advice sought- running/setting up a livery yard

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clares1983

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17 August 2007
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Hello
I have been toying with the idea of setting up a livery yard for a while now though i have no idea where to start...
i was hoping i could get some advice re possible qulifications/courses to take?
Market research?? is there a gap in the market for a new livery yard ( in west yorkshire)
Is it possible to make any money from this?!
which websites/publications tend to advertise yards/land for rent??
Any advice/ help offered would be greatly appreciated
 
People value their horses highly & if they are to leave them in the care of someone they expect that someone to be experienced in various aspects of horse & stable management. From what you are asking you obviously do not have anything like the experience needed to run a livery yard. I think you should go away & get the required experience & think about doing this in 5 years or more timer...sorry
frown.gif
 
As well as requiring either substantial experience or a recognised qualification, ideally both..you would need a start up fund.
There is no real money to be made in having DIY liveries unless you happen to have some redundant farm buildings and fields and simply wish to make a small income from those with very little effort. The real money is in full liveries so that you are paid for your time and expertise, so you would have to be able to turn horses out ready for hunting or competition and keep them fit and trained for their discipline too.
You would need insurance, an account with a feed/bedding supplier, sufficient knowledge of pasture management to take care of the land and fencing and some equipment to do this (or local agri contractor), advertising and the ability to do basic accounts for your business, and investment in equipment to run your yard. You would also need a financial buffer for at least the first couple of years as there will be unexpected expenses and clients who don't pay on time, leaving you with bills to cover. You would also need good people skills as well as horse skills, livery yards can turn sour very quickly if you don't manage your clients well. You would, of course, need some veterinary knowledge, if only to be aware of your responsibilities to Welfare legislation..clients would expect you to deal quickly with things like colic and injuries.

It sounds lovely as a pipe dream, the reality is quite different and in the early months you can resign yourself to early starts, late finishes, continuing exhaustion and never having a day off. For the successful there are rewards in the long term, but may people simply give up - if it was that easy all those people with equine degrees and qualifications would be running yards, they are not, they are earning money sitting in offices.
 
[ QUOTE ]
People value their horses highly & if they are to leave them in the care of someone they expect that someone to be experienced in various aspects of horse & stable management. From what you are asking you obviously do not have anything like the experience needed to run a livery yard. I think you should go away & get the required experience & think about doing this in 5 years or more timer...sorry
frown.gif


[/ QUOTE ]

I couldn't agree more and this what we are finding out now to our cost
mad.gif
I'll say no more!!!
 
Listen to the_watcher. There are much better ways, than opening a livery yard, to experience anxiety, stress and financial embarrasement - you could try tight-rope walking over the Grand Canyon, stabbing yourself with knitting needles and doing street performances as a human porcupine, or even by supporting the Green Party in the USA.
 
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