10 Signs - Moving Yards

It’s time to pack up and move on

Horse owners and riders settle on a yard for a variety of reasons, whether it’s for a particular coach, the yard’s facilities and care, its location, or most importantly, its price. All too often, there comes a time when riders feel it’s time to move on for any number of reasons. Horses thrive on routine, so it’s not a simple task to uproot and move them, especially if they’re not the type to settle easily or if they’ve got very specific care requirements.

If you’re unhappy at your current yard, but you’re having trouble deciding if it’s a good enough reason to go, have a read through some of the telling signs that it’s time to move yards.

1 The care isn’t up to scratch

No matter how great your instructor is, or how much you’re enjoying the other people at the yard, your horse’s wellbeing and happiness should always be top priority. Many riders often leave a yard because the stable management or the general care proves to be negligent or inadequate on several occasions.

Common problems that clients find are:

• Stables not being mucked out properly.

• Paddocks or stables that are badly maintained and could cause potential damage or injury (sharp edges, broken bolts or gates, broken fences).

• Feeding concerns (supplements not being fed, incorrect portions).

• Insufficient grass in the paddocks.

• Insufficient grass for the night in the stable.

• Careless or undereducated grooms.

• Badly maintained and/or unorganised arenas.

• Insufficient grooming.

• General uncleanliness (dirty water or feed buckets, untidy tackroom). Most livery clients will address any of these problems with management first before rushing to any rash decisions.