Can't find the right livery

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Meandering_About

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Just posting cos I'm feeling a bit down...I found a lovely mare for sale and have been hunting for livery, I just can't find what I need :(

I'm looking for 24/7 year round group turnout, stable, DIY with assistance... Just seems to be rare as hens teeth round here to get that sort of turnout.

Found one but its full and rarely has spaces.
Found another but they decided they wanted a gelding to balance out their numbers.

Think I'm going to have to pass on this horse :(
 
You may need to compromise on something so its worth having a list of must haves and another of would likes. there are not many places will have 24/7 all year turnout any more so for example you may need to compromise on that in winter. if you have found a horse that you really like you can always heep it at a yard that is not perfect and then move to one that fits you better when there is a space. not perfect but if you wait until a space comes up you may not be able to find a horse for a few months and lose it again
 
You're going about it the wrong way. If you're determined to have exactly what you want from a livery yard, you need to find the yard first, start paying livery then look for the horse. You're right about 24/7 yr round turnout not many places have that anywhere and places that do you might find only allow it because their fields are mud pits, so they don't care about grazing getting trashed. I'd consider 24/7 in summer to be lucky and if you're allowed 24/7 turnout in summer do check that you get some turnout on decent ground in winter, because I'd rather have daily turnout all day, all year round than 24/7 in summer but have to stable 23hrs a day Oct-May like it is in some yards. If it was me I'd buy the horse if she's ideal and compromise on the yard. Most of the best yards will have no vacancies so you have to wait or they'll be full livery only yards, that's just how it is. The majority of yards are less than ideal. It's often a case of deciding what you can live without versus what you definitely need. Some of that info you won't have until you actually own the horse and see how things go.
 
24/7 winter turnout on a livery yard is very rare. If you accept bringing in through winter you may find a really nice yard.
And you may find your horse starts hanging by the gate as winter approaches anyway.. Mine does. Not all horses want to live out all winter.

I wouldn't pass up on the right horse over the lack of a perfect yard
 
Nearly no yards have 24/7 turnout any more. I'd find the yard first, and then the horse - even if you find one you could be waiting months for a place.

My compromise was renting out my (owned) house and renting a house with land ans stables so I can control the turnout. It actually works out the same cost as having my two on assisted livery and I live a lovely house in the country now instead of a 3 bed semi in the town.
 
I agree with those that say you may need to compromise, it may only be for a short time.

24/7 turn out in winter is very rare on a livery yard & although it's considered 'the best' here on HHO it's not always the best for every horse. You might be best getting the horse, finding the best yard you can & just seeing how you get on.
 
My advice would be to buy the horse, find livery that will do, especially if you need assisted livery and then take some time to look round for your perfect yard. I would have suggested looking for grazing with a stable/shelter rather than a yard but that isn't feasible if you need assistance and of course you would need a companion as well.
 
Might be the what you want doesn't exist yet (that was my problem... it took a new yard opening for me to find somewhere in my area with the offer of 24/7 turnout in winter with the option of stable if needed in an emergency)

If you really like the horse find a compromise yard for now and put your name down for the first one that's currently full (and keep bugging them... a friend of mine got in at her dream yard literally by being cheeky and begging and getting them to bump her up the waiting list!)
 
Meandering_About said:
Thank you to everyone's replies, yes I would need to compromise (grrr). I just can't muck out daily on diy and Part is so expensive.
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Have you looked at Church Brook Farm EC. Grass livery and two DIY livery options. Also a long list of additional services including muck out, one day part livery etc. Has indoor and outdoor schools. 24/7 turnout only in summer and daily turnout in winter.

Or Hern Gate Farm with grazing only options with full use of facilities including arena.
 
Sugar_and_Spice said:
You're right about 24/7 yr round turnout not many places have that anywhere and places that do you might find only allow it because their fields are mud pits, so they don't care about grazing getting trashed
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Hey! Some places (like mine) do 24/7 turnout, but look after their land very carefully! I move horses around to minimise poaching (but am prepared to deal with a bit of mud in the winter without panicking) and spend a chunk of money in spring to get the fields in good order. Not all grass livery yards don't care!
 
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