Which Yard? Big decision to make... (Sorry long)

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Dumbo

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I need help/advice on making a big
decision!

My horse is currently kept on assisted livery at Yard A. My parents are divorced but I spend most time with my Dad as he lives closer to my horse so drops me off on his way to work and I stay there all day. I've never been happy at this yard for reasons I'll list soon!
Yesterday I found an advert in the local tack shop for DIY livery at the house behind my My mum's house in our rural village (Yard B). So immediately I called to arrange a viewing.


I'll stop waffling and list pros and cons.

Yard A:

Pros:
-People to help and look after my horse when I am unable to get there
-Lots of horses for company
-People to hack out with

Cons:
-Unorganised YO (gave me invoice 27 weeks late so very large owed sum)
-Small stable with several bad leaks and holes in the wood at the back where another horse kicked it - neither has been repaired after my weeks of complaints!
-Awful small arena that the horses struggle to walk in
-Mainly on road hacking
-Can't use straw bedding
-Feed gone missing
-Tack/tools used without asking
-Horrible bossy YM that constantly interferes

£25 per week for stable/grazing
£15 per week for haylage
£20 per week for shavings


Yard B:

Pros:
-Literally 2 minute walk from my house
-Large stable with solid stone/brick walls and roof
-Plenty of grass
-Lovely hacking
-Large sand/rubber arena a 5 minute hack away
-Totally DIY so no one interfering

Cons:
-Only one other horse in sight but surrounding field of sheep
-Paddock and stable need maintenance work first (barbed wire needs replacing with electric fence, trough needs to be plumbed, few plants/trees need to come down)
-Only one person to hack out with so would be reliant on her

£30 per week
Plus haylage and straw (not sure of cost yet)

I want to jump at Yard B but not keen on my horse living alone. There is space for 2 more horses but not likely the space will be filled! I could look at getting a shetland or small native pony but it's extra cost.


What should I do?
Take the plunge and go fully DIY which I am capable of or stick out the winter where I am?
 
As you appear to be dependent on one or other or even both of your parents it would seem politic to ask them first what their feelings are about where you live and where your horse is kept. Then regarding the second yard, you say you'll welcome being independent then say there's only one other person there to rely on.
 
I would prefer yard B but it depends on your circumstances and whether or not you need the assisted livery at yard A. As above poster said, check with your parents and see how they feel. Is there anyone you are really close to at the yard you are at now? If so they might want to consider moving with you so you have a support network and you could help each other out.
 
Second yard sounds like a lot of hard work to get ready, would it be done before winter? Also does your horse like sheep? Some don't :) Mine does, he stands and watches them, plotting how to get into their field no doubt!
 
Do you mind whether you live with your mum or dad (and do they mind)? This is probably a slightly more important decision than where your horse lives.

Neither yard sounds brilliant. Could you talk to the YM at your current yard to see if things can be improved such as the billing and repairs? There are however other bad things that can't be changed like the roads and the school. So on the second one, do you have any friends you could persuade to move with you, and so be there to support each other? It's awfully hard doing pure DIY with absolutely no assistance. No days off, no chance to get help if you're ill...

Have you looked around to see if there are any other alternatives - say on the way to work from either parent?
 
Speak to your parents first of all, see what their thoughts are not only about your living arrangements but your horses too.

If it was me I think I would go for yard B if you have a friend or friend that are willing to move with you great if not then you have to make the most of what you have. It is personal preference however I think that I would prefur the better stable with winter coming and a better arena to ride in and not being reliant on people to get me to and from yard.

AS for the DIY aspect I have always had my horse on a DIY basis, even when they have come to work with me.
 
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