Livery Yards

Finding a livery yard can be hard. Not only does it need to have all the facilities and services you desire, and not be too far from home, but it also needs to be affordable. It can be even harder if you have a differing work regime or a horse with special care requirements, as you’ll need to find a yard that can accommodate these too. With the livery industry being completely unregulated, it’s also particularly important to find a yard that is run competently and professionally. With reg...

Health and safety must be a primary consideration for all business owners, especially those that own equestrian premises. Not only do you have a duty of care to yourself and your staff, but as a business that is classed as being “open to members of the public” – albeit your riding or livery clients – you must ensure that steps are taken to protect them as well.

Gone are the days when you could simply turn up at a yard with your horse, pay money and ‘be a livery’. The ever increasing expectations and responsibilities of yard owners means that best practice guidance requires a substantial amount of information to be checked and recorded for professional yard owners. It is important to have a paper trail, and to have detailed information on the horses in your care. In the event of any disputes, this can go a long way to helping resolve an issue. It...

Running a livery yard can be deceiving. To many, those who have the ‘luxury’ of owning stables and grazing look like they are somewhat affluent, but for most yard owners this could not be further from the truth! Running a livery yard is one of the least profitable sectors of the equine industry and the price of livery services have barely changed over the last 20 years. Whilst the cost of livery services is at the forefront of horse owners’ minds when choosing a new yard, it can be hard...

The events of 2020, continuing into 2021, have changed the way many run their business. Livery yards and equestrian centres have been particularly hard hit; not only by the effects of closure or reduced income, but also by the lack of clarification in rules and the subsequent people management involved when the rules have not been particularly clear. It has made many yard owners consider how they can improve their yard for the better moving forward.

The events of 2020 have forced many yard owners into the realisation that their existing business model may no longer be viable in the long run. The management of yards and the packages on offer may need to be reviewed to meet the changing demand from horse owners. In some cases, a complete yard overhaul may be required. Unfortunately, this year has seen many yards change hands, reduce capacity or even close for good, but for those wanting to continue with their yard and move forward, there a...