To move or not to move dilemma - please advise!

[Sunny08]

Right current yard is not working and becoming very costly - changes to rules means my 4yr old is only turned out once every two days for 4 hours in a knee deep muddy 1/4 acre area. Also hacking is not good as main access road, though country, is like playing dodge ball with lorries when riding!
Now I can move my girl to my OH parents farm, 3 all year acre turn out, free hay, straw and livery and in the middle of nowherre with superb hacking including around the farm.
Due to legitimate reasons it can only be my girl and equally I don't want another horse (I can barely afford this one). so in short she will be on her own. There is another horse on the other side of the road which she can clearly see both in the field and stable (about 10m away) who is kept on his own and she will be kept with a sheep and goat.
At the moment she costs me about £200 - £250 a month, in the new situation she will cost me hard feed, insurance, shoes and any vet bills - thats it - probably saving me about £150 a month.
I really want to move her, for her happiness sake and my sanity! Do you think this set up will be ok? She is a very quiet, easy going mare and currently goes out alone in the muddy paddock away from the other horses and is always fine.
What are your thoughts? Having another horse is definately not an option!

 

[ForeverBroke_]

I'd give it a go to be honest .. what have you go to lose?

 

[finkle]

No dilemma from my end....move.


Sounds like your horse would have a better quality of life and be out.

Sure the sheep will be fine for company.

 

[Katie__Connie]

Well i'd move... but i really wouldn't be happy with her not having any company if it was my horse... could someone else put their horse out with yours... someone who just wants grass livery maybe? Either way still move!

Sorry if that was a confusing post

!

 

[Sunny08]

See this is my worry her being on her own. Other than that I am desperate to move her! Neither her or I are happy on current yard, mainly due to hacking and turn out reasons. I will miss the lovely people on the yard but value my horses happiness more.
I think as siad earlier I can only try and see?

 

[cellie]

Goats make good companions we had one on old yard .Sounds like you have nothing to lose.

 

[Elliep25]

I think move, but could you get her a companion horse on loan? Although as others say she may be fine with sheep and goat as buddies

 

[Puzzled]

I'd move and see how you get on, if she becomes really lonely you can always get a small pony as a companion. Good luck!

 

[SCG]

I would def move her and then advertise locally for a livery, saying space in field for one horse etc, if field is big enough? (sorry can't remember how many acres you said it was)

 

[samuelhorse]

MOVE..................................
HOrse 10 m away - so she can see - possibly ride out together?

Goat and a sheep for company - so not really on her own

She is turned out alone at the moment , so unlikely to fret

good luck, hope your girl will love her new home.

I went through all the 'what if's?' when i moved to the yard Im at now. Worried about it for a year before I took the courage and moved him - It was actually the best thing I did!

 

[Gingerwitch]

Are you and OH a really happy couple ? just dont want you staying with someone beacuse of your neddy.

 

[Sunny08]

Hey gingerwitch, we are engaged, getting married in May, have a beautiful home together and very, very happy, so i have no qualms on that side of it!

And his parents are lovely!
Thanks for all the responses.

 

[Kallibear]

No company would not be acceptbale for me or my horses. They have all spend a little time of their own and although appeared fine, it was obvious how much it upset them when they were back with friends.

Yes, I would definintly move from where you are but I'd only move to the farm if you could have another horse. Why not get a companion from a charity? Sometime smallish, cheap to keep and low maintance but with similar needs (i.e no point getting a shetland if it has to be shut away on restricted grazing all summer)

OR how about finding out about sharing with the other horse? They might want company and you could come to some arrangement as to field rotation.

 

[ISHmad]

I really don't like horses kept on their own without some kind of company as I don't think it is fair on them. Could you have a retirement companion where the owner pays for trimming, worming, teeth etc?