New year - new yard ? Updated

[wills]

I think like you the gate would be my biggest concern - i think really only you can decide how they would cope with the motor way bridge

Also the shaving would be a big expense to, I wonder if YO would let you use wood chips? Its easy to dispose and after an initial lay cheaper than shavings.

How easy would it be to go back to your original yard?

Im kinda inclined to say if it was the right yard you wouldn't need to ask, I know when I visited the yard im now at I knew almost straight away it was right for my mare, its not perfect the fencing isn't ideal - work in progress - but everything else just screamed yes.

[curlytobiano]

Hi Cm - you said you want unemotional. Have you written down a list of pros and cons of where you are vs the new yard?

You say that you are worried about their weight. Are you sure that they would actually lose weight in a smaller field? (Sorry I am not very clever at these things) but grass does grow v quickly in the growing season and they would get less exercise in a smaller paddock. Have you tried muzzling? It is horrid to think of but I have done it on my 2 with great results and no real problems. Also I found that mine lost weight doing this when combined with more riding. (Could you train them to ride and lead so you get both exercised in half the time).

Just think that if the main purpose is for weight loss, and the costs are so much higher and you have the concern about the gate, that you should be 100% certain this is a definite weight loss answer.

Good luck!! Awful decisions!!!

[specialized]

You say the paddocks have had drainage done and were hardly muddy - have they got horses on them at the moment and have their been horses on all through the wet months? We have paddocks that are not muddy, but only because they are being rested. Small paddocks will still become muddy with the rain we have been having and even with 2 paddocks to alternate they can quickly become poached.

[Mollymoo]

Did you say you were going to view 2 at the weekend? How was the other one? I think I would worry if mine was so close to an unlocked gate, no matter how good everything else was. Are all the other stables filled? Perhaps you could ask to wait until one of the other stables came available if they are better situated?

[clipclop]

Ditto others.

Just wanted to add my input with regards to the motorway bridge - my yard borders a very busy stretch of motorway. Grazing wise, the horses don't even notice.

With hacking out, we have to go over and under bridges to get anywhere and all mine (even the youngsters and one that's not good to hack at the best of times) have been ok.

Sent from my ST18i using proboards

[bramblesmum]

I would stay put having been on super clean yards if you dont have the best rug, car or jods youre not one of the group all nicey nicey until they realise and then horrible, also I wouldnt go for the massive extra costs, a riding school is rarely good either as so hard to get a ride in peace