WWYD - Stable yard enquiry

alsxx

alsxx

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There is a small yard on one of my hacking routes, been hacking round here for the last 4 years and in that time it has never been used - never seen a horse in there. I think it is owned by one of two big houses, but no idea which one! They have a 20x40 school and as I don't have a school, I'm tempted to ask if I could hire it! I don't really want to just go and knock on someone's front door and ask if they own it (i'm a bit timid like that!!!), but would a polite note through their door be equally rude??

At the back of my mind also is whether they would rent it out.....I now have a question mark over the yard I currently rent privately, and seeing it standing empty... well you know! ;)

I never see anyone out the front to be able to ask!
 
Knock at the door and ask...

Alternativley, do you know the names of the people, if so, maybe then leave a note through the door stating reasoning, and I will try and call on x date...
 
i would try dropping notes through the doors of the houses you think it belongs to, worth a try, as knocking on doors is both nerve wreking and dont want to put someone on the spot.
 
I would actually just knock in door as you'll get more info and a feel for the people as they may not own it but know who does. A note through door will still leave a question mark as they may not call you (might be shy themselves) or not be the owners and not respond because of that. Then you end up in situation where you've got no answers but feel blown out when that not be the case.

I sympathise as I'm shy too but having come from a private yard after 10yrs. My dad actually just knocked on door without me knowing then I went to see yard and moved...worked out great!

Be brave DO IT!!! 😉
 
It's ridiculous, I'm not really shy or anything but the thought of just banging on their door scares the life out of me!!! But it would be the best option, as at least that way I know one way or another! I guess there is no harm in asking if I can hire their school, and then if they say yes and I get to know them a bit and I do lose my current yard I can always ask them then...;-)

Now to decide when to drop by lol.....evenings or weekends....decisions!! ;-)
 
I too would be nervous to go up and knock on their door...but that's what I'd do. If they've got to go to the effort of replying to your note they may not bother (as little effort as it would be). Plus, if it was my arena by my house, I'd want to meet the person who was asking if they could use it!

I'd try to drop by at the weekend first. Less chance of catching them at dinner!
 
Weekend better as if they are out at work during day evenings could be fraught (if kids around); precious and short.

Try not to turn up stinking of horse! :p

Good luck
 
I'm in a very similar situation as you!
There's a small yard 2 minutes from my house with a fab school and haven't seen a horse there since the lady's ex eventer died 7/8 years ago. I know who owns it and they let me use the school whenever I wanted to years ago with my first pony but since lost contact. I'm going to put a polite letter through their door sometime this week :)
Good luck to you :)
 
I'd be banging on the door with flowers and a bottle of wine and making them my new best friends for a private little yard with school a few minutes from home, lol :D

I agree, defo knock rather than a note and it will be good for your confidence as well ;)
Very jealous btw :o
 
id write a polite letter asking and explaining.

Either put it through both houses or look on the land registery site and find out who owns it, there is a small fee of £4.
 
I would just knock on the door and ask them if they know who owns the land... and if they ask why just say you might be interested in renting it if it is available and if it belongs to them can you leave your number with them so that they can consider it. That way, no pressure...

I echo the others though, call in in your 'normal' non-horsey clothes as non-horsey people could be easily put off by someone stood on their doorstep smelling of horse and covered in mud ;)
 
I know it will be nerve wracking, but go for it and knock on the door and like someone else said initially ask if they know who owns the yard and go from there. It sounds a bit cheeky but if you're going to rent from them,then a face to face meeting will give you both a better chance of making your minds up about what you want to do. Not only that, but if the person looks or sounds like they're a sandwich short of picnic you can say you were asking for a friend and you'll have to get back to them first before agreeing to anything ;)
 
What have you got to lose?

My dear departed Mum did something similar years ago when we moved to new house. She went knocking on doors of people with horses in their fields, asking if they wanted a livery. Our pony found a new home very quickly .

Go for it!
 
So wish I could find something like that out hacking.

Just get some brave pants on and knock on doors!

Could be the best thing you ve ever done!
 
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