Yards - opinions please

[lisan]

I have the chance to get my own small yard but not sure whether to take the plunge or not?

Currently on a huge livery yard

The new yard consists of a barn with 4 stables in barn with windows at the back
lots of hardstanding - parking
Secure
covered area for haylage and shavings
Tack room, kitchen and shower/toilet
4.6 acres with water to the field
Quiet Hacking
Everywhere floodlit

There is no menage, but a seperate fence off field which is 40ish by 60ish - perfect to turn into a menage.

I do have a box, so can always hire a menage/indoor at least a couple of times a week.

Have two friends interested in the other 3 stables, but really don't know whether to take the plunge or not!!!

Help!!! All opionions welcome

 

[piebaldsparkle]

Corrr sounds lovely, I would kill for something similar.

 

[dozzie]

Why dont you make a list of the disadvantages and advantages then make a decision? Do you know how long the last people were renting the yard? If it was a long time then you know the landlord is ok. You will also need to find out if he/she is happy about you making a menage area as it damages the ground. Also remember you will probably be responsible for maintenance of fences etc if you want your horses safe.

Make sure you choose your friends carefully. Two's company, three's a crowd and all that!!

 

[Equibeau]

Sounds great, especially if you have some friends to fill the boxes. Be aware that if they go, you could be left on your own with nobody to help out to cover holidays, sickness, or work related time. Also, I find a lot of my previous "horse" time, is spent collecting hay, bedding, maintenance, arena levelling, muck heap managing etc etc etc!! However, on the plus side, sounds lovely, good luck with it.

 

[the watcher]

I would agree, having had a small private yard, that a lot more time is spent on maintainence . It was the lack of a school in winter that finally sent me back to a livery yard (at twice the price

)

 

[_jetset_]

I would do it... You never know, I might be doing soon

 

[hebs]

It depends what you want from a yard I moved a month ago from a busy yard 30 mins from home to a small yard (4 horses) no menage but good hacking. Can you do without menage?

BTW how is the box going? (I asked about getting box last year on saddleup forum).

 

[Happy Bird]

Does anyone live on site ???? This is a must for me.

 

[esports]

I would weigh up all the pros and cons too like the others have said.

There is more responsibility having your own gaff, maintenance, muck removal, electricity, water bills that sort of thing,haylage supplier, farrier to the area, how quick you can get to the yard in an emergency, security is a big thing too.The financial side of things is the burden really, a person to help out if you are sick or cant get there down to heavy snow etc.

Nothing beats a place of your own. I would advise though, if you are leasing the yard off someone, go for normal 6monthly leases as you never know whats around the corner, surrendering a longer lease only leaves you owing loads.We rented a lovely yard as a whole and had it on a long lease, however after a while we gave it up to buy our own place, we were still due to owe quite a bit because of us wanting to leave approx 9months early and legally we still owed 9months more rent, though the owner could have been awkward and demanded all that money from us he said instead, we had to find him new tennants to take the yard on, we advertised everywhere and found new tennants but it might not have been that easy! Read both cotnracts, yours and landowners and have an offical solicitor keep the documents for you, you and the landlord will have your own insurance for the full yard, thats another financial strain to add to the list!

Its great having the thought of friends moving to but friends may not be friends for long when it comes to sharing yards. I would personally have it in your name and sublet if allowed, to your friends? so there are no quarrels in the future.

I would make the plunge if its financially ok for you, dont rely on others to help the costs work out, work it out for your own personal use first then anythin on top i.e. renting out to mates, will be a bonus.

I would totally go for it! write a list to help you like the others have said.

 

[henryhorn]

I'd go for it on the basis that you can afford the rent even if your mates decide to leave.
An arena will cost from £11000 doing it yourself, so you need to be certain you won't be kicked off at any time.
You will of course then become a dreaded Yard Owner, so be warned, it's not easy!

 

[lisan]

[ QUOTE ]
It depends what you want from a yard I moved a month ago from a busy yard 30 mins from home to a small yard (4 horses) no menage but good hacking. Can you do without menage?

BTW how is the box going? (I asked about getting box last year on saddleup forum).

[/ QUOTE ]
Box is doing great! We get out at least once a week, love it!

 

[hebs]

Oh that great, am going to start box hunting in April. Getting excited but worried too what am I doing? (never had a box before).