Beginner in Herts looking for cheap DIY livery

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Kaza.B

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Hi guys,

I live in Welwyn Garden and im planning on getting my 1st horse in the next 12 months. For now im just doing my homework on everything.

Can anyone recommend good but cheap DIY livery or turn out all year?
Also can anyone give me any tips on where to buy my horsey bits.

I am a newbie at this and havent ridden for a few years so any advice would be great.

Thanks everyone :)
 
Firstly find a really good riding school that also teaches stable management and horsey 1st aid. Learn as much as you can now and also look for a yard (for when you get your own horse) that has a yard owner or stable manager that will help you if needed. :)

Hopefully you will also make a knowlegable horsey friend who will be able to come with you to view potential horses to buy next year (and get a vetting ;) ).
 
I agree with Faracat, make sure you learn as much as you can now as horses are complicated animals! Maybe look into doing a BHS horse owner's certificate/stage 1 or something similar. Read and research as much as you can so that you not only know to do things a certain way but also know why you do them this way, you meet a lot of horsey people who do something one way just because that is how they have always done it even though they may have no idea why or if in fact there may be a better way of doing things!

I'd be wary of finding the cheapest DIY yard/field to start with as you'll be throwing yourself in at the deep end with either no-one to ask for advice or just other livery owners (who sometimes have funny ideas on things!) Maybe try to find somewhere that does DIY but also has an experienced yard owner/manager/grooms who you can ask for advice at least to begin with. I would also agree that helping out at a local riding school is a good way to learn.

Hope the above doesn't sound patronising, apologies if you already know all this! Good luck when you do get your horse, I don't know the Herts area but I'm sure someone will know of somewhere.
 
I'm sure others will be along with other names but Tewin Hill and Moat Farm both do DIY and have staff who are available to help. I think both have a waiting list so might be worth have a look around and putting your name down for a stable. If you havent a lot of experience or are out of practice why not try sharing for awhile. Its a very steep learning curve if not.
 
There are a lot of livery yards in the area, both Tewin Hill & Moat Farm are great yards. The people are friendly and the yards have good facilities and access to some great off-road hacking.
 
Good and Cheap rarely go together, so please beware. If you are trying to do things on a shoestring and are not experienced then its not a good recipe.
Hertfordshire is not a cheap area (high cost of land, labour etc), so this is already a challenge.
Good luck with finding someone with whom you can get some experience before you take what is a big step.
 
Is this for real?!!!! No offence if you are genuine but .....first horse? Newbie? And on DIY? Try a part share or get involved with a good riding school first...that way you can learn, see how you fare financially and make good equine contacts. Horses are a moving feast and you never stop learning....
 
Thanks for all your advice and opinions! I am riding at the local yard and learning AGAIN,as i said in my post i havent ridden for a while and need refreshing.
I will look in to the Tewins farm and the other 1 U recommended.

Thanks for your help :)
 
I got my first horse and kept him on DIY after a long break from riding. I literally had 3 months of lessons at a riding school to get my eye back in and found a yard with very supportive owners who were happy to help with anything I was rusty on. I do think it depends on the yard though as some of the yards I have been on since (had to leave first one due to location)I would have struggled but the yard I am at now would be equally as perfect for a first time horse owner. I can't help recommend any in your area but just wanted to say it can be done :)
 
One way of getting back into it is to do BHS stage 1 in the evenings (Oaklands in St Albans do it), that way you get stable management refresher and get to ride different horses and of course its subsidised cos its a college so is cheaper than the same amount of lessons at the RS, could even do it as well. You can do the exam at the end, or not.
 
Thanks Tilda for reassuring me on this. Im glad it worked for you and hopefully for me too, i am riding and im not looking for a horse for a few months yet.
I'll also look in to Oaklands college as its not to far from me and i work in St Albans so would be ok.

:D
 
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