companymagic
Grand Prix Poster
Horses are for life not just for riding....
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Post by companymagic on Jan 2, 2013 17:20:29 GMT 1
I have been thinking about it for awhile now, for a number of reasons, some personal some just general management of my ponies like FAR too much grass in the summer, fields closed at the drop of a hat in the winter, school surface deep and patchy, and the roads getting busy due to on going development of the area etc.
So today I called a local yard that I have not been to before, it sounds perfect, only 10 horses, 13 acres all year turn out (In over night in the winter) School with new surface and hacking right on a local woods, trailer and lorry park and lot's of other natives.
I am off to see it on Saturday but here is the draw back, it's nearly £100 a month more money that where I am now!!
The yard I am at I love, but not all of it, but I am very lucky there. It has a VERY large indoor school, horse walker (which I am scared off) an on site XC that is open from about May - Nov. A secure tack room & trailer park (Or as secure as you get anyway), hay and straw delivered to you every Sunday. Large group turn out. And I feel safe there, but not always happy and as stated above it's not perfect.
So do I go and look at the new yard? Or rule it out on money alone ?
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Post by Mellymoo on Jan 2, 2013 18:14:42 GMT 1
Well, if you are thinking of moving then I would definitely go and have a look - it will help you decide whether you really do want to move or not. I pay a fair amount for my yard, but it is worth every penny to have a happy and settled horse that is healthy and well managed. Oh, and to have fabulous hacking direct from the yard. The lack of turnout at your current yard would be a deal breaker for me - I know that this year is really bad, but it seems that a lot of yards stop turnout for no good reason.
It does no harm to go and look at some other yards. I looked at a couple before I found my current yard, and I knew as soon as I walked on to it that it would be perfect and took a space there and then.
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Post by specialized on Jan 2, 2013 18:36:30 GMT 1
Doesn't hurt to have a look if you can justify the difference, £100 a month does sound a lot extra are you on diy?
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Post by shan on Jan 2, 2013 20:01:12 GMT 1
No harm in looking - even if it makes you realise what you don't want. Keep your options open, it's not like you have to move so keep looking until you decide if you want to stay or go
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companymagic
Grand Prix Poster
Horses are for life not just for riding....
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Post by companymagic on Jan 2, 2013 22:01:04 GMT 1
Thanks guys. Yes it's a DIY yard.
So it's a lot that works out to be £285 a month just for stables for the two of them. At the minute I only pay £160 for two. But there are loads of extras at my current yard like £40 a month for a paddock I rent all year around so they are not stuck in when the fields are closed. £60 a month extra from Dec to June for winter turn out. £20 for trailer parking. So when you add it all up its not really that much more.. The point is I ma meant to be making the ponies cheaper not more...
But for me being happy and able to enjoy my ponies, having them fit and well and not feeling stressed at the yard is the main thing... Will head over on Saturday and check it out! ;D
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Post by laurac on Jan 2, 2013 22:08:06 GMT 1
go look, it sounds great, you will know one way or the other when you get there ;D x
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Post by curlytobiano on Jan 2, 2013 22:44:13 GMT 1
Of course CM go and look by all means. Tiny worry I would have is that 13 acres is not all that much for 10 horses and I'd worry about turnout in the winter because of that. Do hope all works out well for you whatever you decide x.
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companymagic
Grand Prix Poster
Horses are for life not just for riding....
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Post by companymagic on Jan 2, 2013 23:07:43 GMT 1
CurlyT Yep totally understand but that's what I want for my two natives.. A bold muddy patch :-) Well almost.. At the minute we have 46 horse but about 60 acres and VERY lush all year around. I have muzzle and only ever turn out for 12 hours not matter what time of the year. I would much rather little grazing... Even if they only go out half a day in winter, that's better than standing in for three weeks like they would have had to do if I hadn't been able to rent my tiny paddock... But as I am going to see it this weekend I should see it at it worse due to our love winter so far.. Will just see how I feel when there, sometimes it is better the devil you know as they say..
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Post by KimT on Jan 4, 2013 12:23:41 GMT 1
I totally know what you mean. I posted recently about deciding whether to move or not. My horses are all still in and all getting behavioural problems to boot. All 3 (inc my mums) are used to to living out 24/7 so arent really geared up for being in (Lady and Ellie have never had a stable before). I know some people have it worse but they often have an hour or so to turn out whereas mine get nothing and arent even ridden to help with the boredom. I am looking at a place- 3 stables, 5 acres which would be completely be ours and we can make our own decisions about turnout. There may well be a day or 2 that I will keep them in anyway but we will be able to put them out whilst we muck out for a leg stretch. It is more money but for the health and happiness of my horses, I will pay it (it's not hugely more expensive). I say, have a good look and if it is right for you then go for it. The only concern about the mud block in the winter is if it turns to mud, will the YO still allow TO?
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 4, 2013 12:26:47 GMT 1
I'd definitely discuss winter turnout in depth at the new place, it's so easy to hear "all year turnout" and then discover it doesn't mean every day, or only for 30 mins a day etc.
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companymagic
Grand Prix Poster
Horses are for life not just for riding....
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Post by companymagic on Jan 4, 2013 13:19:31 GMT 1
Right two yards booked for viewing this weekend.
Yard A) £285 per month rent All year turn out but in over night in winter School Trailer park Fab hacking Only 10 horses.
Yard B) £303 per month but that includes your hay and straw All year turn out even over night in winter unless the weather is really bad and most are in anyway. Two schools Horse Walker Trailer parking Not sure about the hacking Is also a riding school so might be busy.
Both yards are less than 7 miles from home, but that's more than twice as far as my current yard which is 2.5 miles so I need to factor in extra fuel..
Will let you know how I go it can't hurt to look surely, even if Hubby says I need to just man up and tell people at my current yard what the problems are. However it's not always that easy is it.
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Post by KimT on Jan 4, 2013 15:25:19 GMT 1
No it's not. I've become a thorn in my YO's side asking if mine can go out. Other horses on the yard get an hours TO or are ridden. Mine did have half a barn until YO rented it to someone else. I would consider how much you would spend on hay/straw and the first place too. Just to see if it's actually going to work out very expensive.
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companymagic
Grand Prix Poster
Horses are for life not just for riding....
Posts: 1,739
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Post by companymagic on Jan 6, 2013 20:17:04 GMT 1
Right I need proper help now please folks... I need unemotional, rational advice if possible as I can sort neither in my own mind at the mo. So I went to the new yard at the weekend and I have to say I was really impressed. It's not 100% perfect but pretty close too it. I would get two paddocks one for summer one for winter that I have just for my two natives. The paddocks have had drainage done so were hardly muddy at all. The school has a lovely new surface in it and was a nice size, the horses all looked happy out grazing in their pairs. The yard was spotless. There was a tack room where I meet the current yard liveries who seem lovely, they were having tea and cake (My kind of folks ) There was a Bridle way about 50 feet away from the yard gates which leads to one of out local woods. You have free range to hack over their 350 acres all year around (Unless extreme weather). The yard owner seemed nice although you never can really tell can you. So the not perfect points. I have to bed on shavings so will work out more money and the yard is more money by £100 to start with. The stables mine would be in were right at the front of the gate so only gate from the road... But the owner does live on site, to get to the local woods you have to cross a motor way bridge, hopefully wont be an issue but you never know. I know this sounds silly but it looked so clean it was almost a bit scary, what if I was in a rush would I get shouted at if I left a shaving out ? Or a crumpled rug? So what do I do? My ponies are Happy as Larry where they are, but they would be little fatties. My main concern is grazing we just have too much.. But I do have a small paddock that I can restrict mine in if needed.. So would you move? Would you take a chance on a new yard ? Or make do with the one you have and make good of the situation you are in to save some pennies and the stress of moving yard and possible upsetting happy ponies ? Good it's so hard. I think I have made up my mind then I change it again arrrgghhhhh.... Help please
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wills
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Post by wills on Jan 6, 2013 20:39:02 GMT 1
Would the 2 paddocks be enough for your 2 all year round?
If they are out in pairs, how would each horse cope if the other was exercised?
Why can they only be bedded on shavings?
Is the gate locked at nights?
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companymagic
Grand Prix Poster
Horses are for life not just for riding....
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Post by companymagic on Jan 6, 2013 20:42:09 GMT 1
I think so as I need very little grass if any at all, but it would give them enough for a run around.
My ponies are used to me taking one away so are fine on there own for short times. No the gate isn't locked, my BIG concern. And Shavings due to muck heap disposal. I guess I can always keep looking there are other yard still to see..
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