Vikki89
Well-Known Member
If you have done both which do you prefer? or if you have only been on either a DIY yard or a livery yard would you ever consider the other?
DIY or full/part livery
- Thread starter Vikki89
- Start date
TinselRider
Well-Known Member
Am DIY atm but have been on part (assisted) livery and it was nice not to have get up early in the mornings, esp in winter (although it turns out some days my horse wasn't out untill 11 o clock!!!)
If I had the money I would have my 2 on assisted at my new place but with the purse strings well and truly knotted tight it's DIY for now
They will be on full for a few weeks in Feb and I know they will be looked after properly! 
If I had the money I would have my 2 on assisted at my new place but with the purse strings well and truly knotted tight it's DIY for now
They will be on full for a few weeks in Feb and I know they will be looked after properly! ThePony
Well-Known Member
Always on diy and likely to stay that way. I like to have total control over how I care for mine and I like doing all the things for them and seeing them twice a day. Although sometimes a lie in would be good, I would miss seeing them too much to be able to enjoy it!
cob1
Well-Known Member
At my old yard i used to do part (full mon-fri & diy sat-sun) and thru the summer i used to DIY (although he was out mostly). All the extras used to add up.
I moved onto a full livery yard in Oct and i love it -its much more practical for me when i work away a lot and he gets exercised too. It costs more, but feed, wormers, holding for vet / farrier are included - i dont go to feed shops so i spend less on stuff i didnt need!
Often at first yard i have to go and check things had been done i.e. water & hay - my new yard is fab thou and i never worry. Plus as yard is only full livery, the YOs keep it spotless (no messy DIyers!) and all us liverys just go down to ride and socialise!
I moved onto a full livery yard in Oct and i love it -its much more practical for me when i work away a lot and he gets exercised too. It costs more, but feed, wormers, holding for vet / farrier are included - i dont go to feed shops so i spend less on stuff i didnt need!
Often at first yard i have to go and check things had been done i.e. water & hay - my new yard is fab thou and i never worry. Plus as yard is only full livery, the YOs keep it spotless (no messy DIyers!) and all us liverys just go down to ride and socialise!
_MizElz_
Well-Known Member
I've always been DIY. I'm on a yard where part / assisted livery is offered and is taken up by almost (if not every!) other person, but I simply dont like the idea of anyone looking after Ellie but me. If I cant get up to see her (VERY rare!) then I get my mum or my OH to go up. I like being the one in control 
Vikki89
Well-Known Member
I've always been DIY. I'm on a yard where part / assisted livery is offered and is taken up by almost (if not every!) other person, but I simply dont like the idea of anyone looking after Ellie but me. If I cant get up to see her (VERY rare!) then I get my mum or my OH to go up. I like being the one in control
I'm not the only one
, i've only ever been on a DIY yard and i don't like the thought of being on a part/full livery yard. My mum and I keep our horses together so if I can't get there for any reason then mum will do them all and I do if she can't get there. We do all help each other out at the yard if needed (or offer) but i don't usually accept as i like to do them myself, even if mum does a rug for me and im there i check it
but then i am a bit OCD like that and have to check rugs, stable doors, gates etc. a few times before i leave (even if i did it myself in the first place)
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stargirl88
Well-Known Member
DIY, I really like the idea of part or assisted but whenever I've asked someone else to do something, it doesn't get done (such as let her out at 8... I got there at half 11 and she was still in her stable kicking the door....
).
If it was actually a well managed yard with reliable staff etc I'd consider part livery... but I've only ever been DIY. I wouldn't know what to do with my time if someone else was doing all the jobs
). If it was actually a well managed yard with reliable staff etc I'd consider part livery... but I've only ever been DIY. I wouldn't know what to do with my time if someone else was doing all the jobs
Meowy Catkin
Meow!
I've had my mare on working, part and DIY livery.
Working livery was the worst. Never, ever, ever again.
They treated the mare as if she was theirs to work into the ground and that I, as the owner was an inconvieniance to be fobbed off with lies and excuses and sent on my way quickly. Needless to say, I got her out of there PRONTO!
Part livery was ok, but didn't suit me or the mare and I wouldn't do it again.
I've had different horses on DIY over the years and this is what I like. It hasn't all been smooth (normal livery yard probs) but is definately the best form of livery for me.
I now have the horses on my parent's land and that is even better, they are very understanding YO's!
Working livery was the worst. Never, ever, ever again.
They treated the mare as if she was theirs to work into the ground and that I, as the owner was an inconvieniance to be fobbed off with lies and excuses and sent on my way quickly. Needless to say, I got her out of there PRONTO! Part livery was ok, but didn't suit me or the mare and I wouldn't do it again.
I've had different horses on DIY over the years and this is what I like. It hasn't all been smooth (normal livery yard probs) but is definately the best form of livery for me.
I now have the horses on my parent's land and that is even better, they are very understanding YO's!
Silver
Well-Known Member
DIY
we have grass livery and rent a field off a farmer. I like the freedom this provides. I am in control of what my horse is doing. Downside no riding arena etc but love it.
we have grass livery and rent a field off a farmer. I like the freedom this provides. I am in control of what my horse is doing. Downside no riding arena etc but love it.
trottingon
Well-Known Member
I've only ever been on DIY yards, nothing to do with cost, I could afford full livery if I wanted it, but I get great pleasure and pride in looking after my own, and being totally responsible for condition, training and turnout when I hack out and go to shows etc. Although I'm occasionally tempted by part livery (oh how I like staying in bed on a morning!) I can't see I'd ever do it, (even if the wonderful greetings I get each morning and evening are sure to be for the breakfast and dinner I am about to provide, rather than their love for me!). The only reason I would do full livery is if I was struggling with time, or work took me away from home regularly. My OH isn't interested and will only help out if I am desperate, and I don't get any family help, the other girls on the yard and I do cover for each other if needed. I would however prefer to be on a yard which offered livery so I could pay for it when I go away rather than relying on the other girls on then yard, only because I feel guilty when I go on holiday as most of them have family etc who cover for them so I'm not able to return their favours very often.
MissMincePie&Brandy
Well-Known Member
I have my horse on 7 day part livery, because i work unpredicatble hours and I want my horse to have a solid routine.
I used to keep my horses at home at my parents place until I moved out, and I do really miss the daily mucking out, preparing their feeds, etc.
I often muck out my own horse's stable when I have a morning off work (even though i don't have to), and I'm still in control of what he's fed because, if I think he needs more or less of something according to his weight or performance, I just alter his dinner recipe in the feedroom board.
I used to keep my horses at home at my parents place until I moved out, and I do really miss the daily mucking out, preparing their feeds, etc.
I often muck out my own horse's stable when I have a morning off work (even though i don't have to), and I'm still in control of what he's fed because, if I think he needs more or less of something according to his weight or performance, I just alter his dinner recipe in the feedroom board.
sillygillyhorse
Well-Known Member
Over the years I have had all sorts of different livery. Began keeping my ponies then horses at home so always had my own yard but no school, some help available from my father but even as a child I had to help with field maitenance and fencing etc. I have since had DIY livery, full livery with feed, bedding and hay provided (no riding), full livery with me providing the feed & bedding etc, 5 day full with DIY at weekends.
When I was working full time the 7 day a week all inclusive worked well for me. Now that I am not working I am at a big equestrian centre but have rented a small individual block of stables with my own grazing on a DIY basis (morning turn out Mon to Fri is included if I want it) and look after my horses myself. Works well for me as if need be I can pay for services if and when I need them, have good facilities which I do not have to maintain. I enjoy looking after my horses and as everything about their well being is down to me I know exactly what is happening/going on with them.
When I was working full time the 7 day a week all inclusive worked well for me. Now that I am not working I am at a big equestrian centre but have rented a small individual block of stables with my own grazing on a DIY basis (morning turn out Mon to Fri is included if I want it) and look after my horses myself. Works well for me as if need be I can pay for services if and when I need them, have good facilities which I do not have to maintain. I enjoy looking after my horses and as everything about their well being is down to me I know exactly what is happening/going on with them.
wellsat
Well-Known Member
If I could afford it I'd pay for someone to muck out and do my hanets and water in winter. I like to be in control of my horse but I don't honestly think mucking out helps you bond with them and it would leave me with more time to ride/sleep.
Orv
Well-Known Member
I am currently on part livery and love it. I have been on DIY - mucking out 1-2 times per day, working my horse 6 days per week and holding down a demanding job (I usually work 50 hours + per week) was not enjoyable. I was constantly tired getting back pain from mucking out and wasn't enjoying my horse as much as I could/should.
I am at a great yard where I trust them with my horse and he is well looked after. I am very much involved (I still go up twice a day!) make his feed up and often muck out/turn out etc so have full control of what happens with my horse.
There are some yards that I have been at where I would never put my horse on part livery, so alot of it depends on the yard as to what livery service I prefer.
I am at a great yard where I trust them with my horse and he is well looked after. I am very much involved (I still go up twice a day!) make his feed up and often muck out/turn out etc so have full control of what happens with my horse.
There are some yards that I have been at where I would never put my horse on part livery, so alot of it depends on the yard as to what livery service I prefer.
FinkleyAlex
Well-Known Member
I've been on all three. I was on DIY throughout school, college etc untill university for 9 years which was fine as I wasn't expected to do much work and the yard was 10 mins away. Had full livery in my first year at uni due to my car not being allowed on campus - I hated feeling like he wasn't really mine - at the end of the year I didn't even know where the tap was.
Second year at uni I was on part livery and much preferred it - yard is too far for DIY (I tried!) and I was exhausting trying to mix my degree, socialise, work and do the horse. He will be back on part livery next year, so I still get my DIY fix at weekends. During the summer holidays he's on DIY but it can feel like a chore as it's 25 mins drive away which make for a 2-3 hour round trip.
Second year at uni I was on part livery and much preferred it - yard is too far for DIY (I tried!) and I was exhausting trying to mix my degree, socialise, work and do the horse. He will be back on part livery next year, so I still get my DIY fix at weekends. During the summer holidays he's on DIY but it can feel like a chore as it's 25 mins drive away which make for a 2-3 hour round trip.