spotty_pony
...
a) keep your horses at home what are the advantages and disadvantages?
b) keep your horses on livery what are the advantages and disadvantages?
b) keep your horses on livery what are the advantages and disadvantages?
For those of you who ...
- Thread starter spotty_pony
- Start date
madhector
Well-Known Member
keep mine at home, great cos close by for emergencies or when box rested and need constant attention! not so great as can see exactly what they get up to in the field when my back is turned, wish it was someone elses field then
pottamus
Well-Known Member
I keep mine at home (rented field along the lane). It works really well for me because I can do as I please, have no one interferring and telling me what to do all the time and can manage my horse how I want. So he has turnout all year, a well managed and maintained field all year (done by me) and no injuries because he is not kept with loads of other horses.
I ride on my own and have my own agenda so a yard of people to hack out with does not appeal to me. I am also lucky because there are lot's of us horse owners in the area and we look after each others horses when we have holidays, nights away etc...so no worries there either!
I ride on my own and have my own agenda so a yard of people to hack out with does not appeal to me. I am also lucky because there are lot's of us horse owners in the area and we look after each others horses when we have holidays, nights away etc...so no worries there either!
the watcher
Well-Known Member
At DIY livery..advantages, facilities I would struggle to provide in just a field, always somebody else around to help out if I am stuck at work or need a day away..disadvantages..it is keeping me poor and numerous return trips throughout the day unless I spend all day there
Kate_13
Well-Known Member
OWN YARD - I rented my own yard just seconds away from my house, It was great. I could do my horses as I pleased, arrange my own field rotation, own agenda and I had my own school!
DIY/ PART - I moved county, so now am in a yard, am lucky cos it is small and only 2 liveries the other 4 horses are the owners. I get use of the school, someone to hack with, go to shows with, share equipment when required, someone to talk to, someone to look after him if I am on a 12 hour shift. The downside is the money - livery is never cheap!
DIY/ PART - I moved county, so now am in a yard, am lucky cos it is small and only 2 liveries the other 4 horses are the owners. I get use of the school, someone to hack with, go to shows with, share equipment when required, someone to talk to, someone to look after him if I am on a 12 hour shift. The downside is the money - livery is never cheap!
brighteyes
Pooh-Bah
I have them at home now - advantages - handy and can nip in and out if needs be. Am my own boss, stuff doesn't 'go missing', can keep it tidy. Cheaper.
Was at livery - advantages - friends around, was perhaps better organised but that's all
Was at livery - advantages - friends around, was perhaps better organised but that's all
RunToEarth
Well-Known Member
Keep mine at home.
Great because there are:
No liveries to pinch my stuff, tell me how to ride or anything in between.
No waiting to use the arena, just squabbles between sis and I.
No really early mornings, get up, walk 10 steps and Im at the yard.
No worrying about them, if he has got a cut from hunting that day, I can skip over several times to check.
Turn out when I want, in whichever field I like.
No allocated place for my stuff in the tackroom, its alll mine
Disadvantages
A good chinwag with fellow equestriads I suppose...
Great because there are:
No liveries to pinch my stuff, tell me how to ride or anything in between.
No waiting to use the arena, just squabbles between sis and I.
No really early mornings, get up, walk 10 steps and Im at the yard.
No worrying about them, if he has got a cut from hunting that day, I can skip over several times to check.
Turn out when I want, in whichever field I like.
No allocated place for my stuff in the tackroom, its alll mine
Disadvantages
A good chinwag with fellow equestriads I suppose...
natz
Well-Known Member
Keep my gal at home . . . .
Great cos have my own routine, do what I like, when I like!! Woman about 2 fields down from us has three horses, so can go riding with her and use her arena, best of both worlds!!
Great cos have my own routine, do what I like, when I like!! Woman about 2 fields down from us has three horses, so can go riding with her and use her arena, best of both worlds!!
barnbrookaa
Well-Known Member
Keep mine at home right next to house so can see if theres a problem can sort easy and mate has her horses round the corner so can ride out with her whenever.
Jellicle
Well-Known Member
DIY livery
advantages:
better facilities
more company for the horses so they don't get attached to a single companion.
more company to hack out etc, and advice and help when you need it.
Not having to maintain the fields and stables
Disadvantages
Journeys to and from the yard.
advantages:
better facilities
more company for the horses so they don't get attached to a single companion.
more company to hack out etc, and advice and help when you need it.
Not having to maintain the fields and stables
Disadvantages
Journeys to and from the yard.
Skhosu
Well-Known Member
having done both:
at livery : found horses being used for ride soccasionally,
had to go up there
had to pay money!
Restrictions imposed by YO on tunrout (in 24/7 all yr round), sandschool use etc.
stables not taken care of to y standards (i.e mucked out once a day...and sometimes asked to do it oursleves (on full livery!)
only advantage that they got basic care if we weren't up, although it basically consisted of a bucket of water a day and a haynet, one for day, one for night, both small as the 'bigger horses need the bigger nets'.
at home:
can do it all my way.
can choose to trash fields or not!
only thing is, HAVE to muck out every day, go out twice etc.
Can be more flexible with routine etc.
getting holiday cover is ok if you have horsey neighbours!
at livery : found horses being used for ride soccasionally,
had to go up there
had to pay money!
Restrictions imposed by YO on tunrout (in 24/7 all yr round), sandschool use etc.
stables not taken care of to y standards (i.e mucked out once a day...and sometimes asked to do it oursleves (on full livery!)
only advantage that they got basic care if we weren't up, although it basically consisted of a bucket of water a day and a haynet, one for day, one for night, both small as the 'bigger horses need the bigger nets'.
at home:
can do it all my way.
can choose to trash fields or not!
only thing is, HAVE to muck out every day, go out twice etc.
Can be more flexible with routine etc.
getting holiday cover is ok if you have horsey neighbours!
luane1
Well-Known Member
Done both but back at full livery advantages are the riding facilities, indoor and sand paddock, great company of others daughters age, always someone to turn to for advice (whether you take it or not), we dont have petty rules as we did the 1st yard we were at, they are well looked after mucked out am and skipped out pm, turned out in paddock each day if you want. Ok sometimes we all have a moan but I couldn't cope with 3 at home now unless we spent a lot of money and built facilities. Disadvantages the travelling but I reckon the cost is not over the top if I compare it to the cost of my time running a small yard for 3
samsaccount
Well-Known Member
My boy is at home and my only downside is that i don't have an arena to exercise him in. Great having him at home because it costs nothing for the stable and fields, can check on him at any time i like, would say i don't have people sticking their nose into things but my aunt does that grrr, i can leave my things wherever i like and they will not get pinched and if they are moved i know who has moved them etc
beh
Well-Known Member
livery yard:
disadvantages: can be bitchy, have to pay, sometimes rules that are silly and stuff, limited space,
advantages: someone to ride with, someone to lend an hand, someone to bitch with if you want or just have a god chinwag
disadvantages: can be bitchy, have to pay, sometimes rules that are silly and stuff, limited space,
advantages: someone to ride with, someone to lend an hand, someone to bitch with if you want or just have a god chinwag
Leah3horses
Well-Known Member
Well I have to say my experience of livery isn't great...neglected horses and nosey parkers,stuff going missing,paying over the odds,liveries who act like they own the place...but some nice people too and back up in an emergency.
Have my own yard now and although it's hard work and no back up I love the privacy and my horses are much happier, they have a lot more stability in their herd.
Have my own yard now and although it's hard work and no back up I love the privacy and my horses are much happier, they have a lot more stability in their herd.
helenandshadow
Well-Known Member
I keep Shadow in DIY livery.
Advantages:
good facilities
people to ride with
lots of horses so they don't get attached
Disadvantages:
poor turnout
cost
travelling
limited storage space
bitchy people and people who steal things (although i don't really have this problem at my current yard)
stupid rules
I've never had my horses at home but we used to keep them at my uncle's fields and stables.
Advantages:
all year turnout
free
close to home
lots of storage space
private - no bitching, things don't get stolen
you can do what you want
Disadvantages:
no school - so in the winter when the fields were wet and it was dark i could only hack at weekends
no one to ride with
if you only have a few horses they can get attached
So there are more advantages to keeping your horses at home/private yard, but not having a school is a big disadvantage, and the reason why i have Shad in livery.
Advantages:
good facilities
people to ride with
lots of horses so they don't get attached
Disadvantages:
poor turnout
cost
travelling
limited storage space
bitchy people and people who steal things (although i don't really have this problem at my current yard)
stupid rules
I've never had my horses at home but we used to keep them at my uncle's fields and stables.
Advantages:
all year turnout
free
close to home
lots of storage space
private - no bitching, things don't get stolen
you can do what you want
Disadvantages:
no school - so in the winter when the fields were wet and it was dark i could only hack at weekends
no one to ride with
if you only have a few horses they can get attached
So there are more advantages to keeping your horses at home/private yard, but not having a school is a big disadvantage, and the reason why i have Shad in livery.
clipclop
Well-Known Member
Have done both.
Livery-Advantages.
Can always get someone else to help you if you had to work late/away etc
Real support team when the chips are down
Support team when competing (Was like rent-a-crowd, LOL)
Kept me organised
Didn't have to worry about fencing or fields
Flat area for schooling
Plenty of people to go riding with.
Disadvantages
Bad atmosphere when there were issues!!
Don't have much choice who goes out with your horse (BTW mine was the problem one
The one who removed everyone's tail flaps
)
Own Pad - Advantages
No one telling you what THEY think you SHOULD be doing. (Had one awful woman)!!
No one telling me anything
No bitching
No wingeing
Disadvantages.
Always on a never ending circle of maintenance and modifications.
Livery-Advantages.
Can always get someone else to help you if you had to work late/away etc
Real support team when the chips are down
Support team when competing (Was like rent-a-crowd, LOL)
Kept me organised
Didn't have to worry about fencing or fields
Flat area for schooling
Plenty of people to go riding with.
Disadvantages
Bad atmosphere when there were issues!!
Don't have much choice who goes out with your horse (BTW mine was the problem one
Own Pad - Advantages
No one telling you what THEY think you SHOULD be doing. (Had one awful woman)!!
No one telling me anything
No bitching
No wingeing
Disadvantages.
Always on a never ending circle of maintenance and modifications.
YorksG
Over the hill and far awa
Have done both, would never willingly go back to some-one else's yard. I can go out to check them at any time I am at home. Share the work with sister, not a huge problem if one of us (usually me) gets caught late at work. Turn out whenever we want. The four mares are a stable herd, no geldings turned out with them. Loads of horsey neighbours so apart from riding alone or with sister can ride with them, really good local riding club. No arena or indoor school, so problems riding in bad weather, but had that problem at livery yard in the past. Hopefully the problem of turning the old laies out for 12 or 13 hours in bad weather will be sorted soon as there is someone who may be willing to do that and muck out after christmas hols.
sunsation
Active Member
My 3 are all at home at the moment.
It's great as I can ride when I want, where I want (without running the risk of running into other people that also want to work their horses with limited space)
My stuff doesn't go missing
I can feed what/when I want
I can always go out and change rugs if it's too hot/cold/wet
Vet just down the road (has been VERY handy)
Easy to pop out and tend to injuries multiple times a day
Can rotate paddocks as I please
Can ensure they ALWAYS have clean water
Am aware of all their movements and associations with other people. There was a time at my old stable when noone was quite sure that their horse was 100% safe from being meddled with.
Disadvantages would be that there's noone to chat to or ride with, or ask advice from (but what are forums for eh?)
I have to be here morning and night to feed, rain hail or shine (not that I mind!)
No more sleep ins!
When I boarded, it definitely had its ups and downs.
There were times when just about everyone was trying to ride in the arena at the same time. Sometimes with a lesson going on as well. That's interesting with 5 or 6 people doing a combination of flatwork and jumping in a small arena.
If I had something on, it didn't matter as the owners fed am and pm
I made lots of great friends there that are now 1hr a way!
Disadvantages would be the theft or usage of equipment by one of the boarders who thankfully wasn't there for very long
Busy arena
Couldn't really specialise feed and adjust to each day/week/month/season
Couldn't rotate paddocks
It's great as I can ride when I want, where I want (without running the risk of running into other people that also want to work their horses with limited space)
My stuff doesn't go missing
I can feed what/when I want
I can always go out and change rugs if it's too hot/cold/wet
Vet just down the road (has been VERY handy)
Easy to pop out and tend to injuries multiple times a day
Can rotate paddocks as I please
Can ensure they ALWAYS have clean water
Am aware of all their movements and associations with other people. There was a time at my old stable when noone was quite sure that their horse was 100% safe from being meddled with.
Disadvantages would be that there's noone to chat to or ride with, or ask advice from (but what are forums for eh?)
I have to be here morning and night to feed, rain hail or shine (not that I mind!)
No more sleep ins!
When I boarded, it definitely had its ups and downs.
There were times when just about everyone was trying to ride in the arena at the same time. Sometimes with a lesson going on as well. That's interesting with 5 or 6 people doing a combination of flatwork and jumping in a small arena.
If I had something on, it didn't matter as the owners fed am and pm
I made lots of great friends there that are now 1hr a way!
Disadvantages would be the theft or usage of equipment by one of the boarders who thankfully wasn't there for very long
Busy arena
Couldn't really specialise feed and adjust to each day/week/month/season
Couldn't rotate paddocks
Chex
Well-Known Member
I keep mine on DIY on a local farm
Advantages
- someone to hack out with
- other people to check the horses throughtout the day
- Chex isn't lonely, plenty of friends
- brilliant hacking
- very relaxed yard, so I can bring him in when I want etc
- sheep to keep the grass down
- huge cattle court instead of small stable
Disadvantages
- management of the place, like fertilizing already good grass
- other people! I go up early in morning and late at night, so don't bump into people unless I want to
Thats about it. I think I'd be lonely if I had him at home, and so would he!
Advantages
- someone to hack out with
- other people to check the horses throughtout the day
- Chex isn't lonely, plenty of friends
- brilliant hacking
- very relaxed yard, so I can bring him in when I want etc
- sheep to keep the grass down
- huge cattle court instead of small stable
Disadvantages
- management of the place, like fertilizing already good grass
- other people! I go up early in morning and late at night, so don't bump into people unless I want to
Thats about it. I think I'd be lonely if I had him at home, and so would he!