Hey

Your so lucky to be getting your own horse, and i understand fully what you mean by wanting to make sure you pick the right yard, to be honest i personally think you should go by what is best for your horse and not just base it what you find easier to get to, or what one is cheaper, ok if you find a good and cheap yard then go for it right away but sometimes it really is best to pay a little extra. 

The yard where my loan horse is kept is fairly expensive, but however, very useful in its location (in terms of what is good for the horse)  and everyone there is friendly and helpful if you need it. :) As its your first horse I think that being at a friendly yard with experienced owners would be a good idea, because when i first started loaning i used to freak out about all the 'what if's?' and technically im not even going at it totally alone. So considering this is going to be your own horse its good to have someone there experienced with keeping horses... I worked on a riding school for 6 months and its so different to that....  The yard where my loan horse is kept also has instructors come down every now and then to teach lessons so maybe go to a yard like this?  We have a nice list of instructors where i am, so you can find someone you are happy with.

In addition, the yard should also be clean and tidy and safe, being safe is important. I personally think its good to have a decent size school aswell so you do not have to go out all the time or travel.  If your horse can be nervous on roads then it is best to be at a yard that means you can take a nice hack out without having to come across the many roads, that way you can build it up. Where my yard is based its perfect, because there are s many routes you can take and not have t even touch a road...

I think that fields should also be something to not be taken lightly, make sure that the field is safe and clean with no litter or broken fences, and that there is no ragwort or anything else that could harm your horse.

Most of all just make sure you are both happy with where you are....

somewhere you will feel safe(: friendly people, help if you need it, places to excersise, cheap boarding, good quality fields/stables, well looked after horses and secure feed/tack rooms so nothing gets stolen! basically somewhere you feel safe and comfortable so you can ask questions if you need to(: if its friendly then you and your horse will feel safer and more comfortable..hope i helped, xx

hi

i would look for a safe field, acess to water and hay for the winter, a stable so your horse has somwhere to go when it is ill and finally friendly people safe places to ride out (if you want to ride out).

look for healthy horses who seem to enjoy it there

hope this helps