What do you do?

[Chianti]

What do you do if you need to move yards but you really can't find anywhere to go to? I don't want to go into too many details in public but I feel that I have to move my equine and can't find anything that would work. I was looking for over a year before I moved to the yard we're now on. There are a range of health issues to be considered which make it very difficult to find the right place so the choice is very limited before you factor in that most good places are already full. I've spent endless hours trawling through the internet. I go through Facebook, looking at old posts that were searching for livery and then messaging people who had responded to those. The response rate is about 5% and none have been useful. What makes it worse is that twice I thought I'd found somewhere that would work only for the yard owner to then retract the offer for some reason. I'm seriously thinking that I will have to consider the PTS option as I just don't know what else to do. Has anyone else ever had to do this? And if anyone even considers coming back to this and being less than supportive - please don't do it. I don't need people who've had the good fortune to find livery that works for them tell me that all I have to do is look more or be willing to drive further for a good yard.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

Many years ago when we were desperate to move yards, we drove round and asked at everywhere we saw stables. We were fortunate to find a yard that was just being set up by a retired farmer.

 

[Equi]

There really isn’t much we can tell you. I hope you get sorted.

 

[meleeka]

Compromises will probably need to be made, but I suggest keep contacting the yards you are keen on in the hope they might think of you if they hear of something. Also wanted posts on FB in your local horsey group. It's often a case of "right place, right time".

 

[Nonjumper]

I've never had a yard owner suddenly change their mind after offering me a place. Obviously I've no idea what the situation is, but I'd suggest if that is happening someone is talking to them and putting them off accepting you as a client.

You might need to look again at your list of must haves, because I think you are going to have to compromise in order to find a yard that is not only doable travel wise, but that your horse will be happy at. All you can do is keep searching and enquiring. I agree with @meleeka that putting an advert up on your local horsey FB groups could pay dividends.

 

[Highmileagecob]

Possibly worth asking in the local feed store, or if your vet knows you, mention that you are looking to move and would they let you know if they hear of anything. Same for EDT, instructor and farrier and anyone else you can think of who travels around yards.

 

[gallopingby]

Compromise and less Facebook posts about the yard you’re on? News travels fast, you might be the perfect owner but not everyone sees things as black and white. Hope you find somewhere suitable.

 

[Chianti]

Thank you all for the suggestions. I have done all of those. It's difficult to compromise on what you're looking for when that means compromising on the health of a living thing that you are responsible for.

 

[Chianti]

Compromise and less Facebook posts about the yard you’re on? News travels fast, you might be the perfect owner but not everyone sees things as black and white. Hope you find somewhere suitable.

I haven't put any FB posts about the yard I'm on. I've tried posting anonymously for a new location. As I've said any compromise would affect the animal that I'm responsible for.

 

[Nonjumper]

It's difficult to compromise on what you're looking for when that means compromising on the health of a living thing that you are responsible for.

In what respect?

 

[SEL]

My last yards came word of mouth. Physio, another livery and then a local instructor. I had 2 special needs horses but I'm a boringly responsible owner who pays on time so I think any background check said exactly that.

I did pop on FB post up. "Looking for DIY livery for 2 large horses, at least 2 acre field, all year turn out and arena. Prompt payer can provide references. Please let me know if anything suitable"

I got loads of yards contact me! I didn't do it anonymously though which might have helped because it's a small world and they probably scanned my FB friends first.

 

[splashgirl45]

When we had to leave our yard quickly as the YO had not told us that the people she had sold the stables to needed us out by the end of the month which was 3 days away. I just drove round and if I saw horses in a field I went in and asked. The last yard I went into the girl working there thought the YO might take us and she got her in the phone, first of all she said no DIY people ,then she said she needed to meet us, she then relented and said we could stay for 3 months and if she wasn’t happy we had to go. Luckily she was fine with us and we stayed for 6 years until we lost our horses. What are the things you need for your horse?

 

[GTRJazz]

We moved house and jobs really is that simple, but it depends if your horses are put first guess I am selfish as now a long way from friends and family. If the horses are not so important sell up

 

[JFTDWS]

Are you looking for suggestions, or do you just want to rant?

The latter is a valid option, livery can be very frustrating. I’m asking because the answers are what you’ve said you don’t want to hear - look further afield, compromise or “get lucky”, being in the right place at the right time (which isn’t in your control). You can’t magic up a space on a nice yard if it doesn’t exist, unfortunately.

 

[Indy]

Go and ask local farmers if they've got any grass livery available. Most will have done their haymaking and not all fields will be waiting for a second cut. It might give you a bit of time to find livery.

 

[Boulty]

If it’s an urgent horse needs moving yesterday type situation then my advice would be to find a reputable full livery yard that will meet all of your horses needs that you can use as a stopgap. Distance no object as you’re not planning on it being forever. Obviously the ideal would be for the owner to already be known to you or for a personal recommendation from someone you trust. Would advise to still check on horse at least monthly if able & ask for updates in between. I did this when I got told to LEAVE NOW a few days before first Covid lockdown. Horse lived about 1 1/2 - 2 hrs (traffic depending)away for 9 months. I investigated somewhere in the region of 50+ yards in that time. It worked out in the end.

This then frees you up to conduct a thorough search of more realistic long term options for as long as it takes. I wouldn’t discount putting notes through letterboxes & suchlike in search of fields to rent / if you want to try your luck with private yards (that’s how I got a space somewhere that technically didn’t take liveries when I didn’t know the owner, just happened that the timing was right)

If it’s less urgent (no immediate welfare concerns) then sit tight, keep looking & pray that a new yard springs up is also an option. (Done that one too… twice!)

Perfect is not always possible sometimes you have to settle for “workable” for a while and dream that maybe one day something closer to perfect will appear as an option.

 

[Tiddlypom]

Without knowing your ‘must have’ requirements it’s hard to know what to suggest.

Grass free track livery? Off road hacking from yard? 24/7 turnout individual/pairs/group? Must have/not have shavings/straw bedding?

 

[thefarsideofthefield]

Farriers are a great source of information .

 

[Smogul]

What do you do if you need to move yards but you really can't find anywhere to go to? I don't want to go into too many details in public but I feel that I have to move my equine and can't find anything that would work. I was looking for over a year before I moved to the yard we're now on. There are a range of health issues to be considered which make it very difficult to find the right place so the choice is very limited before you factor in that most good places are already full. I've spent endless hours trawling through the internet. I go through Facebook, looking at old posts that were searching for livery and then messaging people who had responded to those. The response rate is about 5% and none have been useful. What makes it worse is that twice I thought I'd found somewhere that would work only for the yard owner to then retract the offer for some reason. I'm seriously thinking that I will have to consider the PTS option as I just don't know what else to do. Has anyone else ever had to do this? And if anyone even considers coming back to this and being less than supportive - please don't do it. I don't need people who've had the good fortune to find livery that works for them tell me that all I have to do is look more or be willing to drive further for a good yard.

I don't want to sound a note of pessimism but the fact you have twice had an offer retracted may mean the YOs have contacted your current YO and not been happy with what they have been told. You might be better trying to sort things out with your current yard. Sorry if this was not what you wanted to hear.

 

[poiuytrewq]

Many years ago when we were desperate to move yards, we drove round and asked at everywhere we saw stables. We were fortunate to find a yard that was just being set up by a retired farmer.

I’ve found two amazing places that way! Neither actually did livery but allowed me to rent a stable on a DIY basis and both worked out so well.
I’m still kind of in touch with both people years on.

 

[Wishfilly]

Farriers are a great source of information .

Yes, I found my current place through my previous farrier- they go to a lot of yards and will often know people who have space.

That said I was also definitely lucky to be in the right place at the right time because they had a vacancy (plus having a pony small enough to fit into a smaller size stable).

I would definitely ask all the equine professionals you know! They may also be able to vouch for you if your current YO is being less than complimentary about you.

 

[Lucky Snowball]

I would not respond to anyone posting anonymously. Don’t know your requirements but have you asked private yards if they have room for another. I took one in as I felt sorry for the horse. He’s still here.

 

[SantaVera]

Travel round the yards and introduce yourself and get on their waiting lists even if they aren't your perfect yard. Widen your search area too, you might have to travel further to find your yard.

 

[TheOldTrout]

What part of your country are you in? Someone on here might know of somewhere.

 

[Bonnie Allie]

You need to get off FB which is full of crazies, get in the car and drive around to physically meet the YO at the various yards. That means face to face, preferably making an appointment first and having a realistic chat about your needs.

The livery folk we have taken on over the years have done exactly this. We have also had some demanding, unrealistic crazies turn up unannounced but they were clear about their needs and it was mutually agreed that our place wouldn’t suit them. Never once have we advertised for livery - great clients have found us.

There is very little that can’t be solved by simply talking about it together.

 

[scats]

I don't want to sound a note of pessimism but the fact you have twice had an offer retracted may mean the YOs have contacted your current YO and not been happy with what they have been told. You might be better trying to sort things out with your current yard. Sorry if this was not what you wanted to hear.

I was thinking the same.

I’ve just filled our yard and I was very careful who I took. I have a lot of connections locally so got in touch with other YO’s and people I know to check people out.
I turned a lot of people away as a result.

 

[Glitter's fun]

I was looking for over a year before I moved to the yard we're now on.

What makes it worse is that twice I thought I'd found somewhere that would work only for the yard owner to then retract the offer for some reason.

Reading between the lines I wonder whether you sound like a problem owner, when people who haven't met you hear the description of you. It sounds as if you haven't stayed long at your previous yards and that your horse has had multiple health issues and special requirements.

I think you need to put yourself out there in person. Smile at a lot of yard owners, give them confidence that you wont be demanding they jump through hoops to meet your requirements, then promptly leave!

Not saying you would be like that but if you live in an area with a shortage of good places, the natural thing for a yard owner to do is to fill any vacancies with the people who sound easiest.

 

[Miss_Millie]

I understand what you're going through, having been through similar. There are lots of sub-par livery yards out there which do not meet the basic needs of the horse.

I would also try driving around the local area or looking on Google Earth locally to see if there are any farms or smallholdings that might be worth approaching. All people can do is say no, or they could say yes, so there's no harm is asking.

I also don't think people commenting on this thread should be jumping to conclusions when they don't have the full picture. Not helpful.

 

[sarcasm_queen]

There’s must haves and must haves. My “must haves” are off road hacking and a decent school, but realistically, all I need is a secure field and access to some sort of shelter. If it’s an emergency, you might need to rethink what your needs really are.

 

[santas_spotty_pony]

Ask around at any private yards in the area - I used to go on google earth and look for places which had ménage’s and then go and ask the question. Some of my best years before moving them home were spent at private yards.