Competition/Full Livery South East

[Dream1]

Hi,

I would like to know peoples thoughts on what they would expect from a competition and full livery yard (whether it be the yards rider competing your horse or you competing your own horse)

i.e. the facilities they expect, the service offered, whats important and what is not, what is missing from yards in your expereience, What is important to competition owners.

Any thoughts greatly appreciated.

Thanks

 

[lizzieuk1]

obv every yard differs and the choice you make depends what you personally want out of it, however if its serious comp yard then you would ideally want/expect at least a large outdoor school pref an indoor aswell, acess to show jumps, pref horse walker and if poss xc course/gallops.
if theres no xc then should be one nearby that you can go and school at easily.
min i'd say large outdoor school and showjumps.
for service i'd expect turnout every/everyother day at least(in winter) in well fenced paddocks, mucked out regularly if in in day pref rubber matting, ridden 5-6 x/wk if on exercise livery, good trainer available. bedding change each day if straw or deep litter if shavings with reg removal, good quality hay/haylage ad lib in winter.
regular check of horse and groomed 1x day/feet done 2x day, rugs changed as reqd.
most important is a safe friendly environment for horse where it can live as naturally as poss.

 

[Luci07]

when you say competition - most tend to specialise in dressage, eventing etc not many do all of the disciplines. If I was paying for competition livery then I would expect that to mean that my horse would be worked and prepped totally to be ready to go out - so to me full livery means everything is done including exercise and trimming and the horse is fit for riding club/hacking. Competition livery would be as above but the training and prep would be included as well.

 

[Shay]

Wouldn't it be easier to call the competiton based yards and see what is on offer at each and at what price?

Just from my experience what each yard offers can differ massively and there is no point paying for a service you don't want as included but then paying extra for the ones you do want on top. You will also want facilities tailored to your discipline - for example if you want to focus on dressage or show jumping you might not need the XC course etc.

It also depends if you want your horse ridden at competition for you, or just schooled for you. What training you yourself want. There are loads of variables. Easier to ask what is actually available and at what price - rather than just to seek randon opinions?