Yard Dilemma

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H_A_C

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I'm really confused about yards so I'm hoping writing this might help. My horse was reasonably happy at a lovely private yard with just one other horse. He doesn't mind him but isn't attached the way he has been to other horses recently this other horse has been winding him up and mine is the more dominant so he put him in his place which is exacerbating his health issues. So they have been separated which I don't like, he is much happier in company so we have potentially found another horse to join us but she suggested if they don't get on that we will have to separate then but that will not be an option as there are not enough fields. I have another option of a yard.

Yard one
Private yard only 3
Small school
Good hacking
Free horsebox parking
Local to dressage instructor (hackable)
Sycamore trees (horse died of AM) but they will be taken down.
Lots of ragwort in my field
Totally responsible for field upkeep and fencing

Yard 2
Big field with herd turnout with his best friend
Hay included
Big school
Field management done
No worming programme
Not as great hacking
Horsebox has to be parked outside my house

Neither are ideal and I'm struggling with what to do any ideas
 
Neither sound suitable, I would not expect to have to clear ragwort, other than the odd bit that springs up, or maintain the owners fencing and land while paying livery, it is not the same as renting a field, also the sycamores may not go , they have already lost a horse yet still have done nothing about the trees or ragwort!!!
The second yard having no worming programme means no control over the planning of keeping your own horses worm burden at a low level, if they are approachable to getting something in place so at least every horse is wormed or tested regularly at the same time it could work but all the owners and the YO need to be on board otherwise it will fail.
 
It's more of a field rental but it's not cheap considering. The owners are non horsy. Unfortunately most yards near me are either single turnout or heavily restricted in the winter.
 
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Neither sound great, but if this is the choice (even short term) I'd go for yard 2. As be positive says, the tree removal and ragwort control may not be done but on yard 2 things that are necessary (like worming) are up to you and can be done. The big stuff, like turnout, field maintenance and inclusion of hay are sorted for you on yard 2. Not great hacking could be made easier by a big school. It would be yard 2 for me, but neither really.
 
It's Bedfordshire/Northamptonshire border. Ragwort control is my responsibility but looks like new livery will do for a few weeks free livery but it will be my issue again next year. Trees we are waiting for a farmer to finish harvesting but I'm not sure he will be able to do some of the huge ones.

There are about 5-6 horses in his field at yard 2 he went there for a week in June and was really happy to be back in a herd!
 
Why does your field have lots of ragwort in it?

Re yard 2, I wouldn't worry too much about not having a whole yard worming policy I'd just do mine. It's not ideal but not the end of the world either.
 
I refer the sound of yard two! might be worth chatting to other owners and seeing if they were all interested in doing a worm count and treating as required, rather than having a worming plan!

I moved my horse last year and everyone does different stuff. I've just joined in with one of the other owners, so we worm together as we share the same field! god knows what the neighbouring fields do though!
 
One of my fields is full of ragwort as the person who had it before me waited till it flowered and mowed it.

I think I've made my decision. Thanks x
 
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