Too many moves

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Mischief13

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I have had my horse for a month on a DIY yard that is approx 15 mins from home but 40 from work (opposite direction from home if that makes sense). It is a nice yard but is becoming a bit of a struggle to get there twice a day and there are no services so have to try and catch him in the dark every night.

In an ideal world I would like to look for somewhere closer to home. This yard is ideal but the travel is the compromise. The closer yards have other compromises like turnout or hacking but over the winter I am not sure this is such a big deal.

However, I am most likely relocating with partner in the next 3-6 months to a different part of the country, which would mean another move for the horse.

Is it unfair to move him that many times in a fairly short space of time? He is fairly easy going and has settled quick where he is.
 
Don't worry, you get used to catching horses in the dark in winter. As long as he's a good boy, that's not a problem. But if you really can't see him twice a day, you don't have an option but to move.
 
It's not so much that I can't get there twice a day, but that I could put him somewhere that would mean I could be at the yard about 20 mins earlier in the evening, could go down on lunch break to change a rug or bring in for the farrier etc. This particular yard didn't have a space when I previously enquired now has a possible vacancy.
 
My horse has been at 3 yards since I got him in June and has coped fine. Obviously its not ideal but he will soon settle :) First yard he was at for a week and had no choice but to move as he ripped his chest open on the fencing as his little friend kept escaping and he was trying to get to him. Then he was at yard 2 all summer but due to lack of facilities we moved again last week. I wouldn't worry about moving him again after 6 months, he will soon get used to it
 
All depends on the horse, last winter, for various reasons my horse was moved 3 times, he coped fine. But then I knew he would as he's very laid back and settles within 30 seconds. Our other pony is very stressy and he hasn't moved in 6 years. He takes about 6 months to settle so any move would be considered very carefully.
 
Personally I'd do what I could to keep him there - would a few months hardship be terrible for you, compared to the possible upset for him, especially as you know you'll be moving him soon and you're happy with the yard itself. Most horses will settle, but each move is likely to be more unsettling than the last.

Does he live out? If so, once a day to visit would probably be ok, especially if there are other liveries there at different times of day to spot any problems. If he's in overnight could you share with a fellow livery to have them turn him out in the morning or bring him in at night if you did the opposite for them?

It took my boy a good 6-12 months to settle properly. He'd been moved around a lot before I had him and I think he didn't expect to stay so although he was calm and easy to handle, he didn't really form any relationships with his fieldmates and was always on the periphery. 8 years on he's still in the same herd, right in the middle of everything (except if there's fighting, then he hides!) and is everybody's friend. It wasn't until I saw him start to do this, that I realised how withdrawn he'd been before.
 
I sort of agree with you annagain and this was really my gut feeling but equally he has been at the present place for such a short length of time I wonder if it will make a big difference? Particularly as the reality is I would have much more time to spend with him if moved....
I'm sort of holding of to see when the move might likely be, as for 3 months it wouldn't be worth it or fair but for 6-12 months it would be potential more worth the upheaval.
 
Depends on the horse. Some don't mind moving about, others do. You know your horse so will know how quickly/slowly he will take to settle. Didn't you realise the distance before you moved him to this yard last month? Do you have to give one months notice to your YO? Did YO know your horse was only going to be there temporarily? If you are looking to move again in another few months I'd probably stay where you are if the horse is settled and happy there. Is there any way you could pay extra to have the YO do the horse either in the morning or evening to save you one of the trips there daily?
 
If he's not been there too long may not of settled so could be fine - like others have said will depend on horses temperament - I think I would have issues with both of mine the one has to be in charge so would have to try & establish his position if iwith others & the other one is a stress head so would probably be traumatised for a while -good job I'm sort of happy where I m :)
 
Spring Feather said:
Depends on the horse. Some don't mind moving about, others do. You know your horse so will know how quickly/slowly he will take to settle. Didn't you realise the distance before you moved him to this yard last month? Do you have to give one months notice to your YO? Did YO know your horse was only going to be there temporarily? If you are looking to move again in another few months I'd probably stay where you are if the horse is settled and happy there. Is there any way you could pay extra to have the YO do the horse either in the morning or evening to save you one of the trips there daily?
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It's sort of long winded-

I found out a couple of days before he arrived (he is a new horse) that my work was moving premises. So what was a 20 min journey is now a 40 min journey. I have also had working from home possibilities revoked for the time being due to move!

At about the same time I found out my partner has been offered a job a few hours away. He starts in 3 months and my plan is to eventually follow but I haven't been in my present role long and so am reluctant to move too quickly. I haven't even started looking for anything else yet, so realistically any potential future move is some way off.

All the uncertainties are why I am so uncertain! But at some point in the future (near future!) I'm going to have to make some sort of decision/ plan as to whether I hang on here for 6-12months and he comes back at weekends or whether I up and go immediately too.

current yard is very DIY with no yo on site so services/ help there not an option.
 
Oh boy life is moving fast for you lol! Well I think you just have to make the decision that suits you and your horse best. If you can find a yard closer then no harm in going to have a look to see if it will work for you.
 
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