A question about livery yards

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sarlat

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I'm looking at the moment for a livery in a new area as I have moved for a new job. I've had my current horse around 6 years and this is a major change for us. I have viewed a large yard this weekend that seems ideal, but is very...untidy (I'm using this term loosely). The people seem really nice but I'd really like to hear people's experiences of yards that aren't well managed and do people cope with the mess?
 
The mess would put me off...my stuff at the yard is kept really tidy, as is everyone elses, my house however is a tip!!

I think if the yard is messy when you go to look round then it'll always be like that as other liveries clearly don't care about how it looks, and the YO clearly doesn't ask people to keep it tidy. We did have some younger liveries for a bit and they were obviously used to having their parents clear up after them, drove me crackers! I'd trip over their stuff that they'd left in the middle of the tack room!

I agree with sarahw4517, it suggests low standards... Finding a good yard is not easy, good luck with your decision :)
 
Have to say I was bought up stables and yard tidied before the house! Depends what you mean by untidy, are there hazards that could cause an accident. Is there somewhere for your equipment, or will others borrow "stuff".

Is it worth you visiting on a different day at a different time before making a decsion? Can you talk to people already there and do a bit of observing to see what happens.

It is a difficult decision, hope you find the right place.
 
Is it DIY? In my experience, they tend to be untidier than a full livery yard, I'm on a large 40-50 horse yard without quite enough storage space & so some areas are untidier than others - for example, especially in winter, not all hay fits in to the hay - so some hay haylage is kept outside & wrapped up. Some wheelbarrows are also kept against that wall, not pretty (especially at this time of year with loose hay getting blown around etc) but it doesn't affect safety or the welfare of horses.

Most of our stables could do with a good scrub & luck of paint - but they are all solidly built, don't leak & are more than functional. Thats summer job, rather than a winter job!

Assuming stables & fields are well maintained (e.g good, safe, solid fencing) I'd rather be at a a nice, if not slightly scruffy yard that had the welfare of horses first than a pristine yard were horses & humans were miserable.
 
Untidy yards do not necessarily mean low standards. I've known untidy yards where the horses are paramount & most of the time is spent looking after the horses rather than tidying up. I've also known a smart yard that was all appearance orientated & basically the horses came second to the tidying & cleaning.

I don't think you can generalise about this. When visiting a yard you need to talk to people, ask questions & if you feel comfortable with the place then fine. If you don't feel comfortable then don't move there. Appearances can be very misleading.
 
I have just moved from a tidy yard to an untidy yard, but my stables are ticked away and we keep our area today. The other barn which is DIY is tidy but the full and part liveries area is a pig sty . As I'm tucked away I can turn a blind eye other wise it would drive me mad
 
My full livery YM/O is amazing in all respects - except that they don't mind (or maybe notice in human storage areas) untidiness. The horse's beds are mucked out to a standard the Horseguards would approve of but the tackroom and other storage areas are not what you'd call clean or tidy. I've learned to live with it as everything that affects the welfare of my horse is perfect.
 
I'm leaving my yard tomorrow, one of the reasons is its so poorly managed. I've been there over a year and only had 3 invoices when I was supposed to get them every money. No maintenance is ever done, the rules change every day and everyone pays different prices. It's so messy too and I really can't cope anymore! Obviously it depends on your own standards, whether you could cope or not but imo, a livery yard should be tidy to prevent injuries, rats, etc etc.
 
IME, too tidy yards generally have their priorities wrong. I remember our college yard area was immaculate but the beds were always damp because double the time was spent sweeping every last shaving from the yard than was spent on cleaning out the stables. Also fields only look immaculate this time of year if you never let horses out in them…. I've been at my livery yard nearly ten years, it couldn't be described as the neatest place but there are barely any injuries, accidents, dramas, problems, etc, and the horses are happy. I'm not someone who places a great deal of importance on appearance in general though, its jut low priority to me.
 
My first priority is safe strong fencing and dry stables. A little scruffiness is fine with me however I would have a problem with any mess that could possibly cause damage to a horse. Go back for a second look as a second time will give you more clarification and you will get more information.
I have been on 5 yards in 5 months. The first we left because of a bad decision on my part ie don't move to a yard that isn't right for you to stay with a friend! The second because my mare was PTS and I came to the conclusion full livery and perfection was not for me. The third we lasted 5 days because they lied to us about turn out (another perfect looking yard) the fourth was too UNTIDY and managed by numpties and the most dangerous fencing (going there was rushed trying to leave third yard) and now we are on my friends private yard and I love it! It's a little rough around the edges and has no facilities as such, but we all look after each other and respect each other and safety of the horses is paramount.
So I would go back for a second glance op. If you liked it the first time then a more detailed look will help. Finding a good yard is very very hard you just have to know what your priorities are.
 
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Thanks everyone for your responses. I have been back again today for an unscheduled visit and I have decided not to move there. There are far too many dogs running around and lots of dog mess, plus nowhere to really store anything safely or that wouldn't get jumped on by the dogs (I don't mind dogs at all, just don't want my rugs christened by a stray tinkle). Also I'm not keen on the muckheap slurry running into the yard when it rains. Thanks again, I will have a clearer view for the next one I visit.
 
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