what would you do?

Do you use an exercise rug?

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harrihjc

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Currently I keep Flash DIY with my retired pony on a rented yard. I'm really torn between staying there and moving him full livery somewhere else

Current yard

- can do what we want when we want
- his own field (can't turn him out with others)
- never have to fight for use of school (only us that use it
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- nobody to watch and criticise or b**** about us
- relatively cheap
- small sandschool- biggest dimension ~ 15m
- very deep sand, and banks up after 1 ride
- nobody to ride with
- can't get out to compete
- spend 2-3 hours a day doing all the yard jobs, little time to actually ride
- only 4 miles away from home, 3 miles from work

moving
- more expensive!!!
- can't afford to have a retired pony on full livery too
- better fecilities to bring on a youngster
- people around for help/advice/to ride with
- may be able to get out to shows by sharing transport
- more time to actually spend with Flash, and more time to ride
- further away from home and work (about 10 miles from home, 5 from work)

I'm sure there's plenty more to add to both lists, but what would you do?? I still live at home so can afford full livery, and it would free up time to get uni work done (in theory!) and I'd be less exhausted as wouldn't have to get up at 5.30 every morning, but I would like to move out eventually, and wouldn't be able to save up as much as if I stayed DIY, and it would be difficult to see both the ponies with them being at different yards, and I really don't want Maddy to not get enough attention, my sister never goes to see her, and she's her pony really. I really don't know what to do!
 
Would he be taken on by the yard farrier at the full livery yard - if that is the case then moving there would be a great option considering your current farrier problems!
 
I don't know what the answer is, but some points to ponder - there may be more people at full livery, there will also be more queues for the school and facilities. Your horse's routine might be more rigid and that may not suit. The other people there might not be lovely, they may not be inclined to share transport.
 
I haven't looked in to things that closely, but I'd hope so as we have to change farriers again anyway as ours has moved and struggles witha 2hour journey.
He is going to need shoeing every 4 or 5 weeks tho, so may be difficult fitting in with others
 
Jenbleep, there are some DIY places but they're really big yards (about 50 horses) and there are loads of horses in very exposed fields, its just so bleak!

I was thinking of one place in particular for full livery, which is where Flash was before I had him, I know a lot of the people very well, and they know and like Flash, and they have great facilities there, and the school is pretty quiet.
 
is the retired pony too old to do anything at all? if not, could someone maybe share her and do a little bit with her at the better yard? or could you loan her out (to someone you know and trust) as a companion.
the better yard sounds good for Flash, as long as he can have sole turnout, which is difficult in big yards.
sounds like you need somewhere that's a mixture of the two, tbh. maybe look around for someone with a private yard who has space for two more only... just an idea. best of both worlds then.
livery yards can be great, but they can be a bit of a nightmare as well...!
 
It isn't a big livery yard, and they always turned Flash out on his own before so I don't think it would be a major problem. A mixture of the 2 would be better really, but can't seem to find very much advertised, and don't really know anywhere with the facilities.

Maddy isn't too old really, but she's been lame for a year with arthritis and unfortunately nothing has improved it, and she's a grumpy mare so would be a rather rubbish companion to anyone else, and she makes children cry
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Its such a difficult decision to make!
 
No, I think thats just her, I've had her 8 years and she's always been anti-social with other horses and face pulling, if anything she's better than she used to be. She seems very happy in herself in the field
 
I think I'm going to have a look around and see how I feel. Midweek livery would be pretty good! I think I've really got the winter blues (already!)
 
i would stay at your own yard, but i say that as i like my own space and being free to do as i please, sounds silly but i really love all my yard chores that i hav to do dunno why lol!! keeps me keen i suppose also being able to use the school whenever is great! as watcher says there will most likely be big queues for the facilities

good luck in your decision
 
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