sounds better as it's a common problem with keeping a horse at a riding school as in the schools are always busy, but I can't really see why his not been turned out I think I would speak to them about it.

I would definitely consider moving.

 

[Arzada]

What would you do? I don’t want to turn it down as there is very long waiting list for any where else at the moment so I don’t want to miss it. The turning out just seems to me like a real problem, and as the pony is used to being worked I’m worried her being kept in will end up causing bad behaviour.
I think I’ve answered my own question but always interested in hearing other opinions.

I would move. Without question.

 

[PurBee]

The quieter yard sounds more ideal for your daughter and her pony. Especially if they mean what they say with 7 days turn-out.
You said there’s kids on the other smaller yard too, just not so many….and your daughter is quiet and shy, so im sure, once she gets to know people at the smaller yard she’ll soon discover 1 or 2 friends she likes.
I went to a large RS and found it quite hectic as a kid when it was busy, preferring it when it was quieter, as i was quite shy as a kid and just wanted to be with horses.

You’re right to be concerned about lack of turn-out and behavioural consequences…well done for being observant and questioning. From posts on here, its a common theme for some yards to state more turnout than what is actually true.

What does your daughter say about both yards? Ask her which she prefers. If she wants to stay at busy yard have a firm word with yard owner about turnout for her pony.
It sounds like the pony would cope with the yard move if she settled into a very busy yard being stabled 24/7 without kicking up a fuss…a very amenable pony!

 

[usaequestrian]

I think the 2nd livery is better in my opinion, especially with the turnout. I agree with @PurBee 's above comment, ask your daughter which one she would like better, but make sure you tell her that the first livery could possibly be very bad for the pony.

 

[ester]

Move
(and make note it’s rare to have a thread we all agree on but I expect this will be one of them)

I think for RS that do the livery the liveries can be a bit of an after thought as the RS side takes priority

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

Many RS are not really suitable for livery customers just because they are so busy. I would certainly move the pony to the second yard.

 

[smolmaus]

There not being enough children on the second yard seems like the only con, and maybe not even a problem at all. Certainly pales to insignificance compared to the turnout situation.

Ring them now! The forum has spoken!

And congrats on the new pony, post pics ?

 

[Prancerpoos]

Move. The turnout is really important and is likely to result in a far better behaved pony for your daughter to ride.

 

[Birker2020]

Hi, I’m new here and also a new pony owner (for my daughter) so apologise if I get anything wrong She was delivered over a week ago (full livery) and has settled in her yard very very well. She has ridden everyday, a small hack as my daughter is still slightly uneasy as she’s new but so far, no vices (although very early days). Our problem now is that she is kept at a very busy riding school and is yet to be turned out, spends most of her day stables, except in the evening when she’s ridden, groomed (sort of as she’s imaculate due to being kept in) The school is very busy, hundreds of children running around and she also cannot get in the school until 7-8pm which is not ideal for a school aged child and the weekends are even worse. I also cannot understand the turning out, as we were told it would be 5days a week which it is now and apparent it won’t be. My daughter is relatively happy there, but then she is very quiet and shy so I’m not sure if she will really mix with the other children anyway and so is the pony, but I am worried this will wane over time. We have found a lovely yard which is available from next week, 30 horses all either part or full livery, 2 indoor schools and 2 outdoor, 7 day turn out, the only downside is it seems very quiet, I know there are other children as we were told it’s just no where near as many as where she is now which is great for me but maybe not so much for my daughter! What would you do? I don’t want to turn it down as there is very long waiting list for any where else at the moment so I don’t want to miss it. The turning out just seems to me like a real problem, and as the pony is used to being worked I’m worried her being kept in will end up causing bad behaviour.
I think I’ve answered my own question but always interested in hearing other opinions.

Blimey for a horse mad girl the new place sounds like heaven. I'd take it if I were you.

 

[Newmumowner]

The quieter yard sounds more ideal for your daughter and her pony. Especially if they mean what they say with 7 days turn-out.
You said there’s kids on the other smaller yard too, just not so many….and your daughter is quiet and shy, so im sure, once she gets to know people at the smaller yard she’ll soon discover 1 or 2 friends she likes.
I went to a large RS and found it quite hectic as a kid when it was busy, preferring it when it was quieter, as i was quite shy as a kid and just wanted to be with horses.

You’re right to be concerned about lack of turn-out and behavioural consequences…well done for being observant and questioning. From posts on here, its a common theme for some yards to state more turnout than what is actually true.

What does your daughter say about both yards? Ask her which she prefers. If she wants to stay at busy yard have a firm word with yard owner about turnout for her pony.
It sounds like the pony would cope with the yard move if she settled into a very busy yard being stabled 24/7 without kicking up a fuss…a very amenable pony!

Thank you for replying. I think we know the right answer, just as it’s still all new to us I really don’t want to jump the gun and end up making the wrong decision that we will regret, although I don’t think we will.

We have spoken to the previous owner and they had her turned out most days so we know that’s what she needs, although she does seem very happy stabled - well so far, I know that could change as it’s still very early days.

She also has her pros and cons, lots of loaners there who bombard her with questions, ask to ride her etc and so I think she would actually prefer to be away from it all. The only thing she does like is the instructors, as she has been going for years she feels very comfortable asking for help etc, although she’s only 10 so I will always be there supervising her until she’s a lot older so she needn’t worry about that

 

[ester]

No turnout for a kids pony rarely ends well even if ok atm

 

[Newmumowner]

I think the other yard sounds better as it's a common problem with keeping a horse at a riding school as in the schools are always busy, but I can't really see why his not been turned out I think I would speak to them about it.

I would definitely consider moving.

We have tried, unfortunately it has not been resolved and it doesn’t seem likely to change either. The other ponies are ridden all day, every day so there reasoning is that they don’t need turning out. They are treating the liveries the same as riding school ponies unfortunately, and the other owners don’t seem to have a problem with it.

We have decided not to push it to much as we can move in 5 days, & if we leave we would rather leave on good terms so we will just pay what we owe and just cut our losses.

 

[PurBee]

If youve already spoken to the yard about turnout and theyre not interested, i’d move. Especially if pony was used to turnout in previous home.
There’s more cons than pros at current yard.
New yard sounds excellent, and seems like your daughter will prefer less intrusion there. Its good youve found a better alternative yard…and i agree, leaving on good terms always preferred.

 

[Bionic Boy]

Agree with all the others, move without a doubt

 

[The Xmas Furry]

Agree with the others, move.
One thing that might be worth looking at, are you able to arrange for her most favourite instructor to come out and give her a lesson or 2 as soon as you have moved? Straight after school if you can as you'll probably find it not so busy in an arena (check if you need to book out arena at new place for exclusive use).
Might well help pony and child settle in.
Good luck and hope it works out.

 

[MidChristmasCrisis]

As above..move to yard with turn out and join pony club so your daughter can ride with others her own age and have fun.

 

[tiahatti]

Definitely move. Good luck

 

[mini_b]

100% move.

not sure if you have but consider joining your local PC branch if you’d like her to mix with other children.

 

[Newmumowner]

Thank you for your replies, we have decided it’s time to go. We did try one last time to address it but it’s just not going to happen and so it’s really been taken out our hands.
As she has been fine in the stable for the last 10 days, they feel like whoever told us she was turned out before has obviously lied to us and that a pony used to being turned out would not be so well behaved in the stable.
And while I can agree she is quite happy in there, I cannot agree that this is a good enough reason to keep her locked up all day.

I have already looked into joining our local pony club so hopefully this will help with company, and enjoyment she might not get at the new yard.

All in all I think we will be better off, the new yard has reiterated a few times that she will be turned out 7 days a week, all year round unless we ask her not to be, and personally I’d rather have the option, then no option at all.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

Thank you for your replies, we have decided it’s time to go. We did try one last time to address it but it’s just not going to happen and so it’s really been taken out our hands.
As she has been fine in the stable for the last 10 days, they feel like whoever told us she was turned out before has obviously lied to us and that a pony used to being turned out would not be so well behaved in the stable.
And while I can agree she is quite happy in there, I cannot agree that this is a good enough reason to keep her locked up all day.

I have already looked into joining our local pony club so hopefully this will help with company, and enjoyment she might not get at the new yard.

All in all I think we will be better off, the new yard has reiterated a few times that she will be turned out 7 days a week, all year round unless we ask her not to be, and personally I’d rather have the option, then no option at all.

A good decision, OP. IMO a 30 horse yard is quite large, so your daughter should have plenty of company and, of course, PC will help her to make friends.