Experiences of liveries at Kelsall Hill and Somerford Park

[Beanriding]

I was wondering if anyone here had any experience with Kelsall Hill or Somerford Park as liveries?

I’d be grateful for any insight into which barns are good, what the sites are like to be a livery at, costings, pros/cons etc?

I’ve heard mixed things about both but would be interested to hear any first hand experiences from people on here.

 

[Hallo2012]

i have taught on both these yards.

somerford you are going to struggle for decent turnout, its all over used and over grazed there is never much grass on it. time wise i dont think its much either and i doubt theres much flexibility regarding care eg they all get the same at the same time every day.

kelsall in winter you will struggle to use the facilities unless you don't work and can be there in the day-pretty often only the small indoor is available for liveries from 5pm-8pm and there can be 4+ people trying to ride in it incl jumping lessons.
they dont have lights on the outdoors so they are out of use after work in winter and you will have the same issue of limited flexibility in care.

neither would suit me personally but i (obviously) have clients who are very happy there. I cant comment on specific barns at either thats just an over view.

 

[Ambers Echo]

I have spent time at Somerord and have friends on livery there.

Pros:
World class facilities. Honestly they are amazing and very well maintained. Liveries use all of them for free and have exclusive use of some arenas.
Good quality care from my own experience and those of liveries there. Most barns (if not all) are full livery with staff onsite.
Arenas and farm ride are kept usable almost all the time. So in winter you can keep going even when most places are too frozen to ride.

Cons:
Turn out is restricted. Myka was out 8-3 every other day in winter, and I would want daily turn out if I was anywere long term. My friend is out 8-12 every day, then the horses are swapped and the others in that barn go out 1-5 every day. Again that was winter.

I am used to 24/7 turn out in Spring/summer and all day every day turn out in witer with ad lib hay so for me personally that was not enough.

Fields are not hayed so Myka came in hungry.

On my yard turn out was individual unless you had 2 horses or a friend on livery and agreed between you to share turn out. Which most people did actually. But was not an option for me being there for a short time.