Would you go to this yard? Why am I hesitating?

Go with your gut instinct!

Mine would be no, for two reasons, one, i don't like the idea of not having a control/flexibility in the grazing situation. Two, for me, I love the social side of riding. You might fall lucky and really get on with the other liveries, but it would be pretty miserable if they were 'not your cup of tea'!

Ive moved around quite a few times with my job so consequently, been on a fair few yards. Everyone, i have asked questions about the other liveries, what they do with there horses, age, what sort of time they generally come up etc....

I moved yards 2 years ago. It was to the yard I travelled to for my lessons - good grazing, superb hacking, nice arena, instructor on-site, but, one big gust of wind and I reckon the whole lot would fall down! It is soooo run down! When I left previous yard, i said to yard owner, if it doesn’t work out, can i come back....she was fine with that. Can you do the same???

Hard one! Good luck what ever you decide.
 
i disagree with putting up with slightly batty YO

i turned down 10 acres of grazing for £60 a month (with a shelter)! (iknow i know)! as the woman was slightly bonkers....and drunk,

but as long as they are a sain excentric its possible....but if they are just pure batty i wouldnt go near :o
 
noodle_ said:
i disagree with putting up with slightly batty YO

i turned down 10 acres of grazing for £60 a month (with a shelter)! (iknow i know)! as the woman was slightly bonkers....and drunk,

but as long as they are a sain excentric its possible....but if they are just pure batty i wouldnt go near :o
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There is always something isn't there. Distance, price, bitchy liveries, no turnout...

I just realised - I hope that lady doesn't use the forum :( I feel very mean now!
 
yes but turnout is the bigges ever issue for me (Always been my gripe)!

now mine live out - so no-one telling me when i can and cannot put my horses in.out :)
 
if the issue is being out alone on such a huge field (especially if horse is a good doer) and lady is very set in her ways about keeping horses separate, maybe you could invest in a hardy companion and reach a conclusion so you do not have to pay for full livery for him? if you explained that you really wouldn't like your horse out alone but like all other aspects and explain that she would not need to do him so it would not be any additional hassle? could be a ridiculous and far-fetched idea but a suggestion is a suggestion:o:p
 
For me the limited turnout and poor arena surfaces would be a no.
I'd want at least all day turnout on a reasonable size field... A big field is fine as long as its topped or kept short....
And arena...is need something with a good surface...
 
I have been in touch with the lady again and asked if I could make a separate paddock in the very big one that she showed to me. I said that I would use electric fencing at my own cost but she said no because she didn't want to risk the show ponies getting caught up in it - I do understand her view even though I think it is a pretty old school approach. She said that the turnout hours could be extended during the day but when I asked if there was a smaller, scrubbier paddock I could use she hasn't then replied.

The thing that is pulling me to this place is the hacking, the fact that it is just a few minutes away and that it is full livery for £65 quid. Mind you I may have done her head in with requests already and she might not even want me on her yard! When I have to find a new yard I get obsessed - can't rest until I know where I'm going!
 
Ok so if you like it, the school is better than you have, and you have been offered more turnout then to solve the smaller paddock you could muzzle when out at night and bring in during the summer. Then opposite at winter.

With out walking the field I don't think you will see truly now much grass there is. I eered at the amount of grass mine has, but being in during the day with a small feed he hasn't got any bigger.
 
Why do they only go out for half a day when there is so much acreage? Sounds bizarre! Or is it because she won't divide the fields and so they would get too fat being out for longer?

I couldn't stomach that anyway. Horses need to be out as much as possible IMO. That would be the deciding factor for me - a resounding no.
 
I just can't get past the individual turnout - keep telling myself it doesn't matter as he doesn't spend ANY time with the other geldings he is out with now. Doesn't like to groom etc - will very rarely graze next to someone but is usually the other side of their 6 acres.

What I really need is a mountain of H&H to come and see it with me because I can't get the opinion of my fellow liveries as I don't want the farmer to know that I am thinking of leaving. I just lack confidence when it comes to making decisions. Took me months to choose some curtains once!
 
Rueysmum said:
Why do they only go out for half a day when there is so much acreage? Sounds bizarre! Or is it because she won't divide the fields and so they would get too fat being out for longer?

I couldn't stomach that anyway. Horses need to be out as much as possible IMO. That would be the deciding factor for me - a resounding no.
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Yes - think it is because of the huge paddocks and fat ponies. I definitely could get her to budge on the hours I think but not on the huge paddock full of lush grass!
 
***UPDATE***

Well it looks like slightly batty woman has made my decision for me. It seems like I have asked too many questions about varying degrees of turn out and she has had enough. I called her to see if I could come and have another look and she said I probably need to find somewhere with a smaller paddock if he can't take the grass.

Sensible, yes. Being rejected by a Roy Cropper YO, Priceless.

Back to the drawing board so I suggest you wait for yard number 3 that we will have to pull apart.
 
Noo,seeing a forum and being able to text are quite different "talents" trust me..I am the same! Think you are potty not to grab the chance myself.
 
Too late :( she has had enough of my questions it would seem and has said I best look elsewhere. Probably for the best as too much grass is certainly an issue.

I WANT FULL LIVERY BUT I JUST NEED IT TO BE HALF THE PRICE! :D
 
I haven't read the other replies but I once signed up to a yard that sounds similar to this- price wise, great facilities, too good to be true kind of feel...
Needless to say I wouldn't do it again. YO turned out to be a bit of a psycho, acting as if my horse was hers as she was on her land, watching me around her, watching me ride, we came to blows when my horse came in from the field covered in blood, YO said someone had been in the fields all day and not noticed a thing, then 'told me off' for butting into her conversation (politely considering the reason may I ad) to tell her my horse was injured. They then told me that I shouldn't be there twice a day as my horse was being checked throughout the day for me and I should go down once a day max as it wasnt normal to keep going down there. They threw my instructor off of the yard and said I had to use them. When I told them I was leaving 2 months after arriving (yes all of this happened within 2 months!!!!) the day I went to collect my horse and all of my things they threw all of my stuff into the car park, saddle upside down at the bottom of the pile, and we're extremely intimidating through the whole thing!

So now when something looks too good to be true I have to agree, it probably is!
 
amymay said:
Because actually, it doesn't sound that great a yard.

I wouldn't be jumping at it either.
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Me either, it would be the half day (or on his own) turn out that would put me off. My boy has ind turnout, but he is next to others and he never gets turned out alone, I like 24\7 turnout in the summer and wouldn't compromise on this. Also why are there only 2 other liveries? Is it that there is only a limited number allowed or is there another reason?
 
Point is surely that this Roy Cropper place was`nt actually a "yard",it was a private place accepting just a very few liveries to pay for her own show ponies!Very very different in my opinion,and not in the least surprised she had had enough and told you..politely..to hop it.
PS it was`nt me!!:D:D:D
 
EAST KENT said:
Point is surely that this Roy Cropper place was`nt actually a "yard",it was a private place accepting just a very few liveries to pay for her own show ponies!Very very different in my opinion,and not in the least surprised she had had enough and told you..politely..to hop it.
PS it was`nt me!!:D:D:D
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I agree about the private house vs livery thing. But to be fair anyone would ask questions when they go to look at a new yard. These are the questions I asked:

Could he have more daylight turnout than half a day in the summer?: No
Could I section of a portion of the 15 acres to restrict grass?: No
Was there a smaller, less juicy paddock he could go on?: No

Not sure I was asking the earth but as you suggest - well within her rights. It has helped me work out that I definitely don't want a huge padddock so it has been useful!
 
I think your wanting too much for your money and just not being realistic. If you want a good full livery you will need to pay for it!
 
OP - sounds like you're better off without this yard and the fact that your decision has been made for you. I went to see a yard a few months ago. It was perfect in every way. Lovely post and railed paddocks, large stables, full-size school with fabulous surface, etc etc. But something put me off. I still to this day don't know what it was, but when I thought of moving there, it didn't feel right. When I made the call to say that I thought her yard was lovely however I had decided to stay where I was, I felt massive relief. And that's when I know I made the right decision.
 
CallyH - my 'I want full livery for half price' was very tongue in cheek. I'm definitely not a moron who thinks that they are ever going to find another yard that charges 65 quid a week for full livery! Not sure wanting to put up one string of electric fence and desiring a few more hours of day turnout was unrealistic but hey, it's your opinion.
 
Well Bigproblemo - sounds like your instinct to question it was right. If a couple of reasonable enquiries result is a no thanks (however polite) what would happen if you had questions once you moved on.

Good luck with the search, the yard for you is out there :D
 
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I expect Mrs Roy Cropper has come across plenty of "can i do This" or "could this be altered for me" types, and like me probably guesses it is possibly the thin edge of the wedge of demands to come. Avoid at all costs (her),she probably does`nt need the money anyway.That the other two liveries have stayed so long speaks volumes to me. For from £120 you will get all you demand no doubt,with all the bitching and misery that goes with it.Cannot wait for your next report!Why are you moving anyway??:)
 
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