I need help making a difficult decision

[RantyvilleHorror]

So I’ll try and make a very long story as short as I can…

I have a horse (obviously). He’s 24 and I’ve recently moved him to a yard where my best friend has kept her horses most of her life. Other than being quite far away from home, it’s been perfect for us and me and my horse are really happy there. I’m regaining my confidence with riding and his rehab is going well (hock arthritis needing muscle to support it, after a year or so out of consistent work). I thought we would stay there until eventually my horse goes over the rainbow bridge.

However…

Yesterday evening, we all get an email from the YO. Yard is going through lots of changes in next 2 years (removal of one of the arenas next month etc) until eventually in spring 2027 the yard shuts completely for livery and becomes a cow farm. Obviously, we’re all gutted.

So, do I move soon or do I wait until the yard finally closes? I really enjoy being there and feel me and my horse have made a lot of progress, so I don’t really want to leave soon. Plus, it’s nearly summer and my livery bill will more than half. If I move to another yard, the livery bill will not drop as much for the summer.

My best friend has no idea what she will do with her own horse. She is contemplating staying there until it closes, then finding him a retirement yard.

Do I…

• move as soon as possible?
• move at the end of the summer?
• move next year when more changes are due to happen?
• move to another ridden livery yard when the yard closes in early 2027?
• wait until the yard closes and then have my horse pts? Due to the arthritis causing him discomfort and lameness when not in work, retirement is not an option. I’m also worried that at 26yo (when the yard closes) he may not adjust well to moving to a new yard and new routine.

Any thoughts or suggestions would be really appreciated, as I’m feeling very lost and completely gutted if I’m honest.

[Simkie]

You have so much time to make this decision. Don’t upset the apple cart right now, but start looking around at where you might be able to go and what that would look like.

You might find just the right spot, and be happier and better off than you are right now.

Or you might find there’s nothing suitable, and that will influence how you proceed.

Or something grave will happen with your horse in the next two years, and this won’t be a decision you have to make at all.

But regardless, this isn’t a decision you’ve got to make RIGHT NOW. Take your time. How kind of the yard owners to give everyone such advance notice!

[RantyvilleHorror]

This is very true. I think I’ve just been in fight or flight mode since I found out! This wasn’t something any of us thought would happen, at least not in the next 5 years. And yes, she is really lovely - which almost makes the whole situation more difficult emotionally! There’s over 30 horses on the yard, so lots of spaces to find in other yards over that time, I suppose.

[FjordBCRF]

I agree with @Simkie

While this isn’t ideal, its wonderful you have THIS much of a heads up. Your’e lucky if you get 30 days when a barn shuts down in my area.

You have plenty of time to visit stables and talk to the barn owners to find as good of a fit as possible. None of us can predict what will happen in a horses life over the course of two years, so try not to make plans on guesses or worries. Use the time you have to your advantage here!

[Mosey_2003]

I would probably be looking around to see what other options you have and if there’s one you think would be really great I’d try to get on a list to get in this fall. But two years is quite a bit of time for things to change.

[endlessclimb]

Agree with this - some places have crazy wait lists, so find the place and get on the list later in the summer/early fall.

[RhythmNCruise]

I’ll echo those who’ve said you’re fortunate to have so much advanced notice of this. The last barn I was at, the owner kept saying they were going to put it on the market, then saying they weren’t, then put it on the market, but they weren’t getting much interest. At that point I was already looking for my next place. Several months before I eventually moved, I’d gone to talk to the barn where I now am, but the BO of the place I left convinced me to stick around a little longer, claiming they were going to pull the barn back off the market. They never did, people kept coming out to look, and finally I told her I had to leave. She tried her best to keep people there simply to keep the income. By that time she’d stopped providing full-care and many people had already bailed. I went back to talk to the folks at my current barn (best place ever!) and told them I was definitely coming. I hadn’t been gone long at all when the previous barn sold and the new owners did not want boarders. Whew! And now the barn where I am is full. Whew!

All of this to say, keep an eye and ear out. You have plenty of time, so no need to do anything impulsive. But if you see/hear of a place that seems like it would be a great fit, do your homework, find out if there’s an opening, and if you like it and there’s an opening, make the move. You don’t want to rush this decision, but you also don’t want to lose an opportunity if there is an opening. And with all of the horses that will be leaving your current place also looking for new homes, it’ll be smart to secure a place as soon as you find one that is suitable.

Your YO is very considerate. I wish my experience had been like that. Oh well. It all worked out for me and my horse and it will for you and yours as well.

[2tempe]

I’m guessing that you may have more options, but here in Central Florida, boarding options are getting harder and harder to find. Waiting lists, etc etc. Iffy care at some “retirement” places, farms that have already been sold to a developer so its just a matter of time. IF I were you, I’d go through the summer, and see how things progress. I would start investigating some options, - just “window shopping” and that may help you eventually rule out some places and be more interested in others. Keep notes, what you liked about a place, what wasn’t quite right etc. That way you will feel like you are doing something w/out making a decision. Given your various points, and the long window, take your time, enjoy your boy.

[RMJacobs]

@RantyvilleHorror

I’m also worried that at 26yo (when the yard closes) he may not adjust well to moving to a new yard and new routine.

I moved my retired pony twice in his 30s. The first move was when I sold my horse property, from keeping him at home to boarding him at a private barn (only two other horses there). He did fine. Then I moved long distance, from Colorado to South Carolina, nine months later. He was still doing well in spite of his age, so I moved him to keep him near me. He was fine with that, too, and lived another two years in South Carolina before he died peacefully. I think as long as the living conditions are appropriate, a move isn’t a problem for an older horse.

[findeight]

Agree with the others on not rushing into anything BUT don’t sit back and wait until the last minute.

Start a casual search for other opportunities now. Keep your eyes and ears open for hints, check your tack/feed store bulletin boards when you go in, maybe do a few drive bys of possible places. No rush but start being aware of other alternatives.

Which reminds me of my oft repeated advice to always have a Plan B in place when you board your horse out. You never know…stuff happens.

Based on my 50+ years boarding out, once a barn starts making changes aimed at a projected shut down date? Some of those changes made early in that process are going to change the level of service and facilities you are currently depending on.

Like that arena due to close soon. Are they going to be bringing in heavy equipment to demolish the fencing and grade the area? What are they going to use the space for? A milking shed? Cattle pens? Hay and bulk feed storage? How much more construction to modify existing layout for cows do they need before 2027?

Lots of things will be changing in that 24 months to last horse off the property and full conversion to working bovine farm. No need to panic and make a rushed decision you will regret. But get that Plan B booted up.

Your yard owner here has likely either sold the property or will be leasing it out for the generally more profitable cattle farm with no individual owners and special needs horses. Don’t take it personally.

Am surprised you did get this much notice but, based on my experiences, that date might get bumped up so be prepared. IIWY would plan on moving this fall. Which would still give you 8 months.

[f0rf31t]

@FjordBCRF

its wonderful you have THIS much of a heads up.

That’s what I thought when I read this.

Yes - OP, eventually you’ll need to find a new place but take advantage of having essentially two years to shop around unless you need to move pronto because of the timing for when some of the amenities are leaving.

Sounds like you know what you do/don’t want in a stable for your horse, so that gives you a starting point to begin the search.

[RedHorses]

I would be looking around for another place. I wouldn’t rush, but if I found a good fit I wouldn’t wait either.