Should I move yards?

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Murphy1

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Sorry this is a bit long...

I've been on current yard 2 years and it's ok, have thought of moving a few times but never had anywhere to go to that's not full livery or doesn't have same issues as current yard. With lockdown we have rota, after stable chores I lunge for 15 minutes and horses are in overnight for about 16 hours. I've been offered 24/7 grazing in a field with a few retired horses just a couple miles away (I can walk him there). Wondering if anyone could offer their thoughts on the pros/cons?

Earlier in the year my horse was diagnosed with an airway issue, not sure if it will get progressively worse or stay stable but either way I feel it's better for him to minimise dusty stable time and keep him moving. He is primarily a happy hacker, we don't do shows/competitions. 24/7 grazing elsewhere came up a couple months ago but it was no longer available before I had a chance to visit.

So pros/cons...

Current yard

Pros:
A couple people to hack out with when not in lockdown though I do hack alone a lot too
School/jump paddock
Shared fields, winter fields rolled in spring fencing looked after by yard
Hay/straw supplied
Assisted so I go up once a day weekdays and 2x weekends, except when half day turnout (this year was dec-march) when I visit 3x weekend and pay for am skip out weekday.

Cons:
Stabled a lot, overnight or longer october-may, probably will be in daytime june-september.
School surface not great in summer
School not that big so canter work difficult
Large yard stresses me out time to time

24/7 field
Pros:
Turnout! Will be better for horse's breathing and will save me a lot of mucking out time, and I'll smell less!
Save money, cheaper rent. Might not be much cheaper if sharer stops and after buying in hay and any freelancer cover, but money not that much of an issue.
Peaceful
I can ride again

Cons:
Will be sectioned into a field on his own (he has done this before and seemed fine)
I have a lovely sharer who might stop if I move as she likes the facilities for jumping/social yard.
Hacking doesn't look as good on OS maps but still some nearby bridleways.
Not sure how horse will do wintering out, and I'll have to deal with more mud.
Slightly further away so an extra 5 minutes travel time each way. I already spend nearly 2 hours a day in the car for work though so no big issue.

Thank you if you read this far!
 
To keep mares and geldings separate (not my decision, just what is offered) and just mares there. He will interact over fences with next door horses so not totally alone, when stabled he can't interact with others as his stable doesn't have any grills. In an ideal world I'd have him out with others but this is the best alternative that's come up since I moved to the area.
 
Your old yard and the new yard sound exactly the same as mine. The old yard had good facilities, was big, offered services etc. The turnout was really poor (probably went out twice a week in the winter) and the livery was extortionate.

I got so sick of seeing my horse in the stable all the time. It was doing nothing for him physically or mentally (although he seemed OK). I was spending a fortune on bedding each month (up to about £60) and trying to give him enough exercise every day was exhausting.

He's now at a place where he can be out 24/7 (though I still have a stable which is great) and still have a school. It has made my life SO much easier as I'm not constantly planning my day around his bring in and turnout time restrictions, I don't have to muck out every day and it makes me so happy knowing he's just munching and mooching around all day rather than shut in a box. He has his own paddock with horses next door, which is something I always said I'd never do, but he's had so many injuries (bad ones, not just little nicks and scrapes) that I feel it's in his best interest. And given the choice of being out all the time or out for 3 hours a day a few times a week, I know what he'd prefer!
 
I assume you will have the use of a storage area, perhaps some hard standing or a field shelter if you move, as well as running water? Who maintains the fields and fencing? i would also walk a few of the possible rides before committing myself. I like having my horse at grass but life can be hell particularly in Winter without some basic amenities. Is there some stabling for emergencies?
 
Only you can weigh up the pros and cons but will you be all on your own hacking and getting things done at the new yard? You may find that lonely and limiting, especially with no facilities. You do mention hacking companions etc at current yard. How will the new place work in winter? Will you be able to ride in daylight if hacking is all you can do?
 
It sounds as if somewhere with more turnout would suit your horse.

The new place might not be perfect but it sounds like it will be more suitable for your horse. At least then you can see if turnout improves your horses health.

If you move you're moving to field only you're doing it at the right time of year to feel it out.

Only having a field in winter is hard going if you dont have a shelter/stables and lights/electricity and then there's the mud ? this winter has been mild but it just never stopped raining and the mud has been diabolical.

This place might work out perfectly for you both but theres nothing to stop you keeping an eye out for somewhere else for winter and meanwhile your horse hopefully benefits from being out 24/7
 
I would move the horse, even if it turns out to only be on a temporary basis, I certainly wouldn't want a horse with breathing issues kept in for 16 hours per day. At least the grass livery will give you time to look around for a better place if you find that this one doesn't suit for some reason. I would have thought that if you can walk him from the old yard to the new, your hacking would still be within reach and you could arrange (in more normal times) to meet your hacking friends.
 
Pearlsasinger said:
I would move the horse, even if it turns out to only be on a temporary basis, I certainly wouldn't want a horse with breathing issues kept in for 16 hours per day. At least the grass livery will give you time to look around for a better place if you find that this one doesn't suit for some reason. I would have thought that if you can walk him from the old yard to the new, your hacking would still be within reach and you could arrange (in more normal times) to meet your hacking friends.
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This. Or encourage a friend with a gelding to move with you if poss so both you and the horse have company?
 
Thank you for the replies, I think I'm reassured about it. I believe there is electrics and water and a stable for emergencies. I'll be confirming all this as well as maintenance/field management with the owner of the place, who is someone I know and trust already. If he doesn't settle I can probably move back without too much hassle :)
In my truly ideal world I'd have track livery with many companions, a big barn with large hardstanding yard for winter and endless fields to ride around but that just doesn't exist round here!
 
I am assuming the new yard doesn't have stable? Personally, I know I'd really struggle in winter with no stable or cover to tack up under. All the mud etc, it is nice to have hard standing during those bad months...

The turnout situation at the new yard sounds great though. Would you always be riding on your own? That does make it boring, I ride on my own most days as gone from a yard of 32 to a yard of 6 and I do miss the social part of it but not the bitchiness.
 
ForbiddenHorse said:
I am assuming the new yard doesn't have stable? Personally, I know I'd really struggle in winter with no stable or cover to tack up under. All the mud etc, it is nice to have hard standing during those bad months...

The turnout situation at the new yard sounds great though. Would you always be riding on your own? That does make it boring, I ride on my own most days as gone from a yard of 32 to a yard of 6 and I do miss the social part of it but not the bitchiness.
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There is a stable but not sure yet if it's only for emergency use or can be used for grooming etc in shelter. To be honest when weather is bad in winter I probably won't be riding anyway. I might be able to arrange to meet up on a hack with people from old yard (when times are more normal) from time to time.
 
How many acres is the new place? How many horses on it? And how many acres will your gelding be given?
 
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