When is it time to leave your current yard?

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Gatsby1994

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Me again! Having begun to solve the nervous problem and feeling a little happier with it, I began wondering if it was the company at the yard that contributed. After petty messages from YO I'm beginning to think so.
But when do you think it's time to say enough is enough?
I've looked at the cost of my part livery compared to what facilities I have = no school, only hacking, will only exercise twice a week and this all costs me £400 every 4 weeks (he's not on feed) however it is fairly private - there are only 6 horses on this yard including mine. There are shoots every other weekend as well, meaning you're either out hacking by 7am in the dark or you don't ride that day. The hacking is fairly good compared to most places around my area.

Some may say that's pretty cheap... but I'm in an area of the country where that's actually pretty expensive.

I've found a yard that charges £67.70 a week for part livery and has flood lit schools the whole shebang.
Yes as opposed to a 15 minute drive, it's 25 minutes.

But would you jump at the chance to move or would you stay put because you have friends on your current yard that you enjoy being around rega. Or say sod it, I need to do what's best for my 6 year old horse?

I'm an over thinker and fairly anxious as well, which is why I'm looking to you guys for help! Otherwise I'd probably being having a meltdown!
 
Bless you, I can empathise.

I think you need to do a list of pros and cons so you can look at it objectively.

However I would be concerned that the current yard makes you anxious, you don't know wha tthe other yard is like - could be even worse? Do you know anyone on the other yard you could chat to?
 
I am in the same boat. However I am DIY. Literally everything DIY which I have always been okay with but the YO has really let the place start to fall into disrepair. My stable/fields are fine as I make sure they are that way. We have an outdoor with lights but fencing around the arena is awful. I’m contemplating a move to a nearby bigger yelped that only offers a few DIY places. For me it would be much better but my horse is settled where I am, is in his routine and loves his field buddy. The people also keep me where I am as I have a few friends who are great to hack with etc. Guess there is no right time... you just have to weigh up pros and cons for both you and your horse. Sorry, not really very helpful is it
 
pansymouse said:
It's time to move when you no longer enjoy going there or your horse is unhappy. You look to have pretty viable alternative so I would say it's probably time for a change.
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^^this... but do have a good look round the other yard, be sure of the travel time and how that will affect you - is it longer at different times of the day? I have been 30 mins/20 miles away before and that was a pita after a while, it really ate into my day but I was DIY at the time.

I'm starting to get itchy feet myself.. just a general sense of frustration and the atmosphere has nose dived so it's not a very enjoyable place to be. Haven't found an alternative yet though :rolleyes:
 
Based on my own experiences, I think that when you're thinking about it and researching it seriously, as you are, it's probably time to move. I will moan about something and think about changing it for a while, then it's like a switch in my mind goes and it's time to actually act on it. I guess you need to work out whether you've reached that time!

I am in an expensive part of the country and I think £400 a month for that is expensive as well. I know your horse doesn't get hard feed for that but is bedding and forage included? I drive half an hour to the yard (at least, that's early morning/late evening with no traffic) and my horse is on part livery. I wouldn't want to be any further away but in my area (London/Surrey), you have to go a bit further out to get to the really decent yards. I have had to go onto part livery but it is worth it and I needed to do that because I travel for work anyway.

Re friends, I think you need to do what is best for you and your horse. Over the last 10 years I have been on four yards - the longest I was on for seven years and I am still friends with those I was closest to three years after I left. You will maintain the friendships if you all want to, and make lots of new friends at the new yard too.

Good luck with whatever you decide to do :-)
 
We are moving yards this weekend. It hasnt been an easy decision but it is definitely the right decision. It is not the nice friendly yard it used to be.The last few weeks I have dreaded going up the yard, and this is definitely not how it should be! When going to the yard becomes a chore rather than something you enjoy - then its time to look at making some changes.
 
Time to move when the facilities no longer meet your requirements or you/your horse are generally unhappy.

The yard I'm at isn't perfect and I get frustrated with certain elements quite occasionally. But my horse is very happy and settled and the facilities are pretty much ideal for me (sadly no canter track, though! :P ) and the price is right.

If going up each day filled me with dread and anxiety, I would be looking to make a change. At one stage, I did feel like this due to one horrible livery who was making trouble for a few of us. Thankfully, this person left so everyone is happy again, but I was seriously looking at other yards during that time.

We have horses to enjoy them. If you're not enjoying it, I'd be looking around. Just don't make any snap decisions, do think things through properly and really consider your options.
 
The other thing to think about is, it is January! :) I think everyone gets fed up at this time of year and it is eas yto think all would be better if you were on a different yard, with other people, with different facilities. Were you happy there in November and December? There are negatives with every set up.
 
It sounds to me like the time has come. You're paying more for fewer facilities, you're not particularly happy there and your riding is curtailed by the shoots.

I wouldn't jump at the new yard (as you put it) though. I would do my homework and take my time to consider it carefully, just to make sure it's not out of the frying pan into the fire. You say you have friends on your current yard but also that it makes you anxious. You need to weigh up whether the benefits of those friendships outweigh the anxiety, the extra cost (although that will probably be balanced by fuel costs) and the lack of facilities.

A couple of other points - You don't mention how big the new yard is compared to your current yard or whether you'd prefer a bigger yard? The extra travelling distance could be an issue too. Try the drive a few times at different times of day to see whether you can deal with it, whether rush hour is a problem etc.
 
Thanks for all the advice! I've managed to find a former RDA yard with only 7 horses on thats roughly the same distance as my current yard, only north not south (5 minutes extra driving at rush hour but less milage)! £40 cheaper a month for more facilities including flood lit school and small selection of XC jumps and adlib hay. It's only draw back is it's an exposed hill so it's going to be very chilly!!

Hopefully my horse will be very happy here and settle well.
 
good luck. I am sure everything will go well and that you have made the right decision for both of you
mother_of_poniesx said:
We are moving yards this weekend. It hasnt been an easy decision but it is definitely the right decision. It is not the nice friendly yard it used to be.The last few weeks I have dreaded going up the yard, and this is definitely not how it should be! When going to the yard becomes a chore rather than something you enjoy - then its time to look at making some changes.
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Gatsby1994 said:
Thanks for all the advice! I've managed to find a former RDA yard with only 7 horses on thats roughly the same distance as my current yard, only north not south (5 minutes extra driving at rush hour but less milage)! £40 cheaper a month for more facilities including flood lit school and small selection of XC jumps and adlib hay. It's only draw back is it's an exposed hill so it's going to be very chilly!!

Hopefully my horse will be very happy here and settle well.
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well done! just wish more people would move yards instead of hoping things will improve/change..they never do!
think ym/yo's forget that we pay their rent/mortgage instead of them making you feel they are doing you a favour!! indeed!
 
Sounds like a good plan. I made a very similar descision back in September. Best thing I did. We've really gone from strength to strength with decent facilities. It's a further drive but I just settle down with some good music. Slightly more expensive but I'm saving money on less hard feed as the grazing is better and don't have to travel for lessons now. It's true what someone else said about a switch. I literally woke up one day and decided that was it.
 
Gatsby1994 said:
Thanks for all the advice! I've managed to find a former RDA yard with only 7 horses on thats roughly the same distance as my current yard, only north not south (5 minutes extra driving at rush hour but less milage)! £40 cheaper a month for more facilities including flood lit school and small selection of XC jumps and adlib hay. It's only draw back is it's an exposed hill so it's going to be very chilly!!

Hopefully my horse will be very happy here and settle well.
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That sounds brilliant, good luck!
 
I regret not moving yards. I ended up losing my horse in awful circumstances and my biggest regret was him and I not being happy for those last few months. The yard was a total mess and my horse was not looked after well. I should have gone but I just hoped things would improve and the yard owner was the most unapproachable woman I've ever met.
If you are unsettled/ unhappy then go!!!
 
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