Help Needed - I don't know what to do......

[ArabianGold]

Right, get comfy and I shall begin...

I am currently in a full time job, which is secure. I enjoy (ish) what I do although can be very stressful.

I have a 15 yo TB mare who is on DIY livery not far from my home, which is a lovely yard and I get on well with everyone.

I don't have many outgoings only my horse, loan on car and general day to day things like car insurance, phone bill, food etc..

I have been offered the chance to go and run a livery yard in Sussex, with a property.

I have no real savings really, and I don't know what to do!! Shall I go and live the dream I have always wanted and struggle for a bit or do I stay put and carry on with a happy ish life???

 

[Zimzim]

Sometimes the grass isnt always greener on the otherside...!

However if its a dream and you've always wanted to do it, then go for it, you dont get many chances in life to live the dream and you should snap it up whilst you can - yes it might be a bit of a struggle for a while, but things will come right in the end if your determined to give it a go!

 

[Shavings]

I would go follow your dream, if that is your dream
Not often people get to follow there dreams

 

[MerrySherryRider]

Two things; Are you a person who embraces change and thrives on challenges ?
Picture yourself in 5 years time. How do picture your life ?

In your favour, you have a successful life where you are now, so you have the ability to be successful (ie; happy and functional) somewhere else too.

Would taking on a new challenge mean burning your bridges and not being able to return home and return to your old job or similar after say, 6 months ?

If you are independant and not bogged down by debt, you are in the fortunate position of being able to try new things and even if it doesn't work out, it'll be a valuable experience.

However, do your research carefully and don't leap in head first without ensuring the details. Don't be blinded by the thought of what you want the job to be, but look at what the job actually is.

 

[ArabianGold]

I do thrive on a challenge, when I started my current place of work a year ago I was just an account co-ordinator but now I have worked my way quickly up the ladder and I am now the General Manager.

I like the thought of new experiences and challenges (which I know this will be) but I don't want to be stupid and as you say horserider burn my bridges.

I think my biggest fear is the money side of things, on one hand I have a decent income and can afford the nicer things in life, on the other I have the chance to have my horse stabled at home, a job that I would enjoy daily and although not a rich life (money wise) a happier life in general.

Such a tough choice to make and of course I will do all my studies in to it first.

I am currently laying awake at night tossing thinking of the pro's and con's and one doesn't clearly out do the other at the moment..

 

[FairyLights]

It depends on your personality and no one can answer for you. I have always followed my dreams, Sometimes its worked sometimes its been disastrous sometimes quite boring and not as expected. What I do know is that if I had taken the "safe" route I would have much more money than I have now and would be able to go on holidays and meals out and so on. But still be employed by the Bank and living in suburbia. But, I wouldnt be living in this beautiful part of rural England,with miles of bridleways ,and with my own yard,even if it isnt with the house. I wouldnt be ,married to my darling DH . I woudnt be a housewife with all day to be with my horses if I want to.

 

[crabbymare]

I would be doing some VERY careful costings and looking at the details before you make the move. There is not a hell of a lot of money in running a livery yard and if you have to hire in people for maintenance or whatever needs doing, pay staff, pay insurance, water, electricity, rent and rates there is even less left to live on. If its an established yard you will have some idea from the current person of what the accounts are looking like which would help a lot. Also remember people are now paying later and a fewpeople paying their bills a week late can make a significant dent in your cashflow!
Other than the above would you have to pay up front for the hay/haylage and bedding thats either already there or would you need to buy in? Its more cost effective to buy on bulk, do you have the finances in place to do that?
Do they allow all year turnout or will you have stabled horses most of the winter or when its very wet? What is the fencing and what condition are the stables in? Who is responsible for maintenance?

Be careful as its not easy in this climate to make money and there are more people not paying their bills than ever before but if it works out with the costings and you think you could manage on what it would pay then go for it, otherwise stay where you are and enjoy your own horse and save as much as possible so that you can rent your own yard in a few years time.

 

[lottie940]

I always thought that this was my dream job too......until speaking to YO up the lane from where I keep mine.

She loves her job and its a good job too as she makes very little money from it. She provides full livery Monday to Friday with all food etc in with the price for £60 a horse. The girls have to come up on w/ends and sort their horses themselves.

She will openly tell me tales of how she spends her time refereeing amongst the owners on the yard(everyone has an opinion on how everyone else should keep their horse!), taking flak from owners when they arrive and one of the other horses has damaged their horses rug/equipment etc, she sits worrying at home at night that all the liveries are safe and sound whilst she is away from the yard, she is constantly repairing fencing(has fence wrecker on the yard)poo picking, filling hay nets and all of the other mundane jobs that go with caring for horses.

The only plus sides are that she loves each horse like its her own and she gets to spend all day with animals that she loves. Unless your charging the earth there is little money in it and its more than a full time job in all weathers.

Her stories have definitely put me off that's for sure!!! Think long and hard before giving everything up. Good luck

 

[ArabianGold]

She will openly tell me tales of how she spends her time refereeing amongst the owners on the yard(everyone has an opinion on how everyone else should keep their horse!), taking flak from owners when they arrive and one of the other horses has damaged their horses rug/equipment etc, she sits worrying at home at night that all the liveries are safe and sound whilst she is away from the yard, she is constantly repairing fencing(has fence wrecker on the yard)poo picking, filling hay nets and all of the other mundane jobs that go with caring for horses.

Thank you Lottie for being open about it, With regards to the mundane jobs I wouldn't have a problem with doing any of this.

I wouldn't be offering DIY livery it would be full or part. As much as I am a current DIY person seeing others on my yard treat the current yard I am on the way they do I wouldnt want that on my yard, I like things to be kept tidy and clean as much as poss.

The current owner charges £108 per week and seems to be having a lot of interest.

There is a flood lit 40x20m school, 30 acres, internal stables, fencing is all post and rail. As well as a lot more...

 

[honetpot]

I am going to look on the black side.
You take the job it does not work out,then you can not find another job and can not afford to keep your self or your old horse . What would you do?
I have friends who have run and owned livery yards and they are toxic to all but the very strong willed,thick skinned and organised.
I am buying a house with 15 acres and planning for a livery yard but will I be having one? No.
If this is really your your dream I would recommend taking 2 weeks holiday and go work full time on a large yard. Try and get the owners to show you all the H&S, risk assesment etc. Do a buisiness plan and go to the bank and see if you can borrow any money based on that plan. If nothing else they will see any gapes in your thinking.
I am sorry to be such a wet blanket but you have to make money and if you do not the owners of the yard will only to glad to get someone else in, they really have nothing to lose.

 

[StormyMoments]

i would recommend taking a few weeks off work and going and working on a large livery yard. you quite often dont realise how much work it is until you are doing it and you dont want to jump in the deep end and realise you cant get out! you may find doing your horse is easy but doing 15-20+ horses is a lot different and no matter how much i loved the horses and the people i hated when i finally got around to doing my own. well i was too tired, i rarely rode, didnt have time to groom him or anything i just spent the whole time doing other peoples horses constantly on a time scale, 15 hour days, very little pay and when you finally get some time you will have a livery moaning about something so you dont rest at all really

but then again you may jump to it just dont drop your self in it and realise you cant cope! good luck with your decision!

 

[OWLIE185]

Very few livery make any money. They are very labour intensive and require a lot of maintenance. They are just a big black hole for money even if you own the freehold of the property.

Running a yard is a challenge. It is not the horses - it is the owners, their kids, relatives, friends and pets all of whom are mostly very demanding.

My advice would be to stick with your job and make some money so that you can save up and buy your own property with land.

 

[Fellewell]

Regret for the things we did can be tempered by time; it is regret for the things we did not do that is inconsolable.


(Sydney J. Harris)

 

[ArabianGold]

Thank you for all your messages, you are certainly helping in my decision with what to do.

I have worked on large yards before so I know that lack of time is a common thing when doing this type of service.

I have started putting a business plan together (numerous hours pondering over it) and I was thinking of approaching the bank if not for some advice with my BP if nothing else..

I think I need a long hard think before I do anything rash...

Thanks again you have certainly opened my eyes a lot more..

 

[Angelbones]

Is there any way you can do some behind the scenes research into the livery yard? So many seem to have a bad reputation / high turnover of clients - you'd want to know if you were walking into a possible nightmare situation. How about taking a week's holiday and going down to do a trial before you leap into it? If it all checks out then I'd say go for it

 

[Bikerchickone]

Where is the yard? I'm from West Sussex and I see someone else who has commented is East Sussex, might be worth finding out if any of us know of this yard, or can help you with acceptable prices/services in the area? Sometimes local knowledge can be really useful. Good luck whichever way you go.

 

[Ladyinred]

My son gave up a well paid job to go live his dream. He only did it for a year but loved every single minute and never regretted the loss of income/unsocial hours etc. It nade him into a much better and nicer person. He only left because of a change of direction on the part of the man he worked for which meant his job no longer really existed and he would have been stuck with a lot more office work and less hands-on.

Sometimes you have to go live the dream or feel you have missed an opportunity all your life. I missed mine.. I was once offered a job by an elderly gent and turned it down only to later discover he was one of the countries leading dressage riders of the time. He had approached me at a show and asked if I could possibly warm his horse up for him as he had desperate business elsewhere, and after he offered me a job. All history now but I have always regretted the missed opportunity.

 

[noodle_]

My son gave up a well paid job to go live his dream. He only did it for a year but loved every single minute and never regretted the loss of income/unsocial hours etc. It nade him into a much better and nicer person. He only left because of a change of direction on the part of the man he worked for which meant his job no longer really existed and he would have been stuck with a lot more office work and less hands-on.

Sometimes you have to go live the dream or feel you have missed an opportunity all your life. I missed mine.. I was once offered a job by an elderly gent and turned it down only to later discover he was one of the countries leading dressage riders of the time. He had approached me at a show and asked if I could possibly warm his horse up for him as he had desperate business elsewhere, and after he offered me a job. All history now but I have always regretted the missed opportunity.

this ^

i always say follow your heart


good luck

 

[Jnhuk]

Right, get comfy and I shall begin...

I am currently in a full time job, which is secure. I enjoy (ish) what I do although can be very stressful.

I have a 15 yo TB mare who is on DIY livery not far from my home, which is a lovely yard and I get on well with everyone.

I don't have many outgoings only my horse, loan on car and general day to day things like car insurance, phone bill, food etc..

I have been offered the chance to go and run a livery yard in Sussex, with a property.

I have no real savings really, and I don't know what to do!! Shall I go and live the dream I have always wanted and struggle for a bit or do I stay put and carry on with a happy ish life???

Are you buying an existing business (livery yard) with the property, land etc.... or are you leasing/renting etc... I would ask to see last three years accounts (minimum 3 years push for five years if you can!) and ask an accountant to check them over before making a decision. Ask to see the standard livery contracts to see what is covered currently for what etc....

Can you run the yard yourself or you having to pay staff? If just yourself, what happens when you are ill and/or need a break/holiday? What happens if you are injured? These things all need answered in your own mind.

Next question, why is the person currently running it, offering it to you? Does the reason ring true? If the offer seems generous be suspicious that you are missing something. Double check all the legal and H&S stuff.

As a business owner (nothing to do with horses),it is an exciting but apprehensive time and you will wonder if you have done the right thing and no doubt loose sleep whilst making the decision. You have to balance up everything carefully and try not to let emotions take over your common sense. But at the end of the day, you only live once and will you always regret not taking this opportunity? If the £ are viable and you are not going to cause you, your family and your horse getting turfed out on the street if things go belly up, then it may be worth giving it a go.

BUT Please get and take good professional advice then heed it!

If this one ends up not being for you but as a result you really want this, then start working towards that dream so it will happen for you in the future and maybe try to build up some savings or a financial buffer so you are in a better place ready to take over a business or start one up. It is amazing how many wee things are needed and the £s soon add up.

Above all, best of luck and like anything, there are good things and bad things about being self employed.