Yard Troubles

[Jess66]

I moved yards recently, looked round a few times before moving and discussed what i was after and it seemed to fit the bill, they assured me my horse could be kept out 24/7, as this was my reason for moving from my last yard. they also told me they were putting an outdoor arena in and it would be finished before winter, again another reason for moving as i have a youngster who needs schooling on, but now have told me it is not, and as they have less than half the yard filled i highly doubt they will be putting one in anytime soon as they have confessed to money troubles.

the yard itself is nice, well maintained, good security etc but it is not what i am paying for, i moved presuming my £25 for DIY would include an arena once completed, and all year turnout. i don't believe the facilities i am getting amounts to £25 a week, as their advert included use of arena and all year turnout...which obviously isnt the case now yet and there has been no drop in price. I am basically getting field and stable, average price of this on other yards is £15-£20 in my arena

as they are having money trouble i feel awkward talking to YO about it, i know i am a customer and am entitled to, but i am not the best at dealing with confrontation as such. i also want to talk about the lack of arena which was promised, as i would not of moved otherwise and i asked several times before the move are you sure it will be done by winter and they said yes, clearly knowing they wouldn't be able to.

any advice or suggestions of what i should do? there are a few liveries who feel like this and several have moved.

 

[Monkers]

Understand your frustration, but £25 per week isn't bad for diy, but depends where you live.
It doesn't sound as though you are going to get your arena any time soon, and even if they did drop the price, you still need somewhere to school your horse.

Have you looked around for somewhere else?

 

[Jess66]

yeah i agree £25 is an ok price, but compared to prices in my area and comparing what you get for it, it is high for a place with no arena, for £20 on one yard you get an indoor, outdoor, stable and field (unfortunately they have to be in 6 months of the year so is not an option)

i have looked at other yards but with it being so near to winter a lot of them are full so i dont want to cause a stir at current yard incase there is nowhere to go and it gets awkward to be there, there is a local yard near me doing stable and field CCTV and good security and well maintained, with definite planing permission for an arena when weather permits so probly springtime for £15, so this is the typical price

 

[Jess66]

bump

 

[tasteofchristmaschaos]

If you moved to have 24/7 turnout and an arena, and haven't got it, I would be looking at moving. Have a look around, if you find a yard you like move if they have space, put your name on the waiting list if not. At the end of the day there is no harm in looking, you may find the yard of your dreams, or you may realise you actually like the yard you are on and have to work with it not being perfect.

 

[Clippy]

If liveries are moving off because of the lack of promised facilities, it might be worthwhile for them to take out a business loan to preserve their future income because if everyone moves off, they'll have nothing coming in.

Do they know the reason why people are leaving? You could maybe point this out in a nice way and tell them you're pretty desperate to school your youngster but would hate to have to leave

 

[caroline23]

yes people told them, but they are just making do atm

 

[AmyMay]

What are the reasons for not allowing 24/7 turnout?

Sounds like you may have to move.

 

[Jess66]

The field is really low on grass, and thats with the yard only half full.

 

[becca1305]

I'd be moving! They may be "nice people" but they lied to you on two counts to get your money as they are struggling. Even if the yard does get fuller (with or without the manege being installed) the grass is only going to get more limited if they are already struggling! I know this years been bad for grass in some areas but tbh it sounds like they dont know a lot about grazing management/how much acreage per horse or possibly even business management (I know earning a living is hard atm more regarding the can we cant we of paying for a manege!) and that would worry me! After all you dont want to be there and find out one day theyve gone bankrupt and youve got to find somewhere else immediately competing with all the other liveries now on the look out! I'd feel sorry for them for their money troubles but youve got to do whats best for you and your horses

 

[ofcourseyoucan]

for £3.57 per day you get a stable, field, water and electric ... thats quite a good deal really. shame they havent built the school. but 24/7 turnout is not easy to get as the costs to repair the fields in spring will cost more than £3.57 per day for rolling, harrowing, fert, lime and spray. have a look around if you find somewhere better then move. remember a busy yard with say 20 horses and one arena and everyone wanting to exercise between 5pm and 8 pm means the school will be busy .. not ideal for a youngster. think things through .. if your youngster is happy out 24/7 and you can hack 2 to 3 times a week through the winter maybe you should sit tight til the spring ..

 

[Paddy Irish]

Are there any places nearby where you could hire the use of a school - not ideal i know but you may struggle to find 24/7 somewhere else..it does sound a shame about the indoor school , and maybe the owners are just as gutted as you - lots of businesses struggling for money ATM

 

[Perfect-Piaffe]

You either have to speak to them about the situation or move! Sometimes easier said than done though I know!

But for me £25 per week DIY is pretty good! I pay £45pw diy!

 

[nosenseofdirection]

I would definitely be looking to move. I think £25 per week is quite reasonable for what you were expecting to get, but too much for what you are actually getting, if you see what I mean.

As a rule of thumb, I never believe anyone who tells me that 'there will be xyz, or we're building abc'. Even if the person is telling the truth as far as they know (and your current YO might well have been), all sorts of things can happen (money, planning, accidents etc) to stop the plans from coming to fruition. I would only ever rely on getting what I see to be there when I look round, and only then if the things I see are not portable!

 

[Echo Bravo]

Well I'm paying more than £25 per week, and I don't get 24/7 turn out, do get stabling, no menarge and I own the ruddy place(just me) But when I cost what the maintenance cost per year for reseeding the paddocks,getting rid of muck,water bills etc:-ect:-. Think yourself lucky and since I've owned my own place I do less riding as I'm too BUSY repairing fences,picking up the horse muck from paddocks and a lot more besides.