What would you do?

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mickey

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I have been at the same livery yard for over 5 yrs. There was some confusion around which type of livery I might be doing this Winter and I started looking for other yards because I wasn't happy doing full livery which was all that was on offer.
I hence looked at another yard which might well suit, despite the fact that the first yd have now said I can do anything wrt livery that I like. (I wanted DIY and I am now going to be permitted to do DIY). The 1st yd do not know I looked at another yd.

Which yd would you choose?

Yard 1

Good location 4 miles from home

Hacking a nightmare because of major road that carries lots of lorries and 60mph cars. Have to cross this or go down it to hack. Crossing is tricky as poor view. I like to hack a lot, but can't relax with the possibility of my horse getting loose on the road.

Rubber school but charged £10/week to use it. Floods badly in the Winter and also freezes.

Stable solid and good size in a covered barn. Everything neat and tidy and concrete/hard standing everywhere - no mud

Teenage girls work there - Lots of bitching and have experienced a lot of problems with getting along with them. Yard owner has no influence over them, hence if you ask for something they are likely to ignore it or get it wrong.

Lots of good parking

Have to use shavings as owner has a straw allergy apparently - Works out expensive.

They only buy haylage in so getting hay in for 1 horse can be very problematic

Have my own store for hay/shavings

Good feed room with room for own feed

Secure steel shipping container for tack

Very small paddock which has not been rested for a very long time indeed. (Less than an acre). Fencing good though and individual which my horse needs.

Everyone is OK with my horse and staff can handle him despite his very bad temperament in the stable.

Right next to the house, 24 hr supervision.

Will cover if I am away or need t/o or bring in.

Horse happy and stable there.

Me have been unhappy the last yr or so due to owner letting me down with things on a friendship level and issues with staff. Not sure if I can get past the 1st thing.


Yard 2 (New one)

Behind large farm shop

Stables undercover in barn which is a bit 'agricultural', not smart like yd 1. Huge box though - 14ft. Yard owner does not seem phased by my horse

Hay and straw included in the price - which the farm makes

Really big and secure tack room

Feed room is a spare stable

Hard standing in barn, but could get muddy outside paddocks in the winter

School sand and quite small, bit deep in places, not sure how it would hold up in the Winter
Great hacking with no worries about major roads or crossing them

MASSIVE individual paddock - Prob about 4 acres. I am allowed to strip graze it or whatever. Well fenced with decent post and rail and electric

Grazing not in view though from farm

Lady will come in and turn my horse out, or get him in and cover stuff if I am away. prices as I would expect.

Barn is locked at night - Hay and straw in a room which adjoins the barn

Close to home - 6 miles.

I know one livery there who is an ex-colleague. May be likely to poke nose in. All liveries/owner/staff are adults though.

WHICH WOULD YOU CHOOSE? PLEASE HELP!!!
 
Well, the second one sounds far better to me. I wouldn't mind putting up with a bit of mud in places! And you're not sure if the school will hold up in the Winter - well it sounds like you already have an unuseable school in the winter at your present yard.

The facilities at the new yard seem very reasonable for your horse re. stabling and grazing (I'm sure he/she won't mind if it's not immaculate).

Yes, there are bound to be a few negatives, some of which you won't find out about until later (I've not yet heard of the perfect yard!) but I'd be inclined to give it a go, especially as you've already said you're not happy where you currently are.

Good luck, whatever you decide.
 
Thanks a lot. Would the adjoining small room attached to the stable block (contains hay and straw) be a worry, esp as the barn is locked at night?
 
The second sounds better to me, especially as you like hacking.

I'm not sure I would be thrilled at my horse being locked in over night in case of fire. I do however lock our yard gates, would this be possible?
 
Definitely the second, the first one you write contains a lot more cons, than pros. Where as the second one, has more pros than cons! :)
 
Yard 2 without a doubt!

- Larger field for horse
- Mud I can deal with and if you can rotate/rest your field then fab!
- No dangerous road to cross, no competition there!
- All adults, hopefully a good atmosphere
- Owner on hand to help you bring in/turn out etc

No brainer for me :)
 
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