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!
 
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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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.
 
Korg said:
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.
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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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
Yard 2csounds better if your planning to back him in the spring and he would have company. But my worry would be that your youngster may be to boisterous for they other (older) horses and you may come into some issues there. I have a 4 and 5 year old and they play quite rough at times, my older boy keeps out of the way when they get the devil in them.

I like @Nasicus idea of buddying up. But try to find someone with a younger pony too so they are more compatible.
 
I’ve asked the question but the yard owner won’t allow two horses together as it ruins the fields. So not an option 🙄
Majority of horses are older by 10 years, some 20+. There are two other youngsters and they both have company next to them.
I think we’ll move. I’m just worrying about everything now, from lack of companionship to acorns. And it’s taking the fun out of owning my horse.
 
My yearling comes in at night off the clay but I do always give him daily turnout, with his friends, whatever the weather. In the perfect world he would be out for 24 hrs but it does mean he is led, has his headcollar on and off, feet picked out etc and a cuddle. If you can guarantee that they will not keep them in if the weather is really rough, then go with yard 2.
 
Thank you all so much for your replies. It’s been helpful in helping me make a decision.
We are moving to yard 2 at the end of the month.
We went around again yesterday and asked lots more questions - all of which were answered thoroughly and the responses were what we’d hoped.
I’m really looking forward to moving and hope that it’s a long term/permanent move for us. And that our boy is happy there :)
 
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