Experiences of retirement livery

[Daniel_Jack]

My mare retired late last year due to hind suspensory issues which although mild are going to be difficult to manage to help keep her rideable.

I've always kept her at a local yard a few miles from home which offers full livery in winter and DIY grass livery with additional services. It's a great yard but in summer the yard owner rightfully takes time off so there are times with no support which due to my horses other needs I've found challenging at times - I've got a young family which limits my ability to go to the yard. I was actually preparing to sell my horse before she became injured.

I've found a retirement livery yard that looks perfect-they live out all year round in mixed herds with all care included excluding vet, farrier.

Only issue is it's approx 1 hour away so I'd only be able to visit a couple of times a month. The yard provides monthly updates, photos and live video streaming to allow owners to check on their horses.

It's slightly more expensive than my current livery but actually probably works out cheaper by the time you add on the extras I usually pay for.

I'm going to view it this week. I always hated moving yards and find it stressful but it's worse this time because she'll be so far away and I'm also really accepting the fact she's retired not just temporarily turned away.

There are also not many good yards in my area so if it doesn't work out then I'll lose my space at my current amazing yard.

Interested in the experience of others who have gone down the retirement livery route especially if it's meant moving your horse far away and seeing them only occasionally.

 

[SEL]

It's not my horse but a friend retired hers to a yard in Wales. Big fields, checked daily, rugs changed, farrier organised etc etc. She's lucky if she can get to visit once a month but gets updates and photos. Her horse looks fabulous and it's taken a weight of her mind.

If the yard suits your horse and you get good vibes (& references from other owners??) then you'll find visiting a pleasure rather than a chore

 

[Lady Jane]

I have 2 on retirement livery and good places are not cheap! I am lucky they are 15 mins away but originally one boy was 45mins away so I only saw him once fortnight after the first couple of months (I was there every day the first week). A good retirement livery is well worth it but make sure they have all facilities if your horse does need to be stabled and have the right staff eg foot abcess. Look at all the reviews you can find. If you pm me the pllace you are considering, I may know something about it. I have researched a few........
If I couldn't go and see them for a few months, I know they are well cared for and would not be worried about them

 

[Daniel_Jack]

Thanks both. That's reassuring.

This yard is pretty new but owned by someone with a well established and thought of equine business - so there is that uncertainty of whether or not it will last but they certainly seem to be investing a lot into it.