WWYD? Big yard dilemma

N

Notsaying

Member
Joined
19 June 2015
Messages
14
Visit site
Before you read, I don't ride, nothing to do with the horse who is healthy, I just don't ride (accident/confidence issue) I lunge and want to start long reining soon to increase our fitness. Whatever I do, I'll probably find a sharer soon.

A friend currently does mornings for me plus ad hoc as and when if I'm sick/away. She occasionally rides my horse. She is going to be moving into a new house with her own land sometime later in the year. She will still work at the yard, but it's doubtful she'll have time to help with my horse, nor would I want her to hit traffic because she's helping me.

I won't use the yard services for reasons I won't go into in public. It's a riding school and can be very busy, which I don't like. It's very close to my job, but not well maintained. Turnout is one large group in a not big enough field, sometimes a bit crazy. 24/7 turnout is allowed in the summer. Makes me lazy. :( Hacking is not stunning, there's only an outdoor school.

I visited a friend's yard today, equidistant from my house as current yard, but entirely wrong direction from work. It is professionally run, services offered, friends can't help each other out. The stable rent is the same, horse walker is included, facilities and turnout are generally better and it is properly maintained, unlike my current yard. Horses must be in at night year round, turnout is small groups. Hacking is very good and planning has just been granted for an indoor school. I would have to use services every morning realistically and probably most evenings, but it's ridiculously cheap. It would still be double what I pay now, but money isn't a problem.

The other option is to put the horse out on loan, which I would hate to do. I want to see him a few times a week!

I'm on the horns of a dilemma! Someone help :(
 
If money is no problem and you feel (ask around!) that your horse would be looked after to a good standard when you can't be there, then absolutely move him, then find a sharer if your current helper can't continue....UNLESS you have a major issue with the night stabling. How long would it take you to travel to yard 2 from work? Good luck with your decision, :)
 
Do what you feel is right but personally I'd go for the new yard you have described.

It's further away from work but you can afford the services when you need them and the facilities/turn out are better and they would probably be more attractive to a potential sharer or even loaner if you wish to keep your horse at your choice of yard/near you.
 
Being brief as bedtime beckons (sorry!).

Firstly sort out your confidence issues so you can ride and enjoy your horse as it seems such a shame, and a waste of a lovely horse, if you can't. A good instructor is what you need.

Secondly: and armed with the confidence so gained, seek out a yard with the facilities you and your horse need.

You may feel that your "issues" are unsolvable, but there are instructors out there who specialise in the sort of situation you are in and will be only too happy to help you to enjoy your horse.

An alternative would be to firstly find your instructor, THEN consider moving your horse to their yard, for a short time at least, so you can both learn together.........
 
The lack of night turnout would annoy me. When it's very hot, I'd rather keep mine in during the day and out at night.

I know I'd be tempted to pay full livery and never see my boy if I started down the route of paying for services. Beginning of the end! Could you not look for a sharer who could do a few days a week? Or a loan but keep him where he is so you can still see him?
 
Notsaying said:
Before you read, I don't ride, nothing to do with the horse who is healthy, I just don't ride (accident/confidence issue) I lunge and want to start long reining soon to increase our fitness. Whatever I do, I'll probably find a sharer soon.

A friend currently does mornings for me plus ad hoc as and when if I'm sick/away. She occasionally rides my horse. She is going to be moving into a new house with her own land sometime later in the year. She will still work at the yard, but it's doubtful she'll have time to help with my horse, nor would I want her to hit traffic because she's helping me.

I won't use the yard services for reasons I won't go into in public. It's a riding school and can be very busy, which I don't like. It's very close to my job, but not well maintained. Turnout is one large group in a not big enough field, sometimes a bit crazy. 24/7 turnout is allowed in the summer. Makes me lazy. :( Hacking is not stunning, there's only an outdoor school.

I visited a friend's yard today, equidistant from my house as current yard, but entirely wrong direction from work. It is professionally run, services offered, friends can't help each other out. The stable rent is the same, horse walker is included, facilities and turnout are generally better and it is properly maintained, unlike my current yard. Horses must be in at night year round, turnout is small groups. Hacking is very good and planning has just been granted for an indoor school. I would have to use services every morning realistically and probably most evenings, but it's ridiculously cheap. It would still be double what I pay now, but money isn't a problem.

The other option is to put the horse out on loan, which I would hate to do. I want to see him a few times a week!

I'm on the horns of a dilemma! Someone help :(
Click to expand...

From what you say, if money is not an option then I would go to new yard, as you say it is better run albeit you have to use the services it will still be the best option in my opinion.


Then I would keep looking,as cinamontoast say the no evening turnout I would not like as they are out with the flies in the day time. We have changed over to nights out except the ponies who are limited due to lami risk, and a mare with tendon issue all are in in the day time.
 
Last edited:
It does sound like the yard you are on at present isnt any good for your horse
until recently i kept my horses at livery, they now are at home and it isnt until you get them away from livery that you realise how stressful it is for them. my horses have never been so chilled
However my ramblings dont answer your question, yard two does sound like an improvement as you wouldnt be doing the work on either yard that does suggest that you need to be happy with the person who going to look after your horse, and you are clearly not happy with that option where you are now
two options really, stay where you are and do him yourself. be honest with yourself about how much time you can dedicate to this
or
move and let someone else take care of him
I also agree that you should try going back to riding lessons on an old plod and start rebuilding your confidence everyone has to start somewhere,you should start where you are comfortable
we are not all aiming for Badminton!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top