DIY livery

C

Clachan

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11 April 2010
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Hi there

I have always kept my horse at home but I am moving house and need to put my horse into livery. I have never kept a horse at a livery yard before and wondered if I should be signing a contact or something that shows what is included in the fees etc. Is there anything else I need to know or that I should do.

Thanks
 
Hi

I have just got a horse on full loan and had her moved to a nearby yard on DIY. Basically i went to view the yard first, asked all the questions I need too. I then paid a deposit, and signed a contract. Nothing to major just saying basically if there is any damage they can take it out of the deposit, what happens if you don't pay the livery etc. I also pay for her livery a month in advance, on the first of the month. Its good to have a contract in place and make sure you find out as much information as you can before making a choice. I hope this helps

Thanks
 
Depends what your priorities are really. Some yards do contracts, some don't.
Things to check are;
Grazing and fencing. Is it safe, with no ragwort, are fields rotated, who poo picks or done by harrowing.
Can horses be out 24/7 in summer and how much turnout do they have in winter. Who decides what horses go in with each other and how are they introduced ?
Do fields have self filling water troughs or do you carry it in daily ?
What is included in price- straw, hay, use of facilites. Or do you have to buy in hay etc. What is the qualitity of the hay/haylage if provided.
Are you restricted to certain times when you are allowed on the yard ?
Is there electric, hot water (luxury).
Is there a school- is the surface useable ?
Are horses in mixed herds or single sex. or indidvidual TO. Are horses left out alone, or do liveries ensure they bring the last one in ?
Charges for horse box parking ?
Booking system for school ?
Worming programme ?
Secure tackroom, individual or communal ?
Is the horse populaltion constantly changing or established ?
Are owners on site ? How experienced are they ?
Look at the condition of horses on the yard. Are they bright eyed and shiny, fat/ thin, do they have ailments like lice/ ringworm? Are they stressy or chilled but inquistive ?
Does good hacking actually mean one local bridlepath after crossing a dual carriageway and you have to turn back on yourself after 500 yards ?

Work out cost of livery to include hay/bedding/use of facilities. A yard at £15 a week may be more expensive than a yard at £30, if you have to buy in small bales of hay/ straw and pay £10 to use the school/lights, or transport your horse to an instructor if they don't allow visiting RI's.
 
here's to give you a rough idea. I pay £28 a week for DIY livery, plus £5 a week for all the straw i need. My horse is a good doer so doesn't eat too much and is living out at the summer, but still has a stable and turno out during the day in the winter.I get use of the school, and we can book it and can go on the yard pretty much when I want as long as i let the owners know so they know if they hear a car. The paddocks get changed around when the grass is eaten, which is a bonus and the paddocks can be seperated. There are lots of things to consider, i would right a list of questions and think about what you want when looking :)
 
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