Feelings about people who keep their horses on full livery?

[Tentative86]

I was wondering if there are any negative aspects or feelings to keeping a horse on full livery? I'm in my mid thirties and tentatively considering horse ownership for the first time, but I would absolutely need full livery if I were to go ahead. I'd expect to be able to get to the yard 3-4 times a week, working out as one or two full days and a couple of afternoons. My prospective horse would be a seasoned cob most likely, and ideally we'd hack out (mostly alone) and have a couple of lessons a month. Is this kind of set-up considered unfair on the horse, or lacking in commitment on the part of the owner? I'd really love a horse of my own but I want to make sure I'm being fair on them and not being 'that owner'.

(If it makes any difference, my experience is approx 7 years of riding school/weekend stable work as a child and teenager. I'm now in my mid-thirties and started up lessons again at a local riding school a year or so ago and would say I'm about intermediate in that I'm comfortable with walk/trot/canter/smaller jumps, but definitely have plenty to work on in terms of form and learning to handle more difficult horses. I'm okay with strong/very forward, not so good with shy and sensitive. My current RS doesn't doesn't offer livery of any kind so would have to go elsewhere.)

 

[Bob notacob]

Queue of seasoned cobs seems to be forming ,Bob notacob says "come on lads " only one can get the job , I know its your dream job but no pushing ar queue jumping.

 

[KittenInTheTree]

The only negative aspects I experienced with regards to full livery were due to the yard failing to provide an acceptable level of care in my absence, so my advice is to choose your yard carefully and keep a close eye on how your horse is kept.

 

[Equi]

Provided the full livery is meeting the needs of the individual horse/owner there is absolutely nothing wrong with it. Its what they are paid for. The trick will be finding the livery that meets the standards you want consistently and willing to adapt to what you feel your horse needs. Something else to bear in mind though is that the horses at a riding school will always be worked more than any bog standard hacking horse, so finding a horse that is actually okay in that level of work will take some time and looking. As bob said, there is a long long que.

 

[PapaverFollis]

I'm not sure what problem you think there would be? If the horse in on full livery (provided it's a good one) then you can visit as often or as little as you like. That's the point of full livery. There's plenty go to the yard a lot less than that! I've both worked on and kept my horse on a full livery yard and that level of visiting would put you pretty near the top of the list of regular owners in my experience!

If you can afford it a proper proper full livery yard will work the horse for you too.

 

[milliepops]

^^^what they said.
If you find the right yard then it sounds like you're being realistic about what you want and need, and if the horse's needs are met between you and the yard then that's perfect

 

[Tentative86]

Thank you all!

@bob - Hahaha that made me laugh, thank you!

@equi - I see what you mean about riding school horses always being worked more. What would you say is a suitable level of work for the average bog standard hacking horse? I'm not adverse to adding in say half an hour in the school before a hack.

@PapaverFollis - I suppose it's a hangover from my teenage horsegirl phase, where every horsey magazine I read (and I read MANY) seemed to say that having a horse required one to commit literally every spare minute to its care, including going before and after school, which honestly really put me off wanting one back then. I think perhaps they were trying to make the point to potentially frivolous teenager readers, and perhaps I took it a little too much to heart. It's good to hear there's no stigma around it!

 

[Mackandtina]

I was wondering if there are any negative aspects or feelings to keeping a horse on full livery? I'm in my mid thirties and tentatively considering horse ownership for the first time, but I would absolutely need full livery if I were to go ahead. I'd expect to be able to get to the yard 3-4 times a week, working out as one or two full days and a couple of afternoons. My prospective horse would be a seasoned cob most likely, and ideally we'd hack out (mostly alone) and have a couple of lessons a month. Is this kind of set-up considered unfair on the horse, or lacking in commitment on the part of the owner? I'd really love a horse of my own but I want to make sure I'm being fair on them and not being 'that owner'.

(If it makes any difference, my experience is approx 7 years of riding school/weekend stable work as a child and teenager. I'm now in my mid-thirties and started up lessons again at a local riding school a year or so ago and would say I'm about intermediate in that I'm comfortable with walk/trot/canter/smaller jumps, but definitely have plenty to work on in terms of form and learning to handle more difficult horses. I'm okay with strong/very forward, not so good with shy and sensitive. My current RS doesn't doesn't offer livery of any kind so would have to go elsewhere.)

 

[Mackandtina]

I was wondering if there are any negative aspects or feelings to keeping a horse on full livery? I'm in my mid thirties and tentatively considering horse ownership for the first time, but I would absolutely need full livery if I were to go ahead. I'd expect to be able to get to the yard 3-4 times a week, working out as one or two full days and a couple of afternoons. My prospective horse would be a seasoned cob most likely, and ideally we'd hack out (mostly alone) and have a couple of lessons a month. Is this kind of set-up considered unfair on the horse, or lacking in commitment on the part of the owner? I'd really love a horse of my own but I want to make sure I'm being fair on them and not being 'that owner'.

(If it makes any difference, my experience is approx 7 years of riding school/weekend stable work as a child and teenager. I'm now in my mid-thirties and started up lessons again at a local riding school a year or so ago and would say I'm about intermediate in that I'm comfortable with walk/trot/canter/smaller jumps, but definitely have plenty to work on in terms of form and learning to handle more difficult horses. I'm okay with strong/very forward, not so good with shy and sensitive. My current RS doesn't doesn't offer livery of any kind so would have to go elsewhere.)

Hi. I keep my horse at full livery after returning to riding in my sixties. I have been on two yards. The first one was very friendly but a bit rough round the edges and not posh and the school was terrible. After two years I moved my mare to the stables across the road from my house which decided to do full 7 days livery. MISTAKE. I had not asked enough questions and assumed she would have been looked after like at the previous yard. The yard was immaculate and could have passed for a racing stables but she was kept short of hay, hardly any bedding, fed at 5 pm and not looked again/fed until after 9 am. I only discovered this when I went for a long ride and she nearly collapsed on the way back. I used to sneak across and give her more hay. They were so mean and even resented the water to soak her hay when they had a dusty load. She ended up with Asthma. My old yard took me back and we are both happy there. the owner goes the extra mile and is more like a friend. Ask, ask, and ask again and get it down in writing.

 

[AUB]

I love being on full livery. I get to do what I like: spend time with my horse and ride, but I don’t need to worry about turning her out in the morning or bringing in in the afternoon or mucking out or about the fields and fencing.
I make her food ready myself as she has special needs but YO feeds it to her.
I’m there for the farrier and vet.
I don’t think I’m missing out on anything interesting, to be honest!

 

[OrangeAndLemon]

I'll admit I got some bullying on my full livery yard from the one diy client who said people like me shouldn't have horses.

My job meant I travelled regularly so was often away from home. I have this job and work the hours I do to give my horse his luxury full livery lifestyle where he has a set and comfortable routine with the best care I can afford and turnout all year round. Sometimes I could only see him on weekends but I paid for him to be schooled or hacked if I was away all week (he didn't need it)

 

[IrishMilo]

I've gone between DIY and full before. As above the only issue was that the standard of care was so poor that I'd end up going anyway, which negated the purpose.

 

[Smogul]

I'd really love a horse of my own but I want to make sure I'm being fair on them and not being 'that owner'.

I am honestly not sure what you mean by not being fair on the horse. In my experience, horses neither notice nor care who mucks them out and ties up their haynet. We have always had our horses on full livery and can spend far more time with them because of this.

 

[Skib]

The whole point of a top livery yard giving total care, some turn out plus exercise, I was told, is that if one of our clients needs to leave the UK on business, he can return 6 months later to find his horse still in excellent shape.

This yard cost a great deal and it was suggested that I should look elsewhere because I had no need to pay for my horse to be exercised and I could clean my own tack.

 

[awelshandawarmblood]

I've gone between DIY and full before. As above the only issue was that the standard of care was so poor that I'd end up going anyway, which negated the purpose.

This is what happened to me. I've tried full & part in a good few places, none of which did what I asked or they said they would. One place I even resulted to 'turning up days I wasn't supposed to' & catching them out with various things. I'm sure there's some fantastic places but definitely speak to people who are there already, it would work perfectly for you I'm sure, if you can find that gem of a place. I'm now back on DIY!

 

[gallopingby]

Good full livery is expensive if done well, (and sometimes if not done). If you can find a suitable yard that is happy to take your cob lm sure you’ll have great fun. I would recommend looking for a showing/ eventing type yard with a good reputation, you may be lucky and find one, probably by word of mouth, looking for a sensible client. Full livery yards are quite often happy to have known people around who might offer to lend a hand and with luck you would learn loads from them.
On the experience front l think you’d be advised to describe your experience as ‘enthusiastic riding school intermediate. I would expect an intermediate to be pretty competent. Good luck in your search for a cob, you may have to widen your wish list or you’ll be waiting a long time unless you’re exceptionally lucky.

 

[windand rain]

I have never used full livery services have always either been DIY or rented grazing my concern with any livery yard is turnout you shouldn't keep a horse at all if it will stand more than 12 hours per 24 inside in a small stable. give or take a few hours. Turnout is vital all year round in every weather condition. When I offered full livery I made sure every horse was out wouldn't take on one that was not allowed to go in a turnout area of some sort all day or night unless on veterinary advice. It also depends on who you want riding your horse which type of livery to chose ridden livery is more expensive but worth it if you like the staff. Turnout is even more important if they are not riding your horse a horse walker is not an alternative to either turnout or proper exercise. Finding good livery services especially in areas with too many horses and clay soil is like finding a life partner you will need to kiss a few frogs before you find one that is right for you

 

[ihatework]

The questions to ask OP are really the following

- When buying a horse makes sure it’s one that is happy to be ridden 3-4 times a week and doesn’t need more for either managing waistline or managing its brain.

- When choosing a yard make sure you have one that has suitable facilities for the bad weather. If it’s a day you aren’t riding ideally your horse needs to be out in a field all day not stood in 24/7. A horse walker is ok as hoc but I wouldn’t want to be reliant on it 3-4 days a week if there is no turnout.

 

[tallyho!]

I've had to put my horse on full livery (at a different facility than usual) on many occasions and I've also paid for other people look after my horse at the usual place... I prefer the latter.

If I had to send mine away I wouldn't choose a "traditional" livery now. I've found two amazing open barn track liveries near me and they only do full livery and have a long queue! There is a huge demand for this I think.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

If you can find a good full livery yard why not but in my experience they are not that easy to find, I have worked on loads of yards over the years and can honestly say only 1 place was up to my standard of proper full livery.

It's not for everyone but if you don't have the time and can afford it sometimes it's the only way you will be able to have a horse.

 

[Starzaan]

If it weren’t for people needing full livery I would not have had a business for many years.
In a lot of instances I wish more people would keep their horses on full livery and accept that they don’t have the knowledge experience or time to properly care for a horse.

 

[eggs]

Sounds like a sensible idea to me as with the correct yard you will have good support already in place. I've had my horses at home for 20 years now but previously did DIY, part, full and schooling livery. I guess livery may have changed over the years but I can honestly say that I was always happy with the standard of care and turnout with the exception of one yard that took on too many horses and started to restrict turnout but that went for the DIY and part liveries.

Mucking out, poo picking, feed making, hay delivery, etc do not make the bond with your horse. It is spending time with him/her and if you are not spending a lot of your yard time doing the stable chores you will be able to spend more time with your horse.

I would probably describe you as a competent novice so you would be looking for a 'been there and done it' type who will look after you. Riding school horses are usually quite different to a privately owned horse so you will definitely want to be looking for one that can have a few days off work and still be nice and sane when you next ride.

 

[shamrock2021]

Full livery is brilliant I think A lot more people should be on it.

 

[Widgeon]

Also worth considering are part livery and 5 day livery - I've found that people describe their own livery offerings quite differently, so don't automatically rule out yards that "only" provide part livery. I'm technically on DIY livery, but the YO will bring in and turn out in winter, and feed and hay in the fields. And generally keep an eye on them, so all I have to do is turn up once a day and poo pick the field for fifteen minutes. Personally I wouldn't describe that as DIY, but it's what the YO calls it. So always worth a chat with the owner / manager if you think you've found a nice yard.

 

[18hhOlls&Me]

I'm not sure what problem you think there would be? If the horse in on full livery (provided it's a good one) then you can visit as often or as little as you like. That's the point of full livery. There's plenty go to the yard a lot less than that! I've both worked on and kept my horse on a full livery yard and that level of visiting would put you pretty near the top of the list of regular owners in my experience!

If you can afford it a proper proper full livery yard will work the horse for you too.

And if you are on full livery you will get good support from the YO and staff with anything you may be initially unsure of. And I agree a good full livery will also make sure the horse is in the right amount of work lunged or ridden which could be useful especially if you are starting from a slightly less experienced point. Also consider finding a yard where the YO gives lessons or there is a yard instructor, to keep improving your riding for you and your horse

 

[18hhOlls&Me]

I was wondering if there are any negative aspects or feelings to keeping a horse on full livery? I'm in my mid thirties and tentatively considering horse ownership for the first time, but I would absolutely need full livery if I were to go ahead. I'd expect to be able to get to the yard 3-4 times a week, working out as one or two full days and a couple of afternoons. My prospective horse would be a seasoned cob most likely, and ideally we'd hack out (mostly alone) and have a couple of lessons a month. Is this kind of set-up considered unfair on the horse, or lacking in commitment on the part of the owner? I'd really love a horse of my own but I want to make sure I'm being fair on them and not being 'that owner'.

(If it makes any difference, my experience is approx 7 years of riding school/weekend stable work as a child and teenager. I'm now in my mid-thirties and started up lessons again at a local riding school a year or so ago and would say I'm about intermediate in that I'm comfortable with walk/trot/canter/smaller jumps, but definitely have plenty to work on in terms of form and learning to handle more difficult horses. I'm okay with strong/very forward, not so good with shy and sensitive. My current RS doesn't doesn't offer livery of any kind so would have to go elsewhere.)

I have relied on full livery for years now since having a daughter and going back to work, it’s an amazing yard and the full livery package is great, with use of an XC course facility. Full livery means you will know your horse is properly cared for and you can learn from the staff. Also as you are getting back into riding definitely take an experienced friend with you when looking to buy, and consider letting them try the horse first, some vendors may assume if you describe yourself as intermediate that you are actually riding literally at intermediate level in a competitive sense which requires a relatively high ability. You don’t want to overhorse yourself and lose confidence. Good luck! X

 

[Winters100]

Nothing wrong with it at all, and will mean that the time you have with your horse can be spent enjoying him rather than mucking out his box. Just make sure that the yard is good so you can be confident in the care that your horse receives. Also 100% agree with TheGentlemanMrDarcy about choosing a horse. Take someone with you and do not be tempted to buy a horse that you need more skills for than you have today. While it is possible to grow into a horse it takes a lot of time and money, lots of lessons and trainers, and sometimes neither of these will actually mean that it is ever the right horse for you. Buy one who you feel confident on today and you will have much more fun. Good luck!

 

[18hhOlls&Me]

I am honestly not sure what you mean by not being fair on the horse. In my experience, horses neither notice nor care who mucks them out and ties up their haynet. We have always had our horses on full livery and can spend far more time with them because of this.[/QUOTE

I'll admit I got some bullying on my full livery yard from the one diy client who said people like me shouldn't have horses.

My job meant I travelled regularly so was often away from home. I have this job and work the hours I do to give my horse his luxury full livery lifestyle where he has a set and comfortable routine with the best care I can afford and turnout all year round. Sometimes I could only see him on weekends but I paid for him to be schooled or hacked if I was away all week (he didn't need it)

thats ridiculous- I assume said DIY individual was most probably jealous of watching you enjoy and ride your horse while her horse languished in the field/box as she dragged wheelbarrow after wheelbarrow full to the muck heap! I’ve been on part 5 day livery before and it just meant more chores eating into my quality time with my boy! At least kicking out got me fit though lol ? ?

 

[18hhOlls&Me]

Kicking out?! Mucking out I meant obviously ? x

 

[18hhOlls&Me]

Nothing wrong with it at all, and will mean that the time you have with your horse can be spent enjoying him rather than mucking out his box. Just make sure that the yard is good so you can be confident in the care that your horse receives. Also 100% agree with TheGentlemanMrDarcy about choosing a horse. Take someone with you and do not be tempted to buy a horse that you need more skills for than you have today. While it is possible to grow into a horse it takes a lot of time and money, lots of lessons and trainers, and sometimes neither of these will actually mean that it is ever the right horse for you. Buy one who you feel confident on today and you will have much more fun. Good luck!

If you find a good yard first and commit to being on the yard if you do buy, with a good YO, they may be able to help you find the right horse, and may even go with you to try them out. They may also know people on their yard looking for a sharer or loaner which is a good stepping stone to full ownership x