Grass Livery feasibility

[farmerandy]

Hello, I'm after some advice/opinions please;

As a start, I'm considering creating a new 4.5 acre paddock.
In the East midlands, immediately adjacent to a Forestry Commission woodland, which has approx. 6 miles of bridleway (with other FC woodland nearby). There is direct access from this to an extensive bridle network, together with margins around our farm that could be utilised.

The paddock would have complete new fencing to a high standard, most likely Tornado premium netting + Hot wire with Post and Rail in places plus new gates etc. (I have a fencing contractors business as well).
Mains water supply.
Movable field shelter.

Paddock split in two with internal fence.

Any field maintenance e.g. topping, weed control, harrowing would be carried out by myself (farmer).

How is the demand for Grass livery? Or do most require a permanent stable as well?

Reading through the DIY livery yard thread its seems they can be problematic at times, so I thought having private paddocks may be more appealing?

How much would you expect to pay for the above? Are the paddocks big enough?

TIA, Andy.

 

[Bettyboo222]

It sounds good.

Re - the netting, I was always taught never to have netting with horses (presuming it is 'sheep' style netting) as they can get hooves caught in it. Is it possible to have post and rail fencing continuously ?

Personally I would prefer grass livery with my oldie but you need to make sure you have somewhere that liverys could put their tack if required and parking for cars. Also if a horse is injured and requires box rest is there an 'emergancy' stable for this.

I prefer larger shared paddocks rather than induvidual however this is down to a matter of opinion.

I am currently charged £20 a week for stable, unlimited turnout and menage use. You could probably get away with charging between £15-£20.

 

[farmerandy]

It sounds good.

Re - the netting, I was always taught never to have netting with horses (presuming it is 'sheep' style netting) as they can get hooves caught in it. Is it possible to have post and rail fencing continuously ?

The netting has vertical spacing of either 50mm or 75mm, the knots are smooth tight locks (they cannot be stretched), similar to sheep netting but far superior and purpose designed for horses.
Of course I could Post and Rail the whole lot but it would add £3k+ to the cost of establishment, would I see this back?

We do have disused stables on the farm, I hadn't thought of the need for stable rest...?

Are horses owners happy to share paddocks?

Sorry for my naivety.

 

[dilbert]

I think lots of people would be interested in grass livery, it seems to be in quite short supply!

I'm in South Nottingham and at my yard its £40/mth for grass livery, £60/mth including stable.

How many horses were you thinking of having on the land?

 

[misst]

I am sure you would have plenty of potential liveries. I rent a similar set up and prefer individual or pairs turnout. We subdivide the paddocks with our own electric fencing. The most important part is access and storage after safety of the horses. I have private access which is hard cored and a parking area as well as storage for hay and feed. I have put up a small shed too.

Access for vets, delivery lorries etc is also important as is security.

Where the muckheap will go or who will collect is also important.

A lot to consider but, if you find someone like my friend, my daughter and I to rent from you, they, like us would probably pay slightly higher than average. We have 4.5 acres, 2 temp stables, storage, water and access. It is in Surrey so is probably much higher rent than where you are but we pay over the odds to keep our horses exactly as we like with no yard politics. We have 4 between us. We manage the grazing, weeding and general minor repairs and the landowner provides major repairs.
I would also suggest you get a really good contract drawn up regarding, use of the land, who pays for what, rent, notice to leave on either side, and any restrictions you wish to enforce eg no dogs, no livestock etc. (We keep chickens and have dogs and kids!). We also have a veggie patch!

A good landlord will always find tenants.

 

[Bettyboo222]

The netting has vertical spacing of either 50mm or 75mm, the knots are smooth tight locks (they cannot be stretched), similar to sheep netting but far superior and purpose designed for horses.
Of course I could Post and Rail the whole lot but it would add £3k+ to the cost of establishment, would I see this back? .

That sounds better, and I think the netting you have described sounds ok

We do have disused stables on the farm, I hadn't thought of the need for stable rest...?

The need probably won't arise but if it does there needs to be an option.

Are horses owners happy to share paddocks? .

Where I currenly am 10 of use share a 5 acre field that has tree's ect in if for natural shelter, I prefer this as it gives them lots of room and gives them chance to behave like a herd. Some however do not like this

Sorry for my naivety.

We all have to start learning at some point and I'm sure there are subjects that you know lots about and I would be clueless

 

[SO1]

Lots of people want grass livery not just those with very old or very young horses.

You will probably need some sort of barn storage for hay/feed as if there is lots of snow like there has been the last couple of years then the liveries will probably want to feed hay in the winter. If you also make hay on your farm you might want to offer this for sale to liveries.

People don't tend to mind sharing paddocks I am on grass livery and like having a shared paddock as if you only own one horse and want it to have company then shared paddocks work best. Also sometimes horses don't like being left on their own and with a shared paddock with several horses in then this is less likely to happen.

Most people like some hard standing where they can try their horse up on for the farrier esp in the winter.