what would you do? YARD

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CBFan

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Ok. I've not been happy at current yard for a while. Mainly the people but now the things I wanted it for (e.g. the all year turn out) aren't even working for me so I'm looking to move. I have just been offered a box at a yard I've known for a long time but my only issue with it is that to get to any hacking I have to cross a main road or go under a motorway bridge and as my horse is only 2 and a half, when it comes to backing him next year, do I want to be contending with that? Saying that, I will have (hopefully) nice company to escort us and I know it will be a good education for him but is it really a good idea? any reasurance / solutions / encouragement appreciated.

So... Current yard:

Large stable
All year turnout in heavily grazed fields meaning I am having to feed hay all year round which at £5 a bale and half a bale a day = £1200 a year!
School - which floods to the extent it resembles a ploughed field from september then freezes solid around January time.
FANTASTIC hacking.
30 + horses on the yard most of them owned by horrible / difficult / bitchy / numpty people.
Y/O doesn't manage the place

there are lots more negatives to this place but I won't list them on here.

Potential new yard:

£15 more a month
Large stable (but smaller than current)
26 acres to about 12 horses = Plenty of grazing all year round. My boy will share with 3 others and will include a field shelter. this will mean that I won't have to hay all year round (only the worst of the winter).
BEAUTIFUL 20 x 60 menage
GREAT hacking but access issues as above.
Able to ride around empty fields on yard.
Quiet yard and I have known owner for years and she is keen to have me there.
Distance from home the same as current but about 10 mins closer to work.
 
From reading the above Id move too, sound like you're unhappy at the current place and as said above time spent with horses is supposed to be enjoyable so why put up with problems?!

Im sure you'll be able to work around the hacking issue with a good escort and patience :)
 
I'd go for the second one. Your youngster will soon get used to going under the scary bridge- esp. if there are horses at the yard that are used to it and can babysit.

School and hacking round fields sounds perfect for starting him off as well.

Not sure about the busy main road i'm sure your horse will get used to it but it is the drivers you have to worry about. I guess like anywhere it will have quieter times that you can go out that way though? Guess just avoid it at rush hour.

No point staying somewhere you are unhappy and that is poorly managed!1
 
I would move, as long as your horse has the essentials (which it sounds like both places offer) then it is down to how happy you are. Horses should be an enjoyable hobby and you should feel happy when you are down the yard. If your current yard doesn't allow you to do that then it is time to move.
 
I think if you have been unhappy in current yard for some time it is only going to get worse, and possibly end up like me at my previous yard where i started to not want to go to yard because of bitchiness etc so personally i'd move and go under the bridge when out hacking, think it will be worth it in long run x
 
Move!

the hacking issues arent real issues.

As you said it will be good experience for your horse and you will have a nice escort.

It sounds all round a nicer place for you and your horse.
 
Sounds like your mind is pretty much made up by the way you describe both yards.

If the current yard is not working out anymore, move, after all it's supposed to be something you look forward to doing, going up to the yard, seeing to your horse, enjoying the facillities and having the social side to it as well, if your not getting any of that and it's costing you a fortune, I'd move. :)
 
I would see the nearness of the traffic as a bonus. A friend of mine has a cattle grid right next to her field and none of her horses bother when we are out on the road. Lorries, vans, cars with trailers etc go past without even a flick of an ear from her horses and they are all youngsters with the oldest being 3



The only down side I can see to you moving to the new yard is a smaller stable than what you have now. Way better turnout more than compensates for this though


Good luck if you move. Hope it goes smoothly for you
 
I would be packing my bags now. :D

I agree with the above comments, you don't sound happy at the current yard and I'm sure there will be someone around to help get your horse used to the bridge and busy road. :)
 
I am going with the move option as well. Its also closer to work so you can nip back if need be for vets visits etc.

Also I believe that its a good thing that horses are bomb proof in traffic and have experience of such things. I know its not great having to cross over main roads etc but if occasion arrises at least you will know for sure that your horse will be sensible and used to it rather than hoping.

Sounds much nicer than your current yard and more organised. Therefore its got to be better for both you and your horse.
 
Move... Quality time spent in a decent menage and hacking round fields will put you in a far better position to deal with hacking when the time comes.
 
THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!

You've given me all the reasurance I need! I just find moving yards sooooo hard! There are so many more positives to 'new' yard - There is always plenty of grass (with the option of sectioning it off / resting which I don't have at the current yard (think Sahara desert) and at the end of the day if he doesn't fit / like the stable he can winter out with his field mates and be allowed hay in the field (unlike current yard) if necessary.

It is sooooooooo peacefull compared to where I am yet there are things for the horses to see and do.

I am paying a visit to 'new' yard tomorrow to make doubly sure I'm happy but I think I'm decided.

THANKS Again! xx
 
All have said everything :D

Move :D :D :D

Motorway bridges are brilliant for getting horses used to very strange environments. I've taken a few youngsters under them, and it's definately been a case of better starting younger than older, in my experience anyway :)

Have a hot choccy, it'll give you the oomph to get packing :D
 
Thanks Mrs M!! hot choccy guzzled with delight!!

I am actually getting quite excited now! If only I could tell you all about my current yard now you'd realise that quite frankly ANYTHING would be an improvement!
 
Definately move, realistically once you take your youngster out he should be under control enough to be on the roads, and im sure it sounds like you will be able to take some experienced horse company along with yours to calm his nerves when that time comes!
 
I think I would move if I were in your position.

There are motorway bridges and tunnels near us, and they are quite safe to ride on. The horses get used to them quickly enough as long as they go out the first few times with a steady influence!

However I understand what you are feeling. Very close to me there are some superb yards, with far, far superior facilities to the one I'm at, and while I'm constantly tempted to move, I wont because they all have hacking problems, being based off roads that are not safe to ride on. For me, safe hacking is really important as I ride daily and without being able to safely hack out 3 times a week, me and my horse would go nuts.

The worst roads seem to be the narrow, twisty lanes with high hedges each sides. The drivers all use these as rat runs between the villages and the M25 and go far too fast and often have trouble stopping safely if a horse is round the bend. There have been several terrible accidents over the past few years involving horses and riders, and on these types of roads you're in as much danger if your on a bombproof cob as a spooky TB.
 
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