Would you move?

Serephin

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I am wondering whether to move yards.

My current livery yard is very nice. There are about 30 liveries. We have an outside school. There are a few issues around grazing but generally okay. There is hacking around the farm but not much, so to get a decent hack you need to go on the roads. They are doing a lot of building at the moment, so there is a bit of disruption but not much of an issue really.

But, it was said last winter that this winter coming everybody would have to bed down on shavings instead of straw becuase of issues with disposing of the muck. If we got to shavings only I don't think I can afford ot stay there anymore because Hay is getting more expensive as well, making my monthly livery bill higher and higher.

I have made some friends at my yard and I am happy there apart from the bad hacking and potential looming expense of shavings.

I went and looked at another yard today - it is closer to home - about 7 mins (current yard is 20 mins but is 5 mins from work) and about 10 mins from work. They have an outdoor and an indoor school -loads and loads of grazing - miles and miles of hacking around the farm so you need never go on the road if you don't want to. There are 40 liveries there. Haylage and straw is included in livery price and in the summer price goes down 25 quid if your ned is out 24/7.

I don't know what to do - I like my current yard - I have made some friends and my instructor keeps her ned there too. But the hacking is not amazing - the roads are single country roads and quite busy. The issue of shavings is a worry as my ned is very messy and I reckon it would cost me a fortune, plus I don't really like shavings.

plus I am apprehensive about moving my ned as I am worried he will start being silly again as it has taken a long time to build up my confidence with him. Out hacking he is getting better - and I know it is my nerves (I got bolted with whilst looking for horses and it has affected me more than I realised) he is a TB and can be nervous.

argh - any advice welcome!
 
Do you find it easier hacking off road? If your confidence is better away from the roads then this might mean you can do more of that, and if your horse takes his confidence from you you might both enoy hacking a lot more?

Having a messy horse on shavings can be a nightmare!!

Did you meet any of the other liveries at the possible new yard? Will your instructor happily travel to teach you?
 
id say move if its not far from your old yard you can still meet up with your friends to hack out. off road hacking is great i wish i had it! xxx
 
Sounds like the other yard is nice - and an indoor school too!!! I have one and beleeeeive me it is well worth it in the winter!!! If the new yard is cheaper, better school, better grazing, better hacking, closer to home, cheaper in summer, can stay on the bedding you want??? Think I would move! Your Neddy will soon settle and you will soon make new friends!

Go for it !!
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to be honest I think my confidence would be the same wherever I go - it is getting much better (just need to relax, I don't think he would do anything - its just that fear in the back of my mind) although only being able to hack for half an hour has been better for my state of mind - but I don't plan to be a nervouse nelly forever! He is okay on the roads - got quite joggy in the winter. Can walk really fast on the way back to the yard, but I am getting used to that.

I was just thinking that the horse I used to ride before I went for nice long hacks - and when I had my ned when I was 15 most of the time I would just go out for 3 hour hacks all off road - its what I do. At my current yard its not much of an option.

Don't know about my instructor coming to me - it would be quite a way for her. I shall ask. Would be a shame if she didn't as she is a great teacher and we have become friends. Its one of the things that is making me think twice.

I didn't meet any of the liveries but I did ask about the atmosphere there - apparently most of the are just happy hackers, all DIY and I did see some men (none at our yard) and on one has left for years so they must be doing something right.
 
An indoor school and good turnout are probably my two top requirements now - new yard sounds very good and you should make new friends and your horse settle in ok.

I would seriously consider moving.
 
Your main issues with your current yard appear to be lack of hacking, turnout issues, instructor & using shavings?

The new yard's location appears ideal for you, turnout is much better & the hacking is really good. The new yard allows straw & appears reasonably priced. The only issue left unaddressed is your instructor & that may be resolved with a chat to her.
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The great added bonus is having access to an indoor school. We have one & to be able to ride whatever the weather is doing is absolutely great. That has to be a major factor to influence your decision.

I would go to the new yard at a time when liveries will be there & chat to them....if it has good vibes then your mind should be made up.......best decision I think is to move.
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I would move if is was me - sounds just what i'm looking for - what part of the country is it?

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south lincolnshire



thanks for all your replies - I am definitely mulling it over - it does seem to be a good yard - I am just a little nervous about the whole moving thing (I don't even own a trailer!) but the prospect of hacking and an indoor school is probably going to swing it!
 
You bet!! At that price with those facilities I'd be at that new yard in a flash; why don't you spend a bit of time down there first getting to know people, you'll soon be able to judge how friendly it is.
 
Sounds like an easy decision ... INDOOR SCHOOL!! Lots of GRAZING!! Lots of nice hacking!! Sounds fabulous already.
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Your instructor may be able to come up to this school and teach you, it isn't far away after all.
 
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