Muddywellies
Well-Known Member
Who has done this, what were your reasons, and how did you find it?
Going from full livery to DIY
- Thread starter Muddywellies
- Start date
Nonjumper
Well-Known Member
I did this years ago. My initial reasons where I wanted an arena and better hacking (less busy main roads). I'm not going to lie, it was a big transition with a steep learning curve. Suddenly you are thrust into a world of getting up early and heading to the yard come rain or shine or your feeling ill; having the sole responsibility for a living being whose food doesn't come in convenient tins or pouches. It's hard work, and when it's cold and wet it can be soul destroying, but you probably build a better relationship with your horse by being their 'one and only'. The cost saving is debatable as now you have to buy everything, rather than it being included.
If I did get another horse, I would most definitely be keeping it at full livery, having been there and done that with DIY. The only reason I'd consider DIY now is if I had stables and land with my house so they were literally just outside the backdoor.
If I did get another horse, I would most definitely be keeping it at full livery, having been there and done that with DIY. The only reason I'd consider DIY now is if I had stables and land with my house so they were literally just outside the backdoor.
FiandP
New User
I did this two months ago. I moved for better turnout but the final straw was him not getting the care he needed at full livery, I'd come up and his bed would be disgusting, water bucket not cleaned etc. I commute in to London two days a week and have a busy job so I thought I'd never be able to handle DIY but it's been going OK so far. He is miles happier and I like knowing everything has been done to my standards.
They've just gone out 24/7 for summer so into the easy part but I've found it less stressful to plan an hour into my day to muck out rather than coming up to ride and finding I have to do a full bed re-fresh instead because it's not been done properly all week. I'm lucky in that a friend is also at this yard so we have split turnout/bring in and there's an option to pay for freelancing. It can definitely work if you find the right arrangement but I stressed hugely beforehand. Might think differently after a full winter of mucking out in the dark!
They've just gone out 24/7 for summer so into the easy part but I've found it less stressful to plan an hour into my day to muck out rather than coming up to ride and finding I have to do a full bed re-fresh instead because it's not been done properly all week. I'm lucky in that a friend is also at this yard so we have split turnout/bring in and there's an option to pay for freelancing. It can definitely work if you find the right arrangement but I stressed hugely beforehand. Might think differently after a full winter of mucking out in the dark!
Muddywellies
Well-Known Member
Tbh I've done them myself for 30 odd years, but in the last few years been able to afford the 'luxury' of full livery. However I question some of their methods and for what I'm paying, I had may aswell save myself some pennies and go back to doing what I know suits my horse. Just nervous about making the change back to DIY having enjoyed the freedom of full livery.
Jambarissa
Well-Known Member
I was on full livery for a few years when work was hectic but had had my own place for years before so was used to diy. I hated it, even though horses were well looked after and the routine worked for them it was never tailored to be perfect for them and I missed the closeness.
I much prefer DIY but with the option of paid assistance. For years I paid for morning feed and turnout so I only needed to go once a day. Current yard is close so I tend to do it all myself but groom can do anything needed at very short notice.
On cost DIY was significantly cheaper than full even after paying for everything but with the price of hay/bed/feed/fuel these days it's not necessarily so clear cut.
I much prefer DIY but with the option of paid assistance. For years I paid for morning feed and turnout so I only needed to go once a day. Current yard is close so I tend to do it all myself but groom can do anything needed at very short notice.
On cost DIY was significantly cheaper than full even after paying for everything but with the price of hay/bed/feed/fuel these days it's not necessarily so clear cut.
Jambarissa
Well-Known Member
The main advantage I found with full livery was that I had the time and energy to ride! Do factor that in if you're a serious rider.
I would definitely ride more often in winter if my horses were waiting for me clean, dry and fed rather than muddy and ravenous at the gate.
I would definitely ride more often in winter if my horses were waiting for me clean, dry and fed rather than muddy and ravenous at the gate.
Muddywellies
Well-Known Member
This is a big one for me as I am a serious rider. It definitely makes a difference when I can spend my horse time riding rather than doing jobs. I also work full time so I'm afraid going back to DIY will affect my training and progress.
Nonjumper
Well-Known Member
Tbf if I didn't like the way the livery was managed I'd move, rather than automatically go DIY and like I said previously, I'm genuinely not sure you'd save much, if anything, by going DIY over Full livery these days. Back when I did it yeah the difference was significant, but now ...?
Muddywellies
Well-Known Member
I'm on my third full livery yard. (And there aren't many round here). I feel I haven't been able to find the tailored service I would like so my only option now is back to DIY.Tbf if I didn't like the way the livery was managed I'd move, rather than automatically go DIY and like I said previously, I'm genuinely not sure you'd save much, if anything, by going DIY over Full livery these days. Back when I did it yeah the difference was significant, but now ...?
ecb89
Well-Known Member
I’m about to make the switch from 5 day livery to assisted DIY. I already have to pay for my own feed, hay and bedding so for me it is a big saving
Petmurf
Well-Known Member
I did it a year ago and it’s the best thing I did. I love doing everything for him, our relationship is brilliant and I get to spend so much more time with him. I must admit this winter was hard and I struggled getting up early in the worst of the winter and did rethink my choice 
but it’s so worth it I feel.
I do pay for extras twice a week as I’m in the office or sometimes a friend will help out.
I left full livery due to the care and cost, I didn’t think he was being looked after to my standards so decided to do it myself. I save roughly £220 a month but more in the summer months due to less feed/less bedding required.
He’s now out overnight so things are easier and cheaper now so I’m banking the money saved to put towards assistance/ bedding etc in the winter months.
Even if I could afford it/won the lottery I would still do diy.
but it’s so worth it I feel.I do pay for extras twice a week as I’m in the office or sometimes a friend will help out.
I left full livery due to the care and cost, I didn’t think he was being looked after to my standards so decided to do it myself. I save roughly £220 a month but more in the summer months due to less feed/less bedding required.
He’s now out overnight so things are easier and cheaper now so I’m banking the money saved to put towards assistance/ bedding etc in the winter months.
Even if I could afford it/won the lottery I would still do diy.
Caol Ila
Well-Known Member
I did it about three years ago because I ended up with two horses, and I could not afford two on full livery.
I swear sometimes on those miserable, wet days when I'd rather not be at the yard, but to be honest, I prefer being in control over how much hay/bedding/etc. they get, knowing how much hay they had that day and all their stable habits. You certainly spend more time with them!
My yard offers assistance, though, like turn-out/bring-in, and we've made deals with other liveries, so I usually don't have to go twice per day. My husband also helps a lot. I get a few 'full livery' days per week, provided by Mr. Caol Ila. Two on DIY would be a lot harder if it wasn't for that.
I swear sometimes on those miserable, wet days when I'd rather not be at the yard, but to be honest, I prefer being in control over how much hay/bedding/etc. they get, knowing how much hay they had that day and all their stable habits. You certainly spend more time with them!
My yard offers assistance, though, like turn-out/bring-in, and we've made deals with other liveries, so I usually don't have to go twice per day. My husband also helps a lot. I get a few 'full livery' days per week, provided by Mr. Caol Ila. Two on DIY would be a lot harder if it wasn't for that.
MuddyMonster
Well-Known Member
I've done full to DIY a few times - either for a change of circumstances (house move and change of job) but the last time I wasn't happy with the management and customer service - which makes me sound terribly high maintenance but I think if you are paying full livery prices, the YO saying hello is not too much to ask
Ideally I'd have gone Assisted DIY but there were no spaces at yards that offered that (or had poor hacking/limited winter turn out) so went DIY as a temporary measure.
Pony loves the yard so much I've stayed. It works really well now as I WFH with flexi time and yard is close so much less commuting to a further away full livery yard - if I was still commuting for work, I'd prefer to be on Assisted DIY I think.
I'd worked with horses and been DIY in the past so getting up early or the work associated wasn't a shock. Re: cost saving per month, for me it's geniunely half the cost.
I find poor full livery yard is much more stressful than an average DIY yard!
Ideally I'd have gone Assisted DIY but there were no spaces at yards that offered that (or had poor hacking/limited winter turn out) so went DIY as a temporary measure.
Pony loves the yard so much I've stayed. It works really well now as I WFH with flexi time and yard is close so much less commuting to a further away full livery yard - if I was still commuting for work, I'd prefer to be on Assisted DIY I think.
I'd worked with horses and been DIY in the past so getting up early or the work associated wasn't a shock. Re: cost saving per month, for me it's geniunely half the cost.
I find poor full livery yard is much more stressful than an average DIY yard!
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wiglet
Well-Known Member
I was on full livery for years and was very happy with it. Then there was a change of management and it all went downhill very quickly - lack of care, not enough hay/feed and very limited turnout.
I'd done DIY prior to full livery and because I couldn't find another (nice) full livery yard, I went back to DIY.
Not gonna lie, the winter has been bliddy hard work but, my horse had been properly cared for and is happy and it has been lovely to see her every day.
Don't think I'd every go back to full livery, there are rare, good yards but, the majority seem to cut corners to make ends meet and it's the horses that suffer.
I'd done DIY prior to full livery and because I couldn't find another (nice) full livery yard, I went back to DIY.
Not gonna lie, the winter has been bliddy hard work but, my horse had been properly cared for and is happy and it has been lovely to see her every day.
Don't think I'd every go back to full livery, there are rare, good yards but, the majority seem to cut corners to make ends meet and it's the horses that suffer.
teddy_
Well-Known Member
I had no choice but to go onto a DIY yard as my normal full livery YO (a friend who happens to have land and a stable yard) had recently had a foot operation and understandably, didn't want to grapple with a pretty raw 3YO WB.
Personally, I found very little benefit in cost savings as the savings available were totally offset by the time involved in traipsing up and down twice a day and buying everything in. Then, you start paying for some assistance as one cannot always be there when one needs to be and well, the cost savings are at that stage are blown out of the water. Yes, I pay a bit more now, but that is worth being able to just do what I want, when I want.
I found I had less inclination to simply spend time with my horse, especially in the winter we have just had and I cannot tell you how relieved I was when I was able to move my horse back into livery.
Apologies, that all sounds dreadfully negative. Maybe my experience was worse as the DIY yard was poorly run, and I happen to be fortunate enough to have full livery with someone who I trust
.
Personally, I found very little benefit in cost savings as the savings available were totally offset by the time involved in traipsing up and down twice a day and buying everything in. Then, you start paying for some assistance as one cannot always be there when one needs to be and well, the cost savings are at that stage are blown out of the water. Yes, I pay a bit more now, but that is worth being able to just do what I want, when I want.
I found I had less inclination to simply spend time with my horse, especially in the winter we have just had and I cannot tell you how relieved I was when I was able to move my horse back into livery.
Apologies, that all sounds dreadfully negative. Maybe my experience was worse as the DIY yard was poorly run, and I happen to be fortunate enough to have full livery with someone who I trust
.
Squeak
Well-Known Member
That's one of the things that I think is a big benefit of DIY, for me doing everything for a horse is a good thing as it allows me to see the full picture and monitor and adapt for them and see what corresponding performance you get.
I'm very biased though, I love doing everything for my horses and would be far too pedantic to let anyone else look after them.
Fieldlife
Well-Known Member
I have done a mix over the last 20 years.
Currently DIY and I cover 9/14 ends of the day a week, and pay a freelancer to feed 5 evenings a week. My horse lives out, with a 24-7 access to covered hay. I can see him anytime of day or night with remote camera.
I cant currently imagine going back to someone else having control of my horse's access to turnout and access to forage. I am a bit of control freak. And livery over the years (and locations have let me down in so many ways).
But I cant disagree it is a slog in winter, poo picking in mud and getting hay a fair distance from yard out to the field. I dont live near yard either.
Currently DIY and I cover 9/14 ends of the day a week, and pay a freelancer to feed 5 evenings a week. My horse lives out, with a 24-7 access to covered hay. I can see him anytime of day or night with remote camera.
I cant currently imagine going back to someone else having control of my horse's access to turnout and access to forage. I am a bit of control freak. And livery over the years (and locations have let me down in so many ways).
But I cant disagree it is a slog in winter, poo picking in mud and getting hay a fair distance from yard out to the field. I dont live near yard either.
MereChristmas
riding reluctantly into the sunset
I did the reverse.
I looked after my horses myself for 56 years. At one time I had 5 at home, all stabled overnight in winter, out 24/7 in summer.
My pony has been on full livery for 2 years now.
I decided to do this because age has caught up and Mr M and I can no longer do the work and maintenance required.
As a side consequence however that although I may only see my pony 3 times a week our relationship is the closest I have ever had with any of my horses.
Is it because I’m not rushed and all the time I am at the stables I focus on my pony?
Of course I couldn’t do this if he wasn’t cared for to my satisfaction, which he is.
I looked after my horses myself for 56 years. At one time I had 5 at home, all stabled overnight in winter, out 24/7 in summer.
My pony has been on full livery for 2 years now.
I decided to do this because age has caught up and Mr M and I can no longer do the work and maintenance required.
As a side consequence however that although I may only see my pony 3 times a week our relationship is the closest I have ever had with any of my horses.
Is it because I’m not rushed and all the time I am at the stables I focus on my pony?
Of course I couldn’t do this if he wasn’t cared for to my satisfaction, which he is.