How much do you pay for full livery?

wildwest said:
my best moments with my horse are on the ground .
when i enter his field and he comes cantering to me neighing for no reason other than he loves me as hes never fed treats or hard food . just a kiss on his muzzle :}
and when your sad and yo sit in the field to get away from it all and he comes over to nuzzle you .
they are my bonding priceless moments .
oh and he does assist me in poo picking he poos i pick !!!!
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thats you though, others may be different?
 
Mongoose11 said:
How exactly does shovelling poo and filling Haynets/water buckets and preparing feeds increase the bond with your horse? Does your horse assist you and you spend time together doing it? I feel most closely connected with my horse when my ridden relationship is going well, when we have had an amazing canter up a sunny hill, when she nickers for her feed after being worked and washed off.

I certainly don't feel our bond is strengthened while I muck out as she continues to stuff her face in the field.

Oh and I'm not on full livery and never have been.
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Shoveling poo and haynets is not a case for bonding, its a owners feeling of actually doing some of the care and looking after some of the day to day chores that go with owning a horse. If its ALL done - everything including riding, then I am of the opinion like wildwest, whats the point of having a horse.

You don't have to feed it
you don't have to ride it
you don't have to clean its tack
you don't have to do anything for it

what pray tell is left??

Livery not to include riding and tack cleaning but labour work done while your in your full day job fair enough. Someone said we should not comment on how OP horse is kept!! why not this is an open forum,


I said IMO and I could not do that to my horses, and I don't see the point. Its my views on it, you will get people for and against that sort of livery care as most of us want to do some of the care even if only riding and tack cleaning.

We never once accused or aimed it at the OP we just voiced our opinions of having "A" horse on a livery where everything done leaving the owner nothing to do.
 
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Theocat said:
It's no-one's business how any other owner chooses to have their horse cared for and what they choose to do with it, and it's sheer bad manners to pass negative comment just because someone does things differently to you.

If the horse is well cared for that's all that matters - and from the sound of OWLIE's livery package, the horse is probably getting its needs met better than the vast majority of leisure horses in this country.

I pay £68 for part, which is everything except exercise, grooming and tack cleaning. My horse genuinely doesn't give a toss who's mucking his bed out, and he certainly doesn't have less of a bond with me because someone else sweeps the yard every day.
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No its called voicing our opinions on the subject, and H & H is a place to air views. When someone writes that everything is done inclusive of the livery so there is nothing left for the owner to do. Its to be expected that some of use read that thread and say what is the point, its our views and wild and me said IMO and We don't see the point.

No different than if we say " I don't get any turn out included in my livery". People will comment and say " I would not stay there |I would move to another place".
 
HGA-12 said:
No its called voicing our opinions on the subject, and H & H is a place to air views. When someone writes that everything is done inclusive of the livery so there is nothing left for the owner to do. Its to be expected that some of use read that thread and say what is the point, its our views and wild and me said IMO and We don't see the point.

No different than if we say " I don't get any turn out included in my livery". People will comment and say " I would not stay there |I would move to another place".
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exactly :}
 
nobody asked you what you thought of their package though..
Your horse doesn't care who soaped his saddle...
 
I have never done full livery but paid between £350 and £400 at various yards in Herts for 5 day part so everything monday to friday except riding, tack cleaning and grooming.

Personally I love getting an afternoon off in the week and going up to the stables. Without the pressure to do chores, I spend longer grooming and generally hanging out with them. Weekends with 2 big very dirty horses to do it feels a bit more rushed.

If I had unlimited money I would happily pay someone else to muck out every day and probably tack cleaning too which I'm not keen on
 
Many thanks for your comments which were very interesting as everyone sees things from a very different perspective.
My lifestyle is such that I spend several weeks and sometimes months away from home in different places all over the world, however I want to know that while I am away that my horse is in good hands and receives the best possible care and attention that money can buy. When I return back home I always look forward to be able to ride my horse and he is always fit and I can ride him as much as I want to which includes some nice long rides going out by ourselves or with others. I sometimes take my horse to my friends places and am then able to look after him myself and go hacking in some different places which makes a nice relaxing break away from things. Although my horse is in full livery I have learnt a lot about horse management from the grooms that look after him which is all part of enjoying having a horse and I look forward to the time I will be able to spend more time at home and buy a place where I can keep my horse at home and have even more fun riding and looking after him. (I can even clean tack)!
 
SusieT said:
nobody asked you what you thought of their package though..
Your horse doesn't care who soaped his saddle...
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Nobody said we were not allowed to comment either. As I see it everybody voiced an opinion on OP first thread, you cannot stipulate only those for the package can reply. H & H has 85 % of threads where people voicing their opinions albeit pro or con a subject. So Until H&H say no objective threads members will comment even if its not in favour of the original poster. Then there will always be people against or anti / objective of what your doing with your horse / routine / feeding regime.

I wonder what the discussion would be like on a car forum where someone says -
I have a classic car I pay £££ for a garage per week what do you pay per week for your classic car's storage and what does it include???


MY storage rent includes someone driving my car - washing it and servicing it as well and storage.

I would still say whats the point in having a car if you hardly use it / drive it. Pay someone else to look after it???

I might add those who work away a lot overseas etc. Then I understand the need for full time care as with boarding cats and dogs
 
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£80 per week at ours. That's stabled every night, turned out every day. Rug changes, mucked out, field poo picked, feet picked, all hay, straw & basic feed included. Use of arena & someone onsite 24/7
 
The yards around me in West Yorks charge around £100 pw for full but this generally doesn't include riding/ grooming or tack cleaning. Just mucking out, feeding and turning in/ out.
 
It's €100 per week over here which is considered on the expensive side. However, I'm one of 2 liveries at a competition yard with access to an eventer and a former Chef D'equipe for any training and care advice. The yard has a sand arena with so many fences and fillers for jumping, a grass dressage arena, an all weather gallops, a lunge box and a horse walker. Horses are out from 6pm until 10/11am. This suits my lad as he has a pink nose and pink skin under his skewbald coat. I usually find him stretched out in his bed when I arrive at lunch time.

They change rugs, bring them in/out, put them on the walker if needed and will school horses if we can't get over for what ever reason. The YO lives on site and the yard is very secure with your own space in a love tack room. They have access to ad-lib hay, hard feed twice a day and straw bedding. Miller goes out with 2 other geldings and they get along great. He has never been happier. He loves the relaxed routine and knows he has his little bit of work to do each day (Monday is his day off) and then chill for the rest of the day.
 
HGA-12 said:
If its ALL done - everything including riding, then I am of the opinion like wildwest, whats the point of having a horse.
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A bit like having a housekeeper then? What's the point in people having a house if all the work is done by the housekeeper. Lol, you are too funny Leviathan :smile3:
 
And that probably reflects the standard of care he and his tack gets as opposed to the standard of care the op you chose to attack gives her horse via a service.
Maybe think before complaining that somebody else doesn't live your life? It's not nice to be on the receiving end.
 
SusieT said:
And that probably reflects the standard of care he and his tack gets as opposed to the standard of care the op you chose to attack gives her horse via a service.
Maybe think before complaining that somebody else doesn't live your life? It's not nice to be on the receiving end.
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Excuse me??? NO ONE HAS ATTACKED any one
if you look back through the post I said IMO and I would do that, not once did I aim it or otherwise attack OP and neither did Wild or anyone else.

I don't see any post that said OP was doing something wrong or incomprehensible, OP said they have nothing to do its all done for them, so a few members said we don't see the point of having a horse if its all done.

So get your facts straight dear and don't go round accusing members of aiming at one poster when no one actually did.

I stand by what I said I don't see the point of being on full livery where everything is done so nothing left for me to do UNLESS I work over seas for much of the year.

We don't all agree or choose that service, and we are allowed to voice an opinion on that service that is not dissing Owlie for their choice of that service.
 
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I want to be Owlie. No more poo-picking, ragworting, mucking out, waiting for vets, farriers, feed deliveries. Go for it Owlie, if I had your disposable income I'd make the most of it too!!
 
The question was- how much to do you pay for full livery? Not - please comment on whether you think I should own a horse!!!
My horse was on part livery for a number of years - turn out, bring in, muck out, groom, hold for farrier /vet, all feed apart from supplements -£90 a week. Very good value I felt.
Think full - so ridden and tack cleaned each time was £125 a week.

Recently moved horse home to retire - 'bond' is no greater with my horse now I'm the one shovelling poop, as long as she's eating she's happy!

Lots of people have horses on full livery - if you work long hours (to be able to afford a horse), have a career or work away but still want to compete at weekends, for some people it's the only way.
Personally I think it much more responsible for someone to keep a horse on full livery, where all it's care needs are met than to turn it out 24/7 and barely go up to see it once a day (which also happens!).

Do think some of these posters who criticise full livery may well be a little jealous. If I could afford it, I'd have a string of horses at home, someone to look after them, someone to compete at a higher level than I ever could and someone to do my cleaning too and I wouldn't care a jot for what other people thought!
 
SusieT said:
And that probably reflects the standard of care he and his tack gets as opposed to the standard of care the op you chose to attack gives her horse via a service.
Maybe think before complaining that somebody else doesn't live your life? It's not nice to be on the receiving end.
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how dare you ..... what a miserable cow you are
all my posts have been lighthearted and i have never attacked anyone .........unlike you
i have had my boy for 15 yrs through thick and thin and i work weeks away as a carer and never has he cared wether his tack is clean. but his standard of care is second to none ..........you spiteful cow
 
wildwest said:
yo phone up when you want to ride and its tacked up and they hold it while you get on ?? seriously ?
wheres the bond ?
whats the point having a horse ?
not having a go jst dont understand ....
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HGA-12 said:
Don't want to start an argument but :
Sorry but to me its no different than having a ride at a riding school once or twice a week, everything done horse looked after equipment all clean and horse exercised. I don't see the point of having a horse if there is nothing left for the owner to do,they could go a week or more and come back and horse is groomed exercised etc etc.
IMO paying that amount cleaning tack only once a week is a bit stingy, I would expect it done every day.

As above part of having a horse is doing some of the chores / riding etc. Its a bit like having a car no emotion, no bond, Just get into it- drive it - hand it back. Strange.................. sorry I could not do that to my horses
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Attacking, no. Judgemental, yes. All Owlie did was answer a question.

As for the comments on tack cleaning...I don't think anyone was being a spiteful cow at all...I think it was just an attempt at dosing a little of your own medicine rather than a serious judgement of you. That's the point....it's up to you what you do with your tack and you didn't ask any of us to question you on it...but you felt it perfectly acceptable to pass comment on how someone else wishes to enjoy their horse.

The disagreements in this thread are totally pointless. Live and let live...if no horses are harmed, what's the bleddy problem???
 
See- you don't like your care being questioned without asking opinions about it anymore than anyone else does. Point made.
 
I think our yard charges £110 for full livery. Some people have the full package that Owlie has which I guess is a little more, although not much more.
The standard of care is excellent and I'd love to have someone tack up my horse for me. Unfortunately, I can't justify full livery as I have plenty of time.
Have to say, that the full livery horses are all fit and gleaming while some of the DIY horses are a little fat and flabby.....
 
_GG_ said:
Attacking, no. Judgemental, yes. All Owlie did was answer a question.

?
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NO one is being "judgmental" I stand by what my thoughts have been since looking after liveries in the 80's where the owners paid "full" livery where everything was done and very rarely saw their horses weeks went bye/ months and they did not see their horses. They were not working over seas they were not incapacitated. Also maybe owlie did not realize that posting that everything was done would get responses from those who feel that "whats the point" views from some members.
Its nothing new it happens daily / weekly where a thread has both sides of the coin mentioned and some cannot/ wont see the other side.

The difference with me is I see both sides, I see it from owlies side, they can afford this service its suits them in their life with family/work/pleasure. Their horses is happy - family are happy they are not tied to the yard.

MY side I love doing all the labour intensive bits, mucking out general day to day care, and since its my yard I see my animals daily, I would find it impossible to let anyone else to do everything to my horse and me not being able to take any part in it.

"I" don't see the point and I would not do that to my horses. That is my opinion and it wont change, as I said this is not dissing Owlie's choice for this service and it suits them fair enough. Just because someone disagrees with this service and says why.

That is the trouble with this forum as soon as someone replies to a thread in disagreement or voices their opinions which are anti someones choice, their accused of being judgmental.

I really don't see why you are all getting on your high horses, when the original person owlie has not responded or is not upset by are views. Owlie go for it gal if it suits you then that is gr8, glad you have a service that suits your needs and your horses. :)

Now I don't see the need to continue this dragging it on. Sorry OP we hijacked your thread

nuff said........................
 
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HGA-12 said:
NO one is being "judgmental" I stand by what my thoughts have been since looking after liveries in the 80's where the owners paid "full" livery where everything was done and very rarely saw their horses weeks went bye/ months and they did not see their horses. They were not working over seas they were not incapacitated. Also maybe owlie did not realize that posting that everything was done would get responses from those who feel that "whats the point" views from some members.
Its nothing new it happens daily / weekly where a thread has both sides of the coin mentioned and some cannot/ wont see the other side.

The difference with me is I see both sides, I see it from owlies side, they can afford this service its suits them in their life with family/work/pleasure. Their horses is happy - family are happy they are not tied to the yard.

MY side I love doing all the labour intensive bits, mucking out general day to day care, and since its my yard I see my animals daily, I would find it impossible to let anyone else to do everything to my horse and me not being able to take any part in it.

"I" don't see the point and I would not do that to my horses. That is my opinion and it wont change, as I said this is not dissing Owlie's choice for this service and it suits them fair enough. Just because someone disagrees with this service and says why.

That is the trouble with this forum as soon as someone replies to a thread in disagreement or voices their opinions which are anti someones choice, their accused of being judgmental.

I really don't see why you are all getting on your high horses, when the original person owlie has not responded or is not upset by are views. Owlie go for it gal if it suits you then that is gr8, glad you have a service that suits your needs and your horses. :)

Now I don't see the need to continue this dragging it on. Sorry OP we hijacked your thread

nuff said........................
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No high horse...honestly. Maybe it's just the fact that when someone writes something it's hard to see how others read it and whilst I perfectly understand and agree with your points above....yep, I agree with you...I don't really see the point myself either...but the posts I quoted read to me and clearly to others that you are. You yourself said, "sorry, I could not do that to my horses", which does make it sound like you are judging Owlie for what she chooses to do.

That's all. Like I said, I agree with you, but the thing about the written word is that it tone cannot be heard and when we write something...sometimes it comes across a little differently to how we might wish it to. I'm just one of those annoying people that finds it a bit uncomfortable to see someone get those kind of comments....but that is my problem, I know :)
 
OWLIE185 said:
I pay £350 per week inclusive of vat.
They do everything 24/7 including cleaning the tack at least once a week, being there for the farrier and vet, Grooming and exercising 2 hours per day (and they do do it), mucking out and cleaning out the water drinkers, feeding once a day, mucking out. They also provide the feed and the bedding (wood chips) and they have someone on site an night. I phone up when I am going to ride and and the horse is tacked up for me and they hold the horse while I get on. My horse is turned out in it's own post and railed fenced paddock during the day and in at night.
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Jesus, we'd never have clients at this rate! We're struggling to get breakers and schooling livery in at 160 a week, let alone this price! This is with all above included with a jockey (my sister) who has a pretty decent competition record and we are renowned for getting results from particularly tricky and quirky horses... A well known local event rider only wanting £220 and that includes travel to events.

On the post of why have full livery, we have 2 clients in particular who spring to mind who have their horses with us. 1 is on full hunting livery and horse resides with us during the Summer, the owner pops over once a month or so maximum and only sees him during the season on hunt days. Another has been 5 months without seeing her horses, she gets regular photo's and updates etc of how he is and she pops up when she has 5 mintues mainly during the Summer. Both owners love their animals dearly but are too busy to do day to day care, they know they are beautifully looked after and safe. Who is anybody to judge anyone how they choose to have their horses cared for and in what manner. The ironic thing is their animals may well be better cared for than say somebody who struggles with a 50hr week job and gets by to the horse once a day for 30mins a time. NoIone should judge anybodies personal choice when it comes to the care of their horses, every situation is different and so our clients are treated as such.
 
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This is I think a very interesting thread and Montanna's yard sounds really good value and GG's yard to be lovely.

Where I keep mine, full livery is I think £140 with the horse ridden 5 days a week. That reflects the yard owner's position and that liveries who are around tend to help out at weekends.

What I think interesting is that £350 a week is probably realistic from a business owner's point of view once you have property costs, capital costs, rent or mortgage, insurance, staff wages, horse feed, bedding costs etc, land maintenance etc etc.

Many yards keep going at a lower rate because they have lower costs - be it part of a family farm, family doing work, working pupils etc.
 
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