Worried about moving yards. Any advice?

RedVendetta

Well-Known Member
Joined
21 April 2008
Messages
1,365
Location
Cheshire, UK
Visit site
I love the yard I keep my horse on. It's expensive but the facilities are second to none and Ive been there 4 years and have soooooooo many friends there who support me so much and Ive gone from a happy hacker to doing BSJA, hunting and XC since Ive been there, none of which Ive done before.
I have to move yards in September
mad.gif
not through choice, through circumstance. Im going back to uni for a year to do a PGCE in Secondary education as I want to be a teacher. Im selling my house, which doesn't bother me, moving in with the OH 20 miles away, which doesn't bother me, leaving my dad (Im the only family he has) and friends to move 20 miles away, which doesn't bother me.... BUT Im most concerned about moving me and my horse off the lovely yard. My horse is so chilled out it probably won't even bother him, and the yards in the new area are much cheaper (Crewe / Nantwich / Sandbach - if anyone knows any decent yards please let me know) , but Im worried about leaving my friends at the yard as I might end up with no one to go to comps with, no support and certainly no lovely dressage instructor (who I will miss loads).
Has anyone had the same situation? What if I end up on a bitchy non supportive yard? I dont want to be the only one who competes on a yard of happy hackers or the crappiest rider at a competition yard and I will miss my friends who I have met on the yard soooooo much aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaagggghhhh
OH very supportive and will come and look at livery yards with me etc but dont think he realises this is the only thing Im worried about. Have decided to do it as being a teacher is more important than what yard my horse is on and I want to be with my OH...... HELP!!
crazy.gif
 
My only observation would be that I wouldn't bother moving anything just for 20 miles - I imagine most of us travel further than that to work every day..I was expecting you to be moving 200 miles.

So much upheaval just for one year (well nine months if you take off the holidays), I would leave neddie where it is happy and pay for some extra livery to cover days when you can't get there and selling a house now would be sheer madness.
 
Everyone I know who has done a PGCE... (and that is a lot of people, I used to tutor at Durham) has had no spare time what so ever. You will have a very full on year with your academic work. With this in mind I would look at a yard with full livery, and not worry about competing, you probably won't have time.
 
Having moved yards a couple of times, I must admit I've always moved on where I know people.

Ask lots of important questions when you visit these new yards - are there kids allowed/are there many people your age there/ is it mainly a comp yard or is it happy hacker heaven?

Make sure you never loose touch with your friends from the old yard and make sure you arrange regualar trips out, preferably Somerford Park!!!

p.s You will never loose your friends from your current yard because we'll always want to know how your getting on...xxx
 
I see what you're saying MH but.... Im a compliance manager in financial services and mortgages for an estate agent so I know what you mean about selling - and if I cant sell the house for a decent price (I got it super cheap) then will rent it out, but that's going to cause me problems either way as if its empty Im screwed for the mortgage!
I can't afford to travel 40 miles a day to my horse with fuel the way it is, especially as a student nor keep my horse on the current yard which is costing £250 a month on DIY at the very least. It would be a financial nightmare and wouldn't make much sense as I can go to a yard in Crewe and pay half that for part livery!
I wont be coming back - I intend to stay in Crewe with OH even when Ive finished my year at uni, so I dont think keeping him on that yard is viable either way. Ill be skint as it is!
So..... I have to move yards and Im worried about losing the social life and support I have there.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Having moved yards a couple of times, I must admit I've always moved on where I know people.

Ask lots of important questions when you visit these new yards - are there kids allowed/are there many people your age there/ is it mainly a comp yard or is it happy hacker heaven?

Make sure you never loose touch with your friends from the old yard and make sure you arrange regualar trips out, preferably Somerford Park!!!

p.s You will never loose your friends from your current yard because we'll always want to know how your getting on...xxx

[/ QUOTE ]

And I will always want to know how you're getting on chick... you're one of the chums Im talking about!
Perhaps you would come with me to visit new yards?
 
[ QUOTE ]
Everyone I know who has done a PGCE... (and that is a lot of people, I used to tutor at Durham) has had no spare time what so ever. You will have a very full on year with your academic work. With this in mind I would look at a yard with full livery, and not worry about competing, you probably won't have time.

[/ QUOTE ]
Yes I agree wholeheartedly but I will always try and fit in the odd social competition and will put my horse on part livery, can't stand the thought of him being on full livery as he thrives on a 121 relationship
 
Ok, well Ive got 2 on the shortlist so far but hoping to find more!! Will let you know as it will have to be when Ive been paid.... can't even afford fuel to visit OH at the mo. He's coming down on the train on Thursday bless him as he cant believe fuel prices!! xx
 
As it is only 20 miles and you will be very busy could you not find a friend who would look after your horse during the week and leave you free to ride / compete at the weekend.
laugh.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
As it is only 20 miles and you will be very busy could you not find a friend who would look after your horse during the week and leave you free to ride / compete at the weekend.
laugh.gif


[/ QUOTE ]
Thanks for the thought... but I think that would defeat the object as I want my horse close to me and I can't afford to keep my horse on the current yard when Im a student. Plus I will be continuing to live in crewe after my PGCE, its not a short term thing. I will definitely be moving off Im afraid. Plus Im not allowed to put my horse on share/loan on the current yard (they are very difficult about it) and the only people I trust with my horse already have 2 of their own each and so I don't think a third would be something they would want to take on!
 
I moved yards last year after being on the same yard for 7 years, what happened was my mare went on loan, i gave up my stable not intending to have another horse for 6 months, my instructor found Beanie for me and I ended up buying him. Unfortunately my stable had been let. YO did say I could have a stable when one came free but until then had to find a new yard. Anyway found the one I am on now, was a bit scared as didn't know anyone after being part of almost a extended family on the other yard. Upshot is I love my new yard, facilities are not as good as last one but people are great and horse is very happy, neared to home so lot less travelling too. Still keep in touch with old liveries so have best of both worlds. So I would say go for it, I am sure you will find the perfect yard for you.
 
I can see what you need to do, I will be in the same situation as u soon and I am dreading it!

U need to find the ideal yard 10 miles away with lots of space and take all ur horsey friends with u! :-) if only it was that easy!

Look around lots of yards, then when u find one u like go up there at different times of the day to see how busy it is and talk to different people! U have made the difficult decision that you have to move yards. Sorry i don't know of any yards in that area but good luck!
 
[ QUOTE ]
I moved yards last year after being on the same yard for 7 years, what happened was my mare went on loan, i gave up my stable not intending to have another horse for 6 months, my instructor found Beanie for me and I ended up buying him. Unfortunately my stable had been let. YO did say I could have a stable when one came free but until then had to find a new yard. Anyway found the one I am on now, was a bit scared as didn't know anyone after being part of almost a extended family on the other yard. Upshot is I love my new yard, facilities are not as good as last one but people are great and horse is very happy, neared to home so lot less travelling too. Still keep in touch with old liveries so have best of both worlds. So I would say go for it, I am sure you will find the perfect yard for you.

[/ QUOTE ]

Thank you for the positive advice. Was just the sort of comment I was looking for!!
grin.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
I can see what you need to do, I will be in the same situation as u soon and I am dreading it!

U need to find the ideal yard 10 miles away with lots of space and take all ur horsey friends with u! :-) if only it was that easy!

Look around lots of yards, then when u find one u like go up there at different times of the day to see how busy it is and talk to different people! U have made the difficult decision that you have to move yards. Sorry i don't know of any yards in that area but good luck!

[/ QUOTE ]

Again thank you for the positive advice. Hope you find a nice new yard too! Wish I could move all my friends with me!!
grin.gif
 
Top