Feelings about people who keep their horses on full livery?

[Winters100]

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.

That is utterly absurd. People seem to have some idea that horses care about who feeds them or washes their legs. We have a terribly nice lady who has the paddock next to mine, and her Mother is always pointing out how much my horses 'love' me, because they whinny and come to the gate at lunchtime or follow me without a rope. I really like her, but let's be honest they are coming for food and they follow me because this is what they were trained to do. I adore my horses, and am very grateful that I can be with them every day, but they simply view me as someone who is not a threat, is calm and consistent and expects certain things, and who brings food. I usually give lunch so they call to me at lunchtime, if I am there in the evening when the groom feeds they call to him. We are not the only ones who can care for our horses, and over the years I have been very grateful for advice and help from experienced YOs.

 

[fredflop]

If you read in the tack room page of this forum, there is often a lot of “reverse snobbery”.

people on certain posts only seem to think that a horse should be kept on diy livery, and if you have full livery you are some kind of devil that should be burnt in hell.

I’ve mostly had horses on full livery, but have had diy a few times. The only thing I like about diy is that I can choose exactly what to feed and tinker around with quantity of feed and supplements very easily.

 

[MuddyMonster]

You sound sensible! I've been on DIY to part livery my time and have enjoyed and taken advantage of aspects of both

Providing you find the right yard, part or full livery can be brilliant & I'd say well worth doing in your circumstances.

There's no holy grail for the right yard either - I prioritised 24/7 turn out suitable for a barefoot horse with a history of laminitis with good hacking and got it so love where I am. Whereas a good turn yard for a competitive dressage rider might look very different.

Do also be aware that lots of yards may call their packages slightly different things.

My friend is on 'part livery' and the YO feeds and turns out in the AM Monday - Friday and can bring in PM by arrangement for an additional fee. The owner has to do stable chores and poo picking fields, groom and ride etc and has to buy in own hay and feed or pay for the additional services. I personally consider that akin to Assisted DIY and I've been on a similiar arrangement before but it's 'part livery' on her yard.

I'm on part livery (albeit turned out 24/7) 7 days a week and the YO provides all care except a full groom*, riding and tack cleaning seven days a week. Ad-lib hay and a choice of bucket feed is provided (If you want to feed something else, then you have to provide it) and I just have to supply supplements. *The YO picks out feet daily (and will do thrush treatment spray etc) and will brush off enough mud etc to put rugs on if required but if I want to look smart-ish for a lesson I'll need to groom myself

There are others on the yard that come up once or twice a week or even less often and their horse's are perfectly well looked after in between their visits.

If I wanted him full groomed and/or exercised and/or tack cleaned she offers a full livery service(s) too. As it is, I tend to go up daily to groom and ride so the basic part livery package more than suits me.

Good luck with your search for the right horse

 

[PapaverFollis]

If you read in the tack room page of this forum, there is often a lot of “reverse snobbery”.

people on certain posts only seem to think that a horse should be kept on diy livery, and if you have full livery you are some kind of devil that should be burnt in hell.

Eh? ?

 

[Winters100]

Now I have a question - I always thought 'half livery' in UK terms was everything done except for riding the horse, so boxes, rugs, turnout, feeds, horse walker etc. Am I wrong about this?

I have this arrangement, except that if you want them to be given lunch they can either be given in the paddock (so only really works if turned out alone), or given lunch inside, but in which case they stay in their box for the afternoon. As mine are out as a pack I give lunches myself or ask a friend to do it so they get whole day outside.

Am I right that this is 'half livery'?

 

[PapaverFollis]

Now I have a question - I always thought 'half livery' in UK terms was everything done except for riding the horse, so boxes, rugs, turnout, feeds, horse walker etc. Am I wrong about this?

I have this arrangement, except that if you want them to be given lunch they can either be given in the paddock (so only really works if turned out alone), or given lunch inside, but in which case they stay in their box for the afternoon. As mine are out as a pack I give lunches myself or ask a friend to do it so they get whole day outside.

Am I right that this is 'half livery'?

It depends. I was at a yard that called just basic care, no riding or grooming "full". Or full can mean everything with a cherry on top. Part can mean what you describe right through to just morning feeds and turnout! Or full livery for weekdays and completely DIY weekends! There's no set rule I don't think.

 

[The Jokers Girl]

I don't get why people feel that full livery is in some way doing a disservice to your horse. I work at a yard offering mostly full livery and it works well for the owners. Everything gets fed and turnout out at the same time, so nothing is stood in hungry waiting on an owner that can't get out of bed and come up for whatever reason and when the owners are short of time, or just enjoy spending time with their horse, they can actually spend time in the company of the horse not muck out its stable, wash buckets and fill nets whilst the horse has no idea they are there, as it is busy munching in the field. Full livery, part livery, diy or any combination in between works at different times for different owners and as long as the horse has a deep dry bed, clean water and plenty of forage does it really matter who gives them that.

 

[Mule]

I think it's bizarre that anyone would look down on someone for having their horse on full livery. I wouldn't mind it myself, especially when it's dark and wet in winter.

 

[1523679]

Lucky them!

Or perhaps just sensible - if you work long hours to earn your pennies, why not spend them paying someone else to poo-pick by headtorch in the pouring rain, so that you can use your scarce free time in the most efficient way possible?

 

[Maesto's Girl]

I couldn't have mine on full - I am too Picky! But I have moved to part livery at a small, private yard (3 years ago) and that was the best decision I ever made. Whilst I was in London 3 days a week (Tues-Thurs pre-covid), my mare was on full livery for those days, but I would ride on the Wednesday evening as I started and finished earlier, then the other days (Fri-Mon) she is on part livery. This includes everything except mucking out and exercise - so turnout's/bring in/feeds/hays/rugs/poo picking etc is all covered. Now, even though I am not in London, I still have 1 day a week full livery which just gives me that break I need.

Ironically however, I now work at the yard Friday - Monday so I do the AM routine for my mare anyway - along with 10 others

Perhaps you could look to find a similar arrangement? So on the days where you do have the time, you can do more? And as such, don't pay the 7 day full livery premium?

I don't think there's any issue with people who are on full livery though. The issue I have always had though is with those who have their horse on full livery but then don't see it for months? Makes no sense to me!

 

[Winters100]

The issue I have always had though is with those who have their horse on full livery but then don't see it for months? Makes no sense to me!

I don't really get why you would have an issue with this. Is it because you think that the horses are not properly cared for? I go every day to mine, but if I could not I would probably prefer to pay for great care from a YO that I trusted than to sell. If someone is not visiting their horses it may be for a wide variety of reasons, and not really for others to judge.

 

[18hhOlls&Me]

I couldn't have mine on full - I am too Picky! But I have moved to part livery at a small, private yard (3 years ago) and that was the best decision I ever made. Whilst I was in London 3 days a week (Tues-Thurs pre-covid), my mare was on full livery for those days, but I would ride on the Wednesday evening as I started and finished earlier, then the other days (Fri-Mon) she is on part livery. This includes everything except mucking out and exercise - so turnout's/bring in/feeds/hays/rugs/poo picking etc is all covered. Now, even though I am not in London, I still have 1 day a week full livery which just gives me that break I need.

Ironically however, I now work at the yard Friday - Monday so I do the AM routine for my mare anyway - along with 10 others

Perhaps you could look to find a similar arrangement? So on the days where you do have the time, you can do more? And as such, don't pay the 7 day full livery premium?

I don't think there's any issue with people who are on full livery though. The issue I have always had though is with those who have their horse on full livery but then don't see it for months? Makes no sense to me!

I’m on full livery and have been down 3 times to see Darce this week already. He is relatively new to me and already attached as I spend my time riding him, grooming him, cuddling him and talking to him. The yard girls are great but they rotate so he doesn’t associate with any one of them particularly. I also like the fact that I have the time to make sure his rugs are cleaned and tidy, his tack is lovely and clean, etc.
There is a small number of people who are on full livery and don’t or can’t come down to ride very often. There are also yards with DIY owners who come down, muck out in a rush and leave. I would say overall horses on full livery maybe get to spend more ‘fun time’ with their owners; doing chores for them like mucking out doesn’t mean anything to them or prove you love them more. I have a 3 year old daughter at nursery 3 days a week and a part time job (my other half works full time) so I work hard so that my loved ones (including Darcy) get pampered by me, and in Darcys case by the lovely staff at the yard when I’m not there. If my daughter is poorly and needs a few days at home I know Darcy is being cared for the staff and lunged by the YO who is also my trainer. You can find bad owners with horses on DIY, part, full, even competition livery. One of my friends is a Dr and rarely gets time to see her mare anymore but she has her on an amazing yard, she is ridden all the time by the YO and head girl and why should she give her up just because she has an incredibly hardcore job with almost no free time. My yard is the best I’ve ever been on and it’s only a few full or competition liveries alongside the owners own horses and the horses she rides professionally competitively for their owners who can’t ride. There is a whole spectrum and as long as the horses are getting properly cared for, ridden and kept fit appropriately and getting kind attention every day then I don’t think anyone should be judged. I’ve stood up for people on DIY in the past when people have said that they shouldn’t have a horse if they are rushing down in the winter just to make sure they have a clean bed and full tummy. Another lady I know has her horse on full livery as she is her husbands full time carer. That’s the other thing, even if you don’t approve of the principle of full livery, you usually just have no way of knowing people’s situation and what’s going on in their lives!

 

[SO1]

I am on part livery including everything except grooming, excercise and tack cleaning.

I love my pony just as much as the DIY people but my circumstances are different so I can't commit to DIY livery at the moment. I live in and work in London and no suitable yards local to where I live. I often don't get to the yard till 7.30pm so not practical to be on DIY unless he was living out. I still enjoy spending time with my pony at least 4 days a week. He has good care and I play an active role in decisions about his care and routine.

The only downside is the cost really.

 

[18hhOlls&Me]

Now I have a question - I always thought 'half livery' in UK terms was everything done except for riding the horse, so boxes, rugs, turnout, feeds, horse walker etc. Am I wrong about this?

I have this arrangement, except that if you want them to be given lunch they can either be given in the paddock (so only really works if turned out alone), or given lunch inside, but in which case they stay in their box for the afternoon. As mine are out as a pack I give lunches myself or ask a friend to do it so they get whole day outside.

Am I right that this is 'half livery'?

It’s true that it varies, but my past experience was generally that on mixed yards part livery is like full, except on part livery on the weekends you are expected to muck out, make up hay nets, fill water buckets if needed, rug them up or chang/remove rugs, groom etc. Riding or lungeing on full or part is extra. DIY you Usually just get the horse T/O and brought in- nothing else, although most yards offer DIY liveries services like grooming, mucking out etc for a small charge if you are poorly for example and can’t get there. Assisted livery is DIY but with prearranged services built into the cost, eg the horse is mucked out every Tuesday and Thursday because you work late those days for example.

However the last yard I was on, and my current yard (there is only one lady on part livery and that is for a particular reason)- everyone is on full or competition livery, with the only difference being competition livery offers show prep, ie bathing, plaiting up etc at any time required . On full you pay extra for show prep or do it yourself. All horses are ridden if you can’t make it down and you want them ridden or lunged. All liveries can access Xc course, SJ arenas etc. So I think Competition yards run differently offering a pricey but comprehensive service x

 

[Lots of Gift Bags]

If you read in the tack room page of this forum, there is often a lot of “reverse snobbery”.

people on certain posts only seem to think that a horse should be kept on diy livery, and if you have full livery you are some kind of devil that should be burnt in hell.

I’ve mostly had horses on full livery, but have had diy a few times. The only thing I like about diy is that I can choose exactly what to feed and tinker around with quantity of feed and supplements very easily.

Really? I've never seen/noticed any posts like this.

I've been on part livery and it was great. Absolutely nothing wrong with full or part livery if you find a good yard that you can trust.
However, moving to DIY did make a difference to the bond between me and my horse. It's not the mucking out per se, but the feeding them, the turning out, the bringing in, which make a difference, the horse looks to you as it's primary caregiver. Also I am a lot quicker to pick up on when he might be feeling a little off, if his poo isn't quite the same, if he's drinking less or more water than usual, if he's trashed his stable one night. I also like being in total control over the amount and type of feed and hay that he receives.

 

[MuddyMonster]

I think generally a good owner is a good owner regardless of whether they are DIY or full livery. I've seen great DIY owners, I've seen not so great DIY owners and I've seen great full livery owners and I've seen not so great full livery owners.

It's not necessarily about who orders the hay or poo picks the field or whatever but I think about the attitude of the owner.

'Even' on part livery, I still consider my boy a fundamental member of our family and a friend first, regardless of who picks up his poo

 

[Mule]

Really? I've never seen/noticed any posts like this.

I've been on part livery and it was great. Absolutely nothing wrong with full or part livery if you find a good yard that you can trust.
However, moving to DIY did make a difference to the bond between me and my horse. It's not the mucking out per se, but the feeding them, the turning out, the bringing in, which make a difference, the horse looks to you as it's primary caregiver. Also I am a lot quicker to pick up on when he might be feeling a little off, if his poo isn't quite the same, if he's drinking less or more water than usual, if he's trashed his stable one night. I also like being in total control over the amount and type of feed and hay that he receives.

You do learn a lot more on diy or when keeping them at home. Wound treatment, giving injections and similar. I'm like tracker when it comes to poo. I can identify the horse by the size and colour of the poo ?

 

[shamrock2021]

I don’t understand why people criticised people who have there horse on full livery. I personally think it’s jealousy because if they got a chance they would be on full livery.

it doesn’t matter what livery you are on once the horse is being taken care of. Where I am from A lot of yard owners aren’t offering DLY because they are making no money from it a lot of them say it’s a waste of time because they aren’t getting anything out of it . Most years are full livery only where I live there is only one DLY yard.

 

[Maesto's Girl]

Sorry I should have been clearer. My issue isn't so much the horse being on full livery - it's those who have their horses on full livery but never see them. Yes I know there are cases out there whereby they can't but there are also those who just don't. I personally couldn't have a horse and not see it for months.

For me, not having full livery is my choice as I am too fussy - not because I have anything against those who afford it and are lucky to find a livery yard that meets their needs. I could have my mare on full livery, I just choose not to. Not saying the bond with my horse is better or worse than people who see their horse on full livery regularly either.

Not once did I say I didn't approve with the principle of full livery in my comment. Just wanted to make that clear. I know it's my barrier as I want things done a certain way

 

[18hhOlls&Me]

Really? I've never seen/noticed any posts like this.

I've been on part livery and it was great. Absolutely nothing wrong with full or part livery if you find a good yard that you can trust.
However, moving to DIY did make a difference to the bond between me and my horse. It's not the mucking out per se, but the feeding them, the turning out, the bringing in, which make a difference, the horse looks to you as it's primary caregiver. Also I am a lot quicker to pick up on when he might be feeling a little off, if his poo isn't quite the same, if he's drinking less or more water than usual, if he's trashed his stable one night. I also like being in total control over the amount and type of feed and hay that he receives.

that’s it though, if you find a yard that’s right for you, you can feed them, bring them in etc when you are there, with the knowledge that when you aren’t they are getting the best care. When I’m down for the day I do everything except muck out, including bringing him in, taking him out, haying him and giving him his breakfast/tea etc. And I’m lucky as many are that whilst all staff are good, they all work in rotation so I’m the most familiar to him. Plus because when riding I talk to him, tell him well done, or slow down a little etc with a little scratch on his neck that he loves, so when I call him from the field he comes to me now without any feed in my hand! And I’ve decided on his feed from day one. As long as your yard supports the fact that you make the decisions regarding your horses care, and you are able to carry out any tasks you want to when you are there especially for the best part of a day, you will be the primary caregiver even if they see various other (very talented) staff members on other days. I don’t know anyone else who will spend an hour brushing my horse and who knows all his favourite spots to make his lip wobble and go half to sleep when you scratch! Look at Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro- with an army of grooms and a head groom who likely fed him often, their connection was undeniable and I’m pretty sure she was his fave human! X

 

[Widgeon]

I keep seeing this thread and thinking "gahh I wish I had the money for a nice full livery yard"....then all I'd have to do would be cuddle and ride. Rather than slop through mud, scrub grease from rugs, shovel endless amounts of poo (now mixed with mud), do things with fences involving electrocuting myself....I could go on but I'd probably just end up weeping.

 

[Kat]

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 keep my horse on what is called full livery on our yard, but many on here would call part or half livery.

My horse is brought in and turned out for me, she gets rugs changed, stable/turnout boots changed, mucked out, feed, hay and water done. She isn't exercised as part of the package.

I love it, I have done other types of livery but honestly it works out better for me as I have a busy job and (normally) a long commute. Livery services mean that I don't have to worry about my horse standing waiting to come in if I am delayed, or running out of hay because I am late. I can also spend all of my free time riding, grooming, fussing and doing the nice stuff.

I do jobs if I am there, I have full control of her feed, and I visit most days. I perhaps have one or two days a month when I don't go (apart from holidays), because I like to see my horse and spend time with her but if I have plans I can rely upon the yard to ensure her needs are met.

I trust the people that look after her and this is really important, that and a set up that suits your horse, look at things like the amount of turnout offered and whether it is herds or pairs or solo and how much grass there is, what the routine is etc. No point trying to fit a round peg into a square hole.

Full livery is great when you are a new owner too, it is a big adjustment and learning curve so why not make sure you are set up for success by having someone experienced providing the basic care in the early days. You can then focus on getting to know your horse rather than learning how to muck out.

The other arrangement to consider would be 5 day livery, depending upon your home life full livery Monday - Friday and DIY/assisted at the weekend can be a good compromise.

 

[oldie48]

Having kept my horses at home for the past 21 years I now have Rose on full livery at a yard with superb facilities. The care is brilliant, I often get a pic sent at 10.00 in the evening of Rose fast asleep. I go up most days and her stable is always immaculate, she has plenty of turnout and has an area outside her stable which she can access whenever she likes, day or night. It's not cheap but she is happy and settled. I can't even do much riding ATM but love watching her sharer ride but she is still very much my horse. However, the care is the most important thing and that does depend on the staff, Rose doesn't know she's in a posh stable but she does know it's big and that she has a big fluffy bed. She also knows there is a routine, so she knows what to expect. I think that's one of the best things about full livery, there is a regular time when things happen and I do think horses are more settled. sometimes on DIY yards, it's all a bit ad hoc with horses being fed and turned out at different times which can be unsettling for them.

 

[PurBee]

I fully understand why folk would do full livery...and think theyre smart!
Having horses at home has its perks, but i used to think it was ‘THE ultimate best thing’ -until doing it.

We all know a horse needs herd mates, so at home you need to care for at least 2...but more is best...3 minimum so one isnt left lonely while riding one. So automatically to keep your 1 preferred riding horse sane you need to buy and feed/care for 3 horses in total, in a home set-up.
Thats expensive and very labour heavy for 1 person to do ALL the yard work etc for 3 horses and have a ‘life/work/relationships/friendships’ outside of horse needs.

Also horses at home dont get the exposure to various people and animals to the extent that yard horses do. Being flight animals, we know de-sensitising them to all sorts of various stimuli makes them safer to ride and handle.
I’m rural, like many at home horses are, and mine are intrigued even when a car passes! Or a person theyve never seen before! You can bet when im poulticing a foot, that the once in a blue moon weird distraction will show up and i’ve got a distracted curious horse who wont just stand and chill.

So exposing them to stimuli that’s going to trigger fight flight i do regularly, and a passer-by seeing me putting an empty shavings bag on their neck would think im probably abusing them! Lol

The cost of bringing all feed/bedding to the homestead, and the usual other costs, aswell as general field/fence farm maintenance costs - i know NOW thats loads more than full livery, and i’d sell up and do full livery in a heartbeat, IF i could find a nice yard. Thats the key point - finding a yard with nice staff, liveries, facilities and being close to home.
Because of yard hassles many dream of having a horse at home...understandably....but the work load is horrendous for 1 person.

 

[SBJT]

I keep my horse on what is called full livery on our yard, but many on here would call part or half livery.

My horse is brought in and turned out for me, she gets rugs changed, stable/turnout boots changed, mucked out, feed, hay and water done. She isn't exercised as part of the package.

I love it, I have done other types of livery but honestly it works out better for me as I have a busy job and (normally) a long commute. Livery services mean that I don't have to worry about my horse standing waiting to come in if I am delayed, or running out of hay because I am late. I can also spend all of my free time riding, grooming, fussing and doing the nice stuff.

I do jobs if I am there, I have full control of her feed, and I visit most days. I perhaps have one or two days a month when I don't go (apart from holidays), because I like to see my horse and spend time with her but if I have plans I can rely upon the yard to ensure her needs are met.

I trust the people that look after her and this is really important, that and a set up that suits your horse, look at things like the amount of turnout offered and whether it is herds or pairs or solo and how much grass there is, what the routine is etc. No point trying to fit a round peg into a square hole.

Full livery is great when you are a new owner too, it is a big adjustment and learning curve so why not make sure you are set up for success by having someone experienced providing the basic care in the early days. You can then focus on getting to know your horse rather than learning how to muck out.

The other arrangement to consider would be 5 day livery, depending upon your home life full livery Monday - Friday and DIY/assisted at the weekend can be a good compromise.

I do this too and love it. If I don’t get out it’s not the end of the world and I know he’s well taken care of. If I didn’t I don’t think I’d have time to relax especially with school work and working 40 hrs a week. I don’t even have time to clean the house as it is.

 

[equestrian7474]

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 keep my horse in full livery and I have no issues with it! As long as you do some research into the yard and find a good yard with trustworthy people everything should be fine.

When I am at the yard I also help care for other liveries and we treat them like royalty! As long as you have a good yard there should be no isssues and it’s a good option.

 

[Jellymoon]

I think it’s a brilliant idea and you should go for it.

I have mine at home, but have used full livery on occasion for various reasons, and as long as it’s the right yard, it’s fabulous. I prefer it to be yard run by a professional rider who I admire and also trains me, I find you get better care and higher standards.

You also need one where they pay and treat their staff well, so there’s not a huge turnover of dissatisfied grooms who may not treat your horse well. Even if you have to pay a little more, it will be worth it. Shop around and do lots of research.

And don’t feel because you are getting a safe cob that it can’t be on a professional yard. The yard I use is run by an event rider, full of some very fancy horses, but also home to a wonderful cob owned by a novice rider. That horse is treated like a king, looks an absolute picture, beautifully schooled, and the grooms all fight over who gets to ride him as he’s safe and comfortable!
They all love him and he gets the biggest stable on the yard.
Also, turnout is important and I would never have a horse in a yard where the policy is to keep them stabled all winter.
Go for it, you won’t regret it, and you may find in time you want to do a bit more yourself, which is also fine. There will always be jealousy as it’s human nature to be envious of people who can afford more than others, but you may find less of this on a yard where they have lots of full liveries.

 

[Circe2]

I’m another person who would 100% upvote full livery, especially as a new/first time horse owner. My reasoning behind this is that you can easily watch/shadow/ask staff if you’re unsure about how to do something, gauge their opinion of your horse’s behaviour, and get their help with anything you find tricky. Also, full livery shouldn’t at all limit your involvement in the things that matter - I still see my boy 5 times a week normally (a bit less now that I have a sharer, but that’s only because of a physical injury), get to decide what he eats, the turnout he gets (within reason), supplements, when he needs new shoes, attend vet appointments (though not jabs if not needed), and make any other decisions regarding his management. The staff will make suggestions, give me updates on how he’s reacting to any changes, and obviously put what we’ve agreed into practice. They also do really helpful things like laundry (though I still bag it up, label it, text them where the bag is), and haynets/feeding, mucking out, turn in/out, rugging, unless I’m there last in the evening, in which case they leave his bowl out so I can feed, rug and turn him out myself when I’m done. I also muck out whatever he produces when I’m there (throw it in the skip), sweep up after myself and poo pick the arenas after I use them. It works brilliantly and the staff are all great. I find that I’m definitely around him enough to know him, his quirks, if he’s reacting well/badly to any changes, spot any sores or bug bites, notice which horses he gets on with and so on.

It’s also worked really well during covid lockdowns, when visits were restricted to an hour a day per person - part-liveries and DIYs really struggled with the footfall rules, and sadly many couldn’t afford to temporarily change to full livery. Us full liveries stepped up and helped them with evening/morning rug changes and turnout, updates and so on. It was really lovely to see that level of solidarity.