Regular lurker needing advice

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Sameru

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Hello friends, I need your help and advice.

I have 2 horses on DIY livery on a yard with good but unmaintained facilities that are rapidly going downhill. It is average-high priced for the area and has a very negative atmosphere a lot of the time. There is no option for 24hr turnout and the hacking is quite poor. However, there is a floodlit school for winter and it is quite convenient in terms of location and extra work I do for other liveries pays for my horses

My quandry is...

I have been asked by a lovely friend if I would like to move to her yard. She has stables, nicely kept all weather school, good grazing and fantastic hacking. It is also on my way to work and slightly cheaper than the yard I am at now. Sure as hell, the atmosphere would never be frosty there and I do believe my horses will be more settled being able to stay out all summer.

So what would you do? I dont want to leave a yard where I have all year round facilities and paid work but i know i will be happier at the other yard.


Help me see sense of this HHO :D
 
I would say go for it, I was in a very similar position recently, I have just moved and I and my horses are so much happier, they are out 24/7 and can't beat that. Good luck
 
If the financial impact of not being able to do jobs to pay for your livery is not too great then it's a no-brainer - move and be happy :D
 
Thanks for the replies, Losing out on £190 a month but saving probably 20 -30 in diesel and then it would mean I could stay on at work until 5 instead of leaving at 4 to go and do everyone elses yard jobs, which would earn me an extra 150 per month. I do wonder though, how people work their horses in the winter whilst working during the daylight hours with no floodlights?
 
I am quite lucky in that the area where I park my car in the winter is next to the arena but slightly higher so I can use my car headlights.

When you say 20-30 in diesel do you mean a month or a week? You seem as if you can only gain from moving so I would move.
 
I squeeze in hacks as sun comes up before work (but have bridleway opp so can pretty much avoid roads). Is there anyway you could attach a floodlight to your friends school if you maybe offered to pay for it plus bit extra electric money?
 
My only reservation would be the lack of floodlights, otherwise it is a no-brainer. Would defo explore the possiblility of fitting a floodlight, sharing costs. A change is as good as a rest they say and it does sound more chilled and then you and your horses will be more relaxed which is always a huge plus. Also if you are with someone more amenable it is always easier to swap favours and help each other out without money having to change hands all the time. Good luck with your decision and let us know what you decide!
 
MrsD123 said:
move and get another little earner going, working in a supermarket or petrol station is at least regular and no hassle.
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I wouldnt really have the time for that commitment. I would be saving on shavings that are £8.00 a week! Fuel is per month at about £30. I could probably get a couple of horsey covers now and again but would feel a little bit of a traitor going back to current yard if I moved to cover holiday!

I know everything is pointing to a move but I hate letting people down so much that that alone would make me stay!! I need a valid arguement in my head for moving!
:) thanks

RE floodlights, Im popping in to friends yard tonight for a cuppa so will ask then :)
 
Yes bringing them in for 12 hours of the day atm is costing me around £12 a week in hay and £8 in bedding so thats another 40-50 a month I would save!! Oh bugger it... its looking like Im moving isnt it!! :D
 
You have to do what's right for you - not anyone else - just think of the long relaxed summer evenings in your own space!!
 
So why on earth are you dithering?! Move woman, to hell with the others if they are making you that miserable!
 
broke_but_happy said:
So why on earth are you dithering?! Move woman, to hell with the others if they are making you that miserable!
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^ ^ that, totally. That is awful if you feel that uncomfortable on a yard you're paying good money to be on. Our yards are like a second home the amount of time we spend there and you should be happy to spend time there - go on do it - you know you want to!!
 
If you haven't ridden for a week cos you're getting picked on then riding a bit less in the winter at the new yard may not seam like a hardship. I keep my boy at home , we have a sand school but no electric out there so no flood lights , weekend riding or early mornings are feasible ,but it all boils down to the weather in the end anyway , i would move and start enjoying yourself.
 
If it was me, I would move. Over the 11 years I've had my horse, we've been to various different local yards. 2 years ago I moved him to a friend's place, she has 1 horse of her own and 2 shetlands. It was the best move I ever made! It's just over 5 mins from where I live, lots of grazing, there is an outdoor school, decent hacking, we help each other out and Fred has definately found his "best mate" in Paddy! You can't put a price on knowing your horse is happy and settled and you enjoy doing your horse each day!!! :D
 
If it were me, I'd definitely go for the second yard.

Assuming that you have a decent amount of all year turnout so that the horses can stretch their legs/exercise themselves sufficiently, I don't see that it's essential that you need to school on weekdays after dark. Weekend riding through the darkest months should be more than adequate to keep your horse fit and ticking over through the winter - it's often forgotten that quality of work is far more important than quantity.

Me - I love riding, but I would honestly hate it if I simply HAD to ride every evening. That's when horse riding becomes a chore, not a pleasure. I actually enjoy easing off a bit in the darker months and doing something other than riding.

Of course, if there's no/limited winter turnout, then its a whole different ball game.
 
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