Yard dilemma

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happyhacking:)

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Have been having few problems at my current yard. YO not really horsey (wants to be but has neither the knowledge nor the time to be) but she is lovely and moves heaven and earth to accommodate you. As a result we now have too many horses and insufficient turnout this winter we can't bring in as we don't have enough stables and done cannot be stables anyhow. Yard does not have fantastic facilities but is cheap and has the essentials including a floodlit sand school which although is badly built is better than nothing.

But here's the dilemma have just been offered grazing a couple of miles away in next village. Cost less but is just a field no facilities and no water. Have 2 horses neither if whome in work ATM but am taking on two youngsters next month one backed and one to back. The new place would be ideal for my current two but my current place better for my new two!
So which should I go for? Or should I attempt to have four horses in two locations?
 
Hmm, I think two in each location would actually be OK, it depends how far away they are and how much it would eat into your time, otherwise you'll have two more horses at the yard so where will you put them all? I would be tempted to take them all to new place, I have just a field although I do have water and a shed also these days,i love it but especially if you are backing you probably want a school and other people around! How many acres would you have to yourself at New place and would there be enough space to have a schooling area, mud permitting?
 
It doesnt sound as if the current yard can take any more, may not cope over winter anyway if not enough grass or stables for those already there. If the new field is big enough for all 4 that may be the best option or move the 2 you have there and the new ones into the current yard, or look for somewhere that can take all of them.
 
In the 9 acres you could have there must surely be some good level areas that would be great for schooling in which case I would put them all there. Your YO is a business woman will understand ( & maybe relieved to loose a couple of liveries to ease the pressure) & take your decision to leave as just part of her business & not personal. When your youngsters need a proper arena you could always hire one, being in a trailer once a week would be good for them. That's my take on it.
 
Personally (just to throw a spanner in the works) I'd take neither! Having no water is a serious PITA - (I've done it) especially for 4, and if you're working full time then the 2 youngsters will only be ridden/worked 2 times a week which isn't ideal;
 
Could you nit take the field and come to an agreement with current yo to pay her a little bit each month to still use the school? If it is only a few miles away you could hack there?
 
happyhacking:) said:
Could have up to 9 acreas but don't want to upset current yard owner by moving as she really is lovely. New place is couple of miles at most.
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Upsetting current YO is neither hear nor there - she has too many horses, not enough land nor stables.

I'd have all your horses in one location personally - and the 9 acres sounds ideal.
 
Broke_But_Happy said:
Personally (just to throw a spanner in the works) I'd take neither! Having no water is a serious PITA - (I've done it) especially for 4, and if you're working full time then the 2 youngsters will only be ridden/worked 2 times a week which isn't ideal;
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Having no water is a big no no for me two (i have also done it) but at your current yard there is no room so 2 more would be a real problem .
 
Ah, sorry - just read that there is no water.

Mmmm, agree then that the field won't be suitable either.

How about simply looking for a livery yard that offers all the facilities you need?
 
I have no running water in my field but collect rainwater in inc tanks and am actually having to empty them as I can't use it quick enough.
 
I would put 3 horses on the new field and keep the one for backing at the livery. Do they do part livery that way you only have to go up to do the backing etc and you will have people around incase something happens. I would leave a school to go to a 9 acre field with a horse to back. Keep him/her there and let your other three in the 9 acre field. Water isn't a problem. I have guttering around my stable and it catches loads of water, and you'd be surprised this time of year they won't drink much anyway especially if they are eating grass. The ground will be wet from all the weather we will have anyway .
 
Thanks all. Have just been to have a look at the field (or as good a look u can get in this fog) the woman seems lovely.
Leaving my current yard isn't really what I want to do it will be a nightmare to move everything plus wont have anywhere near enough storage at new place as have currently got at yard. Want to be able to use the facilities my current yard offers. Finding another liver is not an option ATM plus there would be little point as am likely to be moving away in the spring anyhow so it is only this winter I'm looking for. Plus my support network is at current yard. New place is just over 2 miles by road and just over 1 on the bridle way do moving and swapping horses around wont be a problem. Going to have a think on it though.
 
No running water is an issue with 4 horses and where would you store your hay? If winter turns nasty on you can you cope with freezing temperatures at the field? Could the YO at your present place not rent you a field/paddock at a reduced rate instead of charge livery per horse?
 
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