Regretting moving yards

[Ly1327]

Has anybody regretted moving yards?

I’ve very recently moved from 5:2 yard to a DIY yard. Horse is happy, good Facilities, hacking and a friendly yard. But I just don’t think I mad the right choice going full diy.

already thinking of moving to either go another 5:2 or an assisted DIY.

I’m just trying to find out whether people have regretted moving to a different yard?

 

[splashgirl45]

It’s not the yard as you have said horse is happy and yard is friendly, it’s going to DIY that seems to be the issue . If the yard is fine with everything else can you pay for help from the yard or could you find a freelancer to do the jobs you don’t want to do . I preferred DIY as I could look after my horse myself and that was a big part of the joy of having my own horse..

 

[Cloball]

I suppose it depends what your reason for leaving 5:2 yard was? If you moved for the facilities then getting a freelancer in might be the best bet, if you moved due to cost then that might be more of an issue. My mum ( I'm in my 30s ) told me just this week that is takes a good three months to settle into a new routine maybe a bit more time for you to get used to the new normal might be needed??

 

[Green Bean]

I think most on this forum who have moved in the past struggled with a particular move. I struggled moving from a 5:2 yard (love the abbreviation!) to a 7 day as I was cut out of so much care so felt a bit alienated. Lovely people, okay facilities but the distance and 7 day aspects were just not working. Three months is a good window to know definitely whether things are working (and of course winter doesn't help when you are DIY). Additional services sounds like a good idea, if your yard provides them of course. I have seen a lot of people advertising for someone for services or offering services on Facebook so can't imagine it will be too hard to find a solution to this. Can you go back to the previous yard? Nothing wrong with going back if something isn't working out

 

[Fieldlife]

Fully DIY as in twice a day can be hard logistically for a lot of people. Working and being at the yard twice a day at the right times can be tricky. Can you do a swap with another livery so you turnout / bring in their horse one end of the day, and they do the same for yours. So you only need to visit once a day?

 

[Ly1327]

I suppose it depends what your reason for leaving 5:2 yard was? If you moved for the facilities then getting a freelancer in might be the best bet, if you moved due to cost then that might be more of an issue. My mum ( I'm in my 30s ) told me just this week that is takes a good three months to settle into a new routine maybe a bit more time for you to get used to the new normal might be needed??

the old yard was a mixture of 5:2 and diy so there was always the option of me going to diy but could always had the extra help if I want it to. I loved the old yard. However, due to personal reasons with the lady who looked after my horse on 5:2 whilst I was there. I can’t go back there whilst she is there.Unfortunately, the situation they’re under my control. So, I felt like I had been very heavily pushed out of that yard by her actions. Would of love to stayed but physically couldn’t

 

[Surbie]

In terms of regret, yes. I didn't fit at one yard I moved to, but they let me come when I was in a bind so I am still grateful, and I made it work till I could go somewhere else. Nothing really wrong with the yard and the people there were great, but the turnout was too limited for my horse. I managed to get a place somewhere else 6 months later and I've been there nearly 2 years now.

The buddying system is a really good suggestion, lots of us do that at our place, either regularly or just to have the odd break. Could you do that?

 

[Orangehorse]

There might be someone there who will help you out, either on a swap basis, or for payment.

 

[Ly1327]

I suppose it depends what your reason for leaving 5:2 yard was? If you moved for the facilities then getting a freelancer in might be the best bet, if you moved due to cost then that might be more of an issue. My mum ( I'm in my 30s ) told me just this week that is takes a good three months to settle into a new routine maybe a bit more time for you to get used to the new normal might be needed??

I was always going to go DIY after I got my license. But stay at my old yard that did a mixture of 5:2 and DIY. So, would have been able to do assisted DIY and only go up once a day. However, due to problems beyond my control with the lady who ran the livery. I felt like I was physically pushed out of that yard. Would have love to of stayed, but unfortunately her actions made it almost impossible.

 

[Ly1327]

It’s not the yard as you have said horse is happy and yard is friendly, it’s going to DIY that seems to be the issue . If the yard is fine with everything else can you pay for help from the yard or could you find a freelancer to do the jobs you don’t want to do . I preferred DIY as I could look after my horse myself and that was a big part of the joy of having my own horse..

I have thought about a freelancer coming up and doing some work but than again i thought wouldn’t it be easier if I just moved yards, that did assisted DIY or part livery so I’d always have the option of both

 

[webble]

Yes, I moved yards in Jan andam finding it really tough, it does take time though

 

[Ly1327]

Yes, I moved yards in Jan andam finding it really tough, it does take time though

How are you finding it now after moving at the beginning of the year? Is it getting easier? Also are you on diy?

 

[MuddyMonster]

Has anybody regretted moving yards?

I’ve very recently moved from 5:2 yard to a DIY yard. Horse is happy, good Facilities, hacking and a friendly yard. But I just don’t think I mad the right choice going full diy.

already thinking of moving to either go another 5:2 or an assisted DIY.

I’m just trying to find out whether people have regretted moving to a different yard?

Yes, I moved on after about a few weeks on one occassion when I realised it wasn't the yard for me. Why pay to be unhappy when there are other options is generally my approach to life!

If you like the yard but struggling with DIY is there anything you can to ease the struggle - buddy up with other liveries? Pay a free lancer?

I moved from full livery to assisted DIY but the assistance stopped and after my initial panic (I'd done DIY for a long time before but life had changed a bit since then) it's actually fine.

It's take a bit of organising but yard is chilled and have geniune all year turn out and I WFH so can ride mornings. I also have a horse whose chilled about a not super strict routine (geniunely doesn't care if he comes in at 4pm one day and 8pm the next) or if he gets left out on his own. It would be tougher if I had a long commute, limited turn out or a stressier horse.

 

[DeliaRides]

We moved mid-December after being pretty much bullied off our previous yard. I confess the first couple of months were awful. It was hard to get to grips with the routine and the people and how to get access to the facilities etc. And we had dreadful weather making caring for ponies not at all fun.

I would say since mid-Feb it has been much better and I am much happier now. It sounds like your issue is the routine of full DIY, so I would absolutely suggest doing a combination of buddying up and also freelance livery support, to get you the mix you need. I worried about having to pay for the right combination of assisted at new place but as it turns out I only really need 1 day a week of livery and the rest we manage with buddying up so it's nothing like the expense I thought.

I love one day a week of full livery though....knowing I can sleep in a bit, and know she's well looked after. It's a mental and physical break.

 

[webble]

How are you finding it now after moving at the beginning of the year? Is it getting easier? Also are you on diy?

Still tough, I mostly miss the people from my old yard which was really small and is been there 6 years. Yes both yards are DIY

 

[Squeak]

DIY and looking after horses is a different ball game in spring/ summer and usually autumn, realistically you swapped to DIY at the worst possible time. I'd wait for spring and the clock changes this week before making any decisions, you might be pleasantly surprised once we get some nice weather, more daylight and aren't sliding around in mud and soaking wet.

Buddying up and a freelancer is also a good idea.

 

[Birker2020]

Has anybody regretted moving yards?

I’ve very recently moved from 5:2 yard to a DIY yard. Horse is happy, good Facilities, hacking and a friendly yard. But I just don’t think I mad the right choice going full diy.

already thinking of moving to either go another 5:2 or an assisted DIY.

I’m just trying to find out whether people have regretted moving to a different yard?

Nope. I am glad I am on my present yard, I left after ten years and was away for 2.5 years I think, but I've been back since Oct 2016 and never been happier or at least I would be if I could ride!
I am looking forward to getting another horse to keep on this yard. The YO said they would hold my stable and paddock for me so I believe it won't be an issue. It feels like its my home.

I moved from one yard because I didn't like the way my horses were handled and there was too much water under the bridge, I was unfortunate to have lost two much loved horses whilst I was there.
I moved from my first yard because my horse was accused of something he didn't do and when they realised after months of restrictions on his turnout and frustration about not being believed it turned out he'd not done the things he'd been accused of. I still don't know if the drug that wasn't approved for use in horses which I had to sign a disclaimer for so he could return to the rest of the herd resulted in his death. I've never forgiven myself, I should have bitten the bullet and just found somewhere else but at the time I thought it was the only place I wanted to be.

I moved from a lovely yard with one of the horses that died because the YO wanted to go from part livery to full livery and I could afford to be stabled there anymore. And I moved from another yard because the YO couldn't afford the rent she had to pay to the owner of the land. That was sad as the hacking was amazing, but I had no choice. I think I might have regretted moving from there if I had not had my arm forced.

 

[Abacus]

Realistically you may struggle to find a freelancer willing to come out to do just one horse unless you find someone already at the yard or who lives very nearby. Unless there is anyone else at the yard who would like the same, and would make it more worth their while. DIY is tough, I couldn't do it even though mine are at my yard in the village where I live, I share the work with a friend. It's unusual to have a DIY yard where no one helps or there isn't someone who will do services. Have you tried asking the YO if they have any suggestions? - they have probably explored this before.

 

[Poppy+MrDarcy]

Before I went DIY I went to a few different yards with my horse and never regretted anything, but when I moved to DIY I did regret it for a while, just because of the social side of things, but it's much easier to do what you want at home so it's the best decision really if you can Xx

 

[Poppy+MrDarcy]

Before I went DIY I went to a few different yards with my horse and never regretted anything, but when I moved to DIY I did regret it for a while, just because of the social side of things, but it's much easier to do what you want at home so it's the best decision really if you can Xx

I'm a stay at-home-mum so that makes it a lot easier, I'm not sure if be able to do DIY if I was traveling to and from work.

 

[splashgirl45]

I have thought about a freelancer coming up and doing some work but than again i thought wouldn’t it be easier if I just moved yards, that did assisted DIY or part livery so I’d always have the option of both

If you and your horse are happy apart from the lack of services I would investigate to see if there was a way you could arrange services.. maybe ask YO if it was possible or ask other liveries if they know of anyone who could do services for you.. it could suit maybe a pensioner who doesn’t now have a horse but would like a little part time job.. you could move to another yard with all of the services but you don’t get on with the people and your horse is unhappy , so it’s worth seeing if you can sort something out

 

[Fire sign]

It’s hard work on full DIY … I couldn’t do it again ….even when I lived 10 minutes walk from my livery yard I still needed some help with bringing in and feeding … If I were you I would move somewhere with a set up that included optional services

 

[Glitterandrainbows]

I love been on diy I like her stable just so and hey haynets just how I like them I know no corners are been cut in her day to day care however I couldn’t do it without support but I’m happy to help too csntbyou buddy up with someone ?

 

[PSD]

Agree with others that you chose the worst possible time to move and go onto DIY. We’ve had an awful winter, I’ve always been on full diy simply for affordability and I’ve really struggled this winter. Buddying up with other liveries is a life saver for turning out/bringing in as I’m in work mon-Fri and don’t have the time to go up and turn out (I arrive at 5.30/6am to feed) as everyone turns out around 8/9am. Bringing in isn’t always an issue, mostly if he’s one of the last out someone will either bring him in or wait for me to get to the yard.

it’s so hard moving, I moved in January from a yard I had been on for some time. But I have to remind myself why I moved: facilities and turnout. Any yard is difficult in winter when you’re diy but try to make some friends to help you out even just with feeding or turning out/bringing in. I still don’t know many liveries and I have been there almost 2 months now but I’m lucky everyone is friendly and happy to help where they can.

I would definitely chat to YO and see if anyone offers livery services (some liveries on my yard do) or whether they would mind you having someone freelance to help out. Having horses in winter is hard work and it seems to get harder each year! Hopefully you’ll feel better after the clocks change and (optimistically hoping) the weather dries up.

 

[poiuytrewq]

What’s 5:2?

 

[Barton Bounty]

Im full diy and always have been even when I had babies, not a chance I am paying someone to do something for me that I actually love to do anyway. However, winter is the worst time to move, its often hard to get into a proper routine, next year you will be more prepared and as other have said, how about buddying up with someone else and sharing the bring in and turn out etc? It is often very difficult to even make friends with people in the winter as there is so little daylight that people are always in a hurry to cram stuff in.
I did share the turnout and bring in at my last yard but only because BB wasnt ok on his own with vast empty fields. Now he doesn’t care you will find it a lot easier in summer and you can start to relax

 

[Peglo]

What’s 5:2?

I wondered this too but think they get full livery say mon-Fri and then diy weekends?

It is a terrible time of year OP. Hang in there, get some help and see what you think come ‘proper spring’

 

[Ly1327]

Has anybody moved to a different yard and regretted or didn’t get get the right vibe from a yard. How quickly did you decide to move to a different yard or did you stick it out and see how things go? Were you proven wrong?

 

[Maxidoodle]

I think we’ve all been there. Problem is despite doing a lot of research etc, you never know what a yard is truly like until you move there. I guess it depends on the reason you’re unhappy at the new yard. If your horse’s welfare or safety is compromised, then I’d give it a little time. It’s a bit like being the new kid on the block at times, until you settle.

 

[Green Bean]

Yes, it seemed like a good fit and what I wanted but after moving there were parts that I hadn't noticed, or could not have anticipated not liking. I lasted a couple of months as it was not good for horse or me. Next yard, I knew someone already there so could ask the questions of what it was really like which provided some reassurance after doubting myself.