DIY livery in North Herts - Willian/Ickleford/Letchworth/Hitchin areas

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noonday

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Just wondering if anyone knows of any DIY yards in these areas, ideally with a school and separate mares/geldings turnout.

The only one I have found online is Ickleford Equestrian Centre. I've seen a few online in Kimpton/Codicote but they are too far.

Thanks.
 
Thistle said:
Chesfield Manor? Just off the A1 at Graveley
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Thanks, but it looks as though they only do an assisted DIY where they turn out and bring in. The prices aren't on the new website but I think on the old website (I think it was previously Chesfield Equestrian Centre?) it was either £50 per week or £200 per month. Would prefer somewhere that I only need to pay for services if I need them in emergency.

Just thought I should probably add Stotfold to my list of areas as that is also local. Also I would be looking for somewhere that doesn't have too many time restrictions on when you can go to the yard. I noticed one recently that isn't local but does say you can only go up after 8am.

Thanks
 
Hi
Sorry to jump in but I am interested in livery in lilley where is it and what is on offer and roughly what are the costs? Many thanks Tracey:)
 
North Herts EC in Baldock - used to be nice but heard it's gone a bit downhill. Not much t/o either but there is indoor and outdoor school.
Nortonbury farm in Norton/Baldock - DIY only, no school but no restrictions on times etc. Mixed herds though
Theres a diy yard in Willian run by the same people (contact Andrew at Standalone Farm) so I would guess its the same, DIY only, mixed herds etc
 
kal, do you like it there? i was set to move there ages ago but decided against it because of all the bad things i heard! i know several people there who are very unhappy.
 
Hi

Not sure if there is still livery but in Walkern as you come in from the Stevenage road on the right coming into the village is a stable yard. They use to do livery and look like they still do? Jim was the owner, the gate is on the right(you will see the horses in the fields) and there was a menage. The hacking is the best round there too.

Cecil Sales at Sandon I am sure had an advert recently advertising a DIY livery with 5 acres(ring them on the web Sales of Sandon) ask them to look on their board. Try Clarks equestrian and Sandon Saddlery notice board.

Hooks Cross is a nice yard outside Stevenage(again look on the web).

I would look in the equestrian shops round the area as I know there are tons of empty stables paddocks round here!! (There is a DIY livery near Buntingford ? Scotts run it??)??
Good luck

http://www.horse-advice.com/equi-therapy/horse-stables-livery/horse-livery-herts.shtml

Quite a few on this site? Mill End /Sandon(again fab riding)!
 
Thanks for all the replies.

I'm quite limited to where I can go at the moment due to work, but I will definitely look into one at Willian, and I'll go and have a look at Clarks and Sandon's notice boards. Didn't have a horse at the time of asking the question, but am now planning to buy back a horse that I used to own so I'd better get looking properly and pronto!

Does anyone know if Sandon Saddlery accepts payment by credit or debit card? Last time I went there (probably about 10 years ago) I think everything was just worked out on a calculator and they gave you a handwritten receipt.

Thanks.
 
Yes bought a hat on credit card last week! I know what you mean funny they still give you a hand written receipt with all your home address etc full name! And the owner still comes out to look at you! At some stage!

A very nice old fashioned shop....!
 
BSJAlove said:
kal, do you like it there? i was set to move there ages ago but decided against it because of all the bad things i heard! i know several people there who are very unhappy.
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It's not too bad. Quite busy, lots of horses, but i keep myself to myself and it's fine. Lovely big flood lit school, some xc jumps and the owner is pretty easy going. Just your normal bitching by some people but most are friendly and helpful. Getting to use the school is easy enough as lots of people but i only ever see the same handful ride. You can come and go when you please too.
 
Kal said:
It's not too bad. Quite busy, lots of horses, but i keep myself to myself and it's fine. Lovely big flood lit school, some xc jumps and the owner is pretty easy going. Just your normal bitching by some people but most are friendly and helpful. Getting to use the school is easy enough as lots of people but i only ever see the same handful ride. You can come and go when you please too.
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the things that put me off are the lack of grazing, the fact you have to buy hay and straw of him (which i was told was expensive?) and the fact theres only one school and so many liveries. i have been there before as i used to ride a friends horse for her, so i know the set up well, i just got cold feet at the last min.
 
BSJAlove said:
the things that put me off are the lack of grazing, the fact you have to buy hay and straw of him (which i was told was expensive?) and the fact theres only one school and so many liveries. i have been there before as i used to ride a friends horse for her, so i know the set up well, i just got cold feet at the last min.
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We all have 1 field each, it's not overly big but then my boy pigs out too much anyway so suits me. Hay is more expensive than where i was in Berkshire but there is less hay around up here. £4.50 or so for hay £3.00 for straw. You can buy your own else where i guess but you would need a lorry or something to store it in.

I don't find the school a problem. I'm down after work about 6.00 and it's normally deserted. I quite often use half the school myself and put jumps up. The only reason i went there was because of the floodlit school, it's quite hard to find anywhere with lights.
 
noonday said:
Thanks for all the replies.

I'm quite limited to where I can go at the moment due to work, but I will definitely look into one at Willian, and I'll go and have a look at Clarks and Sandon's notice boards. Didn't have a horse at the time of asking the question, but am now planning to buy back a horse that I used to own so I'd better get looking properly and pronto!

Does anyone know if Sandon Saddlery accepts payment by credit or debit card? Last time I went there (probably about 10 years ago) I think everything was just worked out on a calculator and they gave you a handwritten receipt.

Thanks.
Click to expand...

I paid with my debit card but receipt still hand written and you have to go into the back room and the lady turns away when you put your pin in :D
 
indie999 said:
Yes bought a hat on credit card last week! I know what you mean funny they still give you a hand written receipt with all your home address etc full name! And the owner still comes out to look at you! At some stage!

A very nice old fashioned shop....!
Click to expand...

Sam100 said:
I paid with my debit card but receipt still hand written and you have to go into the back room and the lady turns away when you put your pin in :D
Click to expand...

That's good that they now accept cards - I was worried it would still be stuck in the past!

It always used to be difficult to go there and leave without buying something, but as I am starting afresh with a horse and have absolutely nothing, I can at least buy a few brushes or buckets or bits and pieces. I remember they always used to follow you around the shop. Not sure if that's because I was young(ish) or whether they do that to everyone. Always used to find it a bit intimidating!
 
Hi

I only went to Sandon Saddlery last week after many years(bought my saddle and lots in the past) but I thought they were going to disappear out the back with my card etc (as i know they use to but despite what we are told never to do this I never have had any problems with them taking my pin etc) but this time they came out with the hand held machine at the back of the shop for my pin!

So more up to date on that front now and a lot quicker than in the past. Lovely old fashioned shop..aladdins cave! Still normal prices(not rip off)

Good luck with the livery too
 
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