Would you move your horse further away for better facilities?

For a full livery yard, not a problem in my opinion. Part or DIY where there is a time constraint and an actual requirement to get there, no I'd never recommend that.

I live at the top of a hill, and all the yards I used to be on were an issue to get to in winter if it was icy, whether they were 5 or 30 minutes away.

My final yard was the closest and it made me realise how much time I'd wasted over the years. I was never on full livery though, and used to do the horses once or sometimes twice every single day.
 
Gosh mine is on full livery a whole 7 minute drive away from my house and I still can't drag my bones there on somedays when I get home at 7.30 or 8pm (I work in central London, with a 1 hour commute each way to work and fairly long hours). I don't know how you all do it.

I did used to have two on DIY 30 minutes away - I only went once a day but it was a killer. I used to waste so much time going there (then having to do chores) that I never had time to ride, groom etc I was desperate to bolt away to avoid traffic etc. I would never be further than 15 minutes drive, 20 at a push!
 
I moved Young Cob from supported grass livery which was about 20 minutes away to full livery around 50 minutes drive away. This has been worth the hassle and the huge cost as he is now getting the training that I want and making great progress (without being rushed in any way) with a fabulous grand-prix dressage rider. He is also being looked after really well - still living out with a companion as this suits him best. I can no longer ride him myself as my arthritis has got worse but I don't want to sell him so we are also doing some work with a view to have him broken for driving. I love the yard we are in now - it has two outdoor schools but otherwise is quite 'homey' but it is professional, totally horse-centred and friendly and I know if I cannot get there for a day or so then he is absolutely fine.
 
Mine is 20 miles from home, but work is slap bang in the middle, so by the time I have done pony in the evening, done chores, ridden, etc, the traffic has died down & my journey home is great.
I wouldn't get the facilities near home, plus I'd have to do the journey in peak traffic THEN go to pony.
Plus the fact I am on a yard with friends makes the miles worth every moment.
 
Ok so 10 minutes twice daily = 40 minutes total driving

30 minutes twice daily = 1 hour total drivetime

That's about an extra 20 mins a day of driving / petrol, although you'll be saving more than that timewise if you're currently at yard twice daily and will only be going up once (provided you're happy with the cover they provide)


If having the extra facilities means you can do more with your horse then it may be worth a shot as if the facilities where you are restrict what you can do then you probably aren't going to ride / spend time with your horse any less than you do now.

If it were me then I'd say it probably is worth a shot
 
The only thing else to consider regarding the time is that it will all be backloaded after work (if you work?). Therefore a whole hour of your evening will just be getting there and back before you do anything else. Then you've got to muck out etc. before or after you ride.
 
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