Yard vs Yard

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cuddlycob1

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We are considering moving yard. Yard 1 is our current. Our horse is a youngster-3 reason we are considering is because he is so sociable but has no other horses near. And he has been eating acorns and oak leaves - there are far too many as each time we clear them they are back again. We also have to fence off over 1/2 his paddock for 6mths of the year due to the oak trees.
Yard 2 is the best we can find in terms of his wellbeing first. I would move now but I’m hesitant as atm he has 24/7 turnout and a field shelter.

Which yard do you think sounds best? Regardless of cost.
I don’t know what to do for the best. Could always buy a leaf hoover??? But would still worry.
Both yards are pretty much same distance.

Yard 1
24/7 turnout
Field shelter
Two paddocks side my side - to use as you wish
Paddocks are spaced so no horse can be next to each other so no proper company
Lined with oak trees (6)! and paddock is covered in acorns, oak leaves and branches. Also oak trees overhang the paddock so in spring horses can reach them 😔
Stable
Feed/hay/tack rooms with individual space
You organise your own hay, farrier vet etc
Good facilities
Local on road and public woodland hacking
Can visit the yard any time no restrictions
Small yard 24 liveries and is all DIY


Yard 2
All year turnout but stabled overnight in winter and bad weather.
Stable
Hay included from YO and grown by them. Bedding included. Feeding service included
Vet, farrier, nutritionist, instructor all on site
2/3 horse turnout together or individual dependent on your preference
fields next to other horses for company
Good facilities
15 miles of private off road hacking
Pasture management by owner of yard
Opens at 6am and last visit 9.30pm
Big yard - 40 horses with DIY/Part/Full
Onsite full time groom
 
Do you know anyone on yard 2 who can tell you who often 'stabled in bad weather's actually is. I'm not sure I like the thought of a youngster being stuck in for weeks on end any more than I like the thought of a youngster being on their own. Nor do I like the thought of when it gets to next year and working with them of having to get on a newly backed horse whose been stood in for a while 😂
If it genuinely is only in the worst of the weather and not very frequent then yard 2. If it's keep them in at the first drop of rain I think I'd stay at yard 1, invest in a leaf blower/section field/make lots of hay and other enrichment options available and potentially get a Shetland or see if you can team up with another livery to field share?
 
chaps89 said:
Do you know anyone on yard 2 who can tell you who often 'stabled in bad weather's actually is. I'm not sure I like the thought of a youngster being stuck in for weeks on end any more than I like the thought of a youngster being on their own. Nor do I like the thought of when it gets to next year and working with them of having to get on a newly backed horse whose been stood in for a while 😂
If it genuinely is only in the worst of the weather and not very frequent then yard 2. If it's keep them in at the first drop of rain I think I'd stay at yard 1, invest in a leaf blower/section field/make lots of hay and other enrichment options available and potentially get a Shetland or see if you can team up with another livery to field share?
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Very true! Yards often say “the worst wet weather” etc and turns out at the moment it’s every other day or days on end…I’ve been tricked with that one many times, it’s actually soul destroying! Need to find a livery already there really!
 
He needs company and I wouldn't be happy with the acorns. The no turnout in bad weather isn't good especially for a youngster but it's at least got company and you'll have professional help for backing if needed.
 
Thank you so much for your replies. I have been considering a Shetland for him as company.
This is what yard 2 have come back with regarding the ‘bad weather’ stabling - thoughts?
Our turn out policy is that we aim to turn out every day of the year unless the weather is atrocious. In those circumstances, a text goes out to everyone between 6am advising to keep horses in that day, or to have a short day turn out until lunch time. (I think we did that twice in the whole winter last year.)
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On winter grazing, it's daily turnout, during the day. On summer grazing, you can choose 24/7 turnout, day time turn out or overnight turnout.
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Traks said:
Very true! Yards often say “the worst wet weather” etc and turns out at the moment it’s every other day or days on end…I’ve been tricked with that one many times, it’s actually soul destroying! Need to find a livery already there really!
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I’ve posted their response to the enquiry x
 
chaps89 said:
Do you know anyone on yard 2 who can tell you who often 'stabled in bad weather's actually is. I'm not sure I like the thought of a youngster being stuck in for weeks on end any more than I like the thought of a youngster being on their own. Nor do I like the thought of when it gets to next year and working with them of having to get on a newly backed horse whose been stood in for a while 😂
If it genuinely is only in the worst of the weather and not very frequent then yard 2. If it's keep them in at the first drop of rain I think I'd stay at yard 1, invest in a leaf blower/section field/make lots of hay and other enrichment options available and potentially get a Shetland or see if you can team up with another livery to field share?
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I don’t know anyone on yard 2 unfortunately. I have been considering a Shetland I’ve even found one local and have been speaking to the owner to see if they’d be a match.
 
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