Yard vs Yard

[cuddlycob1]

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

 

[Traks]

Is youngstock livery an option until you are ready to do something with him? Failing that I’d go for yard 2 where he is able to be with other horses, the more the better regardless of facilities

 

[Amy May In A Manger]

Yard 2

 

[Fjord]

Yard 2, until you can find somewhere with better turnout, as stabled in bad weather could be half the winter. I wouldn't want to risk the acorns personally.

 

[selinaanddennis]

Yard 2

 

[Jenko109]

Yard 2.

Friends are so important, especially for a youngster.

 

[Expo]

Yard 2 every time.

 

[chaps89]

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?

 

[Traks]

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?

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!

 

[misst]

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.

 

[cuddlycob1]

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.)

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.

 

[cuddlycob1]

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!

I’ve posted their response to the enquiry x

 

[cuddlycob1]

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?

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.

 

[misst]

Yard 2 just sounds better overall but not everyone likes a big yard

 

[Korg]

I don't like big yards, but would still choose the second one. Better with good time outside than just much of it, youngsters need company and eating acorns isn't good. Do they have a farrier there, or is it obligatory to use that person? Cause I'd be careful about having to use a farrier I don't trust.

 

[cuddlycob1]

I don't like big yards, but would still choose the second one. Better with good time outside than just much of it, youngsters need company and eating acorns isn't good. Do they have a farrier there, or is it obligatory to use that person? Cause I'd be careful about having to use a farrier I don't trust.

That’s my worry, I don’t like lots of people for fear of bitchiness and opinionated people. Where we are now there are 24 of us but it works so well, there is rarely any fall outs and everyone help each other. There are some clicks tho.
I’ll ask about the farrier - that’s a good point! We have our own who I trust and he knows my horse well.

 

[gallopingby]

I’d carry on looking but use a temporary solution for now. Acorns aren’t good news and whilst youngsters benefit from being out as much as possible they absolutely don’t need to be out 24 hours a day unless you’re lucky to have acres of moorland which is undulating, has shelter and is safe. Unfortunately the Changing weather patterns mean the winters appear to be getting wetter and windier - depending where you live. Coming in and out of a stable every day is educational and the handling can only be good. It’s usually only for a few months and better than having to contend with knee deep mud which isn’t good for any horse or owner. I think people forget what it’s like for those of us who may have use of a limited acreage which seems sufficient but due to weather patterns just isn’t these days. Five acres of decent sloping ground would seem sufficient for two horses but throw in 3 weeks of incessant rain and suddenly it’s no longer enough. Now consider how many livery yards may think that five acres will be sufficient for four horses and maybe people will begin to consider a part stabled option as normal winter management and on the worst days an hour out will be sufficient.

 

[Roasted Chestnuts]

Yard two sounds pretty standard

I’d move there. At the end of the day there were days I chose in bad weather to keep Faran in. So I don’t see that as any different to YOs doing it. Faran was in for a week once due to bad weather and my field being flooded last year. Didn’t do him any harm getting an hour twice a day in the old arena area. So I would see a yard doing that as any different.

 

[DressageCob]

Yard 1 is unacceptable for a youngster, but only really because of the lack of companion. Company is essential to create a well rounded, good citizen of a horse. At the very least being able to touch a horse over the fence. Either get another youngster (or ideally another youngster and an oldie to teach manners) or relocate somewhere where your youngster can have friends.

 

[rhino]

Option 2 no question. Keeping youngsters isolated horrifies me. Mine has happily come in overnight over the worst of the winter since a yearling; he is very happy with that. Bar a red weather warning ours are out all day.