need to move yard due to injury, not sure what to do

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tillyd

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hi all, looking for opinions as not getting anywhere going round and round in my head :)

My mare has a fractured cannon, been on box rest (DIY) since March. Now needs to be in a larger shed/barn for 3-4 months. There is an excellent rehab yard, really good staff, about half an hour away, where she would be on full livery. Could afford it short term, wouldn't be able to stay there long term so would have to move again in 6 months or so. Both horse and i hate moving :)

Or, there is a barn on a small DIY/amateur yard in my village. The barn is good/safe, but she won't be able to see any other horses, apart from when one walks past to go to the school (so maybe once a day!). I have a stable mirror for her at the moment, as she is on her own at night, but there are horses stabled behind her so she can at least hear them.

Do you think she would settle being on her own? I know this is an impossible question as none of you know her, but I have no idea! She is a stress head - she fence walks when turned out, weaves when in. The local yard is everso quiet, quieter than where she is at the moment.

If money was no object i'd go to the rehab yard, but it's about £250 a month difference which is a lot!

Which would you do? thanks!
 
I would be very cautious about the DIY yard if she is unlikely to settle alone seeing a single horse go past each day may be too much for her to cope with and if she does panic the risk of her damaging herself would not be worth the potential savings, the rehab yard should be able to do everything possible to keep her relaxed and prepare her for the next stage of her rehabilitation.
She may seem to hate moving but when she comes home she should be able to go out and get into a routine straight away so that should ease things in that respect, are you insured as some policies will pay for some rehab expenses, not livery but if they are able to put some part as "special care" you may have the £250 covered, if not more, my friends sent a stressy horse away and most of the costs were covered as they didn't have suitable facilities for his care at home.
 
thanks :) I have maxed out my insurance already :( so money is unfortunately an issue. But I agree with you it's a risk.
 
If she needs to be in barn for 3-4 months then you could keep her there for that long rather than the 6 months that you can afford then move her back to current yard?

The DIY doesn't sound as suitable for her needs.
 
tillyd said:
hi all, looking for opinions as not getting anywhere going round and round in my head :)

My mare has a fractured cannon, been on box rest (DIY) since March. Now needs to be in a larger shed/barn for 3-4 months. There is an excellent rehab yard, really good staff, about half an hour away, where she would be on full livery. Could afford it short term, wouldn't be able to stay there long term so would have to move again in 6 months or so. Both horse and i hate moving :)

Or, there is a barn on a small DIY/amateur yard in my village. The barn is good/safe, but she won't be able to see any other horses, apart from when one walks past to go to the school (so maybe once a day!). I have a stable mirror for her at the moment, as she is on her own at night, but there are horses stabled behind her so she can at least hear them.

Do you think she would settle being on her own? I know this is an impossible question as none of you know her, but I have no idea! She is a stress head - she fence walks when turned out, weaves when in. The local yard is everso quiet, quieter than where she is at the moment.

If money was no object i'd go to the rehab yard, but it's about £250 a month difference which is a lot!

Which would you do? thanks!
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I would be wary of moving a horse at the moving with that injury. I would be inclined to stay where you are as there is a risk of further injury if she is moved.
 
she has to move unfortunately - stables at current yard are very small and vet wants her moving around more. It's all one big headache!
 
but you are making me think i will have to find the money and do the rehab yard. You are probably right. I wish she was a bit more straightforward and not such a stress head, would make things easier.
 
ah that's my typing - sorry - i only have one :) I have actually thought about getting a cheap pony but I can't take on the financial responsibility of another one. thanks though
 
Is there a school where you are that the owner would allow you to put her in short term? Just for a couple of hours either end of the day? Alternatively, is there any chance of a pen with a quiet companion - maybe a fatty? Likewise at the DIY yard in the village. If there's a companion, maybe. If not, agree it may cause more harm than good.
 
Have you discussed all the options with your current yard owner / manager? When one of mine was on long term box rest, my yard owner was fabulous and made space for him in one of the storage barns during the day. He went in the conservatory (as we called it) during the day, then back in his normal stable at teatime.

I don't envy your position, if you do have to move as rehab is hard enough without added stress. Good luck whatever you decide.
 
I should think if you offered to keep a pony for the next 6 months over winter many people would be very keen. If you could afford the DIY livery for two to live together in the barn?
 
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