WWYD (yard move)

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littlemare_

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after moving house a few months ago I have been toying with the idea of moving yards, as I am now 25-30mins from my current place.

I quickly realised there aren’t many DIY yards in my new area. However a rare space has come up somewhere so I have been to view, but just can’t make up my mind - I am naturally woefully indecisive!!
I don’t have any horsey friends off the yard so I thought I would seek opinions.

Current yard pros:-
I have a private area which I share with 1 other so no drama, nothing goes missing, we keep it spotless etc
24/7 turnout in summer, pretty much unrestricted in winter although we do bring in overnight to save fields
It’s on chalk, auto drinkers in field and Post & electric fencing maintained by farmer
Nice school, YO does reduced cost lessons
Great hacking

Current yard cons:-
Can be a bit lonely; super friendly and supportive but not many people my age/competing
Is 30 mins from my house - 10 mins from my office so not as bad on those days

New yard pros:-
Is 5 mins from my house
Seems friendly/social/relaxed, bit more of a mix of people
Nice school, separate lunge area and grass riding field in summer

New yard cons:-
Is a bit scruffy, typical diy yard where stuff is stored here there and everywhere!
Owners required to set up own electric fencing using poly posts and tape, I’m worried about safety of that as it isn’t enclosed in any other way.
My horse might not settle with others coming and going at different times.
It’s on clay
Less turnout as not 24/7 in summer; No set times but up to you to manage your ‘section’ of grazing so if wet could end up stabled a lot/boggy
Hacking requires fair bit of roadwork on a busy strip.

I think turnout is the only thing that really worries me as my horse has arthritic changes now.

They are both pretty much the same price pcm, although I would spend more on bedding and lessons at the new yard (although less on fuel!)

I feel I have been truly spoilt on current yard and know I’ll never find anything like it again. I don’t know if I should cling on and make it work, perhaps with some paid assistance, or just accept that I have been lucky and need to lower my standards!

So WWYD?
 
I moved to a clay yard last year, and swiftly moved back to my old field which is on chalk! it was fine on clay during the summer but by this time my field was disgusting and by the time I left on 1st December I couldn't even get my barrow through the mud! my mare had mud fever as they were stood in mud eating hay
 
Usually I'm all for moving closer to home but I think I'd stay in your scenario. You'd lose any time and money you gained from not driving to having to muck out more and using more hay and bedding.

Also the turnout and hacking would be a deal breaker. The fencing situation at the other yard also sounds a bit odd!
 
I was at a very similar place to your yard 1, loved it there but sadly all the horses got liver damage from the grazing and we all had to leave.

I moved to the equivalent of yard 2.. but its a bit further away than my previous yard. Its busy, but that doesn't mean there are people to hack with. The turnout situ would be a huge deal for me and it has more cons than yard 1.

I honestly think you're over rating being on a yard with people who also complete, I find more people = bitchiness in most yards, good supportive friends are far more valuable. Yard 1 sounds lovely to me.
 
It depends how much the drive eats into your time? I had mine at a yard 25-30 mins away which would have been impossible twice a day in winter, I’d never have managed to get there and back in time to get my daughter ready for school and then I’d have to drive to work 50 mins away! And then the same in the evening…so I have moved to a yard with no school 5 mins away. Not ideal but I am much happier knowing she’s so close by and it’s manageable around work and school runs! Although the lady is renting it and is making noises about having to find something else eventually…so god knows how long we will be there 🙄

It totally depends on your situation and life!
 
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