Livery Yards

[9tails]

I am attempting to compile a list of everything I can think of in order to find the ideal home for my future horse.  I work fulltime but I am currently in serious talks with my Dad about whether he can help out, especially in winter as I don't usually get home until 7pm.  I would need to be at the livery yard every morning around 6am to feed, groom, muck out and turnout.  So, below is my list of questions for potential livery yards in my area.  What do you think?  Can you add anything of your own from your experiences?  Is there anything there which is just plain daft?

• Is the livery yard open 24/7?  If not, what hours are owners allowed to visit?
• Size of stable – average size of horse on yard.
• How much turnout is available (acreage).  What are the rules for turnout throughout the year?  Any winter turnout?
• Who would it be turned out with? 
• Do you have facilities to quarantine turnout?  For how long?
• How do you keep the fields in good shape?  Poo picking, harrowing…
• Is feed bought from Livery yard?  Can feed be bought elsewhere?
• Hay, how much – can it be bought from elsewhere?
• Does each livery have their own secure feed storage?
• DIY livery – is there any room for part livery if needs arise?
• Is the tack room shared with others?  What security does it have?
• Is there a water hose on the yard?  Will it reach the stable?
• Is there a sand school available?  Covered?  Lighting? 
• Is there a charge to use the sand school or does it need to be booked?  When is it most busy?
• Is there off road hacking available? 
• Average age of other livery owners.

 

[sammo]

hi there - how about

. could there be single sex turn out groups of horses ?? i.e mares and geldings seperate,

. are ponies and horses kept seperate when turned out??

. will there be notice of when rent goes up??
. do you want the rent upfront monthly/weekley??

its also a good idea for you to keep a rent book and get them to sign it when you pay - even if they say they keep a record - iv had a past experience that want nice about how much had been paid up.

[sammo]

oh - also - do you prefer to use a certain vets or can you find your own,

do they use a certain farrier and dentis at the same time?

do they vaccinate the horses at the same time too....

[9tails]

These are great!  I shall add them to my list.  In fact, this could become the basis for every new owner who needs to livery their horse.

Concerning the turnout being just mares or geldings.  What are the pros and cons of this?  Also with the ponies and horses, is it better to keep them separated?

 

[sammo]

geldings can sometimes try to act like stallions if mares are in the field with them - as what happened with my mates gelding  -and will be impossable to catch or move from the field - sometimes dragging you back there!!! the geldings will also 'heard' the mares and fight each other, resulting in nasty kicks and bites.

also horses and small ponies out together sometimes can result in the ponies getting hurt by big horses - another example was my friends small welsh 11.2 pony getting kicked and her other 13.2 getting kicked - they thought that he had had his leg broken. :)

[THOMSON]

Hi there, mares and geldings are separated on my yard, mainly because when the mares are in season there was quite a lot of fighting in the fields when the geldings were sharing with them, since they have been split this does not happen. Horses and ponies should be able to graze together no problems, another thing we do on our yard - we have a few 30+ horses so they have a field to themselves also just so that when the younger ones are having there mad run arounds the older horses are ok.... hope this helps.

[9tails]

Ahh, right.  So preferably separate grazing for boys and girls.  I shall add it to the list! 

[Chertz]

What about water facilities in the field.  I only have a huge bucket and I have to keep filling it up from a tap with a little bucket.

[9tails]

I thought about that Chertz!  I've added it to my "behind-the-scenes" list that I will produce with a flourish for future reference  ) 

[9tails]

Lol, yes Tiggerrrr, that would be my first question!

I'm really glad you spent the time to write that all down, because these are exactly the things I would want to find out.  I certainly wouldn't be very happy to find that my horse's food was being depleted, but at the same time I would like to keep my feed at the livery yard rather than cart it there every morning and evening.  Same with tack. 

I would ideally like to find a yard with about 20 horses, though of course beggers can't be choosers I suppose.  Again, I would prefer to be on an adult only yard and I think that your idea of spending time there is a really valid one.  I would be wary should a livery yard not allow me to spend time there before I made the move.  On the other hand, I wouldn't want to feel that I was there marking other people's behaviour on a points scoring system! 

[bigfluffyclydesdale]

I asked about part livery costs, but not in enough detail, so ask exactly what a charge includes:  i.e does a charge for bringing in/turning out include changing rugs or not, do they charge to feed the horse, will they fill haynets and muck out etc and how much for this.

But, crucially what do they charge on Bank Holidays?  If you are on a tight budget, and want to go on holiday/away for a weekend ever again you need to think about how much extra it will cost you for someone else to look after your horse while you're away.

Good luck with it all.

[Wigglypigs]

Id agree that these are all questions that are really good to have on a list of things to know however its worth bearign in mind that yards that perhaps dont look the 'poshest' can have the most dedicated staff/owners.There can be alot ao bitchy people on yards and being the newbie can be daunting so beprepared for that.Its doubtful that you will find a yard that ticks every single box so its worth working out what you are prepared to comprimise on ie distance of yard from your home etc.

Personally i moved to a yard further away in order to get better facilities for my horse.it can be a pain if i need to go home then find i need to nip back up for something but id much rather that than be where i used to be :)

Also word of mouth can be a good indicator of how good/bad a yard is...maybe ask any horsy friends or if you have an instructor?

Good luck on the hunt!

x

[9tails]

Thanks for all these replies, please keep them coming. 

Wiggly - I think my budget will limit me to shoddy only!  But yes, I take on board your comments about posh yards and bitchiness.  Unfortunately, bitchiness is also a trait that crosses class boundaries.  I'm hoping to make friends, otherwise this horse owning malarkey could become a very lonely existence. :crying: 

[Wigglypigs]

come livery with me ill be your friend lol altho i think scotland is a tad far just for livery (im assuming you live in england as i think eveyone else on here does lol)

It might be the case that you go somewhere and if it doesnt suit dont be afraid to move in order to be happy.

Good lucjk on the search for a yard - the search for a horse is the next hard bit!:cool:

[9tails]

If only I could move to Scotland, Wigglypigs! 

I am in England, the South East so almost as far away as it's possible to get from Scotland.

I know of only three livery stables in my immediate area, but I think some other places may be hidden away and not advertised.  Is it the owner's responsibility to provide buildings and contents insurance for, say, fire and theft?