Regretting yard move

[TheChestnutThing]

So as many of you know I moved from stabled assisted DIY livery to full DIY grass livery. And I’m regretting it.

I’m not regretting the move perse…it’s much much closer to home (10 mins vs 40 mins). Horse is a lot calmer (now that I’m able to catch him). He hasn’t lost any weight (which was the one thing I was worried about). And the obvious…he is no longer cooped up in a stable all winter.

My reasons for regret are purely riding. When I viewed the yard I didn’t see the arena but was told it’s 20 x 40. It’s not. It’s 15 x 30 so near impossible to get a proper schooling session in on a 17.1.
You have to get on the tractor and harrow it after every single session (which adds a good extra 30 mins onto your yard time). The arena is also always booked at peak time so even if I wanted to ride in something that small, I can’t.
I have barely ridden for 3 weeks. I work full time so hiring an arena is not possible during the week and hacking after work is not possible in the pitch black. There have been a couple of days without meetings where I’ve managed to sneak a lunch ride in, but I did a course hire on Sunday and noticed he was losing fitness.

Another reason I’m regretting it is…it’s pitch black and there is no storage (was promised storage and it hasn’t come yet). I’ve had to order solar lights as my field is the furthest away and literally requires two torches (mom has started to come with me) in order to feed etc.

So pretty much all I am doing it feeding and haying. Not riding. Not spending time with him as standing in a muddy field for pony patting at 7pm in the rain is not fun.

So I think I’ve made the wrong move.

Advise? Ideas?

 

[ponynutz]

I know people on here previously have shared their experiences with moving and staying somewhere for a very short amount of time on the basis that if something doesn’t work for you then it doesn’t and you shouldn’t feel obligated to stay. So don’t worry about that.

I’d say move honestly. Stay there until you find something that has all of the other benefits as well as the ridden ones especially as he’s so settled there; his health is clearly important to you based on your other threads! But ultimately maybe you haven’t quite found the perfect fit yet.

 

[SpeedyPony]

I have mine out 24/7 with no facilities and it is hard work, wet and dark for most of the winter. I have to hack in the dark to maintain fitness- if you have good stirrup lights and semi-reasonable roads to ride on to get to off-road hacking it is doable, but not always cheerful (see rain/dark). For me the benefits outweigh the negatives, but that isn't going to be the case for everyone- there's no harm in keeping an eye out for something better and moving when you find it.

 

[expanding_horizon]

Sounds like moving might be a good idea.

Can you hack before work? A really good headtorch resolves the dark issue in the field.

If others are booking school in peak time, can you book it too?

Are you sure school is too small?

I had a lesson this morning in an indoor school that is 15m x 35m on a 17hh, it is doable for me. Appreciate yours is a little shorter / taller horse, but 15 metre circles work pretty well and we were doing counter canter exercises this morning. (I do also have access to a 25m x 60m arena but it floods after lots of rain).

It does though depend on the level of schooling the horse has, IMO.

You are gaining an hour a visit in travel time not spent compared to other yard.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

Can you ride before work like early morning arena will probably be free then, I think you would be surprised how many people manage to ride big horses is small arena's perfectly fine so I wouldn't consider the size an issue.

 

[splashgirl45]

If you are not intending to compete during the winter you could give him the time off and stay or look for another yard that suits you better, sounds like your horse likes the yard and being out so you will need to find similar for him and better riding for you..

 

[Squeak]

Are you using a good head torch? Can you get any plastic trunks/ chests for storage? Could you then keep them by your field?

Agree with the others about riding in the morning and also whether you can potentially book the school too for when you need it. It's also surprising how fit you can keep them on one shorter ride during the week and two proper rides at the weekend. They also stay a bit fitter from living out anyway.

Also, this winter is really, really incredibly miserable already and might be skewing your perspective a bit, a lot of us who are in the same routine and yards as normal are pretty miserable too.

Having to harrow the arena after every use sounds a PITA, could you organise a rota so that it's done once a day and you all take it in turns to do it?

 

[TheChestnutThing]

Re the arena size…he doesn’t enjoy schooling in it and neither do I (frustrating for me as a can’t do much and for him because I’m frustrated). The surface is also stoney where the base has come up. He is schooling elementary dressage. Basically we just don’t like a small arena. It’s shite.

Re booking it in peak times…there is a lady who books it weeks in advance so it’s not always possible.

And I would love to ride before work but unfortunately due to the amount of time it takes me to ride there (with walking to the end of the earth field, walking back, tacking up, going over the road, riding, going over the road, untack, feed put back. Going over the road, harrow. It’s just not possible for me with timings.

Hacking wise…I tried the headlight thing…I almost died. We back onto a Heath so it’s all off-road but unfortunately horse sees dead people and I don’t need to explain what then happens….

We do indoor in the winter and are doing our first hunt this Sunday (so I may or may not ever be posting again after that )

 

[TheChestnutThing]

Are you using a good head torch? Can you get any plastic trunks/ chests for storage? Could you then keep them by your field?

Agree with the others about riding in the morning and also whether you can potentially book the school too for when you need it. It's also surprising how fit you can keep them on one shorter ride during the week and two proper rides at the weekend. They also stay a bit fitter from living out anyway.

Also, this winter is really, really incredibly miserable already and might be skewing your perspective a bit, a lot of us who are in the same routine and yards as normal are pretty miserable too.

Having to harrow the arena after every use sounds a PITA, could you organise a rota so that it's done once a day and you all take it in turns to do it?

Head torch is amazing (thanks for reminding me to put it on charge), I’ve ordered a solar flood light and went to £ land yesterday and bought a load of potable LED lights.

I’m using my trailer for storage. But when I go out which is most weekends, I need to empty it and then repack it when I get back.

Maybe I’m just being my own pain in the ass but I’m really not enjoying this.

 

[nagblagger]

Would they let you put up a little garden shed for storage?
(obviously no valuable stuff left in there)

 

[TheChestnutThing]

Would they let you put up a little garden shed for storage?
(obviously no valuable stuff left in there)

I’ve asked and been told I’m getting some sort of container.

I should have been clearer…they gave me storage…with no doors and a leaking roof…

 

[Squeak]

Re the arena size…he doesn’t enjoy schooling in it and neither do I (frustrating for me as a can’t do much and for him because I’m frustrated). The surface is also stoney where the base has come up. He is schooling elementary dressage. Basically we just don’t like a small arena. It’s shite.

Re booking it in peak times…there is a lady who books it weeks in advance so it’s not always possible.

And I would love to ride before work but unfortunately due to the amount of time it takes me to ride there (with walking to the end of the earth field, walking back, tacking up, going over the road, riding, going over the road, untack, feed put back. Going over the road, harrow. It’s just not possible for me with timings.

Hacking wise…I tried the headlight thing…I almost died. We back onto a Heath so it’s all off-road but unfortunately horse sees dead people and I don’t need to explain what then happens….

We do indoor in the winter and are doing our first hunt this Sunday (so I may or may not ever be posting again after that )

Would you be able to hack in the morning rather than school? Agree that the schooling sounds miserable and tbh would put me off quite a bit if I was on livery. I have no school but I have them at home and so am able to control the fields they are in and storage etc to make life as easy as possible. Are there other options in your area or do you need to make the most of this?

 

[AShetlandBitMeOnce]

From someone who is in a town that has a distinct lack of good yards due to being built up and/or land being incredibly expensive, I feel your pain - is there an option C that isn't this yard or the last one? Could you post anonymously on a local horse page to see if there are any yards that haven't actively advertising but might have a space?

 

[Hormonal Filly]

I’d be feeling the same OP..

Is there any other yards on the cards? Even if he’s in a bit more, you have to be happy to!

 

[mini-eventer]

I hack in the morning, it's light enough at 7 currently. It won't be possible soon, but I will keep going as long as I can

 

[SpeedyPony]

And I would love to rude before work but unfortunately due to the amount of time it takes me to ride there (with walking to the end of the earth field, walking back, tacking up, going over the road, riding, going over the road, untack, feed put back. Going over the road, harrow. It’s just not possible for me with timings.

Hacking wise…I tried the headlight thing…I almost died. We back onto a Heath so it’s all off-road but unfortunately horse sees dead people and I don’t need to explain what then happens….

Thinking about this- if he got in the habit of coming up for haylage/breakfast in the morning might that get him into enough of a routine to have him nearer the gate consistently in the morning?
I've found that setting out with a light in complete darkness is less spooky for them than riding with a light in the the dawn/dusk, although that probably varies between horses!

 

[Jenko109]

I dont think you should regret it as it was obviously the right choice for the horse.

Use the opportunity to rough the horse off over winter and keep your eyes open for somewhere that will suit you both.

 

[RHM]

If it makes you feel any better I’ve moved to a yard before and stayed for 3 weeks if you’re miserable and there are other options I would move.

I get it though if there isn’t yards with winter turnout locally. That’s a toss up! One I’m also doing mentally right now!

 

[dottylottie]

life is too short to be stuck on a yard you don’t like, id vote move!

 

[TheChestnutThing]

Would you be able to hack in the morning rather than school? Agree that the schooling sounds miserable and tbh would put me off quite a bit if I was on livery. I have no school but I have them at home and so am able to control the fields they are in and storage etc to make life as easy as possible. Are there other options in your area or do you need to make the most of this?

Sadly for the foreseeable I need to make the most of this. Livery in our area is few and far between. I have my name down at a few yards but will have to move to part livery if I do move. Everyone moving away from the DIY model.

 

[TheChestnutThing]

If it makes you feel any better I’ve moved to a yard before and stayed for 3 weeks if you’re miserable and there are other options I would move.

I get it though if there isn’t yards with winter turnout locally. That’s a toss up! One I’m also doing mentally right now!

That’s the thing. My horse won’t cope with no turn out at the hunt of rain (what yards seem to do here) or only a few hours. I’m not big on making them stay in “in case the fields get trashed”.

 

[SDMabel]

I think you've answered your own question with that one.

I would move, or be looking to move, horses are too expensive to have and not to enjoy.

Winter is the pitts, it's even worse if you are on a yard where it makes it harder than usual.

 

[Squeak]

If you need to make the best of it then I'd try hacking in the morning during the week. I'd also see if you can sort something with storage so that it's not in your trailer and then you could use your trailer more easily - even if you have to use a tarpaulin and pallets or something. In the winter I aim for three rides a week, two at the weekend and one during the week, anything else is a bonus.

Have you got rugs that are easy to use and work? Is there anything else you can change to make it all easier? Could you bring down hay for the week during daylight at the weekend and store it on pallets with a tarp?

Living out 24/7 with only hacking completely transformed my horse. He also competes at elem so it is possible but obviously each horse is different and what works for one might not for another.

 

[expanding_horizon]

Agree if there isnt another convenient option with good turnout and horse likes turnout, you might need to make do.

Suspect you can get up early enough to hack 2-3 times a week before work, if you look at maximising time efficiency, even if depart in darkness with head torch.
Can then school at weekend, when have time to do the harrowing.

 

[TheChestnutThing]

I’d be feeling the same OP..

Is there any other yards on the cards? Even if he’s in a bit more, you have to be happy too!

If you need to make the best of it then I'd try hacking in the morning during the week. I'd also see if you can sort something with storage so that it's not in your trailer and then you could use your trailer more easily - even if you have to use a tarpaulin and pallets or something. In the winter I aim for three rides a week, two at the weekend and one during the week, anything else is a bonus.

Have you got rugs that are easy to use and work? Is there anything else you can change to make it all easier? Could you bring down hay for the week during daylight at the weekend and store it on pallets with a tarp?

Living out 24/7 with only hacking completely transformed my horse. He also competes at elem so it is possible but obviously each horse is different and what works for one might not for another.

Nice to hear that the LO with hacking was really good for your horse. However the hacking around is not that good that one can consider it as useful for fitness unfortunately. It’s a walk around paths on the Heath.

Unfortunately not allowed to store hay by my field as it’s too muddy to get the tractor/truck through (have asked this already), so I’m schlepping 4 nets a day down there plus feed. (4 nets as he has a companion).

As for storage outside with a tarpaulin…the yard is overrun with mice and rats, so not viable to keep anything outside.

I’m big on making life easy…all rugs have clips and I’ve literally done everything humanly possible that I can think of to make things work (feeds pre-made etc etc). Mom and Dad (who are staying with me whilst house hunting), have also been handy in helping out.

Harrowing the arena at the end of the day is a no go. It has to be done after each use. I can’t block book to use it and there are lessons almost every evening. So far I’ve managed to book it for twice next week and this evening to get a lunge in.

I have my name down at a few yards but how long is a piece of string (hence me having to make it work for now).

I guess I just needed a place to drown my sorrows that wasn’t a bottle of wine or the ear of my poor suffering OH.

 

[tda]

Not much help, but at least your horse is happy, it's not that you're both unhappy. My lot live out all year round and even I dread doing anything with them at the moment (mainly mud related)

 

[Squeak]

Nice to hear that the LO with hacking was really good for your horse. However the hacking around is not that good that one can consider it as useful for fitness unfortunately. It’s a walk around paths on the Heath.

Unfortunately not allowed to store hay by my field as it’s too muddy to get the tractor/truck through (have asked this already), so I’m schlepping 4 nets a day down there plus feed. (4 nets as he has a companion).

As for storage outside with a tarpaulin…the yard is overrun with mice and rats, so not viable to keep anything outside.

I’m big on making life easy…all rugs have clips and I’ve literally done everything humanly possible that I can think of to make things work (feeds pre-made etc etc). Mom and Dad (who are staying with me whilst house hunting), have also been handy in helping out.

Harrowing the arena at the end of the day is a no go. It has to be done after each use. I can’t block book to use it and there are lessons almost every evening. So far I’ve managed to book it for twice next week and this evening to get a lunge in.

I have my name down at a few yards but how long is a piece of string (hence me having to make it work for now).

I guess I just needed a place to drown my sorrows that wasn’t a bottle of wine or the ear of my poor suffering OH.

It does sound like it's fairly rubbish there and not easy. I hope you manage to get a space somewhere else or that we miraculously get less mud to make it all a little bit less miserable and easier

 

[Flyermc]

Thinking for things to help.

The turnout and costs of the yard seem positive and suit your horses need for t/o. The issues (from reading the thread) are -

No storage near the field? - there are loads of good quality plastic storage boxes, that look like a chest freezer. They are waterproof and rodent resistant. Ive got afew of them in my garden that have been there years and still going strong. Could you get afew of these to store 'stuff' outside your field. You could even put bridle, boots, maybe even feed in them.

Hay - could you get small wrapped hay or haylages bales up to store at your field in a barrow? You could perhaps take the weeks worth up at the weekend? Or make loads of nets-up at the weekend and store them under a tarp/on top of rubber mats, next to your field? Filling lots of haynets, doesnt take that long.

Lights - id just get loads of solar and battery lights put-up everywhere if allowed

Riding - if im honest i think area's being fully booked is a common problem in winter, but id find out how far in advance you can book, workout the days/times id like to ride and get it book. Id get an instructor for a lesson in the smaller school and get them to give me things to work on. Look for the positive things i can do, im sure there is loads.

General storage - ask for an update for when your general storage will have doors etc. If they arent sure, is there anything you can do as a temp measure?

harrowing the school - does everyone do this? It does seem odd to 'waste' 30 mins of school time between horses when it gets really fully booked. Can it be done quicker? does it need to be a really good job or just so its in useble/safe condition for the next person/horse? id look to see what others do.

distance from riding to the field - id put tie rings where required and if i could, pop a headcollar under my bridle, so i can tie my pony up (if required) after riding, so didnt need to keep walking to/from field.

Field location - id asked YO if i would move to a closer field if one became available.

Other liveries - id speak to others to see how they manage/have things set-up

 

[Glitterandrainbows]

Can you organise to arena share with someone twice a week or even three people and take it in turn on who harrows at the end or book in a row and take it in turns to harrow at the end

 

[Frano]

Your horse sounds happier living out. Lots of horses loose fitness if they have a break during the winter. Living out they move around a lot more which has great benefits.Can you hack at weekends?