Should I change yards?

[badgerfoxy1]

Current yard is 35 mins away, I always get stuck in traffic and its getting me really down. I have someone do him for me one day a week. This is the only yard we have been on and I have had him 4 yrs. I need to do something for my sanity but dont want to upset my horse

Do I move to another small yard (cheaper.) Farmer said there are a couple girls who offer services, all I really need is turn out and bring in unless he lives out. hacking on beach.
Or a riding school that is a lot busier, copy of services in their office today, can pay for turn out bring in, skip out, full livery, have lessons etc

Both yards are about 13 mins from me. I also work full time and have a 7yr old in tow so need the best option.

Really dont want to leave current yard but need to think of myself and my family

Riding school might be a good option for now,.probably other kids around to entertain your child. My ds is 9 and not very interested in the ponies unless some of his mates are at the yard. Plus extra help is invaluable. More option for lessons etc. Can always move to a quieter yard when you don't have to drag child along.

Which yard would suit your horse best? I moved to a busy yard that suited me better and my horse got ulcers as it was too busy for him. Now on a quieter yard that doesn't suit me as much but he loves it and no ulcers in 6 years now.
So weigh up which one is going to suit both of you the best.

Thank you.
Not sure what my horse would prefer.... One is indiviual turnout, one is in a herd. Hes in a herd at mo but dont think he'd be too bothered being on his own next to others. This one has option to live out too.
RS they are out during day and then brought in late afternoon

I wouldn’t go riding school tbh, too busy, and a tendency for some folk to think your horse is public property. Close enough to hack on beach is fab, basically a giant all weather arena.

@badgerfoxy1 I would always go for herd turnout, they should never be turned out on their own. As herd animals it is essential for their mental wellbeing that they get interaction with other horses eg mutual grooming etc.

I wouldn’t touch individual turnout with a barge pole. horses are social animals.

Riding schools can be varied, there Is a yard near me that is a riding school and livery. The livery has their entire own stable block, their own school and it’s a small RS anyway, so isn’t manic. Not for me for various reasons but not a bad option.

Ive known others which are manic, small children running around everywhere, forget using the school on a weekend or tbh, most evenings. A lot of horses would find it really stressful.

With the riding school how much time is the school being used for lessons. I used to be stabled at a riding school and could never get in to school apart from gone 9pm or the one day a week that lessons weren’t on.

I have moved horses a few times and 95% of the time they have settled and I have been more worried than then. Having other horses really helps them settle. When my horse didn't settle it was to do with the stable block - it was on a lovely yard but rattly and without him being able to see others. I would consider the stable environment for your horse and what they like. Also the ease of doing jobs - where is hay and tack, is there a safe space you can have for your child without someone deciding to tie up a nervous TB etc beside them to prove a point. Bonus if either of the yards havw their own children/ grandchildren around as they are likely to be made more safe for those children and the ethos of the yard be more family friendly. I would prefer the quieter yard initially If on the non riding school yard I would check if there are other children and speak directly to the girls about what services they offer/ availability and consider their competence. It sounds like you should move, horses work and kids is hard and if you can make it easier do. Good luck

Thanks everyone.
The RS has 3 different arenas, the main big one is used a lot for lessons but can be booked. The other 2 you are free to go in whenever. Hacking isnt the best, more around large fields and a x country field. This is the cheapest option and I have even worked out how much each journey costs.

The small yard I can pay for turning out at £2 a day or I could do it early but there could be days where I would have to go twice a day, which even though closest would end up costing more in fuel.

I have found another RS where I have visited before. Really nice. Good for kids. Forest hacks but very limited turnout of about an hour a day per horse.

@badgerfoxy1 1 hour turnout per day is downright cruel! Horses need to move (for digestion and lymphatic system) and fresh air.

I wouldn't do the limited turn out option, unless a horse is hunting or in lots of work it won't be fair on either of you. Also more expensive in hay/bedding...

Thank you. The place is perfect apart from that and it didnt sit right with me anyway.

@badgerfoxy1 nowhere is going to be perfect, I don't think the perfect yard exists! So you have to make a list of non-negotiables and work from there.
For me it is all about the horse so:

• daily turnout in small herds and preferably 24/7 from April-October
• indoor arena
• access to off road hacking but not bothered what that consists of
• small quiet yard where my horse can always see/be next to others when stabled
• caring staff and flexibility on extras as I'm DIY but often need assistance
• ad lib hay/haylage

Everything else I will compromise on.

Thats a very good list, thank you!
My priorities would be
turnout in herd 24/7
Large menage
Friendly people
Child friendly
services available
Hacking

The 2 I have narrowed down to are both very different. RS or small yard which has a lady that offers some services, indiviual turnout. I might have to visit the yard twice a day, once early morning to turn out (with child dragged along) and then go to work and go back late afternoon.
Or RS even with in out services and 2 days full livery I will save aboyt £50 a month