To move or not to move, that is the question, help please!

[custard]

Sorry this will be a bit long, bit of a catch 22.

Will is currently on full livery at the mo' and when he's not on box rest is turned out with 1 other horse who doesn't pick on him. Others are turned out in small groups separated by electric fencing. They can still all see each other tho and just as apt to have a hoon round

I have the chance to a move to a yard with better hacking and facilities for considerably less money which will be a major consideration when i get second horse but Will' may have to go out with a larger group of geldings (4-6) and wear a muzzle to control his grass intake. No 2 horse is going to be a fairly expensive buy so worried about him/her getting injured also.

Have been past prospective new yard a few times now and all horses have their heads down stuffing, no aggro as too busy eating. Fields are all post and rail, rolled and harrowed regularly and were specifically seeded for horses. Owner lives on site and can see all fields from his window which current YO cant. He has said he will separate Will with a couple of other quiet fatties.

Question is do I jump or not? With horses turned out in bigger groups what are the real risks of injury when weighed up against factors like rolled fields and top notch fencing? Do you find that with ample grazing there is less excuse for squabbling anyway?

Any thoughts people?

 

[henryhorn]

If they have plenty of grass there is less likelyhood of fighting, but the main criteria is big enough paddocks for any horse feeling threatened to have space to get away.
Introducing them by adding yours first to one other quiet type on their own in an adjoining paddock, then adding both back to the rest works best, the time of day counts too, early evening when they are getting sleepy and allowing yours to be hungry all prevents trouble.
Try adding a new one to a herd of sometimes thirty and you will realise I've discovered this method by trial and error..
It sounds a well run yard so ask their preferred method of integrating too.

 

[piebaldsparkle]

Agree with HH if plenty of grazing and big enough paddocks,you get little squabbling, in fact I have had more trouble with mine being in a small paddock with one other.

 

[lillie]

well prior to me moving yards almost a year ago, Linx was kept on his own because he was a stallion & spent most of his time in. after being gelded he was either turned out on his own or with other. since moving fingers X we've only had 2 problems from being in a group (which at the time had a few stallion like hot heads who showed off).

Linx had two kicks marks on the inside of his hinds from a double barrel & he pulled a back muscle which was from him contantly kicking out & protecting his friend! but other than that we've had no problems. 1 horse has since left & another who keeps running around causing havock has been separated.

but dont let that put you off as i said its probably just because linx has never been in a group before in his life & didnt know how to defend himslf & there have been no problems this year since they've been back together o summer turnout.

if you think it would be better then go for it. this yard has cost me a bit more but it has an XC course & school.

 

[darksecret99]

Could you ask to fence off a patch for your boy within the paddock to restrict grazing and avoid scraps if he doesnt get along with his new friends?! It sounds like the yard will suit you better than where you are at present, so its definately worth asking before you commit if you are worried... specially if your boy needs peace and quiet! Then at least you would know you had a Plan B!

All of the liveries at my yard have seperate patches within one field... its just safer... but that said... one of the liveries used to charge through her electic fencing and then the other horses's too and cause havoc! (She now has a super charged fencer though, so has stayed put, touch wood!)

One of the school poines had to be put down a couple of weeks ago cos she got kicked in the leg by one of her companions, and they had been living out together for years with no problems till then!

I'm happy that my boy has his own pach as he is recovering from sacroilliac strain so I dont want him cavorting round! Plus I can monitor and restrict his grazing etc... it doesnt stop him getting cuts and scrapes though! But he does that in the stable too - I think he should be renamed "Mr Bump"!!!

I'm waffling now...

Good luck!

 

[kerrylou123]

Personally.... knowing both yards in question, i would think about moving! Although yard 1 is a lovely yard (or will be on completion) with a lovely school, i would be quiet nervous of the fact that Willow has already sustained an injury that could quite easily have been avoided, and therefore would be worried about a similar thing happening to younger, more expensive horses (no offence to Willows age or value) Its lovely that you do get seperate grazing, but to be fair, i think the price of livery is a bit of a rip off!
I know of a lady that has just bought a horse and is on livery at yard 2, and she couldn't stop talking about it! The yard manger (not sure if hes the owner?!?) is also very knowledgable (more so than YO on yard 1) and used to teach me riding when i was about 6!!

 

[custard]

Email me kerrylou!

 

[greynightmare]

I ermmed and arred about moving yards for about 8 mths, really wanted to go to new yard but it was alot further away but much better, I moved in Dec and havent looked back, as long as you leave on good terms with old yard if it doesnt work out you could always ask to go back, go for it.